Chapter 9
Scott woke early the following day. He couldn’t believe that Filip had managed to convince Elodie to let them bid on the work.
“Da is laughing his arse off in Hell right now,” Filip muttered.
Scott shot him a look as they drove to Elodie’s. “Why?”
“Because I swore nothing would ever make me do manual labor again. His motto was that a man should know how to do everything and excel at one thing.”
“You might hate it, but he taught you so much that we’re going to Elodie’s.”
Filip snorted and shook his head as he slowed to turn onto her road, the blinker clicking. “She’s allowing us to give her a bid. That doesna mean we’ll get the job. I doona fancy working outside in this weather.”
“How do you know it’s outside work?”
Filip laughed, shaking his head again. “We’re on Skye.
Wind. Rain. The roofs always need to be repaired or replaced when a home is left unattended.
No doubt there’s water damage inside the house from leaks.
Da had Kevin and me with him doing such repairs when we were growing up.
It’s hard work that doesna always wait for warm weather. ”
Scott watched the wind cause the bushes in front of a cottage to shake violently. The wind was something he hadn’t counted on, but he was getting used to it. Or maybe he just loved the smell of the sea.
“Bloody hell. You’re smiling,” Filip stated with dismay. “You’re looking forward to this.”
Scott shrugged. “I like Skye.”
“Doona get attached. They’re no’ keen on outsiders.”
“People move to the isle all the time.”
Filip made a sound that was half laugh, half snort. “Nay, they doona.”
“I thought Skye was a haven for Druids.”
“Skye Druids, aye.”
Scott frowned at that. “Are you saying they wouldna let me in?”
“I’m saying they wouldna make it easy. The Skye Druids have made a name for themselves. Most of the families can trace their ancestors back to the first Druids who came to the island.”
“Most,” Scott pointed out. “No’ all. If the Druids are worried about our blood being mixed with non-Druids, it seems they would welcome more of us.”
Filip looked at him. “Do you always take the most difficult path?”
Scott considered that for a moment. “I think my mum would say I do.”
“If everything goes as we plan, and as soon as Rhona and Balladyn learn what we’re about, you’ll never be welcome on Skye again.”
“Neither will you.”
Filip was quiet for so long that Scott didn’t think he would answer. Finally, Filip said in a soft voice, “Aye.”
For someone who claimed to hate the island, Scott suspected that Filip had also missed it.
Several places in Scotland were picturesque and awe-inspiring, but it was more than that which caused so many to flock to the island.
Skye was magical. No. It was more than that, too.
It was…enchanting. Breathtaking. It reached inside a person and gently, tenderly enveloped their hearts with mysticism and mystery. With delights and wonder.
Skye had utterly bewitched Scott.
He couldn’t understand how anyone ever left.
Then again, he hadn’t lived here. He had no idea how the Druid community was.
No doubt it was like any village where everyone knew everyone else and their business.
That wasn’t something Scott had ever had to deal with growing up in the city.
He’d heard others complain about it, but he didn’t think it would be so bad.
The idea of someone knowing his order when he walked into a place or calling out his name in greeting sounded appealing.
Then again, the grass was usually greener on the other side of the fence.
He’d always hated that analogy, but it fit.
His thoughts came to a screeching halt when Filip slowed again.
Scott’s gaze went to the white cottage sitting on a hill.
The drive dipped down to the road. When Filip parked, Scott could see the cove’s blue water.
Elodie’s house was set some distance from the beach, with some houses closer to the water’s edge, but the view was still magnificent. The water. The mountains.
Edinburgh was a coastal city, so he’d always had it near. But this was different. It was as if something clicked into place inside him. As if he had come home.
“Mate? You all right?” Filip asked.
Scott swallowed, feeling almost lightheaded. Shite. He didn’t want to leave Skye. Ever. “Aye.”
“Really? Because you doona look it.”
Scott licked his lips and turned his head to Filip. “I love this island.”
“Bloody hell,” Filip stated as he flattened his lips. “I knew it. Everyone falls in love with Skye.”
“Even you?”
Filip looked at the cove and nodded. “It’s in my blood. I can never fully remove it.”
“Many Druids wish they had a community like this. I know I would’ve loved it.”
“You say that until you come up against the rules.” Filip tugged his beanie over his ears. “You would chafe against them.”
Filip had a point. Scott had never been good with rules. Still, to have so many to turn to and learn from, he couldn’t imagine where his magic would be now if he had been taught as Filip had.
“Ready?” Filip asked.
Scott nodded and reached for the door. Wind battered him the instant they stepped out of the SUV, but it only made him smile. At times, it felt as if the island were testing him, trying to knock him on his arse. It probably would eventually, but he was enjoying the challenge.
Skye wasn’t a living, breathing entity. But there could be an argument that it was.
Like now. Scott had the distinct impression that the island wasn’t happy that they were at Elodie’s.
Was Skye trying to protect her? He could understand that.
Elodie and her family had suffered a terrible tragedy.
He wasn’t sure how he would handle one of his parents killing the other.
From the tidbits he’d picked up from Filip and listening around Skye, no one knew the real story.
No one, that was, except for Elodie and her siblings.
Scott wanted to know the details because he knew they were the answer to getting close to her.
Filip thought him morbid for being interested.
Scott had tried to explain that he didn’t want to know about the murder but rather the reasons behind it.
A loving wife didn’t just have a mental break one day and kill her husband.
They walked to the front door with a small stoop and an awning. Filip rapped his knuckles on the door. The sound of locks being turned reached them. Filip was shivering, his hands buried deep in his coat pockets, but he smiled when Elodie’s face appeared.
“Right on time,” she said as she stepped aside for them to enter.
Scott followed Filip inside and breathed in the clean smell of the house. The way everything sparkled he could tell that Elodie had been busy. He looked her way to find her gaze on him. Her light blue gaze quickly slid away as she motioned for them to follow her through to the kitchen.
The cottage was similar to Filip’s in both size and layout. He glanced inside the living area as he passed. The décor was dated but still looked good. Some people paid a high price for such furniture.
“Tea? Coffee?” Elodie offered.
Scott wanted to stay for as long as possible, and her offer would allow that. “Whatever you’re drinking.”
Her gaze landed on him. For a heartbeat, she simply stared. “It’s tea.”
Scott wondered what she was thinking. She was quiet, but it was usually the quiet ones who had the most active minds.
“Tea is great,” Filip said.
She set down her mug and filled the electric kettle with water before turning it on to boil.
Then, she faced them. An awkward silence filled the room.
Scott waited for Filip to say something.
He was the one who’d known her, after all.
But Filip removed his beanie and twisted it in his hands.
Elodie turned her head to the window and looked out at the cove.
His gaze moved over her blond locks that she had pulled haphazardly into a low ponytail.
He’d seen his sister trying to achieve such a look.
Had Elodie worked to get her hair styled in such a fashion?
Or had it just happened? He bet it was the latter.
“It’s a beautiful view,” Scott said.
She nodded her head. “It is. We’re hoping that will help sell the cottage.”
“I doona think you need to worry about it selling,” Filip said.
The kettle beeped to let her know the water was boiling.
She retrieved two mugs and set them on the counter, then added the tea bags and poured the water.
“I hope you’re right. I knew it would take a lot of cleaning, but I hadn’t counted on how many repairs would be needed.
” She returned the kettle to its stand and glanced at them.
“I foolishly thought I could come in, clean it up, maybe do a few minor things myself, and put it on the market. I don’t think I considered how long the house had been sitting here. ”
“Edie and Trevor didna use it as a rental?” Filip asked as he accepted the mug.
Elodie’s lips twisted. “I guess not.”
“Maybe because it wasna just Edie’s. She was thinking of you and your brother,” Scott said as she handed him his tea. Their fingers brushed. She jerked back, spilling a little of the hot water on him.
“I’m sorry,” she said quickly.
He smiled and then lied. “I didna feel it.” In his periphery, Scott saw Filip roll his eyes. Scott ignored him and wiped his hand on his jeans where the water had landed.
Elodie cleared her throat and grabbed her mug between her hands as if to warm them. “You might be right. I never thought to talk to her about it, and she never brought it up. It could’ve been earning us all some money.”
“Aye, but it would’ve had to be separate from their rentals,” Filip said. “Separate listings, separate maintenance, separate payments. That would’ve given them a larger payout than you or Elias were given. They probably didna want the hassle.”
Elodie’s brow furrowed. “Still. They knew all about the rental business. It’s what they do. It could’ve helped to keep the house up all these years.”
“How long as it sat empty?” Scott asked.
She looked into her mug as she said, “About ten years.”
Filip let out a whistle after he removed his tea bag and took it to the garbage. “There must be a lot of damage.”
“There is.” Elodie motioned to the honey and milk on the table.
Scott waited until Filip was finished and then tossed his tea bag and poured some milk into his cup. “I suppose you’ve already had some bids. Have they listed out all the damage? I’m asking so you can show us. We can also look around for more, if you’d like.”
“I have three bids.” This time, she briefly met his gaze.
Did he make her uncomfortable? He would have to change that. Ever since their fingers had touched, she had taken small steps backward until she was against the kitchen cupboards.
Scott backed up. He wanted her trust. No, he needed it. No matter how long it took, he would gain it.
Because they needed her to keep Druids alive.