Page 43 of Scotch on the Rocks

He was back in a flash, the thick tartan tossed over his shoulder. His unchecked grin leading the way as he bounded back up the hill. Bracketing his feet on either side of mine, he reached underneath both of my arms. Our cheeks brushed and I felt the imprint of his smile, joining with the quiet rumble in his chest.

“Want to try and rein your enjoyment in just a little, Macabe? Keep grinning like that and you’ll get wrinkles.”

That seemed to push him over the edge and the laugh tore free, shaking his entire body. “I didn’t say a word.”

“You didn’t have to. You practically floated back up the hill.” He snickered again and I groaned. “Can we just pretend this never happened?”

“Oh, no. I’m going to be feeding on this memory for years, stinkerbell, might as well get used to it now.” And then before I could even register the new nickname, I was lifted. Leaving nothing but a sickening squelch and my dignity behind.

As soon as I was steady, I pushed him away. Satisfied with the dirty handprint I left on his sweatshirt. “I hope you’re happy with yourself?”

That grin of his refused to slip and he brushed away a single happy tear from the corner of his eye. “You think Ilured you out here so you could trip overyour ownfeet and land in cow shit? That’s a little far-fetched, even for me.”

“I wouldn’t have been out here in the first place if it wasn’t for you.” I gestured down to myself. “Now look at me.”

Unaffected by my goading, he looked me over, from the slightly askew beanie to the mud pies that had replaced my feet, and his nostrils flared. Probably from the smell. “You look fucking beautiful, Juniper, you always do.”

“Am I supposed to believe that’s a compliment?”

“Believe what you like.” He chuckled ruefully, barely even wincing as he swaddled me in the plaid and hefted me into his arms. I shrieked; arms too tangled to cling on. “You never trust pretty words, especially if they come from me.” I opened my mouth, but he cut me off. “Let’s get you home and showered. You’re looking a littlepooped.”

11

Callum

Isle of Skye Guidebook

Kinloch Forest and Leitir Fura

Distance: 6.5km.

Time: Allow 2-3 hrs.

Terrain: Be prepared for steep hills.

This beautiful scenic trail through woodland offers ever-changing fauna, stunning views over the Sound of Sleat and the mountains of Knoydart.

I’d broken her.

Swaddled in my front seat like a newborn, Juniper hadn’t uttered a single snarky comment the entire hike back to the car, her teeth chattering through every miserable step, though I’d carried her through most of it.

Peeling my eyes from the road, I slowed onto a cattle grate and snuck a glance at her. The set of her jaw was steely, but she stared through the flock of sheep grazing at the roadside like she didn’t even see them.

“Are you cold?”

Her head shook while a shiver wracked her body. I cranked the heat higher. Eyes watering from the smell, I focused back on the road. I knew these winding roads like the back of my hand. Even then, it wasn’t wise to rush. At any point the road could curve or dip unexpectedly, or the vehicle in front could slam its brakes, the driver too in awe of the wild landscape.

Juniper shifted, teeth chattering through the small hole I’d allowed for her dirt-streaked face, clothes heavy and wet from the waterlogged mud. I was tempted to press the pedal to the floor, safety be damned. Damn it, but she’d been having a good time … Until she wasn’t. She’d deny it later, of course, but I’d heard her laugh, seen the gleam in her eyes and my heart had punched right through my rib cage in answer.

Then, I remembered the overwhelming horror on her face when the cows crowded in. How she’d screamed, “I’m a vegan!”, right before she hit the floor, as though they should have sensed her allyship and taken it easy on her. And I wanted to laugh all over again.

I’d fully pulled into my driveway when Juniper finally spoke. “We’re at your place.”

I switched off the engine. “I figured you wouldn’t want to risk any guests seeing you like that.” And I selfishly wanted to take care of her.

“Right, of course.” She nodded distractedly, like she was coming out of a dream, reaching for the door handle.

“Stay there. I’ll help.”

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