Never Trust the Rain (Destined for Love: Europe)

by Laura D. Bastian

  Contents

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  Description

  Title Page

  Copyright

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Epilogue

  Destined for Love Europe

  Destined for Love Series

  Dear Reader

  Sink or Swim Sneak Peek

  Also Available

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments:

  When Ami goes to help her sister with a new baby in Scotland, she never imagined she’d fall for the Hot Scot that rescues her from the airport when the baby comes a few weeks early.

  Duncan’s always been willing to help his American co-worker adjust to life in Edinburgh, but when he’s sent to retrieve the guy’s sister-in-law from the airport, he didn’t expect to want to spend more time with her than just the short drive.

  As Duncan shows Ami around Scotland, their feelings grow, but can either of them agree to give up the life they know for the chance of a life together?

  Never Trust the Rain

  By

  Laura D. Bastian

  Copyright © 2017 by Laura D. Bastian.

  All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this book can be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the author.

  Cover Design by Novak Illustrations

  CHAPTER ONE

  As Ami stepped off the plane, cold wet air hit her in the face, and she wondered if she’d made a huge mistake. Hot Arizona summers were nothing like this dampness. Edinburgh, Scotland was as far from normal as she had been since junior high. She felt awkward being here and it had only been a few minutes.

  She worked her way down the steps leading to the ground and followed the other passengers into the airport. She knew Jessie needed help with the new baby coming and Ami was happy to offer her time since she didn’t have to teach during the summers. She was here for most of the break, so at least she’d be able to avoid the unbearable desert heat.

  I’ll have to get a couple more jackets or sweaters if this is as warm as it gets here.

  Once she entered the terminal and had shown the agents her passport, she checked the signs for the baggage claim and worked her way there. Her brother-in-law should be waiting for her. Jessie wouldn’t want to be walking through a busy airport so close to delivery.

  She scanned the crowd, but couldn’t see Chris yet. She checked her phone for a text response from him, but nothing. The flight had arrived on time. Maybe he was still on his way. If she didn’t see him after she got her bags, she’d call him.

  Since she wasn’t in a hurry, she allowed the other passengers to circle the baggage carousel until she found a gap large enough that she could easily see her luggage. She’d learned the trick of attaching a fluffy pompom onto the handle to distinguish hers from the other bags of the same brand. Quickly, she grabbed hers and moved over to an empty bench to call Chris.

  The phone didn’t even ring ― just went directly to voice mail. She sighed. Maybe she should try calling Jessie’s phone. Her sister would be able to tell her when Chris had left for the airport. He’d said he’d meet her at the airport when her plane arrived at 6:45 local time.

  It was now 7:00 and no sign of him. She hadn’t slept well on the flight over. She was looking forward to getting to Jessie’s house and crashing for a few hours, but that didn’t look likely.

  Ami pressed send on the phone again and waited for Jessie’s phone to pick up. “Hey, Jess. I’m here, but haven’t seen Chris yet. He’s not answering his phone either. Give me a call as soon as you get this. Hope you didn’t decide to go and have the baby already.”

  As soon as she said those words, Ami knew that was what had happened. Jessie had a couple more weeks to go, but it was totally possible for the baby to show up early. And exactly the kind of luck Ami had.

  Ami sighed and searched for a place to make herself comfortable. It might be a while before they came to get her, and there was no way Ami was going to find a taxi to get her to Jessie’s house. She texted Chris’s number telling him what baggage area she was in and found an empty chair near the windows. She pulled out the spare jacket she had packed with Jessie’s suggestion and rolled it up for a makeshift pillow.

  ***

  Duncan looked at his phone, checking the picture Chris had texted him with the image of the girl he was supposed to pick up. Ami Shelton looked cute, but not someone who would stand out in a crowd. In fact, he was having a hard time spotting her and he’d been in the airport for thirty minutes already with no sign of her. He’d debated on getting a paper and writing her name on it then holding it up toward all the blonde women he met, but he didn’t want to be that guy.

  Instead I’ll be the creep that’s checking out all the women.

  He didn’t have access to any papers and doubted any of the airline workers would give him one. No, he’d have to just wander the terminal looking for the errant girl. After another fruitless thirty minutes, he decided to text Chris and ask for her number. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too much of an intrusion during the birth of his child.

  Chris responded after a few minutes with just the number for Ami, and Duncan debated between calling and texting. She probably wouldn’t answer a strange number so he decided to text. With a short explanation of who he was, he asked for her location and waited. Minutes passed with no response.

  It was a good thing it was Saturday and he didn’t have to work, but he had other plans. He was getting a little irritated at the rude American he’d been sent to fetch.

  Duncan pulled up the number again and dialed it, hoping she’d answer it better than the text, or at least get her to look at her phone and see his text.

  As the phone began to ring through his ear piece, he heard a classical song ring tone playing somewhere in the crowd. He slowly worked his way down the hallways, keeping his eye out for the blonde. He didn’t see her. The ring tone ended just as his call was picked up. Instead of an actual person, he heard Ami’s voice mail.

  Duncan hung up, called the number again, and perked up listening for the same ring tone. When Mozart began playing once more, he followed the sound, hurrying before either she picked up or it went to voice mail again. And there she was. Her feet were propped up on the burgundy suitcase and her head rested against the back of the chair with a wadded up bunch of fabric for a pillow. Her mouth was slightly ajar, and rather than looking silly, she looked cute. Bright pink, foamy earplugs poked out of her ears and he knew why she hadn’t answered the phone.

  He sat next to her before texting Chris. Found her.

  Thanks. I owe you. We might still be awhile. Can you take care of Ami for us? Maybe show her the sights.

  Sure, no problem. Loves to Jessie. Good luck.

  Du
ncan took the opportunity to check the girl out and decided she looked a lot like her sister. He wondered if she’d be as spirited, or if she was more of a quiet girl. It was hard to tell with Americans sometimes. They had a completely different opinion of themselves than the girls he knew. Not that he knew a lot of Americans, but Edinburgh was well known for the tourists, and he’d done a lot of waiting tables and tending bar in the busy season.

  Though not many women his age came through, he was hit on by many of the older women and ogled by the young girls still in high school traveling with their parents.

  Wonder what kind of tourist she is. And what she’ll want to do first? If he had to keep her occupied for a while, he could take her to look at some of the more popular attractions. She’d most likely want to see the castle. Everyone wanted to go there, but it wouldn’t be good to just go on a whim. Besides, she’d probably want to visit it with her sister. Eventually.

  He had no idea how long it would be before Jessie would be ready to get back to her normal activities. In fact, he’d never been around a pregnant woman before her. It had been really interesting working with Chris at his house on a few projects in the evenings. Jessie wasn’t shy about coming in and hanging out with them while they worked.

  He returned his attention once more to the girl beside him and tried not to be a creep in his appraisal, but from what he could tell, she was very cute. He just hoped when she was awake, she wasn’t a torture to be with. He didn’t know how much time Chris and Jessie would need, and he had to keep her busy until after the baby came before he could take her to the hospital.

  When her phone started chiming with what he assumed was a text message, he decided to help her along. He adjusted his position on the seat, bumping her arm in the process. She pulled her arms off the arm rest, gave him a confused look, sat up a little straighter, and rubbed her eyes.

  He watched as she seemed to figure out where she was and then she grabbed her phone to look at the messages on it. Trying not to be too obvious, he glanced at the message but couldn’t tell who it was from.

  She moved on to other messages and saw his. She looked up and searched the area, only glancing at him briefly. He bit back a smile.

  Her thumbs started flying on the screen and she sent a text before he had time to realize she was probably texting him back. As soon as the thought entered his mind, his phone buzzed and he pulled it out. He glanced at it then turned to her.

  “Hello, I’m Duncan.”

  She stared at him for a moment. Pushing her hair out of her face, she looked at her phone again, adjusted herself in the seat, and knocked the suitcase over in the process.

  He leaned forward to help her lift it up. Their shoulders bumped before their hands found the suitcase. He pulled back, letting her have her space.

  “Ye ready to go?” he asked as she righted the luggage and sat up straight.

  Ami stared at him then took the little pink ear plugs out of her ears. “I’m sorry, what?”

  “I’m here to give ye a ride.”

  “But you’re a stranger.” She spoke the words, then clamped her hand over her mouth and stifled a giggle. The simple sound was sweet and Duncan knew right then she would be someone he really wouldn’t mind getting to know a little better. Good thing he had the excuse to take her out. He just hoped she would go along with it.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Ami was exhausted and still not sure what the guy next to her was talking about but she found herself giggling at the words she just blurted out. She couldn’t believe she had actually told him he was a stranger.

  “I’m sorry, that makes me sound like a little girl whose mom told her not to go with strangers.”

  “If yer mother taught ye that, she was a good woman. But I’m no stranger. I’ve got yer name, number, and picture on my phone. We’re practically related.”

  “What?” Ami asked. She had a hard time focusing on the meaning of his words because his brogue was so darn appealing. She wanted him to keep talking just to hear those words. They rolled around in his mouth like they were wrestling marbles before tumbling out in the perfect blend of deep and smooth sounds that sent shivers down her arms.

  “I may have a bit o’ candy somewhere, though.” He reached in a pocket, then checked another pocket before producing a pack of gum. “What would yer mother think o’ that?”

  Ami smiled. The guy was cute. Not drop dead gorgeous, where she felt like she’d be completely out of his league, but really attractive and friendly. As he offered her a piece of gum, she met his eyes. Grey-blue specks filled in the hazel irises and were perfectly framed by lashes she would love to have herself.

  “Thanks.” She took the offered gum and unwrapped it.

  “So now that we aren’t strangers, and you’ve accepted a sweet from me, are ye ready to go?”

  “I’m sorry, I still don’t know who you are exactly, or where you’re taking me.” She looked back down at her phone and finally understood the messages she’d read. A message from home had distracted her before she found the one from Duncan explaining why he’d been sent to get her.

  “Do you know if Jessie has had the baby yet? What time did she go in?”

  “As of half an hour ago, there was no bairn yet. Don’t know for sure the time line, just got a call from Chris asking if I’d be willing to come fetch ye. So here I am.”

  “That’s awfully nice of you, but I could get a cab.”

  “No need of that, lass. I’m here, and doing it as a personal favor to Chris and Jessie. They asked me to take care of ye, and that’s what I’ll be doing.”

  “Well, I appreciate that. Thank you.” She tried to cover a yawn, but knew it was way too obvious that she needed more sleep. “Sorry, this time difference is killing me.”

  “What time is it where ye’re from?”

  Ami tried to do the math, but she couldn’t quite figure it out and pulled out her phone to find a world clock. “Past midnight.”

  “Aye, it’ll take ye a few days to get used to it. Did ye sleep much on the plane?”

  “I tried,” Ami said again, fighting another yawn. “Got some, but not enough apparently.”

  “Well, I apologize fer waking ye up then. I should have let ye rest some more.”

  “No, you’re fine. I appreciate your willingness to come get me. I would hate to take up too much of your time. Do you mind just taking me to Jessie’s? She probably doesn’t want me at the hospital while she’s in labor. I’ll just go see what I can do around the house to help get things ready for when they come back home.”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  Duncan reached down and picked up her suitcase. She took a step closer and tapped the telescoping handle that tucked into the back of the suitcase. “You could use this if you’d like.”

  Duncan set it back down and pulled out the handle. He looked at the small backpack she had and the carry-on suitcase in his hand. “Is this all ye brought?”

  “Yeah. This is it.”

  “Impressive. Ye pack light. How long ye staying?” He looked at her again as if appraising her. She didn’t mind at all, which was strange given she didn’t usually like to be checked out by guys.

  “I’m here for a couple months.”

  “Really? With only two bags?”

  Ami shrugged. “Jessie told me not to bring too much stuff. We are pretty much the same size and she told me the weather here wouldn’t really be accommodating to most of my wardrobe so I only packed the necessities.”

  Duncan nodded, looking impressed, and she wondered why she was so willing to be open to this guy. She would never have told some other stranger all about her packing, but Duncan seemed so genuine and interested that she felt completely at ease talking to him. And the fact that she was going to get in a car with him just struck her as bold. She slowed down a little and shifted the bag on her shoulder as an excuse.

  “So how do you know Chris and Jessie?” Ami asked.

  “Chris and I work together.”

&
nbsp; “You know, I’m still not happy with him for moving and taking Jess away from me.”

  Duncan looked at her from the corner of his eye as if trying to understand what she had said. Ami smiled, knowing that she’d probably get a lot of strange looks as people tried to decipher her words. It wouldn’t be any different than her trying to figure out the dialect here.

  “Sounds like the two of ye are really close. And with ye coming to help with the new babe, I’m sure Jessie will be pleased to see ye.”

  “I was so excited when she invited me. I mean, who gets the chance to come visit Scotland and have room and board paid for just for the joy of loving on a new baby?” Ami almost sighed. She loved kids. Always had. While being a first grade teacher was wonderful, she still thought babies were the best. Someday she wanted to have a bunch of her own, but she needed a husband first. After graduating from college and getting a job as a teacher with no immediate prospects of a husband, it would be a while before she could be a mother herself. Being the doting aunt would be the next best thing.

  “You ever been to Scotland before?” Duncan asked.

  “I’ve never left the States until yesterday. Or today. Or whenever that was.” Her mind still felt a little fuzzy, but not too bad. The conversation with Duncan started to wake her up.

  “Ah, a newbie. We’ll have to make sure ye enjoy yer stay in the best part o’ God’s great earth.”

  “Well, thank you, Duncan. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve got to offer.”

  ***

  Before long, they were in the parking lot next to his car. He put her suit case into the back and closed the boot. He looked at her as she stood next to him. “Are ye sure ye want me to take ye to the house, or would ye like to go to the hospital and wait there?”

  Ami took a moment to think. She looked at her phone and then back up to him. “Did they leave you with a key to the house? I don’t even know if I can get inside.”