The Trouble with Scotland (16 page)

Sadie laid a hand on her arm. Ross's dad was gone, and it never occurred to her what Grace might be going through, how she must miss him. “I'm so very sorry for your loss. I can't imagine.”

Grace smiled at her stoically. “There's only one constant in this world:
change
. And there's no shortage of sorrow. But we get through, one day at a time.”

Tired of the conversation, Dand ran off to play in the backyard. Sadie hoped they would move on to much lighter subjects, but Grace was a prospector, tunneling in, searching for the mother lode.

“So what is it that ye do, Sadie Middleton? Besides read to my grandson and act as traveling companion for my favorite middle son?” She laughed at her own joke.

Sadie sighed, not wanting to even say the words. “I'm a dental hygienist.”

“But?” Grace prompted.

“It's not my calling,” she admitted.

“I see.” Grace was astute and understood so much with few words. “And the brother ye told me about?”

“Oliver,” Sadie said.

“Aye, Oliver. How does he feel about ye being a dental hygienist?”

Sadie laughed derisively. “He
loves
the idea.” Since he and Gigi had been the ones to cook it up while sitting at the kitchen table.
While Sadie sat by silently.
She was only now understanding how important it was that she stand up to her family and be truthful. Gigi would still be alive if she had.

Grace gazed at her patiently, as if she knew Sadie was working things out.

She felt such a kinship to Ross's mother, who was so warm and easy to talk to. She found herself telling her all about Oliver's overprotectiveness, and how suffocating his hovering was. Grace nodded empathetically, as if she'd seen this kind of thing before.

Finally, Grace leaned forward and said, “So tell me this, must ye be a dental hygienist to make a living? Or do you have the freedom to change professions?”

Sadie had thought this through before; she could get a job at the university while she worked on her library science degree. Gigi and Oliver were her only obstacles. And now Gigi was gone.

“I'm still working that out,” Sadie finally answered.

“This has been a good chat.” Grace stood. “Come. Let's corral Dand and take a walk. That's enough grilling for now, don't ye think?”

Sadie smiled. She really, really
liked
Grace. Ross was lucky to have such a woman as this for his mother.

Grace opened the back door. “Dand, let's take a walk, luv.”

The three of them put on light jackets and made their way down the street. Sadie and Grace stopped and admired the gardens while Dand collected rocks and jumped in mud puddles.

When they returned to the house, Ross was there.

Sadie wondered where Ross had been, but she didn't ask.

Apparently, he had no such compunction. “Where have ye been?” He looked at his watch. “We've a lot to do today.”

Grace shot her son a stern warning with her green eyes. “We were taking a walk and smelling the roses, getting to know each other. She's lovely, Ross.”

He nodded toward her as if she was no more than a statue. “Aye. But Deydie called me on my mobile and needs us to pick up some fabric for Father Andrew and Moira's wedding reception. Something about tablecloths.” He made the task sound distasteful.

“I see,” Grace said. “Then ye better not dawdle. Who is marrying them anyway?”

“Doc MacGregor's da. He'll be coming up from Edinburgh to do it.”

Grace turned to Sadie. “Ye best grab yere purse and get on with it. When Deydie calls, we all jump to attention . . . even here in Glasgow.”

Sadie did as she was told and was in the truck before Ross or Grace had to tell her twice.

But at the bookstore, Ross patiently let her browse. Sadie had drawn up a preliminary list, but she found that once she was surrounded by books, she lost all track of
time. Ross gave her room and space to wander the aisles. Every once in a while, he would appear and switch out her full basket for an empty one. The third time he ambled up beside her and retrieved her full basket, he asked, “How are you doing, lass? Can we break for some food?”

“Yes, we're done here,” she said. She followed his glance down at her basket. “Oh, these romantic novels aren't for Quilting Central; they're for
your
edification.”

“Verra funny, lass.”

After the books were bought and stored in the large plastic containers in the back of the truck, they walked to a small café for lunch, then hurried on to the fabric shop. But when they arrived, the clerk was clearly agitated.

“But I told the woman on the phone that we were out of that particular lace.”

That sounded like Deydie.

“Sadie, ye'll just have to choose. Deydie said if they didn't have it, then you should pick out something else.”

“Why me?”

He raised his eyebrows. “Do I look like I know about such things? Now if we were talking about fishing line and bait, I'd be yere man. But I know Moira. She'll be fine with anything ye choose.”

“Do you have Moira's number so I can check with her?”

He frowned. “I wouldn't give it to ye even if I did. I'm sure the town fussing over her is stressing her out enough as it is. Ye met her. She wouldn't want the attention. I think that's why Deydie left it up to you.”

Sadie was still hesitant. “Let me call Deydie, then.”

Ross laid a hand on her arm and—suddenly she was
suffused with warmth. Oh, she knew she was reading more into his touch than was really there, but she relished it, like the first bite of a fresh-from-the-oven apple pie.
With ice cream on top
. She even closed her eyes and soaked in the feeling.

“Are ye okay?” Ross asked. “Have we overtaxed ye?”

Yes. He'd overtaxed her senses.

She opened her eyes, embarrassed. “I'm good.”

He was right. She was making too much of everything. These were little decisions.

“Just think of what you would want for yere own wedding.”

“I would hate a big wedding,” she admitted. “All the flowers and fuss.” She'd want nothing more than her vows and the man she loved standing beside her, claiming her for all time.
Yeah, I've read too many romance novels.

“If I were to get married, I'd probably elope.” Although suddenly an outdoor wedding sounded nice. An image came into her head—of her rock by the ocean, where she'd spent her first evening in Scotland with Ross by her side.

But wishful thinking would get her nowhere. She was never going to marry.

Putting her mind firmly to the task, she chose a simple white cotton fabric for the tablecloths and an old-fashioned lace for the overlays.

As Ross loaded it all in the truck, she asked, “Are you looking forward to tonight?”

He cocked his head to the side, clearly confused.

“Did you forget? We're going out again. This time we really are going to find you a woman.”

He shook his head. “I want to head back to Gandiegow tonight.” He helped her into the truck and then started it up.

“Are you afraid we'll run into another set of twins and you'll get into another fight?”

He glanced over at her seriously. “Aye.”

“Ross, your mother said it was the ‘dirty pub'.” She laughed. “Surely not all the pubs in Glasgow are like that.”

He gave her a pointed look. “It's not the pubs I'm worried about.”

She held up her hand. “I solemnly promise to stay away from the likes of the twins.”

“That's not it either.” Ross took her hand and lowered it. “I think it's best to get you back.”

She had the feeling he wanted to be rid of her. Well, they'd spent a lot of time together since she'd arrived in Scotland, and he was probably sick of her company.

She had to save face. “Yes. I think we better head back too, if I'm to get the library at least marginally set up before I go home to North Carolina.”

*   *   *

“Ye're leaving tonight?” Grace asked, studying these two closely.

Ross opened his mouth, but she had more to say.

“That's a long trip to make this late. I'll worry.”

Ross looked abashed at her guilt trip. “I—”

“It's me,” Sadie said. Grace had the lass's number; she could tell she was going to save Ross once again. “I'm the one who wants to get back. After all the books I bought today, I'm afraid I won't have time to make any headway on getting things set up before I fly home.”

Grace changed tack, because she'd just had an idea.
“I understand. Aye. Ye have to get back tonight. Just promise me that ye'll be safe. And if ye get tired, Ross, that you'll stop and rest.”

Ross kissed her on the cheek. “I promise, Mum.”

Grace sighed heavily. At least Sadie looked happy while reading to Dand before dinner. But something had happened with these two—Ross and Sadie—while they'd been out. She had a feeling it had to do with that crazy and misguided arranged marriage her husband had dreamt up long ago. She was worried about her son, not because he was heartbroken, but because he'd been burned by being tied down to everyone else's dream for him. Grace's hope of seeing her middle son happy was fading.

After they ate, Ross took up his plate and said, “I'll help with the dishes and then we need to get on the road.”

Sadie had barely touched her food, but she stood, too.

These two were quite the pair. Even though they were clearly at odds, they seemed to back each other up at every turn.

Grace laid her napkin on the table. “Don't worry about the dishes. Dand and I will take care of cleaning up.”

“Aw, Nan, I—” Dand complained.

Ross raised an eyebrow, silencing him.

Immediately, Dand shifted gears. “I know, Uncle Ross. I'll be good for Nan and Aunt Glynnis.”

Ross nodded to the lad and then turned to the American lass. “Sadie, can you be ready in five minutes?”

“Yes.”

Ross instructed Dand what to clear next. Everyone left the dining room except for Grace.

Living here in Glasgow, she'd had no say when Ramsay decided upon his wife. Of course, she adored Kit—Ramsay couldn't have chosen better—and Grace loved her immensely. But it would've been nice to have been involved, even in some small way. It was hard being away from her bairns, though they were grown men now. Maybe she could do something to help Ross. She'd had her one true love, and she wanted that for him, too.

Sadie reappeared with her quilted bag over her shoulder.

Grace rose and pulled her in for a hug. “I'm so glad ye came to visit.” What she really wanted to say was that she liked her a lot, that Ross liked her, too, and that she would fit well into the Armstrong family.

Sadie hugged her back. “It was lovely to meet you, too. I had a wonderful time. Thank you for everything.”

Dand came running into the room and slammed into them. “Ye were going to leave without saying good-bye?”

“Ye'll get to see her,” Grace said. “When I take ye back. Remember, we have to be there for Moira's wedding.” She'd met the priest a couple of times and was happy Moira had found the perfect man for her.

Dand dropped his arms. “But Sadie will be gone by then.”

Ross walked into the room with his bag, a pillow, and a quilt.

Grace turned to him. “Is that true?”

“Aye.” Ross shifted the load in his arms and took Sadie's bag from her. “When did ye say yere flight was?”

“Saturday.”

Grace thought she would have more time, that Sadie
would still be in Gandiegow when she went to Moira's wedding.
This isn't good. Not good at all.

“Can't ye stay longer?” Dand whined.

Sadie shook her head
no
, but then brightened as she smiled down at him. “I almost forgot.” She pulled a book from her bag. “I got you something special when I was out today.”

Dand took it, but he looked as if he'd rather have Sadie than the book. “Who's going to read to me?”

Grace put her arm about her grandson. “I will.”

“We're all going to survive, squirt. Promise.” Ross's tone sounded resolute, which wasn't really a comfort. “We've gotta go, Mum.”

“I know.” Grace pulled him in for a hug. “I love ye, Ross.”

“Me, too.” He kissed her cheek and let her go. “Is it okay that I borrowed a pillow and a quilt?”

“Ye know it is.” He'd probably taken it for the lass in case she got cold and tired. Ross could be a thoughtful man, if thickheaded.

Grace and Dand watched from the doorway as Ross led Sadie to her side of the truck. When she was buckled in, he stowed their things in the back, and got in the driver's side. A minute later, the two of them were gone.

“Nan, can't we do anything to make Aunt Sadie stay?”

Maybe.
“Run into the parlor and get a board game set up for us. I have a call to make first.”

Dand looked up at her. “To who?”

“Never mind that. Go on now. And see if Aunt Glynnis needs a fresh cup of water. I'll be there in a minute.”

Ross was fighting his feelings, and Grace understood
why. For so long, he'd been attached to Pippa, and now he was free. But love had a way of showing up unexpectedly and knocking on your door at the most inopportune times. It had been that way for her and Alistair. She'd been all set to move, a job lined up in London, her dream of living in a big city about to come true. But then Alistair, whom she'd known all her life, had pulled his boat into the dock, and asked her to go for a ride. The rest was history. What a blessing. She was glad she'd answered the door when love knocked. Otherwise, her life wouldn't have been as rich and full.

Grace waited until Dand shut the door before lifting the receiver from the old rotary phone hanging on the wall.