Chapter Twenty-Nine
Aware her gran was sleeping, Flora decided to take a break from the sewing machine and alterations.
She wanted to give her some peace and quiet to have the rest she obviously needed.
A smile spread across her face as she thought about Brodie and how much fun he was at the quiz.
She was also frustrated at herself and her body for reacting that way to his kiss.
It had caught her off guard and stirred something inside she hadn’t felt for a very long time.
Not even with her last boyfriend, Nick. The thought of him made her shudder and not in a good way.
Without thinking, she found herself outside and drawn towards the jetty.
There was no sign of Brodie in the garden, or so she thought.
It was only when she turned round and looked across at the shed that she saw him crouched down tinkering with something.
Wondering whether she should leave him to it, he looked across and waved.
‘Hey there,’ she called softly walking towards him feeling like a bit of a gardener groupie but not caring at all.
His face lit up when he saw her approach, his eyes creasing as he smiled. ‘Hi Flora.’
She pointed towards the shed. ‘Sorry I didn’t mean to interrupt you.
’ Yes, you did! screamed the voice in her head.
You just can’t stay away from him. That was true and who could blame her.
The stubble on his face made him look like an extra from a Canadian adventure series — rugged and wild and far too sexy for his own good.
She fully expected him to start chopping wood any minute now.
‘What are you doing?’ she asked, trying to maintain a bit of composure in her voice even though the sight of him was practically making her dribble.
‘Well,’ he laughed. ‘It was meant to be a surprise. For your gran . . . and you.’ He stood up sheepishly and moved towards her.
Flora narrowed her eyes and looked at what was behind him. ‘Brodie, is that what I think it is?’ She walked over to the shed and knelt down to study the old boat. ‘It looks very like Grandpa’s rowing boat.’ Then realisation dawned on her. ‘Wait . . . where did you find this?’
He rubbed a hand over his jaw. ‘I found it in the shed a few weeks ago when I was moving my gear across for working on your gran’s garden.
’ He glanced at her, a shy smile tugging at his lips.
‘It’s not in too bad nick and . . . well, I thought I’d have a go at patching it up for your gran.
And you . . . she said your grandpa used to take you out on it when you were a wee girl. ’
‘Oh wow,’ gasped Flora, feeling a catch in the back of her throat at the mention of her grandpa.
She looked back towards the loch as she remembered those days when it was just the two of them out on their summer adventures.
Smiling, she turned back and looked at Brodie.
‘That is so thoughtful of you. And Gran will love it. I can’t believe that you’ve done this on top of all the other stuff you’ve been doing. ’
He waved his hand dismissively. ‘It was no bother, really. I’ve enjoyed tinkering away on it. It’s ready for a shot if you want.’ Brodie nodded towards it and then looked at her, amusement in his eyes.
‘Seriously.’ She widened in her eyes. ‘I would love that. Like now?’
He chuckled. ‘I don’t see why not. Here, give me a hand.’
Flora felt her heart racing as she helped him to carry it down to the jetty. They righted it and gently placed it on the tiny stretch of pebbly beach next to the jetty.
‘Okay, hold on a minute.’ Brodie put up his hand and turned to run back up the shed.
Flora watched as he jogged back towards her holding what looked like floatation devices in his hands.
‘I know, I know,’ he said easily. ‘I’ve got my health and safety hat on it. Here you go.’
Flora slipped the buoyancy vest over her head. ‘I’m sure these weren’t in the shed. I don’t remember me and grandpa ever wearing a life jacket.’
He jokingly put his hands over his ears and shook his head. ‘Lalalala, I can’t hear what you’re saying.’
Flora couldn’t help but laugh at him. ‘Seriously though, where did you get these?’
‘I had a few spare. Just from years of doing paddleboarding and water sports,’ he explained. ‘I always like having some extra for friends and I wanted to make sure they were here for you if you did want to go out.’
A warm and fuzzy feeling spread through her as she realised just how thoughtful he was. The fact he had done this for her gran — and her — and the little details of making sure they were safe was lovely. ‘Right then,’ she joked. ‘I’d better make sure I don’t fall in.’
His eyes were full of mischief as he bent down to gently push the water into the loch. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you. Now jump in.’
He expertly guided them into the water and Flora picked up an oar, more memories of being on the water with her grandpa now vivid in her mind. They effortlessly rowed together in time and were soon a good bit away from the boathouse.
‘No leaks yet,’ said Brodie. ‘Your grandpa must have taken very good care of it.’
Flora nodded wistfully. ‘He did. Now that I think about it, his boat was his pride and joy. He took my dad out on it, then me. Which is probably why we’ve always both liked boats.’
‘Your parents are in South Africa now?’
She nodded. ‘That’s right.’
‘You must miss them?’ His voice was gentle.
‘Yes, I do but we message all the time and I went to see them earlier in the year. And I’m so lucky to have my gran.’ Brodie had placed his oar down and was watching her intently. ‘How about your family?’ she asked.
‘I have a sister who lives in Crieff with her family. She’s got twins. And my parents are in Pitlochry now. So they’re not too far away.’
‘Did you grow up in Pitlochry? It’s a beautiful spot.’
He shook his head. ‘No, we lived in Perth but my dad was into boats, too, and I spent a lot of time at Loch Tay with him.’
‘I love this place. I can’t remember feeling so inspired for a long time.’
He nodded. ‘I’ve noticed you sketching in the conservatory and you are so absorbed. It’s like nobody else exists.’
She nodded, touched that he had noticed. ‘I would love a studio in the garden. That’s if Gran let me, of course,’ she said with a chuckle. ‘Maybe one day.’
They sat quietly for a few moments, both content in the bobbing boat, enjoying the scenery surrounding them. It was so still and peaceful aside from the odd cheep-cheep-cheep of a bird. Flora looked over towards the shore. ‘That’s an osprey calling.’
Brodie looked impressed. ‘I didn’t have you down as a birdwatcher.’
Flora grinned. ‘Glad I’ve surprised you. My grandpa used to teach me all the different bird sounds.’
Just then he glanced at his watch. ‘Much as I would love to stay out a bit longer, Flora, I’ve got rescue boat training tonight.’
‘Are you swimming back then?’ she joked.
He picked up an oar. ‘No, but you might be if you don’t start rowing too.’
She rolled her eyes and tutted. ‘Let’s get back then.’ She gasped. ‘Oh God, I’m meant to be at the inn hanging the curtains for Lily. I completely forgot.’ She picked up her oar and started to row. ‘Please put a bit of welly into it, Brodie, it feels like I’m making all the effort here.’
Brodie laughed and deftly used his oar to splash her with some water.
‘Oi,’ she shrieked. ‘I thought you were supposed to be Mr Sensible and all about the health and safety.’
They were nearing the boathouse now and he slowed down, glancing over his shoulder and winking at her. ‘Don’t worry, I also know how to have a good time.’
Flora felt her pulse quicken — again — as he helped her out of the boat, his hand firm on hers. ‘That was fun. Thanks Brodie.’
He gave her a cheeky salute. ‘Any time.’