Laird of the Mist Read Online Free PDF Page B

in a pair of tight-fitting jeans and shirt accentuating the lines of his muscular frame. No man had ever looked that good in a pair of jeans, she thought as her gaze lifted to his thick hair tied down his back. Thank God his back was turned so he couldn‘t see her expression. It had to be one of open lust and appreciation.
―Aye, Cat, there ye are.‖ Hamish had seen the fire in her eyes, but kept his counsel.―Shall we go to dinner? Ye must be hungry by now, squirreled away in yer studio all day.‖
Cat quickly composed herself and took the last steps down the stairs and across the foyer.―Sure, grandda,‖ she smiled, in control now.―I‘m ready. You two must have had a good time shopping. New clothes, Carrick?‖ She turned to him at last.
―Aye, they are,‖ Carrick answered, waving toward some bags on the sofa.―Yer grandda was kind enough to procure some breeches and shirts while my kilt is attended to.‖
―I see.‖ She wondered what had become of the tattered tartan. ―Who is attending to it?‖
―Dropped at the cleaners,‖ Hamish hastily interrupted.―Shall we go then?‖ He nudged Cat toward the door.―We can tell ye all at Magnolia‘s.‖
Chapter Five
―D‗ye mind if I sit wi‘ ye a bit?‖ Carrick stood behind Cat, his voice striking against the symphony of the waves.
    ― No, not at all.‖ Cat surprised herself as she smoothed the blanket beside her in invitation.―Sit if you like.‖
―I didna wish to interrupt yer thoughts.‖ He sat at the edge of the small blanket so as not to seem threatening.―But I did wish to thank ye for yer fine hospitality. Tis verra generous of ye.‖
Cat wrapped her arms around her knees and rocked softly.―You‘re welcome,‖ she answered, her former agitation with him soothed by the companionable dinner and the beauty of the shore and stars. ―Carrick,‖ she began, still looking out to sea.―Did Jenny really play the violin?‖
―Oh, aye,‖ he said with tender remembrance.―A fine fiddler she was, indeed. Accomplished in the classics as well. When I heard ye playing today, ‗twas as though she were...‖ He broke off the thought. He was learning to be careful in making comparisons.
―I‘m not Jenny,‖ Cat said quietly, placing her hand over his.―I‘m not.‖ More gently, ―I may look like her, we may have had things in common, but it‘s just coincidence, Carrick. Nothing more.‖
―Perhaps.‖ He nodded.―I never believed in coincidence. I have seen too much to begin now.‖
―Have you? It seems that grandda gave you quite an intense tour of our century today,‖ Cat said, without a trace of her usual sarcasm. ―What do you like best so far? Grandda talked so much over dinner, I had no chance to ask.‖
―Hmmm...‖ Carrick reflected on the extraordinary day.―I s‘pose it must be the car—no—it needs must be the, uh, TV, is it?‖
―The TV?‖ She smiled.―I suppose I can understand that.‖
―And the aquarium with the lovely trained fishes jumping over poles, although I did enjoy the Indian Temple Mound. It reminded me of mounds in Scotland. But then there was....‖
―I get the general idea.‖ Cat laughed.―You enjoyed it all, I guess?‖
―Aye, so I did.‖ Carrick laughed with her.―So many things to see and learn. Aye.‗Twas a good day.‖ He sat silent, reflecting on the wonders he had seen.
Cat was silent too, letting the breeze and Carrick‘s masculine presence wash over her. She was definitely softening toward him, and she liked the feel of his hand under hers. It was comforting, and she began to imagine what it would be like to feel his hands touching her elsewhere.
―It must have been terrible for you.‖ Cat attempted to divert her thoughts, but didn‘t take her hand away from his. She had heard a bit about Jenny‘s murder over dinner, and compassion welled in her throat. ―Losing your wife, I mean.‖
―Aye.‖ Gently, he pulled his hand away from hers. He had been holding Jenny‘s locket since he sat