Chapter 17 #2
“Come with me,” Elle said, taking Hamish by the hand and leading him outside. “Dad, I’m borrowing the truck.”
Elle got behind the wheel of the truck and Hamish got in the passenger side. “Ye ken how to do this?” he asked.
“I do. I’ve been legally able to drive since I was sixteen.
My dad let me drive before then, but only here on the ranch.
Don’t worry. I’m a really good driver.” She started the engine and drove off down the drive to the road, where she turned and drove a short distance before turning in on a dirt road.
A locked metal gate barred the way. “Stay here. I’ll go unlock it.
” She pulled a key from her pants pocket and opened the gate wide enough for the truck to fit through.
The path they drove on was overgrown with weeds and was filled with debris of all kinds.
It was the exact opposite of her parents’ well tended property.
As they drove, the dirt road took them uphill and at the crest of the hill, she stopped the truck and got out. She motioned for Hamish to join her.
“What do you think?” she asked.
He didn’t say anything, instead he looked confused as to why she’d brought him here.
“I hope you like it, because I just bought this piece of property. I thought I’d … we’d build a place of our own here.”
Hamish slowly turned, taking in the vast emptiness of the property. “Ye wish to live here? With me?”
Elle put her arms around his waist. He tucked her under his arm. “Yes. Yes, I do.” She gazed up into his eyes and saw the love she was feeling reflected there, but she also saw some apprehension. “What’s wrong?”
“Nary a thing, lass.”
She wasn’t convinced. “Are you sure?”
“Aye.”
“We’ll have to live with my parents until it’s completed. Do you mind?”
“Of course not. Your parents have been verra kind to allow me to stay with them. I will repay them with work.”
“I’ve got someone coming out to build a more permanent road. I’d like to have that much finished before the winter storms get here.”
“‘Twould be good.”
“I might even get a temporary home set up here for us. I’ve got to do some research. You can help me.”
He smiled down at her. “Does this mean that ye love me?”
For a big, strong man, his question seemed to come from a very vulnerable place. It was time she told him how she felt. “Hamish, I tried not to, but I couldn’t help it. I love you.”
He swept her up in his arms, holding her tight and whispering in her ear, “I love ye.”
She didn’t realize how much those words would mean to her. Tears of joy slid down her cheeks as their lips met. This was her man. Her soulmate.
“Shall we go home and tell the family?” she asked.
He nodded and they headed back to the truck and home to tell everyone about her surprise.
***
“You did it,” Bobby exclaimed. “I told you she would, Joe.” She hugged Elle to her. “I’m so happy you’ll be right next door.”
“Me, too,” Elle said, and she meant it.
“Hamish, my mind will rest easy knowing you’re going to be with her,” Joe said.
“I’ll take good care of her, sir … Joe.”
“I know you will.”
Matt and Luis came in as they were celebrating. Bobby broke out a bottle of champagne and glasses to toast their congratulations.
“What’s this all about?” Matt asked.
“Your sister bought the property next door. She’s going to build a house there.”
“No.”
“Yes,” Elle laughed.
“You mean we’re going to be stuck with you?” Luis teased.
“I’m afraid so.”
“Until another tour takes you away,” Tina interrupted.
No one said anything, including Elle.
Bobby broke the silence, handing everyone some champagne. “To Elle and Hamish. Good luck and congratulations on your purchase.”
Everyone clinked glasses and drank their champagne.
“Tina,” Elle said, pulling her sister aside. “I know you’re angry with me for not being here enough, but I hope you know how much I love all of you. I intend to be here for birthdays and holidays. I know I’ve missed a lot, but …”
“You chose to miss it. And how do we know you won’t be running off on a world tour next week, or next month.”
Elle sighed, she had to come clean to her sister. “My career is in the dumper, sis. I don’t know that anyone wants to hear me sing anymore.”
Tina softened, “Sure they do. People love you.”
“I’m not as sure of it as I used to be. Don’t say anything to mom and dad, I don’t want them to worry about me, but album sales are not what they used to be, my tour got cancelled … I just don’t know what will happen next.”
“Well, you’ve got us. We love you and so does that big Scottish Highlander you brought home.”
Elle glanced at Hamish as he talked with her brothers. “He’s pretty special.”
“Don’t muck it up.”
“Hey!”
“You know what I mean,” Tina said before walking off into the kitchen to help her mother.
***
Hamish spent the rest of the afternoon in the studio with Matt and Luis.
“’Tis amazing,” he said, holding Matt’s electric guitar.
Matt was trying his hand at the lute and Luis was playing his bass guitar.
“I think we sound pretty good,” Matt said. “We should get Elle in here to sing.”
“She’s busy calling contractors,” Luis said.
“Tomorrow then.”
The world Hamish left behind seemed further and further away.
There was no looking back. He’d set out hoping for adventure and while this was different from what he imagined, it was an adventure nonetheless.
He felt himself to be the luckiest of men.
He found a woman he loved. A woman he felt he was meant to be with and it seemed she loved him.
He didn’t think he could possibly ask for more.
If he ever had the chance, he would speak with Edna and thank her for his good fortune.