Chapter Ten
Iona
I ona grunted as she and Catriona heaved the wardrobe into position.
‘Who the heck moved this in the first place.’ Iona jostled it until it was closer to the wall.
‘The last guests, I assume, though I’m not sure why.’ Catriona’s face was flushed with exertion; she wasn’t particularly tall or robust, but she looked determined. ‘Just a bit more to the left.’
Iona adjusted her grip, and they shuffled the wardrobe a few inches, finally setting it down with a thud.
‘I bet they pushed it across the door when they were getting jiggy.’ Iona rolled her shoulders. ‘You should put locks on the doors.’
Catriona shook her head. ‘It’d spoil the character of the place.’
‘Maybe, but not as much as moving this wardrobe will spoil the floor.’
‘True, but I also don’t have time. I need a drink.’ Catriona made her way out of the room and headed downstairs. Iona followed.
‘Isn’t it a bit early?’
‘You know what I mean.’ She headed straight to the kitchen and filled a glass with water. ‘Is he still gassing?’ She looked out the window to where Ruaridh was deep in conversation with Alexander, who was leaning against the side of the house with a look of mild irritation.
‘He better not appear around here with all his washing,’ Catriona muttered. ‘I’m not his mother.’
‘You pretty much are,’ Iona said.
Catriona pulled a face. ‘He’s six years older than me.’
Which was a fact that always made Iona smirk. Catriona certainly looked younger, but she’d grown up fast. Her mum had chronic fatigue syndrome and lived in one of the farm cottages. She relied on Catriona and Ruaridh to do a lot for her. More often than not, Catriona seemed to be the one holding the family together. Ruaridh was a wandering spirit, and their father had left them at an early age; they rarely mentioned him.
‘He’s old enough to do his own washing, and Alexander has better things to do than stand around chatting.’ She shook her head and marched outside.
Uh-oh. Catriona didn’t often get mad, but she looked like she meant business. Iona went out behind her.
‘What are we doing here?’ Catriona folded her arms, smiling, but not with any warmth.
Ruaridh chuckled. ‘Nothing.’
‘I can see that much.’
‘He was just telling me about his holiday.’ Alexander met Catriona’s eye and Iona held her breath. A crackle of invisible electricity zipped between them. They either hated each other or had the hots for each other – big time. But Alexander must be in his late thirties, maybe even early forties. It was a curious age gap and one Iona was sure they would both have an issue with.
‘Here…’ Ruaridh glanced around. ‘Do you think I might’ve freaked out that guest earlier?’
Catriona’s brow furrowed slightly. ‘Why? What did you say to him?’
‘Just stuff about running… I think. He just had a funny look on his face, that’s all.’
‘He’s a nice guy,’ Catriona said. ‘So don’t go upsetting him.’
Alexander rolled his eyes but tried to quickly even out his features. Catriona had obviously seen him though.
‘Don’t know what that was for.’ She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘He’s a lot nicer than some of us around here.’
Alexander pulled a face back at her.
Iona smirked. Definitely something going on there, though she wasn’t sure what.
‘Monty’s grown on me,’ Iona said. ‘But he’s not as fitness mad as you, Ruaridh, so just go easy on him, ok?’
Ruaridh chuckled. ‘Sure, but he was the one out running. Maybe he just needs a nudge.’
‘Or a shove,’ Alexander added.
Catriona shot him a look. ‘He’s a guest. Will you please be more welcoming?’
Alexander’s jaw tightened. ‘It was a joke.’
Iona tossed out her ponytail. ‘Well, I’m off to catch some waves. On my own, seen as how my students cancelled.’
‘I could join you,’ Ruaridh said.
‘Sure.’
‘Just so long as you don’t expect me to do your washing while you do that,’ Catriona said.
Ruaridh pulled a cringing face. ‘On second thoughts, looks like I have a date with the washing machine.’
‘Lucky you.’ Iona waggled her eyebrows.
Alexander bent down and lifted something off the ground. ‘Any of you drop this?’ He held out a small notebook.
‘I think it’s Monty’s,’ Iona said. ‘I saw him scribbling in something like that the other day.’
‘Do you want to hand it to him?’ Alexander held it out.
‘I suppose so.’ She took the notebook from Alexander.
As she strolled around to the annex, she flipped through it, wondering if there was a name in it, in case it wasn’t actually Monty’s. Seemed just to be a list of places on the island. Kisimul Castle had a question mark beside it. Shouldn’t it be a tick? He’d already been there. But maybe he was questioning something else about it, or marked it before he went and never got back to it.
She knocked on the annex door and waited, letting the gentle breeze ruffle her hair. No reply. Had he gone out again? The door didn’t have a letterbox. Well, did it really matter. She could just prop it up on the door and leave it for him to find. Bending over, she went to place it down.
The door opened.
Iona peered up. Her eyes travelled over sturdy bare legs, a fluffy white towel, a surprisingly buff chest, and eventually came to land on a bright pair of hazel eyes that were staring back at her.
‘Hello?’ he said.
He didn’t have his glasses on, but really that was nothing compared to the rest of him. She straightened up, not sure where to focus. She’d expected him to be weedy and a bit scrawny. There was no denying he was thin, but he was well-toned, and the light smattering of coarse hair was Viking-like.
‘Iona?’ He raised his eyebrows. ‘Is everything ok? Do you want me for something?’
She blinked. That was an interesting question. Maybe she did… Though she shouldn’t. ‘I, um… We found this notebook in the yard. I think it’s yours.’
Monty squinted at it. ‘Yeah, it looks like mine, though I suppose anyone could have one like that.’
‘It’s got a list of places around the island. I looked because I was checking in case it had a name in it.’
‘Oh, yeah. That’s mine. It must have fallen out of my pocket.’
She handed it back to him, her skin tingling a little as their hands touched. ‘I assume you don’t mind getting wet in the shower.’ She cringed inwardly at the words – how stupid did she sound? ‘I mean, it’s only seawater that bothers you.’
‘Pretty much. Or any water that I can’t control.’ His eyes held hers and another weird tremor ran through her.
‘Well, I’m going to seek some waves right now.’ She scanned him over. ‘Why don’t you come with me? I’ll give you a taster lesson. No charge.’
‘You’re crazy… You saw me in a boat.’
‘Go on. I dare you.’
A little smirk played on his lips. ‘Are you for real? There’s no way.’
‘Why not? The only thing stopping you… Is you. If you go in, I’ll take some photos and you can post them to your ex. Why not show her what a daredevil you can be?’ She folded her arms and tilted her head, daring him with her eyes.
He looked like he was chewing his tongue, and she smirked, knowing full well he’d say no. Ruaridh and maybe even Alexander would have risen to the bait, but Monty was so measured compared to them. Maybe that was what had led his ex to call him boring.
‘I… um.’ He ran his fingers through his damp hair.
‘It’s ok. You don’t have to.’ She tipped him a little wink and his gaze locked on hers again.
‘Actually, you know what, I will.’
‘Really?’ Her jaw dropped.
‘Yeah. Just let me get something on.’
‘Ok.’ She smiled, though a frown was overtaking. ‘Meet me in the yard in ten.’
‘See you there.’ He closed the door and she shook her head. She hadn’t expected that.
Ten minutes later, Iona waited by the car, tapping her fingers on the bonnet. Monty emerged from the annex, ruffling up the front of his hair. He’d swapped the towel for a pair of running shorts and a baggy white linen shirt. Why did he hide his nice bod like that?
‘So, you ready?’ She opened the car door.
‘As I’ll ever be.’ Monty climbed in. ‘Where are we going to do this?’
‘At the beach next to the paddleboarding school.’
‘When you say school—’
‘I mean it’s a container where I keep the equipment. It’s not actually a school.’
‘And will anyone else be there?’
‘There might be other people using the beach but there won’t be anyone else at the school.’
He nodded and leaned his elbow on the window ledge. ‘I think paddleboarding might be too advanced for me. I’ve never even swam in the sea. I’m not sure I can swim anymore. It’s been years since I tried. Like since I was at school.’
She shook her head and laughed. ‘Ok. You really are a case. Well, no water sports until we check you can swim. Let’s try that today and maybe we can do some bodyboarding. It’s a lot easier but still loads of fun.’
‘Dare I even ask what it is?’
‘Oh my god, Monty. Where have you been? Bodyboarding is like lying on a board and riding it in. It’s easier than surfing and paddleboarding.’
‘Ah, right. Ok.’
It was only a short drive before she pulled into the small car park beside the container that served as her storage and office.
‘Here we are.’ Iona hopped out and unlocked the container. She flicked on the light, revealing rows of wetsuits hanging from hooks. ‘Let’s get you kitted out.’
Monty followed her in, looking around. She rifled through the wetsuits, pulling one off a hanger and holding it up against him.
‘This should fit.’ She handed it over. ‘There’s a changing room in the corner.’
Monty took the wetsuit, eyeing it over like it might bite. ‘Do I just… put it on over my shorts?’
‘Um, not unless you want them to get wet. I’d go commando if I were you. Unless you have swimming shorts.’
‘No.’ He gave a little shrug.
‘Well, commando it is then.’ She gave him a little wink. As soon as he was behind the curtain, she took off her top and eased down her jeans. She was already wearing her bikini and lifted her wetsuit off the hook. Monty was still shuffling around as she stepped into her suit. A flutter rippled over her at the thought of him being naked so close to her. Normally, stuff like that didn’t bother her, but her skin was a little tingly as she pulled on the suit and used the long string to tug the zip up the back.
A few minutes later, Monty reappeared, struggling to pull the zipper all the way up. ‘How do I do this?’
‘Use the string.’ Iona stepped behind him. She had an urge to touch the skin on his back, maybe roll her palms over him, glide them around him… And stop! ‘Here.’ She handed the string to him.
‘Ah, right. That makes sense.’ He flexed his arms. ‘Tight, isn’t it?’
‘It’ll loosen up once you’re in the water.’ Maybe he would too – his rigid pose told her he was not enjoying this so far. ‘Let’s catch some waves.’ She threw open the door and made her way onto the sand. Sure, it was irritating that her students had cancelled, but her insides were alive and crackling with energy. She couldn’t wait to get started on this. She glanced back at Monty. Maybe this was mission impossible, but she liked a challenge, and she was ready to get him in the water.