The Accidental Scot Read Online Free PDF Page B

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    â€œIf you don’t mind me asking, how did NSV afford this machine?”
    She cocked an eyebrow as if she did mind, but then deflated as if to say,
what the hell
. “It’s a gift from Corbie Engineering. Right before they went bankrupt.”
    Her eyebrows furrowed as if she understood all too well what was at stake. North Sea Valve could very well be the next to go into bankruptcy court.
    â€œThere’s no need to worry,” he assured her. “I can help.”
    Her shoulders went back and she sucked in a breath before shouting over the racket of the machinery. “I’m concerned about MTech’s definition of help. I know I called yere company back to the table, Mr. McKinley, but the last time MTech was here, they tried to rob NSV blind.”
    This is going to be an uphill battle.
    He patted his notebook. “I’m not talking about the MTech proposal. I’m talking about reconfiguring your operations, moving things around. Things you can do right away to save money, and it won’t cost you a penny.”
    She sized him up but looked too stubborn to acquiesce.
    â€œCan we talk about it in your office where it’s quieter?”
    She glared at him for a moment before turning on herheel. “Follow me.” She marched in the opposite direction.
    Damn she was prickly. Why did she think the worst of him?
    For his whole life he’d assumed, by the easy trust others placed in him, that his honesty shone through. But to come to Scotland and be treated like a common thief felt . . . foreign.
    He wasn’t a shyster. He was a stand-up guy. Was it too much to ask for them to put a little faith in him? Were all Scots this distrustful? All he wanted was to make sure their subsea shutoff valve came to fruition. Preferably with MTech, so he could keep his job. He opened his mouth to try to convince her that his motives were pure. But hell, pleading wouldn’t do a damn bit of good. Everyone knew actions spoke louder than words.
    He focused his attention on her lovely backside as she paraded away from him, and unabashedly let the spectacle outshine his injured pride. The view also helped him to ignore how the workers were staring at his bare legs.
    She opened the office door and went in. He followed and his first thought was—
Hoarders work here.
    She glanced around, too. “Organized chaos.”
    Bookcases packed with technical tomes filled the small room. Piles of manila folders sat on the desk and floor. Stray valves here and there acted as paperweights. In the middle of the desk was that damn camera of hers from earlier.
    She flipped over what looked like a stack of photos before removing her hard hat. Her hair had come undone and a disarray of strawberry blond curls fell around her face. She shook them out as if she didn’t know howdistracting it was. From another kitchen chair, she moved a mountain of papers for him to sit.
    She waved to the accumulation in the room. “My system is organic. I’m still coming up to speed on the factory.”
    He understood digesting a lot of information in a short period of time. Like this project, which he’d had only days to prepare for. “Don’t apologize.”
    â€œI wasn’t.” She settled herself behind the desk. “Now what ideas do you have for me?” she asked skeptically.
    His gaze alighted on the one area of the room that seemed well put together—the wall behind her. Three diplomas hung in perfect order. It was an impressive display—bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate in mechanical engineering.
    She followed to where his eye had landed. “Da insisted that Taog and Murdoch hang my diplomas.” Interestingly, her cheeks tinged red.
    â€œDon’t be embarrassed by your intelligence and accomplishments.”
    â€œAre you always this cheeky with strangers?” She held his stare.
    â€œI’m impressed, is all.”
    She shot him a