Mending the Billionaire Scotsman: A Clean Scottish Romance Book Two

by Bree Livingston

  “I’m tryin’ to choose both of ye. Both of ye are my family. Yer all I’ve got.”

  “And ye’ve tried to have more lately? Seems I’m nae the only one holdin’ on to things.”

  “Dinnae go there. That’s different, and ye know it.”

  “Alana is dead. Ye want to talk about nae lettin’ somethin’ go and movin’ on? How about her?”

  Rory shook his head. Inside, the swell of anger mixed with sorrow so deep he feared it would drown him. “I guess what ye need to ask yerself is, how many kin do ye plan on losin’, Taran? Because at the rate yer goin’, this land will be yer family, and it’s all ye’ll have.” He kicked the horse in the sides and urged her into a run. The farm would have to go without him today.

  He returned to the barn and dismounted Gladys. “That brother of mine is all mouth. It’s gonna get him in trouble one of these days.”

  The mare’s hooves clacked on the cement floor as Rory led her to the grooming area. An hour later, after brushing her down and giving her some hay, he threw his keys on the entry table just inside his loft. As he shut the door behind him, his shoulders sagged.

  Taran had thrown a grenade at him. Alana was dead.

  He looked around his flat. Pieces of her adorned the walls, filled the air, and planted his feet in a time capsule. The whole flat was a monument to her. Soft blues, warm browns, and candles still sitting on the bar the same way she’d left them…all of it making him feel as though he’d been buried with her. A tomb of memories.

  Four years of living in a shrine, and he still couldn’t breathe when he thought about letting her go. It wasn’t just simply letting go. She was his other half. Friends since they were tiny. They’d taken things slowly, mostly because he was shy as a lad, gathering the courage to ask her out after they graduated, dating a few years before finally asking her to marry him. They’d set the date. Everything with her was a first. His first crush. His first kiss. His first love. All of his firsts were tied to her. How could he just let her go?

  Rory walked to the sofa and flopped down. He ran his hand over the cushion next to him. She’d have been curled up with a cup of coffee right about now. They hadn’t been living together, but after his morning chores, he’d come home to find her waiting for him.

  A lump formed in his throat as a picture of her floated to mind. She’d lift her head and greet him with bright green eyes and a smile that made him melt. He’d walk to the couch and lay his head in her lap, and she’d comb her fingers through his hair while asking him about his morning.

  No, there were some people that couldn’t be let go of or forgotten.

  The phone in his pocket began to vibrate and then chime. He pulled it out and answered it. “Hello, Angus. What do ye want?”

  “What? A brother can’t call and just want to talk?” Angus’s time in the States had tamed his accent some.

  “They can, but our family rarely just wants to talk.”

  “Did you see Taran this morning?”

  “Aye,” Rory said.

  “He still won’t speak to me.”

  Rory could hear the grief in Angus’s voice. “I know. He’s not the forgivin’ type. Yer just goin’ to have to keep workin’ him. Ye left him when he was just a lad and then chose a lassie over him when ye had the chance to come back, not even visitin’ after ye signed yer contract with her. Ye hurt him, Angus.”

  Angus sighed. “I know. I was wrong, and I want to fix it.” His voice was thick.

  “And I know that, but it’s not just a simple sorry ye’ll need to throw his direction. Yer goin’ to need to show him.”

  “How can I when he won’t come near me?”

  “Let me think on it. I’ll get him talkin’ to ye if I have to shove the two of ye together in Old Man’s pin.”

  Angus let out a tight laugh. “It would be a good way to get that ram gone. Taran would shoot him rather than speak to me.”

  “Just gimme some time to think of somethin’. Dinnae give up, okay?”

  “I won’t.”

  “Now, what did ye want?”

  Angus’s laugh was rich and full this time. “I need you to pick up Penelope’s sister, Paige, and her friend Sarah from the airport.”

  “And why can ye nae do it?”

  “I have errands to run with Penelope.”

  Rory rubbed his chin. “Errands, huh?”

  “I’m getting married in under twelve weeks. Don’t you think I have errands?”

  Rory sighed. “All right, I’ll pick up the lassies. What time?”

  “They get in at two today.”

  “Okay. Ye do yer weddin’ things. I’ll take care of the lassies.”

  “Thanks, Rory.”

  “Aye, ye owe me. Dinnae think I’ll nae be comin’ for my pay.”

  Angus barked a laugh. “Just don’t try to collect interest.”

  “Oh, I’ll be gettin’ interest. I’m chargin’ at least fifty percent.”

  “Loan shark.”

  “And dinnae ye forget it,” Rory said.

  “I’ve got to go. Behave yourself. That’s my future sister-in-law you’re picking up.”

  “Yeah, I’ll behave.”

  “See you tonight, Roars.”

  “Dinnae call me that!” he shouted into the phone as Angus hung up.

  CHAPTER 3

  A fter an hour of sitting on the tarmac because of a door malfunction, Paige had eaten enough peanuts that she was afraid PETA would try to rescue her, thinking she’d turned into an elephant. Her butt hurt so bad she didn’t think she’d want to sit for a week.

  The last time she’d seen Penelope, they’d ended things in a screaming match. Even after Paige had promised herself that she’d be a better sister. Her plan was to make the trek to Scotland, tell Penelope why she’d been angry so long, and then convince Penelope to come back home. That she was honestly looking out for her sister for once.

  Paige yawned loudly as she passed a man with bright red hair and blue eyes. Did all the men in Scotland look like that? She quickly covered her mouth, but not before she felt the heat of embarrassment light up her cheeks. The man smiled, and she and Sarah continued their walk to the carousel.

  “It even smells different here. It smells Scottish,” said Sarah as she nudged Paige.

  Paige snorted. “It smells Scottish? What exactly does Scottish smell like?”

  Sarah shrugged. “I don’t know. This? Clean and crisp and fresh.”

  Shaking her head, Paige chuckled. “So, you’re saying Scottish smells like Downy? ’Cause you’re describing fabric softener.”

  “You know what I mean!” Sarah swatted Paige’s arm.

  “Let’s get our stuff.”

  They stopped at the carousel and waited for their luggage.

  “I don’t see Penelope or Angus,” Sarah said.

  Paige shrugged. “Maybe they decided to wait outside for us. I mean, our plane wasn’t late; it was broken. Maybe they decided to grab some coffee or something while they waited.”

  “Maybe.”

  The carousel began spinning, and the mouth shot out its first piece of luggage: a large Army-green duffle bag. The owner was a woman in fatigues. Once the first piece dumped onto the conveyor belt, the rest began pouring out like wood being chipped.

  “Oh! That’s mine,” Sarah said and pulled a large black Samsonite off.

  Paige waited for hers while Sarah checked the name tag on hers.

  “Yep, Sarah Freeman. Just one more, and I’ll be good to go.” She looked up just as another piece of Samsonite luggage whirled by, and she yanked it off. “And I’m set. I bet yours didn’t fit.”

  “Shut up,” Paige grumbled, giving Sarah a side-glare.

  Sarah snickered. “It’s massive.”

  “Is not.”

  “It’s like Sputnik,” she said, using the worst Scottish accent ever.

  Paige rolled her eyes. “You just had to go there.”

  “When you have a shot to use a line from that movie, you take
it. Isn’t that the rule?”

  “Fine.” Paige reached inside her purse and pulled out a five-dollar bill. “Here.” Their game had started twenty years ago when they’d first seen So I Married An Axe Murderer. Since then, anytime either of them could use one of the lines in regular conversation, the other person had to pay five bucks as a reward. Currently, Sarah was the reigning Murderer champ.

  “Yes! I’ve been dying to use that one.”

  “Dork.”

  “Yes, but a five-dollar-richer dork.”

  Paige busted out laughing. “They’re going to think we’re crazy Americans.”

  “We are crazy Americans.”

  True. Paige lurched forward. “There it is!” She pulled her large piece of luggage forward. “It’s too heavy.”

  “Of course it is. You packed like a hibernating bear.”

  “We’re…gonna…be…here…for weeks.” Paige punctuated each word with a grunt as she tried to keep her luggage from a full ride on the carousel.

  “Here, let me help.” A tall man grabbed her luggage and set it on the floor next to her. “Ye must be Paige, and yer Sarah?” He shook their hands. “I’m Rory MacLachlan, Angus’s younger brother.”

  Paige’s lips parted, and the rush of blood running through her ears drowned out the terminal noise. He was downright the most attractive man she’d ever seen. Completely different than what she expected. This man was nothing like Angus at all. Broad shoulders, thick dark wavy hair with a smile that could light a thousand candles. His face wasn’t as angular as Angus’s, but he was every bit as good-looking…maybe even better. At least, to Paige he was. Holy smokes.

  Sarah bumped Paige with her shoulder. “Say thank you, Paige.”

  “Uh, thank you, Paige. I mean, thank you.” She needed something to hide under. Thank you, Paige? Really?

  “Yer welcome. I’m sorry Angus and Penelope are nae here. They had weddin’ errands to run, so I’ll be yer chauffeur for the evenin’. I hope that’s okay.”

  Sheesh, that accent. Angus’s accent hadn’t been that thick, and hearing Rory’s? Be still her fluttering heart.

  “I think we can manage.” Sarah grinned at Paige. “Right?”

  Paige mentally chastised herself and nodded. “Oh, yeah, that’s great. Thank you.” Hot fried guacamole and cheese. He could be her chauffeur the entire time she was here.

  “Well, how about I help ye two with gettin’ the luggage to the car? Maybe we can stop on the way home for a bite to eat. That is, if yer hungry.”

  Sarah touched his arm. “I’m so hungry I could eat my shoe.”

  Rory hooked his fingers in the handles of their luggage and smiled his breathtaking smile again. “There’ll be none o’that on my watch.”

  It took all of Paige’s willpower not to actually sigh. That accent. His was so much better than Angus’s.

  He leveled his amber eyes at Paige. “Are ye hungry too?”

  Paige nodded. “As long as there are no peanuts, I can eat.”

  “No peanuts. I promise.” He winked.

  Oh, he was charming. And gorgeous. She was in so much trouble. “Okay.” She smiled.

  Rory nodded to the exit and began walking. “Then let’s go.”

  “So, Rory,” Sarah said as she walked next to him. “What do you do?”

  His eyes crinkled as he smiled. “I help my brother Taran on the farm.”

  “You’re a farmer?” Paige asked.

  “Aye, we have a sheep farm. The land has been in our family for centuries. The house was built in the 1700s. Of course—”

  Paige was suddenly on alert. She loved history and old homes. “Wait, the 1700s? Who built it? What stone did they use? Is the wood original, or have you had to replace it due to age?”

  Rory looked at Paige. “It was built by my great-great-great grandfather. I think I’m missin’ some greats in there, but ye get the idea. They used native stone from the area, and some of the wood is original, but some is newer.”

  Did that mean all of the buildings on the property were that old? “Was the guesthouse built at the same time?”

  “Naw, that was built about sixty years ago. Although, it was built to look like the original. It’s a little more modern in some areas. Do you like architecture?”

  “She loves it,” Sarah answered for her. “Has since we were kids. I’d get excited about Barbies, and she’d be using building blocks to recreate skyscrapers.”

  Rory kept his gaze trained on Paige. “Is that what ye do fer a livin’?”

  Sadness engulfed her. No. Because she was stupid and childish. “No, unfortunately. It’s a long story.”

  “Aye, those I’m familiar with.” Rory stopped in front of a black Volvo SUV. “This is our stop.” He opened the trunk and packed their luggage.

  When he was finished, he held the door open for them. Sarah sat in the front passenger seat while Paige slid into the back. The buttery smooth black leather felt fantastic after sitting for hours on the plane. So much for that week of rest her rear end needed. Then again, these weren’t plane seats. They were actually comfortable.

  Rory slipped into the driver’s seat and started the car.

  “So, are the house and guesthouse the only two buildings on the property?” asked Paige.

  “Naw, we have a barn for our horses and another farther out for the sheep to find shelter durin’ bad weather.”

  “A barn, huh?” asked Sarah.

  “Now you’re talking her language. Talk about obsessed.” Paige yawned.

  “Oh, don’t do that,” Sarah said through a yawn. “I think our travel is quickly catching up to us.”

  “I can’t help it. I’m exhausted.” Paige yawned again.

  “There’s a small pub just a few miles from here. I’ll treat ye to some fish and chips and then take ye to the guesthouse,” Rory offered. “Maybe ye can catch a nap before dinner.”

  “That sounds heavenly. Don’t let me forget to take pictures, Paige.”

  “Pictures?” asked Rory and glanced at her as he was driving.

  Sarah chuckled. “Oh, yeah, we’re travel agents back home. We’re using this trip to write a travel blog about our time here. I wanted to show the local cuisine and sights. I thought it would be fun for our clients.”

  Paige leaned her head against the seat and listened to them talk. As she stared out the window at the passing scenery, she relaxed, and before she knew it, she was asleep.

  CHAPTER 4

  T he ride to the pub had been filled with idle chatter. Mostly, it had been Sarah talking. The first couple of times he’d stolen a glance at Paige, she’d been looking out the window and smiling. The last time he’d cast a glance back, she’d been sound asleep.

  When they’d arrived at the pub, Sarah had tapped Paige’s leg, and she’d sat up blinking. Rory couldn’t stop looking at her. Or, well, those big green eyes. They were so bright and reminded him of Alana. She was a twin? As far as Rory could tell, there was plenty of different between the two. Penelope’s eyes weren’t as bright as Paige’s. Her hair was darker than Penelope’s too. This woman even carried herself differently. She had an air of confidence and mischief. Nothing at all like Penelope, who was so soft-spoken.

  Now the three of them were seated at a booth in the pub. Rory was on one side, while Paige and Sarah shared the bench across from him. Their waiter had already been by, and they’d placed an order.

  “So, Rory, you said you worked on your family’s sheep farm?” asked Sarah.

  He nodded. “Aye. I have since I was a lad.”

  “Do you still live at home, then?” asked Paige.

  Rory chuckled. “Sort of. I have a flat above the barn we had built a few years back.”

  “Does your brother live with you?” asked Sarah.

  “Naw. When we had the barn built, we’d planned on hirin’ some help. We built a room off the side of the barn with that in mind. He lives there.” Rory grinned. “Enough about me, though, tell me about yerselves.”

 
Sarah bumped shoulders with Paige. “What do you want to know?”

  It took work to keep his focus off of Paige. Those bright green eyes of hers continued to pull at him. Plus, she was a bonnie lass. He wondered what a date with her would be like. He pushed the thought down and chastised himself. There’d be none of that. She’d be leaving as soon as the wedding was over. No point in dipping his toe in the dating scene only to have it cut off.

  “How about we start with how long ye’ve known each other?” He pointed a finger between the two of them.

  They looked at each other. “Since we were in kindergarten,” said Paige.

  “She was so mean to me at first,” Sarah said with a grin.

  Paige laughed. “You kept stealing my Mega Bloks.”

  “You hogged all the crayons,” scoffed Sarah and bumped Paige again.

  Rory chuckled. “So it was hate at first sight?”

  Paige shrugged. “No, not really. It lasted all of two weeks.”

  “That was a short-lived feud,” Rory said with a laugh.

  “Well, that was when Ginger McFadden decided to start messing with both of us,” said Sarah.

  “Where was Penelope in all of this?”

  “Oh, Penelope couldn’t handle confrontation,” said Paige.

  Sarah nodded. “Penelope and I were friends right away. The person you see today is the person she’s always been. Soft, sweet, kind, and gracious.”

  “She really is.” Paige nodded.

  Rory nodded. He’d liked Paige’s sister the second he met her. Then again, he’d heard nothing but good things from his family. “Penelope comes across as a sweet woman. My mum and Annis love her. Gettin’ Annis’s approval was a feat I didnae think possible.”

  “Annis?” asked Sarah.

  “Duff’s wife,” answered Paige.

  “Ye met her?” asked Rory.

  Paige nodded. “Yeah. During the show, family was invited to visit, and I was there. I really like Annis.”

  Rory snorted. “Annis is a tough woman to like.”

  “I don’t think so. She’s so blunt. I love it. People call it rude, but I call it honest.” Paige shrugged.

  “That’s a positive way to spin it.” Rory grinned.