Heart Melter (21 page)

Natasha studied Alec's sister with interest, remembering that Ian had told her earlier he’d had a school boy crush on her as a kid. With delicate features and a flawless complexion, Eileen had a slender figure and long, chestnut hair. Her manner was friendly, but more subdued than Alec's as she welcomed them inside.

Alec came up and grasped Natasha by the shoulders, kissing her on both cheeks. "Welcome to our humble abode," he said, eyes twinkling.

"This is humble?" Natasha said with a lift of her brows. “Your home is beautiful.”

"Thank you. Come in," he said, leading them to his stately living room. Everything sparkled, from the large crystal chandelier, bisque colored walls, striped cream and taupe silk curtains to the exquisite oil paintings. A high-domed ceiling topped oversized French doors that led to an expansive balcony elevated directly above the sea. Natasha could hear the waves lapping against the shore.

Seated on the ivory silk sofa before a marble fireplace with an ornate mantle, she accepted a glass of wine from Eileen who passed them out with miniature salmon quiches.

"Thanks, looks delicious.” Ian devoured the miniature quiche in one bite. “Especially after having canned soup for lunch,” he said with a chuckle.

Natasha flushed, but she brushed feelings of inadequacy as she reminded herself they were roughing it with limited food options. Of course, Ian would be delighted with Eileen’s special hors d’oeuvres.

Lifting his glass, Alec toasted, "To old and new friends."

Ian neatly swallowed his whiskey and set the glass down. "Have you told Eileen why we're in Skye?" he asked Alec.

Eileen’s brows drew together in a worried knot. "Yes, Alec told me. If there's anything I can do, let me know."

"Thanks, but let’s leave that to Alec," Ian said.

Alec nodded. “I spoke to Detective Carson this morning. She said the evidence on the flash drive is highly inflammatory.”

“Why?” Ian said.

“There are a few dirty cops involved, including the police commissioner," Alec said grimly.

Natasha groaned. “Oh God. No wonder Tony was killed.”

“Who’s Tony?” Eileen asked.

Ian’s face darkened. “He’s the
scunner
who hid his flash drive in Tasha’s suitcase and put her in danger.”

Eileen’s mouth dropped open. “How awful!”

Alec set his glass down on the marble coffee table. His burnished brows drew together in a furry line as he regarded them solemnly. “A man fitting the description you gave of Rico Gamberi rented a fishing boat at Arisaig. He arrived in Portree last night. Paid cash for the rental."

Natasha's stomach lurched. "That was the same man who came to Glenhaven looking for me. It has to be Rico!”

“No, Detective Carson said Rico is in New York,” Alec said.

“Really? Wow, that’s a relief,” Natasha said, pausing to digest the latest news. “Then whoever is here must be a member of the Capelli family.”

“Check your phone again, Tasha. Maybe it’ll work here,” Ian suggested.

Natasha fished her phone out of her shoulder bag and turned on the power. “My voice mail isn’t connecting. It’s so frustrating.” She stared at Alec. “We didn’t notice anyone following us, and I hid in the back seat on the ferry.”

"Most folks know Ian around here. More than likely somebody saw him on the ferry," Alec said.

"It’s just a matter of time before he finds us." Natasha clasped her hands so tightly her knuckles turned white. "We’re not even safe all the way up here in Skye. How far do we have to go to get away from the mob?"

Ian exchanged a meaningful glance with Alec. “Maybe it’s time to change strategy and let them know where we are.”

Natasha gawked at Ian. "What do you mean?"

"Lead the guy into a trap and stop him faster," Alec said matter-of-factly.

"We become the predators not the victims," Ian said. "We’ll make it known where we are and then wait for him."

Natasha’s skin prickled with alarm. Ian wasn’t a cop, he was a doctor—a brilliant and compassionate healer. He might know how to handle a gun expertly, but he was no killer. The mob was brutal, volatile and unpredictable.

"What if it's too late for that?" she asked, fear mushrooming inside her.

Alec snorted. "You wouldn't be here if it was too late. Once he finds you, he'll make his move.”

Eileen’s eyes glittered with determination. “I’ll visit Mrs. Collins tomorrow. As soon as I tell her that Ian MacGregor is staying at the cottage with an American woman, the word will spread like wildfire."

Ian nodded. "Good idea, Eileen. How is the old gossip?"

"Fine, always eager for news. There’s not enough excitement for her in Portree," Eileen said, smiling at him.

"Are you okay?" Ian asked, turning his attention to Natasha.

“I’ve been better, but I’ll be fine.” She swallowed against the nervous dryness in her throat and forced a smile. “Let’s talk about something else.”

Ian nodded and turned his attention to Eileen, "Are you still working at the clinic?"

"Yes, I love caring for my wee patients. They're adorable and bright as buttons."

"What do you do for a living?" Natasha asked.

"I'm a pediatric nurse."

"Oh. That’s nice," she said politely.

"Would you be interested in working with me at the clinic?" Ian asked Eileen.

Eileen's face lit up. "Oh, yes. That would be brilliant. I’d love to help any way I can," she said, her amber eyes glowing enthusiastically. “But are you sure you need me?”

Ian’s brows lifted in surprise. “Of course. I need you full-time. How soon can you start?”

Natasha watched their interaction with a pang. She should have been the one bursting with enthusiasm for his clinic. Ian had been so tied up in helping Natasha, they had barely discussed his future plans for the clinic. He seemed thrilled that Eileen was being supportive of him.

"I only need to give two weeks’ notice so Dr. Sinclair can find a replacement," Eileen said. “I’d love to be a part of your charity clinic, Ian, but I heard all the hiring had been done.”

“Where did you hear that?” Ian asked.

“From Dr. Parkhurst. When I sent her an enquiry, Danielle said there were no openings,” Eileen said, her brow furrowed in confusion.

A muscle ticked in Ian’s jaw as his features hardened. “She was wrong. We still have openings,” he said in a taut voice.

Ugh,
Danielle again.
The thought of her having any influence in his life made Natasha’s insides clench with possessiveness.

“Great. Well, okay then. Lovely,” Eileen said awkwardly after a weighted pause. She turned to Natasha with an apologetic smile. “Sorry to get sidetracked there. We’ve been catching up and I haven’t properly welcomed you, Natasha. It’s nice to finally meet you. Alec and I always wished Ian had brought you up to Skye during your first trip here.”

Ian cleared his throat and Alec looked at his sister with raised brows.

Eileen sighed and stared at them, round-eyed. “Oh dear, I probably shouldn’t have brought that up,” she said, shooting a worried look at Ian.

“Drop it, Eileen,” Alec said, his mouth twitching. He turned to Natasha with a smile. “Are you currently in a show then? You’re an actress, right?”

“Yes,” Natasha said. Clearly, Alec had run a check on her too.

“Tasha sings like an angel and her dancing is gorgeous,” Ian said, smiling at her.

“Aw, thank you, Ian. You’re too kind,” Natasha said, astounded by his generous compliment.

“I’m only stating the truth,” he said. Anyone would think he was looking forward to seeing her on stage. She regarded him with puzzled eyes and he smiled back enigmatically.

Eileen beamed at her. “I love musicals. I always go to them on the West End when I’m in London. Which one are you in?”

“It’s a new 1920’s musical comedy called “The Bee’s Knees,” Natasha said.

“I would love to see you in it. Sounds lovely!” Eileen gushed.

“Well, Natasha, good thing you can sing for the two of you,” Alec said pleasantly.

“What do you mean?” Natasha said, noting his teasing tone.

“Haven’t you heard Ian sing, or rather croak? Laird MacGregor can’t carry a tune in the bucket,” Alec said, shaking his head mournfully. He turned to Ian with a merciless grin. “Remember when they sent you home from choir tryouts with a note saying you were more suited to science than singing?”

“I remember,” Ian said dryly, “and thanks for bringing it up. The only reason I was in choir tryouts was because Mum coerced me into going. She thought it might help me sing better.”

“Oh no. Did that really happen?” Natasha said, looking from Alec to Ian.

“I’m afraid so. The minute Ian sang the first verse, everyone covered their ears.” Alec threw his head back and howled. “He sounded like a rusty pipe.”

Ian chuckled good-naturedly. “Stop talking rubbish, Alec. You’re making me look bad in front of Tasha.”

“Aye, quit giving Ian a bad time. His singing isn’t
that
bad,” Eileen said, giggling. “Just because you have the lungs of a lion, Alec.”

Alec flashed a generous grin. “Thank you, Eileen. I’ll take the compliment. Blimey, I’m hungry as a lion too. Are we ready to eat now?"

“Aye, please follow me into the dining room,” Eileen said.

“We’re in for a treat.” Alec straightened his large frame and patted his lean stomach as he rose from the couch. “Eileen is a fine cook.”

Fine was an understatement. Eileen’s cooking was Michelin star quality. They enjoyed a perfectly roasted loin of lamb, surrounded by glazed apples and accompanied by a homemade mint sauce. Dessert was poached pears in a brandy-laced butterscotch sauce. All deliciously prepared by Eileen and served by the freckle-faced, apple-cheeked housekeeper, Tilly, who bustled around them cheerfully.

After dessert, they retired to the balcony overlooking the sea. "Will you look at those clouds?" Alec said, puffing on a cigar. "It’s already starting to rain. We're in for a big one tonight."

“Oh no,” Natasha said, dreading it.

"I hate to cut the evening short, but we should leave before the storm hits,” Ian said, slanting a glance at Natasha.

“
Dinna fash
. We understand. The roads aren’t the best.” Eileen paused and studied them for a moment. “Why don’t you spend the night here? There’s plenty of room and you won’t have to deal with the storm.”

“Thanks, but we’ll be fine. We just need to get going,” Ian said.

They said their good-byes and thanked Eileen for the superb meal. They ran to the car in the drizzling rain and made it inside mere minutes before it turned into a squalling thunderstorm. Water sloshed against the car as it chugged along the dirt road. Natasha clenched her hands in her lap and watched the lightning and thunder outdo each other. Her pulse roared in her ears like loud ocean waves as she strove to harness her panic. Staring out the front window, her eyes fixated on the wind shield wipers as they worked nonstop to clear the blinding rain.

They had only driven about a mile when the car hit something solid with a loud thump. Cursing loudly, Ian got out of the car to check what they'd hit.

“What’s wrong?” Natasha said when he returned.

“There’s a fallen tree blocking the road,” he said, wiping his wet face on his sleeve.

"Can't we turn around and go another way?" Natasha asked, peering behind the car.

"No. The tires have sunk into the mud. We'll have to wait it out, then I’ll call Alec to give me a hand."

Natasha closed her eyes to block the distressing childhood memory she always associated with lightning and storms.

"We're safer in a car than in a house, Tasha. The tires will ground us from the electrical currents," Ian said, guessing her fears.

Logically, she knew that, but emotionally was another thing. She took a deep breath and reached for a blanket in the back seat.

“Here, dry off,” she said, handing the blanket to Ian. The moment he took it from her hands, a spectacular ray of jagged lightning lit up the sky. A loud crack of thunder propelled her into Ian’s arms.

"I hate lightning,” she said, burrowing her face in his chest.

“It’s going to be fine, Tasha. What happened to you at summer camp won’t happen again.” He smoothed her hair and kissed the top of her head as they listened to the howling wind and driving rain.

“I feel ridiculous. I should’ve outgrown the fear by now,” she mumbled, “but the minute I hear thunder and see lightning I’m right back at summer camp, bleeding on the ground.” She shook her head. “One way or another, I have to get over it. Especially before I have kids. They can’t have a mom who freaks out over storms.”  She wished she could say, before
we
have kids, but how could she? She had no commitment from Ian, save for his declaration of love.

Ian held her face and gazed deeply in her eyes. “You will, angel.”

Her heart skipped a beat and the storm’s danger was forgotten as she stared at him, imagining how their children would look.

Suddenly a bright light illuminated the car from behind and Ian’s body tensed as he craned his head to look. Natasha pulled away and looked behind him too.

“What’s that light?” she asked, the fine hairs on her nape standing on end. “It’s so bright.”

“Get down." He gently pushed her head below the dashboard and reached for the rifle in the back seat with lightning speed. "Stay there," he said before getting out of the car.

Natasha's head shot up when she heard the door slam. She strained to see what was happening, but the powerful light was blinding.  Moments later, she opened the door and got out when she heard Alec's voice. 

"Don't shoot, MacGregor! I'm here to help," he boomed with a loud chuckle.

Ian put down the gun. "How did you know we were stuck out here?"

"Eileen was worried you might have trouble returning to the cottage because of the storm. Get in the truck and I’ll take you back to the house," Alec said. “You're both drenched and I’m sure you’d like a hot bath tonight."

"I don't know about Ian, but a hot bath sounds wonderful to me," Natasha said gratefully. "But what about the car?" 

"We’ll get it tomorrow morning," Ian said. "I need to buy a new tire anyway.”