Chapter Fourteen
Ophelia
September
W hat kind of man was Brann Duthie? Ophelia asked herself the same question for what felt like weeks. And she answered it too… Trying to avoid any answers that made him sound good.
‘He’s the kind of man who had a child when he was a teenager,’ she told Conker as she mucked out his stable. But that question brought up more. Who was Harrison’s mum? Did he and his sister have the same mum? Did Brann still have feelings for this woman or these women? What had their life been like when they were together as teenagers? Was his partner younger or older?
‘I wish I could stop caring,’ she muttered.
‘Hey.’
Ophelia whipped around, and her eyes widened. ‘Brann.’ Shit. What had she said out loud? Had he heard her muttering to herself? ‘What is it?’
He leaned his arm high on the doorframe and his eyes raked her over in that way they often did. And yes, she was well aware she frequently returned the favour too.
‘Just came to see you.’
‘Really? Why?’
‘I dunno. You’ve not been about as much lately. Did you tell your father about the man who was wandering about?’
‘No, but I told Barbara. She thinks it might be the moped thief, and she called the police.’
‘I thought I was the thief?’ Brann smiled, but his eyes weren’t as cheerful as his expression.
He’d definitely stolen something from her, but nothing as trivial as a moped. He’d gone straight for her heart. ‘I don’t know what you are,’ she said.
‘I’m just a regular guy. Listen, about that… I guess finding out I was Harrison’s dad surprised you a bit.’
‘A little.’
‘Yeah. Thought so.’ He moved his arm from the door and crossed the stables, leaning in and stroking Conker. ‘I thought you already knew. It’s not exactly a secret.’
‘It never occurred to me.’
‘Sorry.’ He gave a little shrug. ‘Guess I look different now, huh?’
He’d got that right, but why? He was still the same guy. ‘Maybe, but that isn’t necessarily bad.’
‘I hope not.’ His crooked grin was back, and it was so endearing she couldn’t stop herself from returning it. ‘Caitlin, my daughter, not my girlfriend’ – he raised an eyebrow – ‘really wants to learn to ride and get a horse. I’m struggling to find a place that can do it. I don’t suppose you fancy teaching her?’
‘Me? I’m not a great rider.’
‘I saw you at the Highland Games and you looked pretty good to me.’
‘Did I?’
‘You sure did. That was a difficult course to even attempt, and I know you weren’t exactly practising in the run up, because you were working here and doing your other job. You weren’t the worst by any stretch. It seemed more like you’d lost concentration.’
‘I did.’ Could he guess what had caused that? The twinkle in his eye said he could. ‘Maybe you should ask Dagmar.’
‘Already did, but she was a bit vague.’
Ophelia sighed. ‘I can certainly let Caitlin use a horse here. Conker is a good horse and doesn’t mind who rides him. But really Dagmar is much better suited to giving lessons than me. I’m not patient enough.’
‘Astonishing. I’d never have guessed.’
‘Oh, be quiet.’
The sound of voices outside made Brann turn around.
‘That might be Dagmar now. I’ll speak to her.’ But before Ophelia got to the door, in came Jacinta and Francesca.
‘Hello, Ophelia,’ Jacinta said. ‘What are you doing in here?’
‘Tending to my horse.’
‘I didn’t think you ever stooped that low.’
Ophelia rolled her eyes.
‘I think you’re talking about yourself. Dagmar has enough to do, and if you want her to carry on doing her job, then you need to make sure you keep paying her.’ Ophelia glared from Francesca to Jacinta. ‘Otherwise she might leave.’
‘Wages are Barbara’s department.’
‘Yes, but the money has to be there for her to use. She can’t authorise wages if someone has spent all the money on a fancy holiday, can she?’
‘Change the record,’ Jacinta said, then blinked at Brann as though surprised to see him. ‘Are you fixing something?’
‘No. I’m just leaving.’
Ophelia followed him out of the door. ‘Listen, I’d like you to stop working at the boathouse for the next few weeks and help me get my cottage fully inhabitable. Get me a kitchen, bathroom and fittings. I need out of the big house now. I can’t cope with that woman any longer.’
‘As you wish, milady.’ Brann tapped two fingers to his forehead in a salute.
That was the kind of man he was – a reliable, helpful one.
‘I don’t trust that man,’ Jacinta said when Ophelia returned to the stable. ‘There’s something not quite right about him.’
When she’d first met him, Ophelia would have agreed and taken great pleasure in tearing strips off him, but now a furious need to defend him rose in her. ‘What nonsense. It’s not him with the issues around here.’
‘I see you’ve joined his fan club. Honestly, the way some people go on about him like he’s something special. He looks shifty more than anything else, if you ask me.’
‘Thankfully, no one did. And it sounds to me like the lady doth protest too much. Perhaps it’s you who should subscribe to his fan club. I can see you keeping a naked poster of him under your pillow.’
‘That’s revolting.’ Jacinta’s cheeks reddened, and Ophelia laughed.
‘I think he’s the dad of a girl I know in the musical theatre club,’ Francesca said. ‘He picked her up once. Rosie thought he was a hot dad.’
‘Francesca, really.’ Jacinta looked outraged.
‘What? I mean, she wasn’t wrong, was she? He’s kind of alright.’
‘This is a disgusting conversation.’
Ophelia smirked to herself, then winked at Francesca as Jacinta carried on muttering about how repulsive it was for a sixteen-year-old to be talking like that.
Ophelia stopped typing and drew in a breath. She might have been better off working in the big house and braving Jacinta, but even with all the hammering and banging, she preferred working in the cottage. Brann and Harrison had taken over all week, fitting a new kitchen and bathroom. Soon Ophelia would be living here as well as working here. The proximity to Brann was the main reason for being here and not in the big house, though she hardly dared admit it even to herself. Something about him being so close made her feel like everything would be ok.
That was the kind of man he was. The kind who makes me feel safe.
Today was her birthday, but she hadn’t mentioned it to him. It seemed silly blurting it out. Rupert and Jacinta had given her a card and a pretty bracelet. Quite nice, except she knew it was a re-gift as she remembered Jacinta opening it the previous Christmas. Well, at least they weren’t spending estate money. Lucinda had called to wish her a happy birthday and Edith had planned a lunch date for them at the weekend. For a twenty-ninth birthday, that was fine.
Come lunchtime, she was getting hungry, but she still had to get through a lot of designs for Timeless Butterfly Interiors. The trouble was, she couldn’t make food here until the kitchen was in, but she couldn’t face the main house either.
Voices caught her attention. A woman was speaking, and Brann replied. Who was it? Please not Jacinta.
The door to the spare room where Ophelia was working opened and a smiling face looked around.
‘Happy birthday!’
‘Hayley. What are you doing here and how did you know it was my birthday?’
Hayley tapped the side of her nose. ‘You told me ages ago, and I remembered. I also got your message the other day saying you were getting this place done up, and I took a chance to pop over. I don’t work on Tuesdays, so I’m free. And I brought lunch.’ She brandished a bag from the Glenbriar Deli.
‘You’re actually a lifesaver,’ Ophelia said. ‘I was wondering what to do about food.’
‘I bought loads because I didn’t know what you’d fancy. There’s enough here to feed the five thousand.’
‘I’m sure you can use up the rest.’
‘How about I ask Brann to join us? He’s good for a laugh and I bet he eats a lot.’
‘I’m not sure that’s a good idea.’
‘Why not? He’s a real sweetie. He danced with me at a wedding when I was on my own.’
‘Did you date him?’
‘Nah. I never really fancied him like that. Probably because I always fancied Oliver. Here, let me ask him.’
Ophelia groaned internally as Hayley disappeared from the room. Secretly she wanted Brann to celebrate her birthday with her. But that’s not sensible. And whenever they were together, things happened… The crackle of sexual tension was impossible to stop. Sometimes it was so powerful it must surely be visible to everyone.
‘They’re coming through in a few minutes.’ Hayley beamed, returning to the room.
‘I hope it doesn’t make things awkward. I mean, I’m paying them to work here.’
‘Yeah, but they’re nice. I could give Brann the food and ask him to take it away if that would be better.’
‘You can’t do that now.’ Ophelia made her way outside and sat at the patio table, so she was facing the small, sparse garden in front of the woods. A fleeting thought crossed her mind. What if the tramp they’d seen at the boathouse came wandering by when she was here alone? What if he came to the window or something? This cottage was a long way from anything.
Heavy footfalls told her Brann and Harrison had arrived.
Ophelia imagined how different she’d feel if Brann lived here too. She’d never be afraid at night if he was there holding her.
‘Happy birthday to you,’ Brann sang in his low, soulful voice. ‘Happy birthday to you.’
‘You told him.’ Ophelia glanced at Hayley, then at Brann.
‘Yup, she told me. And no, I don’t have a birthday present. But I do have a question, or I can keep on singing.’
‘What question?’ she asked, though she quite liked his singing.
‘Is this your real birthday or the official one?’
She tilted her head and blinked slowly. ‘You’re not in the least amusing.’
He grinned and flicked her a wink.
Hayley frowned slightly, then gave them both a puzzled look before sitting down and opening the deli bag.
Ophelia stared at the trees at the bottom of the garden, hugging herself so tight her nails dug into her arms. Those trees were very dense. Anyone could be hiding in there. A chair scraped behind her and she turned around and blinked.
Oh my god .
Why had Brann chosen to sit so close? Far too close, and yet not close enough.
‘It’s like Upstairs, Downstairs , isn’t it?’ He waggled his eyebrows. ‘The servants dining with the upper class.’
‘Seriously?’ Ophelia said.
‘Aren’t the peasants revolting?’ he said.
‘You said it.’
‘I did indeed.’
‘So…’ Hayley eyed them quizzically. ‘I’ve got almost every filling you can imagine. Does anyone have any preferences?’
‘I eat anything,’ Brann said.
‘Me too.’ Harrison surveyed the selection. ‘Except prawns. I don’t like them.’
‘Leave them for the birthday girl.’ Brann gave Ophelia a gentle pat that made goosebumps erupt on her arm. ‘Prawns are for the upper class.’
She shrugged him off, and he laughed.
‘So, how’s this place coming along?’ Hayley asked.
‘Good,’ Ophelia and Brann said at the same time.
‘Finally, something they agree on.’ Harrison raised an eyebrow at Hayley.
She chuckled as she handed around the plate of sandwiches.
‘First and last time,’ Ophelia muttered, taking a sandwich.
‘Have any of you ever been whitewater rafting?’ Hayley said brightly. ‘I’ve wanted to do it for a while. We thought about doing it for my brother’s sten party, but his fiancée isn’t really into that kind of thing. Oliver says he’s up for it, as an adventure, you know.’
‘Wouldn’t you be better trying handcuffs or something a bit less life-threatening?’ Brann said.
Hayley laughed. ‘I didn’t mean adventurous like that, cheeky.’
‘I haven’t tried it, but maybe I should.’ Ophelia nibbled her sandwich.
‘Which one?’ Brann asked quietly. ‘Handcuffs or rafting? I’d quite like to be a fly on the wall for either.’
‘Dream on.’ Ophelia barely opened her mouth, speaking so low no one heard except him.
‘I’d try it,’ Harrison said. ‘I’ve gorge-crossed before, on an outdoor activity course when I was at school.’
‘That sounds scary,’ Hayley said.
‘It was fun.’ Harrison grinned at her, then at Ophelia. ‘Were you two at school together?’
‘No,’ Hayley said. ‘I went to Glenbriar High School.’
‘Me too,’ Harrison said.
‘And Ophelia went to that girl’s place, didn’t you?’
‘Kinroy Academy.’
‘And where did you go?’ Hayley asked Brann.
‘Glenbriar too… though I didn’t spend much time there.’ He lolled back, folding his arms, and Ophelia tried not to stare. How dare he tease her with that godlike body? ‘I skived most of the time and did whatever I wanted; not my smartest move, but hey…’
Ophelia swallowed. That was the kind of man he was… But not anymore. And somewhere along the line, he must have changed because he’d made good.
‘How did you learn how to do all this stuff if you didn’t go to school?’ she asked.
He stretched a muscly forearm across the table to lift a sandwich. ‘I did an apprenticeship later on.’
Her eyes couldn’t stop their treachery, but how could she not look at Brann? She wanted him so badly it hurt all over. But he was from another world.
She stole a look at him, then Harrison. How were they father and son? Brann was eighteen when he was born; Harrison was nineteen now. Imagine him with a baby … Nope, she couldn’t, but that was what Brann must have been like.
Having him so close set her blood racing. She would take him on for another fight in a second, though it wasn’t really a fight she wanted. Brann Duthie, the epitome of rugged manhood, was sitting at her table, eating from her plate, smiling at her and her friend, invading every inch of her being. If only Hayley and Harrison would vanish, she’d sweep the detritus from the table and have him right there.
Her gaze was trained on him. For a moment, he stared in the opposite direction, then slowly shifted his focus back. Their eyes met for several highly charged seconds and the heat in Ophelia’s cheeks rose to burning point. He knew exactly what she was thinking, didn’t he? The tiny curl of his lips told her he did, and he wanted exactly the same thing.
Hayley was still chatting to Harrison, which was just as well because Ophelia wanted to use the moment to eye flirt with Brann… and a whole lot more.
‘Well, we should get back to work.’ Brann broke the moment, dusting his hands together. ‘Our boss is a tyrant who gets ants in her pants if we take breaks too often.’ He winked at Ophelia.
She gave him a withering stare. ‘Then off you go or you’ll find your P45 waiting for you tomorrow morning.’
He left with a chuckle, and Harrison followed with a wave.
‘Such a beautiful day.’ Hayley glanced around the garden, then behind her to the cottage. ‘Tell me.’ She leaned forward conspiratorially. ‘What is going on with you and him?’
‘Meaning what?’
‘Oh, come on. The banter. All those looks. He’s got the hots for you and…’ Hayley pulled a face. ‘It could be mutual.’
‘You have an overactive imagination.’
Hayley raised a sceptical eyebrow. ‘Yeah?’
‘Yes.’ She blinked and looked back at the trees. ‘I can’t.’
‘Can’t what?’
‘Can’t like him… In that way. In any way. He’s an employee, and it has to stay that way.’
‘Why? If you like him—’
‘I don’t. I just told you. He’s good at his job and that’s that.’
Yes. That was the kind of man he was. A builder who worked hard on the estate – not someone she could have anything more to do with than that.