Chapter Seventeen
It was a late September mid-morning, and Jason was sitting at the table with Dillon, eating bacon sandwiches. The executives from the week’s corporate event had eaten breakfast earlier and left, and all the cleaning had been finished. The brothers were shortly heading out for a weekend trip to do a little brotherly male bonding. Dillon had made a big fuss about leaving Dorcas behind for a period of two whole nights, and Jason had wasted no time ribbing him about being pussy whipped.
Dorcas was very easy going and had encouraged the pair to go and make the most of the chilly but decent weather. Autumn was most definitely on its way, and the colours that were taking over the landscape were rich golden and red hues. The Highlands in autumn were just as stunning, if not more so, than summer.
They were heading up to Shieldaig. Jason had remembered the posh man—the one who had said bloody rather a lot at the old second hand book shop in London that he had visited with Stevie—saying that a former employee had moved up there to run a small camp site. He had located the place and called to make a booking. Their holdalls were packed and everything was set. Jason had even purchased a new helmet for Dillon, seeing as he had point blank refused to wear the one that had been bought for Stevie. Apparently, the teddy bear ears had put him off. Go figure.
Dillon clapped, then rubbed his hands together, and speaking through a mouthful of food he said, ‘Right, bro. Ready when you are. Let’s get this lads’ weekend underway.’
‘Sure thing. I’ll grab my jacket and then we’re away.’
Although the trip had been an almost last minute decision, Jason was keen to spend a little quality time with his brother. The events of the last couple of months had put a strain on their relationship, and this weekend would go some way to easing the tension and mending fences.
Once both men were clad in the appropriate safety gear for a two and a half hour bike ride, they mounted the hunk of metal and set out. The northbound A9 was fairly busy, and there were several traffic jams, but eventually they were off the main concrete motorway and riding through dramatic mountainous scenery. The smaller road took them through a changing colour palette of greens, browns, and purples. Majestic green pine trees swayed in the breeze, creating a heady fragrance even in the chilled September air. Every so often, they passed a little white crofters cottage or two at the side of the road, and Jason wondered what it would have been like before someone came and stuck a tarmac monstrosity right through the middle of this paradise.
Glancing up, he noted that darker clouds lay overhead, heavy with the threat of rain, and he said a little prayer that they would get the tent set up before the heavens opened. Just a little further. They passed several smaller lochs as they travelled through the Torridon area and eventually arrived in the pretty Wester Ross lochside village of Shieldaig. The site was set along Main Street behind a double fronted white cottage which overlooked the pretty loch. Just offshore there was a little island covered in trees. What a stunning place. I can see why this Jim bloke was keen to stay here.
Jason pulled the bike around the back of the house following a little sign that he spotted by a building to the other side of the lane. The sign on the building read The Coffee Shack and looked to be closed. Once the bike was parked, Jason made his way down to the back door of the cottage and knocked.
Within a few seconds, the door was pulled open and the brothers were greeted by a tall dark haired man in jeans and a Pearl Jam T-shirt—bloody good taste—and a very pretty blonde woman wearing loose fitting dungarees, who had what looked like paint on her face. Her wavy hair was in a scruffy knot on the top of her head.
‘Hi there. You must be Mr. Reynolds.’ The man spoke in a distinct Scottish accent and had a very welcoming smile.
‘Yeah, I’m Jason. This is my little brother Dillon.’ Both shook hands with the man.
‘I keep telling him I’m not so little,’ Dillon interjected.
The man chuckled. ‘Great to meet you both. I’m Jim and this is my girlfriend, Flick.’ He slipped his arm around the woman. Not in a keep your hands off kind of way. It was more of a she’s gorgeous and I’m besotted kind of way. Jason smiled and shook hands with the woman. She seemed quite shy, and her cheeks turned pale crimson. Sweet.
‘You can stick your tent wherever you like. It’s a quiet weekend. There’s a brick barbeque at your disposal, and the wash block is over here to my right. There’s a nice pub just along the road if you fancy a beer and a good meal. Give me a shout if you need anything.’
‘Great, thanks, Jim. Flick.’ He nodded to the woman, who waved and disappeared into the cottage. Jim followed her in and closed the door. Jason turned to walk with Dillon back towards the bike where the small tent and their bags were tethered.
They managed to erect the tent and make it to the pub just as the rain began to pitter-patter down. Once inside, they ordered beer and began to peruse the menu. Both settled on the homemade steak pie and took a seat at a small table with beers to wait.
‘Thanks for bringing me, Jace. I know this last couple of months have been tough on you, but you still seem to be thinking about me in it all.’
‘That’s what brothers do. And you are my brother, after all.’
‘I appreciate the fact that you keep saying that. It’s hard for me to know how to act now. Since finding out I was adopted I’ve felt a little…I don’t know…lost I suppose.’
Jason nodded. ‘I know you have, but things haven’t changed between you and me. I almost wish the letter had never been found. But at least it gave me answers.’
‘Exactly. You can’t regret finding out about Oliver and your half-brothers either, mate.’
Jason thought for a moment. ‘No, you’re right. I feel so…guilty…about so many things. I’ve fucked up so much, Dill.’ He ran a hand back through his hair. ‘At least with you I get to try and make amends.’ He looked into the bottom of his glass.
‘But you don’t with Stevie? Is that what you’re getting at?’
Jason sighed. ‘Exactly. It’s well and truly over. At some point I’ll have to get my head around that.’
Dillon fidgeted restlessly for a few moments. Something was wrong. Jason watched him with his brow pulled into a frown, waiting for him to confess whatever the hell it was.
Eventually, Dillon said, ‘She texted me yesterday.’ Ah.
‘She did?’ Jason sat up a little straighter. His heart began to pound. ‘Why?’
‘Just asking if I was okay after…you know, everything that happened. And if I was enjoying Scotland.’
‘Did she…did she mention me at all?’ Jason couldn’t make eye contact. Instead he twisted his glass between his palms. He already knew the answer.
‘I’m sorry, Jace. She didn’t. But I couldn’t keep it from you. I hope you understand.’
‘Yeah…yeah, course I do. It’s fine. It’s probably for the best anyway. No point dragging things out, eh?’ His heart ached when he thought about her getting in touch and not even passing on a hello.
‘I’m so sorry.’
‘Hey, stop that. It’s fine. Anyway…enough of me wallowing. Come on, tell me if you’ve come up with any plans for the future yet.’
‘As a matter of fact, I think I have.’ Dillon beamed.
Jason couldn’t help returning the enthusiastic smile. ‘Okay, out with it then.’
‘I think…I think I want to stay. Up here I mean. With you, if you’ll have me.’
Jason lifted his eyebrows, and a grin spread across his face. ‘Really? Oh that’s fantastic!’ He slapped his brother’s arm fondly.
‘Yeah, I may apply for a few jobs…or better still.’ He hesitated. ‘You know how you talked about expanding?’
Jason frowned, wondering where this was leading. ‘Yeah?’
‘I want to be involved. I want to invest in the business. Help you open another camp.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Seriously. I’ve loved being here, Jace. The fresh air…the varie
ty of working at the camp…everything. What do you think?’
‘I think fuck yeah!’ The brothers stood and embraced, slapping each other on the back. Jason ruffled his brother’s hair. ‘Welcome to the family business, Dillon.’
‘Fan-fucking-tastic! I was terrified you’d say no. But me and Dee are getting on so well and I think…I think she may be the one.’ His cheeks coloured as he spoke.
Jason’s face softened at his brother’s words. ‘Aw, Dill, mate. I’m so glad things are working out for you and Dee. She’s a sweet girl. You both deserve to be happy.’
‘Thanks. I think…well…I know I’ve fallen hard. She’s so… God, I can’t even put it into words… I just fucking love her.’ The wide chasm of a grin on Dillon’s face said more than his simple words could express. Jason was happy for his brother, but the deep ache in his chest was slowly returning.
After a decent night’s sleep, the brothers were up bright and early and set out for a walk. They called into The Coffee Shack, which was open as they passed this time. Jim was serving an elderly lady as they entered. She smiled fondly and bid him a good morning as she left.
Jim greeted them with a wide smile. ‘Now then, gents. What can I do for you today?’
‘Hi, Jim. We were thinking of heading out for a walk and thought we would pick up some water and some snacks.’
‘Aye, grand idea. It’s a nice bright day, and the forecast’s good too. I’ve some lovely home baking in this morning, courtesy of one of the local ladies. I can highly recommend the flapjack.’ He gestured to the fridge. The brothers collected bottles of water and some of the delicious looking cakes.
‘So where are yous heading off to?’ Jim enquired.
Jason shrugged. ‘Not really sure. We thought we’d head out and see where we ended up.’
‘Okay…if you like spectacular views, head along the road and turn up the track. Keep walking and you’ll come to one of mine and Flick’s favourite places in the world. The viewpoint looks down over a wee loch. We usually take a flask of coffee up there and just sit taking in the fresh air. Beautiful view from up there.’
Jason smiled. ‘Great. Thanks Jim. See you later.’
‘Bye, gents. Have a nice walk.’
Jason and Dillon headed in the direction of the lane Jim had talked about. Once on the lane, they headed up the track that led away from the main road. Eventually, a little out of breath they reached the place Jim had mentioned, and Dillon gasped.
‘Fuck me, he wasn’t wrong, bro. Look at that.’
Jason joined his brother, and looking out at the view, he felt an overwhelming urge to snap a photo and text it to Stevie. She would simply love this place. From their lofty viewpoint, they had the amazing panoramic vista. Before them, they looked down into a lush valley with a loch at the bottom, which was edged by trees.
‘Yeah, it’s stunning. Really, really beautiful.’ Jason slumped to the ground and stared out at the view, awash with regret that he would never be able to bring Stevie here to show her this place.
Dillon sat down beside him. ‘You can’t stop thinking about her, can you?’
Jason glanced at his brother and smiled. ‘That obvious, is it?’
Dillon snorted. ‘Oh yeah. That obvious.’
‘Ah…sorry, mate. I must be a bit of a drag right now.’
Dillon nudged him. ‘Don’t be daft. I do understand you know…and I’ll be honest…I think you maybe should give things another try. Try to convince her that she should be here with you.’
‘What’s the point? I’d just be going over old ground again.’
‘But you said yourself the other day you’re miserable without her.’
‘Yeah, but she doesn’t feel the same. I mean…she didn’t even ask about me when she contacted you.’
‘I bet she wanted to.’
Jason shook his head. ‘That’s as maybe…but she didn’t. It’ll take me time, but I will move on. I have to.’
Chapter Eighteen
A week had passed since Stevie’s first date with Marcus. He had been in contact by text, there had been a couple of calls over the week, and they had arranged to see each other again. He very much enjoyed cooking and had invited her around to his home for dinner. His four-year-old son, Archie, was staying with his mother for the weekend, which Stevie was relieved about. It wasn’t that she didn’t like children. She worked with them after all. But meeting one that could potentially be involved in her personal life long term if her relationship with Marcus lasted was more than a little scary. She wasn’t quite ready to play mummy yet.
The cab dropped her off at Marcus’ rather beautiful Georgian town house at half past seven. She clutched the bottle of Pinot Noir as if doing so would afford her some protection for her weak will against this man and his Roman god good looks.
He opened the door before she had a chance to knock and stepped out onto the steps to greet her. ‘Stevie…wow, you look gorgeous.’ She glanced down at the blue floaty skirt and white fitted shirt she wore, needing to remind herself of what she had actually chosen to put on.
Her cheeks heated. ‘Oh…thank you. So do you.’ Her eyes took in the tall handsome man before her dressed in dark denim jeans and a fitted white T-shirt. His feet were bare. Oh, goodness me.
‘Oy-oy Marcus! No prizes for guessing what you’re up to tonight, old chap!’ Came a voice from a little way down the road. Both Stevie and Marcus snapped their heads towards the interruption.
‘Oh God, that’s all I need.’ Marcus rolled his eyes, grabbed the bottle of wine from her grasp, and tugged her through the door quickly. Once inside, he led her to the spacious lounge and placed the bottle down on his coffee table.
‘Who was that?’ Stevie asked as she straightened herself up again.
‘My neighbour and colleague. Bit of an arse really. It was very bad karma buying a house so near to his. Had I realised who he was at the time I would’ve looked elsewhere, I can assure you.’
She was surprised at his strong reaction. ‘So he’s a lawyer too?’
‘Yep. He is. Although I wouldn’t let him get me out of a parking ticket, but don’t tell anyone I said so.’
She giggled. ‘I’ll bear that in mind. Anyway, something smells good.’
‘Why thank you…not as good as you though,’ he said as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. She felt the heat return again and fiddled with her hair for a second, unsure of how to react to his outward display of affection. Realising she must seem like a lovesick teenager, she immediately pulled her hand back to her side.
Marcus cringed. ‘Sorry was that cheesy?
‘Not at all. I’m glad you like my perfume.’
He stepped towards her and slipped his hands around her waist. Lowering his face, he rubbed his nose down hers. ‘I really do. Can I kiss you?’
She nibbled her lower lip. Will it be as heated as last time? Will I be able to stop myself from thinking about Jason? OhGod. OhGod. OhGod, what do I say? ‘Yes,’ she whispered. Shit where did that come from? He smiled and lowered his mouth to hers, gently touching her lips with his. There was no tongue. No urgency. Just a sweet, heart-melting kiss.
She sighed. Thankfully there hadn't been enough time for Jason's ‘ghost’ to ruin the moment.
‘Come on. Let’s go eat.’ He took her hand and pulled her towards the kitchen diner, collecting the wine from the coffee table as he walked. ‘I was going to set up the dining room, but I thought it’d be too formal. I thought we could eat in here.’
‘Sounds good to me.’ She glanced around the sleek, modern units that skirted the walls and the glass table situated at one end. ‘What are we having?’
‘We’re starting with goat’s cheese and cranberry filo parcels, and for main I’ve made salmon en-croute. Then for dessert…chocolate dipped strawberries.’
‘Mmmm. Sounds delicious. I’m starved’
On the same night, Dillon and Jason were sitting on a wooden bench on the campsite chatting to Jim about the area and the villa
ge.
Dillon stood. ‘Well, I’m off to give my lovely girl a call. Speak to you soon.’
‘See you soon, bro.’ The other two men watched as Dillon walked off to find the best place to get a mobile signal.
‘So, Jason, is there a woman in your life?’ Jim asked as he took a pull from his beer bottle.
Jason laughed a little and shook his head. ‘Now therein lays a very long, very confusing tale, my friend.’
Jim raised his eyebrows. ‘Ah, complicated?’
‘You wouldn’t believe it. It’s thanks to her that I’m here. She took me into a book shop in London—’
‘Let me guess. It was the Book Depository.’
‘It sure was.’
‘What did you think of the place?’
Jason quirked his eyebrow. ‘I thought it was bloody fabulous.’ He replied with a chuckle.
Jim threw his head back and laughed loudly. ‘I guess from that answer you met Charles too?’
‘I bloody did old chap. He’s a rather bloody spiffing old boy.’
‘Aye, that he is, that he is. How many times did he say bloody in one sentence? Did you count?’
‘I tried but I lost count after…ooh…about one hundred.’ They both laughed.
‘He’s a top bloke though, Charles. Smashing guy. Did he tell you about me then?’
‘Not in great detail. Just that you’d moved up here and your girlfriend had recently moved here to be with you.’
‘Ha…you want complicated? Did he happen to tell you that Flick is actually my ex-wife?’
Jason raised his eyebrows. ‘What? Seriously?’
Jim nodded and took another swig of his beer. ‘Aye. Never a truer thing said, my friend. We went to hell and back. Another long story. Alls I will say is that no matter how complicated things get if you are meant to be together you will be. Nothing’ll stop you. I thought Flick and I were done for. She left me. And then several years down the line, I’d moved up here to get away from the hell that is London—’
Reasons to Stay: Reasons Part Two Page 14
