Blame It on Scotland

by Patience Griffin

  He took comfort in his brother’s words. Ryn wasn’t going anywhere. He would see her when he got back.

  * * *

  The morn was bright and full of promise. With pastry box in hand, Maggie rushed back to Quilting Central, knowing Sinnie and Rowena couldn’t watch Irene for too long. Deydie had chores for them to do. But the perfect day and calm sea called to Maggie to take a moment to glance out at the water. Off in the distance, she could see the Indwaller sitting on the North Sea’s horizon, the vessel sunning herself in the morning sun. She knew John was there—captain of the boat, content, at home on the water—and she wondered how she could have ever asked him to give up what he loved most, besides God and his family.

  When she turned back to run her errand, a stranger strode toward her, a fortyish man with an expectant look on his face.

  Maggie slowed. “Are ye looking for something?”

  Forty smiled, his expression appreciative. “Aye. Looking for someone. I’m looking for Tuck MacBride. The hospital said he hailed from here.”

  Hailed wasn’t the correct word, for Tuck had only squatted in Gandiegow. He was only in the village today temporarily. John told her Tuck planned to live in Whussendale permanently.

  Just thinking about Tuck, brought vinegar to her mouth, ruining her lovely morning. John may have forgiven Tuck, but she never would. Aye, she’d figured out it was Tuck who’d been funneling money to her family. When she saw him next, she was going to tell him to knock it off. She and John were going to be okay and she’d been making plans—planning to take odd jobs, to be better set up for the future. But Tuck doing something decent for them didn’t make up for what he’d done.

  Maggie put her thoughts aside and answered Forty. “I was told Tuck’s fishing today with Brodie.” She glanced out at the water, but didn’t see Brodie’s vessel. “I’m sure he’ll be back soon from the morning run. Is there something I can help ye with?” That’s when she remembered Forty had said something about the hospital. “Hospital? What hospital?”

  Forty smiled. “In Inverness. I’m here to thank Mr. MacBride for saving my life.”

  “What?” Maggie couldn’t wrap her brain around it.

  “Aye. My name is Raymond Martin. Tuck stopped to help me on the road. He put me in his car and drove me to the hospital. I was on my way to my sister’s house, but then I had a heart attack.”

  Maggie couldn’t believe it. Why didn’t she know this? Why didn’t they all know? “Tuck never said a word. When did this happen?”

  “April 14th, in the wee hours of the morning.”

  Maggie knew the date. It had been seared in her mind. The day of John’s accident.

  Maggie pointed to Quilting Central. “Come with me. The others need to hear yere story.” For she was having a hard time processing the news and needed support.

  Not two paces later, Dougal the postie, came out of the General Store with his mailbag over his shoulder, heading toward the car park.

  Maggie hollered, “Dougal, wait up a second.” She dug in her pocket and pulled out the pad and pencil she’d placed there for calculating the yardage for a quilt. “Can ye put a note on Tuck’s car for me?”

  “Certainly,” Dougal said.

  She wrote out the note: Come to Quilting Central. You have a visitor.

  * * *

  From the edge of the car park, Tuck saw the flapping, white piece of paper under his windshield wiper and felt exasperated. “What now?” He felt good about helping Brodie this morning, but now he needed to get home to Ryn.

  He read the note, but didn’t recognize the handwriting. His first inclination was to ignore it, and if questioned later, he’d say it must’ve blown away in the wind. But maybe the visitor at Quilting Central was Ryn! Besides, he knew better than to not go to Quilting Central when summoned. Deydie probably wanted him to move something that weighed enough to give him a hernia. More payback.

  He left the car park and headed back into the village, wishing like crazy for cell service. When he got to Quilting Central, he slipped inside, hoping not to interrupt the class. But the way the whole room turned in his direction, it was as if they were waiting on him!

  Tuck’s eyes fell on the outsider, who seemed familiar. Then he recognized the man—Raymond!—now looking healthier than the last time he’d seen him.

  “Tuck, get up here,” Deydie hollered. “Why didn’t ye say anything to us, ye bampot?”

  He trudged to the front.

  A smiling Raymond broke away from Deydie, and with hand extended, met Tuck halfway.

  “I’ll never be able to repay ye.” Raymond turned the handshake into a bro hug.

  “I just did what anyone would’ve done,” Tuck said.

  “Ye saved my life!”

  “Nay. The doctors did that.” Tuck wanted to disappear. Or just to get out of here. But more importantly, he wanted to be on his way to Whussendale.

  Bethia patted a chair. “Both of ye come sit. I’ll get you some tea and biscuits.”

  The group squeezed in, effectively ushering the two of them in Bethia’s direction. But Tuck stopped short when Maggie stepped in his path. Her lips were pressed together in more of a contemplative expression than a frown.

  She put her hand out to keep him from going farther. “Wait. I’ll say something first.”

  The room went silent and she turned all her attention on Tuck. “I’ve made it clear how I’ve felt about ye. I’ve berated ye and treated ye badly.” Deydie moved next to her and held her arm, as if supporting her through her confession. “I was wrong, Tuck. I’m ashamed of myself for how I acted. I ask ye to forgive me.”

  With Maggie’s last words, the room collectively exhaled.

  Tuck was in shock, but Maggie’s piercing blue eyes implored him to answer. “Of course, ye’re forgiven. It’s completely forgotten.”

  Bethia flanked Maggie’s other side, patting her back. “That’s a good lass.”

  Maggie turned to speak to the rest of them. “This is what I have to say to ye. If John can forgive Tuck, and if I can forgive him, then ye should, too!”

  Deydie cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, too.” She peered around the group. “We all are. Ye’re not the bad egg, Tuck, that we thought ye were. Now, go sit down and have some refreshments.”

  Tuck did what he was told, but begrudgingly. This is all well and good, but I need to get home to talk to Ryn.

  * * *

  Ryn spent the morning in Whussendale, closing down her life in Scotland. First, she used the internet to track down the shuttle company and then she called Peter, who’d brought her to the wool village in the first place. She made arrangements for him to pick her up later. Next, she found Coira and turned over her notes of what she’d learned about running a retreat. Before leaving Kilheath Castle for the last time, she said goodbye to Mrs. McNabb and then gave big hugs to both the Wallace and the Bruce.

  Last night, using the money Deydie paid her for teaching the retreat, Ryn bought a cheap one-way ticket to Minneapolis. What she would do after she arrived in Minnesota was anyone’s guess. Finally, she’d spoken with Sophie about giving her a ride to Gandiegow so she could wish her cousin Maggie well, and deliver the Goodbye quilt in person.

  The only thing left for Ryn to do was to pack her completed True Colors quilt in her bag. She spread it out on the bed to fold it, but had a better idea instead. She slipped off her shoes, climbed up on the mattress, and hung the True Colors quilt where the Goodbye quilt had been over her bed. “I hope you’ll be a useful warning to the next woman who comes to Whussendale. That a man’s true colors always reveal themselves.”

  She stepped off the bed and returned her shoes to her feet. She spied her Featherweight sewing machine sitting beside her luggage at the door. “You’re going to stay behind, too. Back in Minnesota, I wouldn’t be able to use you anyway.” She hoped the next occupant of the cottage liked to quilt, too.

  As she slipped on her jacket, she took one last look about her cozy, temporary home. She
’d loved it here, but now it was time to move on. She opened the door, rolled her bag out, and locked the door behind her, just as Sophie pulled up with the car.

  Ryn put her baggage in the back and then climbed into the passenger’s seat, holding out the cottage’s key to return it. “I think this is the last thing to do.”

  Sophie slipped the key into her pocket, before putting the car in gear. “I thought about it overnight. Ye have to stay. Coira needs you to help get the Whussendale Retreat Center up and running.”

  “Coira will be fine,” Ryn assured her.

  Sophie gave her a meaningful glance. “Work things out with Tuck.”

  “There’s nothing to work out.”

  Because Ryn didn’t want to discuss it, she pulled out the my-mom-died card again. “Don’t you think I’ve been through enough lately?” She didn’t have the energy to feel guilty about using it either.

  Sophie reached across the seat and grabbed Ryn’s hand. “Aye. Ye’ve been through plenty.”

  The rest of the ride was quiet, but Ryn was feeling far from peaceful. What made matters worse was to see Tuck’s car as they made their way down the hill to Gandiegow’s parking lot. She told herself she didn’t care he was here in the village. Or on the boat. Her mission was the same as it was on her first day in Scotland. See Maggie and give her the Goodbye quilt.

  Sophie parked the car, but turned to Ryn first, before getting out. “Do ye want me to go with you to Maggie’s cottage? I’m happy to keep you company.”

  “No. I’ll go alone. I need to call the shuttle first and make sure Peter will be here on time. I’m going to go to the airport soon. Can I leave my bags here in the car?”

  “Sure. I’ll leave it unlocked.”

  Sophie leaned over and hugged Ryn fiercely. “I’m going to miss ye. I loved having you in Whussendale.”

  “I’ll miss you, too,” Ryn said back.

  Sophie hopped out and hurried away from the car, saying she was off to visit with her mother.

  Ryn pulled out her phone, but didn’t have any service. Oh, well. She wouldn’t worry as the shuttle should be here soon. Her flight wasn’t leaving until much later in the day, but it was better to hang around at the airport than chance running into Tuck here in Gandiegow.

  Clean breaks hurt like hell, but in the long run pulling the bandage off quickly should help her to heal faster. Deep down, though, she knew she would never recover from this one.

  Ryn picked up the Goodbye quilt from the seat and headed into the village. She was grateful Deydie had pointed out Maggie’s cottage on her first day here. She really didn’t want to stop at Quilting Central to ask where it was.

  Gandiegow was small and it only took her a few minutes to get to Maggie’s door and knock.

  John answered with wet hair and seemed surprised to see her. “’Morning, Ryn. Tuck’s not here.”

  Hearing Tuck’s name didn’t help Ryn’s nerves. “I’m looking for Maggie. Is she at home?”

  “Nay. She’s at Quilting Central. There’s a stitch-in today. I was just heading there myself to pick up Irene. Should we walk there together then?”

  “Sure.” Ryn hoped they wouldn’t run into Tuck.

  John grabbed a jacket and shut the door behind him. “So what are ye doing in Gandiegow?”

  Ryn held up the quilt. “I brought this for Maggie.”

  “Ye didn’t have to do that. She and the bairns are off to Whussendale to see Coira in the morn.”

  “I won’t be there,” Ryn said honestly. “I’m headed home today.”

  John stopped walking. “Home? Is Tuck going with ye?”

  Why did everyone assume they were together? “No.”

  “Does he know that ye’re leaving?” John reached for his phone, as if he already knew the answer. “Dammit. No service.” He looked over at the dock where the boats were tied. “And he and Brodie are already back to town.”

  Ryn touched his arm. “It’s okay. We’re not together.”

  “Does he know that?”

  “Of course.” Though she hadn’t exactly said goodbye to him. Which wasn’t completely her fault. She really didn’t have the chance as he’d stomped out the door and away from her.

  John looked worried. “I’ll take ye to Maggie.”

  When they walked into Quilting Central, Maggie was standing near the door, holding Irene. The child squealed and put out her arms when she saw her father.

  Maggie seemed surprised to see Ryn, as she transferred Irene over to John. During the shift, Ryn caught sight of Tuck, being pleasantly mobbed by the people of Gandiegow—everyone talking to him and patting him on the back.

  “What’s going on here?” Ryn asked Maggie. “I thought Gandiegow didn’t like Tuck.”

  Maggie laughed. “It doesn’t happen often, but Gandiegow has changed its mind.”

  “Tell me what’s happened.” Ryn couldn’t believe how everyone smiled at him.

  Maggie pointed to the man sitting beside Tuck at the small café table. “Do you see him? That’s Raymond Martin. Tuck saved his life. He found him in his car along the road and took him to the hospital.”

  “Yes, he told me about that,” Ryn said.

  Maggie looked incredulous. “Really? Well, he never told any of us. Not even a hint of what he’d done.”

  Ryn hated to cut this short, but she had to go. Though she tried, she couldn’t stop her eyes from volleying over to Tuck. Finally, she held out the quilt to her cousin. “I wanted to make sure you had this before I leave.”

  “Leave?” Reluctantly, Maggie took the quilt. “But ye only just got here.”

  “I’m headed home today.” Sadness engulfed Ryn that she and Maggie never got to connect. Not really.

  “You can’t leave,” Maggie gently touched her arm. “There’s so much we need to talk about…like yere mother.”

  Ryn shook her head, feeling doubly sad. “My ride to the airport is on its way.” She put her hand on the doorknob. “Goodbye.”

  Ryn caught the moment Tuck saw her standing there. He was up and out of his chair in a flash, taking long strides toward her. Maggie gripped her arm tighter, as if making sure Ryn couldn’t bolt.

  Tuck stopped inches away. “Ryn? What are ye doing here? Why aren’t ye home in Whussendale?”

  “Ryn’s leaving.” Maggie raised an eyebrow as if she’d tossed the ball in Tuck’s court.

  Tuck nodded to Maggie. “Don’t worry. She’s not going anywhere. I’ve got this.” He took a hold of Ryn’s arm. “We need to talk. Outside. Now.”

  * * *

  Tuck gazed down at the woman he loved. Ryn laid her hand over his and his heart thundered with happiness. But he and his heart had it wrong. She used that hand to unhinge him from her.

  “Fine,” she clipped. “I’ll talk to you outside, but only if we walk toward the parking lot. The shuttle will be here soon to take me to the airport.” She stepped out and he followed.

  Airport? “Ye can’t be serious.”

  “Yes, I’m serious.” She put her hands on her hips. “You made it abundantly clear how you feel about me, when I last saw you, stomping from the cottage.” With the sea as her backdrop and with her cinnamon-colored hair swirling around her, she looked like a warrioress—on fire, determined, and strong.

  Tuck reached for her again, but stopped. “Ye’re right. I did a horrible job of it, didn’t I?”

  “Not my problem.” She glared at him. “I can’t change the past. I know how you feel. You can’t get beyond what I did.”

  “That’s not true. I am past it.” He touched her arm for a brief second. “I reacted like an idiot and left because I was in shock. Plain and simple. I had one thing in my head—that you couldn’t have children—and I was thrown off balance when ye were speaking of something completely different.” He reached for her again, but she stepped back. “Ryn, I’d talked myself into never having a family, because I want to be with you. I don’t care if we have kids of our own or not. The important thing is that I wake u
p every morning next to you.”

  She cocked her head to the side as if she hadn’t heard him correctly and her mouth opened slightly. She was the one looking shocked now.

  “Aye. Ye heard me right.” He took advantage of her state and gathered her into his arms. “I love ye dearly, Ryn. You gotta know my heart and soul belong to you. From almost the beginning, I knew the truth, though I had a rough time admitting I could love again.”

  Bringing up Elspeth might’ve been the wrong thing to say, because Ryn pulled away.

  “I don’t know, Tuck. I’m afraid you think you love me, because you once loved her. Remember, I look like your Elspeth.”

  He shook his head and smiled. “Nay. No resemblance, a’tall. You, Kathryn Iona Breckenridge, are unique in every way. It’s you I love. My one and only.”

  Ryn’s eyes softened and he felt free to go on.

  “Knowing you has made me want to be a better man. Before I met you, I never saw beyond the next day. But now, I see tomorrow, next year, and the years beyond. With you by my side, anything and everything is possible.” He pulled her into his arms again. “I love you so very much. Please tell me that you love me, too.”

  She relaxed against him. “Oh, Tuck. Of course, I love you, too. From the first moment I saw your gorgeous face.”

  Tuck held her close for a long time. When he looked over, he saw the curtain pulled back at Quilting Central with the occupants gathered around the picture window. Every one of them had smiles on their faces. The sight of Gandiegow showing how they approved of him and Ryn together made Tuck smile back, too.

  Epilogue

  epilogue

  Ryn helped Maggie lay out her quilting supplies in Kilheath Castle’s ballroom. It paid to have Maggie’s mother running the retreats in Whussendale, as they were able to secure the room for the weekend to work on a project together…just the two of them.

  Maggie glanced up at Ryn and grinned. “So it’s true?”

  “Yes,” Ryn said. “I’m due in July.” It felt surreal. Her fairytale wedding to Tuck at the castle had been less than three months ago and now she was pregnant. Oh, how things had changed.