Page 48 of Of Heather and Thistle
Heather sighed dramatically, shaking her head as she unlatched the carrier door. “Oh, she already expects it. You’ve just sealed your fate.”
Byrdie stepped out hesitantly, stretching her front paws before arching into a long, luxurious stretch. With a flick of her tail, she trotted toward the fireplace, as if claiming the coziest spot in the room as her rightful throne.
Flynn huffed a quiet laugh, shaking his head as he moved toward the kitchen. “Well, as long as she doesnae start demandin’ room service…”
Heather smirked, watching Byrdie sniff at the hearth before settling in front of the warmth. “Too late. She already owns the place.”
Flynn cast a glance over his shoulder, amusement tuggingat his lips before he tucked into the kitchen. Heather let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, her gaze lingering on him for a beat too long. He was rugged in a way she wasn’t used to—confident, but without the arrogance that so often came with it. His presence had an easy steadiness, the kind that made everything feel a little less chaotic. And his grin—damn his grin—had a way of making her forget just how much of a mess she was at the moment.
Heather sat down at the small kitchen table, again brushing her still-damp curls away from her face as Flynn turned to check the kettle that was staying warm on the stove.
The rhythmic patter of the rain against the windows filled the space, punctuated by the occasional crackle of the fire in the hearth. Despite the situation, the scent of woodsmoke wrapped around her, the warmth melting into her frozen skin. She should’ve felt out of place in someone else’s home, yet for the first time all night, the shivering in her bones started to ease.
“So…” Flynn said, breaking the silence. “What’s the full story with Glenoran House? I don’t often meet Americans venturing out here, let alone ones aiming for a place like that.”
Heather hesitated, wrapping her hands around the warm mug he’d placed before her. “Well, like I said: it belonged to my family—on my mom’s side. But I didn’t even know it existed until recently. My mom passed away when I was a kid, and my dad… well, he didn’t exactly tell me much about her side of the family. After he passed last month, I found out about the house.” She shrugged, her voice soft. “It felt like a sign. A chance to… start over, I guess.”
Flynn’s expression softened, the teasing glint in his eyes replaced by something gentler. “I’m sorry for yer loss…” He pulled out a chair and sat across from her at the kitchen table, his voice quieter now. “…but picking up and coming all this way? That’s brave. Not everyone would take that kind of leap.”
“More like running away and hoping for the best.” The words slipped out before she could stop them. She blinked, hearing them hang in the air, solid and undeniable. Had she really just said that? Out loud? ToFlynn? The truth settled in her chest a beat too late—she hadn’t admitted it to herself until just now.
“Running away from what?” he asked, his tone curious but not prying.
Heather fixed her gaze into her tea, debating how much to share. “Just… life. It wasn’t exactly working out the way I thought it would. And Glenoran House felt like a chance to start fresh.”
Flynn nodded, lifting his mug and taking a slow sip of tea. He set it back down on the table in front of him, his fingers resting loosely around it as he studied her.
“Fair enough. I reckon a lot of people feel that way when they come to the Highlands—like it’s a reset button. Cannae say I blame you. There’s something about this place that makes everything feel a bit simpler.”
Heather smiled softly. “That’s what I’m hoping for. Though to be honest, this whole night has been anything but simple.”
Flynn smirked. “Aye, I’ll give ye that. But hey… yer surviving. That counts for something.”
She shook her head, laughing despite herself. “Barely. I can’t believe I left my driver to deal with the car and ran off into a field full of cows. This is not how I pictured my big adventure starting.”
“Well, if it’s any consolation,” Flynn said, his grin returning, “yer definitely going to have a story to tell about yer first night in Scotland.”
Heather raised her mug, the warmth spreading through her hands as she gave him a wry smile, her eyes catching his. “Here’s hoping the rest of the trip is a little less… eventful.”
Flynn smirked, tilting his head as he watched her. “Something tells me, lass, that with you, it’s never going to be boring.”
She felt a blush creep up her neck and quickly looked down at her tea while her heart gave an unexpected flutter. Flynn had a way of saying things that made her feel like he saw right through her—but in a good sort of way that she wasn’t used to, like he wasn’t judging her for the chaos that she had brought with her.
Before Heather could respond, a sharp knock at the door interrupted them. Flynn set down his mug with a quiet thud, pushing back his chair as he stood. With a glance toward her, he strode toward the door and swung it open. Alastair stood there, drenched and disheveled, with the lights of a tow truck illuminating the rain behind him.
“Well, that was a wild goose chase; I couldnae find ye anywhere, lass!” Alastair said, stepping into the doorway and brushing rain off his jacket. His eyes landed on Heather, taking in her oversized flannel. “You’ve certainly made yourself at home, I see.”
Heather crossed her arms, feeling her cheeks heat. “It’s not what it looks like. My clothes were soaked, thanks to the rain—and the cows.”
Flynn leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, his expression amused. “It’s true! She showed up looking likeshe’d gone a few rounds in a Highland mud wrestling match. Couldnae exactly leave her dripping everywhere.”
Alastair sighed, shaking his head. “The car’s done for the night. The tow truck driver’s taking it into town, and he mentioned there’s a nice little bed and breakfast in Inverness he can drop ye at.”
Heather’s eyes widened. “Inverness? That’s close to Glenoran House, isn’t it?”
Alastair gave a nod. “Aye, but with this storm, no one’s getting up that road tonight. Ye’ll need to wait it out in town.”
Heather exhaled, relief loosening the knot in her chest. “And you’re sure the driver doesn’t mind taking me there instead?”
