Page 7 of Desiring the Highland Laird
She didn’t know and she didn’t want to seem like a doubter. She wanted to be supportive of her sister, who frowned into her beer.
“You don’t have to like him,” she muttered. “But I would like it if you got along.”
Evie reached for her hand, grasped it. “Chlo, I don’t know him.” Then she glanced over at the man on stage, singing his lungs out and playing his guitar. “But I’m sure I will like him in time.” She squeezed her hand to press her point.
That seemed to perk her up a bit and she smiled. “Good. Tomorrow, he’s taking us shopping on the Royal Mile. You’ll get to spend some time with him then and get to know him better.”
She clenched to jaw to bite off the acid retort that she came to see her sister, not her sister and her boyfriend. Instead, she gave her a bright smile.
“I can’t wait.”
Chapter Three
The next day,they were up early despite a late night at the pub. Chloe was having the time of her life, so it was difficult for Evie to tell her she was exhausted and wanted to go back to the apartment to sleep. They finally arrived back in the wee hours of the morning.
After a few hours’ sleep, she was still dragging, despite a pot of coffee, when Bruce showed up to take them shopping. Chloe, meanwhile, had a bounce in her step and the light of excitement in her eyes. In fact, she hadn’t seen her sister this happy since she was a little girl when they were promised an ice cream cone after school.
Evie, meanwhile, tried hard not to be cranky even though her sister’s sunny disposition was raking on her last nerves.
As they wandered through Old Town, Evie’s mood lifted. Though she still felt like death warmed over, she managed to make the best of it and ignore the gushing between Bruce and Chloe.
They navigated the throngs of people headed to the shops and up the Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle. It was a highlight when she spotted the castle rising up at the top of the hill. A piper stood on one side playing his pipes. People dropped both dollars and pounds as well as coins into the case in front of him.
They passed St. Giles’ Cathedral as they made their way down High Street. She spied a small shop between a cigarmerchant and a shop specializing in cashmere and lambswool that caught her attention. The name, Mystic Treasures, was in gold letters over the door. Her heart started to beat at a rapid pace. Something told her she had to go in there.
“I’m famished,” Chloe said. “Let’s grab some lunch. What do you say, Evie?”
But she was staring at the small shop with her heart in her throat. Such a strange reaction.
“Evie?” Her sister nudged her.
“Yes, of course,” she said. “You two go ahead. I’ll catch up.”
“Are ye sure, lass?” Bruce asked.
She focused on his face, trying desperately to ignore the pull of the shop across the street. She managed a smile. “I’m sure. I want to look at something and then I’ll meet you after.”
“We’re in no hurry,” Chloe said, clutching his arm. “We’ll come with you.”
Irritation clawed through her, though she couldn’t explain why. “No, you go on. I’ll only be a moment.”
Without waiting for a reply, she dashed across the street, leaving them behind. As she hurried away, her phone vibrated. A quick glance at the screen showed her a message from Chloe telling her where they would be. She stuffed the phone back into her pocket and pushed open the door.
The tiny bell tinkled, announcing her arrival. As soon as she was inside with the door closing behind her, she realized she was in a narrow antique store. She stood there a moment as her eyes took in the small shop. It was crammed full with all sorts of trinkets, furniture, and the like.
Why was she drawn to this shop? She had no explanation for it other than her feet moved her as though they had a mind of their own, pulling her closer and deeper inside. A faint tug in the center of her chest urged her forward. Something about theplace called to her. It made no sense. Yet, here she was, standing at the entrance with her heart pounding in strange anticipation.
The air was warm and scented with the faint, comforting blend of lavender and old wood. The quiet hum of distant chatter and soft music wrapped around her in a gentle embrace. The weight on her chest lightened, her aching soul finding a moment of peace within the cozy walls. Something about this place, with its soft lighting and the familiar scent of ancient items, eased the tension she hadn’t even realized she was holding.
“Good morning,” the shopkeeper called.
The woman had hair so pale it seemed to glow, cascading in soft waves down her back and over her shoulders. Her bright blue eyes caught the light, sparkling with a warmth that drew Evie in. On a second look, though, it wasn’t a trick of light—her eyes shimmered as though they held a trace of starlight within them. When she smiled, one cheek hosted a dimple. Though she wasn’t tall, there was something about her presence that gave her a larger-than-life appearance that bespoke of an ageless power. When she met the woman’s gaze, she sensed an ancient strength beneath her friendly exterior. Her name tag read Moira.
“Hello,” Evie said, finding her voice.
“Can I help you?” she asked.
“Just browsing,” she said.
