Page 21 of My Highland Fling
Seconds after those words dragged him from his thoughts, he blinked.Before he could react further, one of his Middlemarch friends punched him on his left biceps.
“Leave me alone,” Ramsay snapped, his feline coloring his irritated tone.He followed this up with a snarl and allowed his canines to push through his gums.
Liam dropped into the seat opposite Ramsay, unconcerned by his friend’s show of temper.“Instead of mooching around like a sulky girl, why don’t you do something?All the reporters left once the princess did.You don’t need to worry about them hassling you and taking your photo again.”
Scott dragged out a chair and handed a beer to each of them.He picked up the third and took a swig.“You’re old news, my friend.No one will care if you show your face in town.The girls decided we should purchase a present for Saber and London.They made plans with Liam and me this morning, but now we can’t find Suzie.Edwina was shouting at some big, scary bear dude.We didn’t want to butt in because the tension between the two was thick enough to slice.You’ll have to walk into town with us.”
“Why?”
“If we have to suffer through this shopping thing, then so do you.It’s only fair,” Liam said.
Ramsay scowled.“I thought we were going to shop in Edinburgh.Can’t we do it there?”
“We’re doing research.That’s what the girls informed us,” Scott said.
“And we do everything the girls tell us?”Ramsay demanded.
“No, but it helps to look as if we’re obedient.We thought we might have a couple of pints at the pub, grab some brochures, and call our research done.”
“A pint will work,” Ramsay conceded.“I’ll go on the condition we eat, too.I missed breakfast and lunch, and I’m starving.”
“Deal,” Scott said and downed the last of his beer.“Let’s move.”
Ramsay finished his beer, and Liam did the same.They left the paneled bar and strode into the Great Hall in time to see a large man scoop up Edwina and tote her outside.Edwina was screeching like a banshee and thumping her fists on the man’s butt to no effect.Suzie stood nearby, her mouth open wide enough to resemble a fish.
Ramsay strode to her and stared after Edwina and the man.A bear, according to his nose.“Should we do anything?”
Liam clicked his fingers in front of Suzie’s face.“Suzie?”
“What happened?”Scott asked.
“Ah, I think they’re mates,” Suzie said.“At least that’s what I think happened.He appeared from nowhere and spoke to Edwina.They hollered, then he snatched her off the ground like she was a feather.”Suzie fanned her face.“Why can’t I find a man like that?”
“We’re walking to town,” Liam said.“Researching like you told us.”
“And going for a beer,” Scott added.
Suzie blinked and shook herself.“I could do with a drink.Let’s go.”
Ramsay trailed them through the castle grounds and into the town.
“Where do you want to go shopping?”Liam asked Suzie.
“Drink first,” Suzie said, her tone brooking no refusal.
Scott nodded and led the way to the pub where Ramsay had met Gabrielle.The memories rushed back in bright color, the images, so real Ramsay imaged she was present.He inhaled, his breath easing in a hiss when Liam elbowed him in the ribs.He’d swear he could smell Gabrielle with her addictive scent.Liam gave him another sharp prod in the gut.
“What?”Ramsay snapped.“Why did you do that?”
“It’s her,” Suzie murmured.“She’s here.I recognize her from the magazine photos Edwina and I checked out.Her photos were all formal.She’s prettier in casual clothes with her hair loose.”
Ramsay inhaled again, and his nose told him the rest.
Gabrielle was here.
He scanned the vicinity with his heart hammering, muscles tense, and half-expecting photographers to leap out of the woodwork.The pub remained empty, and his gaze swung across the room and settled on her where she sat at the bar.Lush curves filled out her simple blouse and a pair of black jeans.Her curly blonde hair hung around her shoulders, but her image in the bar’s mirror showed brown eyes full of anxiety.A worried expression.If he released a feline growl, he’d bet she’d jump out of her shoes.That she was jam-packed with tension had his shoulders relaxing.
She was here, which was a start.
