Page 63 of Of Heather and Thistle
Heather rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. “I’m glad I could entertain you. Maybe I’ll throw in a herd of sheep for extra flair next time.”
He raised an eyebrow and muttered under his breath,“Mo chreach!Now that I’d pay to see. ”
Heather winced. “Let’s not tempt fate. I’m not sure my dignity could handle any more wildlife-related disasters.”
Flynn chuckled, leaning forward. “I’ll be sure to keep the wildlife—and your dignity—at a safe distance from now on.”
She smothered a smile, but when she looked up, Flynn was watching her—amused, but with something unreadable flickering behind that lazy grin.
For a brief second, her stomach did that stupid, traitorous flip. Nope. Not going there. She had a house to fix, not time to entertain ridiculous thoughts about attractive Scottish contractors. She crossed her arms, shifting her weight. Flynn was still watching her, head tilted slightly, that infuriating smirk tugging at his lips—like he knew exactly where her mind had just gone.
Flynn nodded towards her. “You can keep the flannel, by the way. Suits you.”
Heather scoffed. “And the sweatpants?”
He sighed, all faux regret. “Aye, those too. A great loss.”
Heather huffed a laugh. “Tragic.”
Flynn grinned. “Och, a noble sacrifice, nonetheless…”
Heather gave a mock glare, then took a deep breath, shifting gears back to business. “Alright, well, in all seriousness, I’m really going to need some help with Glenoran House. It’s a mess. There are leaks, and the floors are squeaky—actually, the whole place is just begging for some TLC… I’m not sure where to start, but I know it’s going to be a huge project.” She hesitated for a moment, rubbing the back of her neck. “And I’ve never had to take on anything like this before, so if you know anyone who can help me get started…”
Flynn’s expression softened, the teasing grin fading into something more thoughtful. “Well, that’s right up my alley. Duncan Restorations specializes in historic properties, after all. If you’re serious about restoring it, I can help you figure out where to begin. And no, it won’t involve any cows, I promise.”
Heather looked at him, her brows raised in surprise. “You really think it’s possible to restore it? It’s been in such bad shape for so long.”
He gave a reassuring nod. “Absolutely. It’ll take time and money, but with the right approach, you can bring it back. And if you need help with the heavy lifting, we’ve got the crew for that, too.”
Some of the weight she’d been carrying seemed to lift. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing I found you then.”
Flynn raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “So, just to be clear—are you here for the house, or have I won you over already?”
His grin was smug, and she really wished it wasn’t attractive. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze lingering on her with just enough intensity to make her heart skip a beat. “Either way, I’m happy to help. You’re in good hands.”
Heather scoffed, shaking her head. “Right, because nothing’s more appealing than a crumbling estate and an overwhelming to-do list.”
Flynn let out a bemused huff. “Could’ve fooled me. You still walked intomyoffice.”
Heather gave an exasperated huff. “Desperation makes people do crazy things.”
He leaned in slightly, voice dipping just enough to make her breath catch. “Aye, well, not every day a woman stridesinto my office asking for a miracle. Makes a man wonder if it’s fate.”
Heather swallowed, forcing herself to hold his gaze. She refused to fidget, refused to react—butGod, did he make it difficult. “Well, I do like to keep things interesting,” she said, aiming for light and teasing—but her voice came out softer than she intended.
Flynn’s smirk deepened—he’d caught it.
She cleared her throat, shifting her stance. “But seriously, I appreciate the offer. I just… don’t know where to start. If you’re willing to help, I’m all in.”
“Of course, I’m in,” Flynn said, his grin tipping just enough to be dangerous. “This place has potential. And let’s be honest, if I can survive another run in with your four-legged fan club, I think I’ll have earned a medal.”
Heather huffed a laugh. “Oh, so now you’re looking for hero status?”
Flynn’s eyes twinkled as he leaned in. “Lass, I’m just trying to keep you in one piece.”
Heather groaned, scrubbing a hand over her face. “I will never live that down, will I?”
He tilted his head, eyes glinting. “Not a chance.”
