Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 547(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
TIERNEY
Never in my life would I have thought the bagpipes could be this hot. I’d witnessed the Tattoo multiple times and loved it, but I’d never had this visceral reaction to it.
However, watching Ramsay play that melancholy melody up onstage hit me like an emotion-packed semitruck. And the more I watched the band, the more I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. I was distracted momentarily from what was happening on the small stage when Taran suddenly appeared to pull Laird away. Cammie and I had shared a concerned look. Word was that their mom, Isla, was deteriorating quickly. Cammie had told me on the way over so I was surprised to see Laird in the pub at all. Taran arriving and taking him away was not a good sign.
But no one could take this journey for them, and interference at this point would be unwelcome.
So, we’d attempted to turn our focus back to the band.
I succeeded only because of Ramsay.
He’d shaved off his yeti beard. There was already a salt-and-pepper stubble growing on his cheeks but unlike the beard, it did nothing to hide his angled jawline. He was all rugged edges and soft, kissable lips. To top it off, he’d had his hair cut. With one shave and a haircut, he’d gone from sexy yeti to unbearably, ruggedly, should have his own social media platform HOT.
Ramsay McRae was all kinds of levels of sexy.
Damn it.
“You’re drooling again,” Cammie teased.
“I am not. Though … seriously, why aren’t these guys all over the internet?” I gestured to Murray Shaw and then the stage. All the men who made up the band were attractive in their own right. “I mean, was there a ‘must be over six feet tall and hot’ application process?”
Cammie laughed, her eyes darting beyond me.
I turned to find Murray listening in, his eyes dancing with laughter. “What was that now? Say it louder for my ego.”
“Oh please, I’m not embarrassed, you know you’re all good-looking.”
“We’re the Leth Sholas Pipe Band.” Quinn’s voice echoed around the room. “Thanks for listening. Oidhche Mhath.”
As the audience clapped their thanks, I asked Cammie, “What does Oidhche Mhath mean?” I knew I probably butchered the pronunciation.
“Good night.”
“Do you all speak Gaelic?”
Cammie shook her head. “I know bits and pieces, as does Quinn. Our parents are fluent, but I’m sad to say it is a dying language.”
I nodded and surveyed the audience, noting many a person still ogling the gorgeous Scots on stage. Quinn murmured something to Ramsay and then strode out of the pub without looking at anyone.
Cammie sucked in a breath at his abrupt departure.
Ramsay stepped down from the stage, whistled low, and Akiva shot from my side to him. The big Scot had already put his bagpipes down and lowered to his haunches to greet his dog with an abundance of affection. Now that he didn’t have a beard hiding his face, his smile … it did things to me.
Great.
I was only distracted from his deliciousness by Cammie’s tension. She contemplated the Lantern’s main door. Quinn had been in a horrible mood the last few days and to my surprise, Ramsay covered for me about the wall. I’d gone to the B and B the next day to apologize for my impulsive and irresponsible behavior, but Ramsay interrupted before I could take the blame. He said he hadn’t known I’d wanted to be there for the demo and had started work without everyone. I’d been grateful to him because I didn’t need my main contractor thinking he couldn’t trust me. When Quinn was out of earshot, I’d thanked Ramsay and promised him nothing like that would ever happen again.
The yeti (now not yeti) had grunted at me and walked away, which pissed me off again.
I didn’t know what it was about him that got under my skin so much, but my feelings toward him were very confusing.
“Is Quinn okay?” I asked Cammie.
She shook her head, lips pressed together tightly. Finally, she sighed. “It did not go well with Taran.”
I’d guessed as much. “I’m sorry for Quinn.”
“I’m sorry for them all.” Cammie gave me a melancholy smile. “Come on, let’s grab a drink.”
“I’m heading out.” Murray stood too.
“You don’t want a drink?”
“No, we’re a man down for the chartered fishing guide, so I’m out on the boat tomorrow with a bunch of tourists.”
“Enjoy.” Cammie teased like she knew it was the last thing Murray wanted to do.
I knew Murray owned a large fishing company on Glenvulin. He had several fishermen, like Laird, who ran small crews, but he also ran chartered fishing guides for tourists. Salmon fishing in this part of the country was huge.
The man jerked his chin toward the bar where Ramsay and his other band member, Forde, now stood, before wandering out with a few goodbyes to locals.
“Come on. I’ll introduce you to Forde.” Cammie took my arm and guided me to the bar.