2. Madison
MADISON
Okay, wow.
So much for Scottish hospitality. Alistair might look like a dream with that lushly tousled hair and those blue eyes and that chin dimple, but his attitude left much to be desired.
I mean, he didn’t even bother to introduce himself.
I only knew his name from overhearing it when he called that Lyle guy to see if he’d come get my van.
The man was rudeness personified.
Though just in case this guy really was an axe murderer—which I mostly doubted—I needed to send signs of life back home.
I’d already done the smart thing and changed my voicemail when I’d gotten stranded.
Anyone calling would at least know my last location.
Now if I could just get some service bars, I could text my BFF.
I wandered around with my phone held aloft, wondering which lord or lady had once occupied this room. The thing was massive, with velvet-draped windows, thick stone walls that almost blocked out the sound of the howling wind, a fireplace with a mantle taller than me, and a giant four-poster bed.
I couldn’t believe this was a guest room. What did the master have—an indoor swimming pool? I stopped gaping and looked down at Princess. “Pretty sweet, right? Guess we can check ‘sleep in a castle’ off our bucket list.”
Princess jumped at my leg, staring up at me, her tiny tongue hanging out of her mouth.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that,” I told her. “I didn’t like the guy any more than you did. But at least here we have a blanket and a pillow that’s not frosted over.”
Princess cocked her head, whining. She sat down, tail tapping against the plush carpet. I imagined a squeaky little voice saying, but at what cost?
“I know, I know! He’s a capital J jerk. Like obviously I would have preferred if he’d just answered the door in the first place.
Or if he hadn’t been home and we could’ve had the place to ourselves.
Maybe then we could have done some exploring.
” Though honestly, if it had been just Princess and me here, I’d probably have found the nearest bed and called it quits.
The urge to explore was only because he’d told me not to.
It was like telling someone not to think about pink elephants.
Princess skipped across the room, pawing at the bottom of the bed frame. She looked even smaller than usual set against the giant furniture.
I took a beat to riffle through my duffle bag, wriggling out of my damp clothes and into something dry and cozy.
Then I walked toward the bed to turn down the comforter, yawning and more than ready to lie down.
I touched the downy soft pillow. God, what a treat this was going to be!
I couldn’t wait to crawl beneath the covers.
A smile tugged at my lips. I’d wanted a bit of an adventure, and here I was getting it.
This was going to make an awesome story to tell someday, all about the gorgeous, grumpy stranger who had come to my rescue in spite of himself.
Princess growled up at me.
“What?” I said, my cheeks warming. “I’m not thinking anything, okay?
” Except maybe that grumpy and pissed looked annoyingly good on the man.
Blah! Whatever. I’d only be here one night, and then I’d be gone, with miserable Alistair in the rearview and Emily on the phone to keep me company as I headed to my next adventure.
Speaking of Emily…I grabbed my phone again.
“Ha, yes, bars! Princess, we’re in business. ”
I dashed off a text and promised to call with an update, then tucked my phone away, glancing down at Princess.
“Where do you think the bathroom is in this joint?”
Princess turned on the spot, her floofy little tail going a mile a minute as I scanned my door options. To my disappointment, the first door I tried led to a different hallway. I started to close it, but before I could, Princess shot out between my legs, darting down the hall.
“Where are you going?” I hissed after her. “I told you to do your business before we crawled through the doggy door!”
She pranced away, tail wagging.
I followed her. “Princess, no! Get back here. Are you trying to get us in trouble with Lord Crankypants?”
She yipped once, then disappeared around a corner. Craaaaaap!
I raced after her, keeping my eyes peeled for Lord Crankypants himself. I half expected him to be lurking around the corner, ready to blast me for wandering around, but there was no choice.
“Princess!” I whisper-yelled, turning around again. She’d already reached the far end of the hall. “Get. Back. Here.”
She barked once and dashed away.
I jogged the rest of the hall, passing stately portraits of lords in kilts standing before glistening lochs without sparing them more than a glance. I reached the end of the hall, following the sound of Princess’s little barks.
She was excited about something.
“Princess!” I called, turning the corner, frustrated to find her still out of sight. I whistled low. “C’mon, girl. Back to bed.”
Bark. Bark. Bark.
My eyes locked on a semi-opened door, and I darted inside, following the barking into a…
child’s bedroom? There was a nightlight plugged into the wall, basking the room in a soft glow.
I could make out the assortment of toys scattered across the floor, coloring books open on a tiny table, and a miniature Christmas tree set up in the corner, decorated with pink baubles.
And there, on the bed in the corner of the room, sat a little girl. She couldn’t have been more than four or five. Her hair was sleep mussed, but she was wide awake, giggling as Princess bounced in her lap, trying to lick her cheeks.
Oh, I thought. So this was what he was hiding in the west wing. Lord Crankypants was trying to keep me away from his kid. That…actually made his behavior a little more understandable. But just a little.
The little girl abruptly stopped giggling as she spotted me. “Hiya!” she said, eyes widening with excitement as Princess nuzzled into her arms. “I’m Kenna.”
“Hello,” I said, smiling at her. I’d always loved kids. “I’m Madison.”
“Did you come with Santa?” Kenna asked, tilting her head.
I grinned at the question, charmed by that innocence.
Of course she’d think I came with Santa.
It was Christmas Eve after all, and really, who else would be coming to visit this place?
Alistair probably spent his days setting booby traps outside to keep people away.
“No,” I told her. “I had some car trouble, so I’m spending the night. ”
Kenna’s eyes lit up. “You’re staying here, with us?”
“Yep. And Princess too.”
Kenna curled her arms around Princess. “I love princesses.”
“Who doesn’t?”
She giggled at me. “Want to see my princess doll collection?”
Before I could answer, Lord Crankypants himself burst into the room, his face screwed up like a storm cloud.
His gaze was intense as he caught my eyes, and a shiver zipped down my spine.
He looked like he wanted to rip me a new one.
And, honestly, I was a little worried the vein in his forehead was going to rupture.
“What are you doing in here?” he growled.
I gestured to Princess, who turned and made a grumbling sound in Alistair’s direction. “I’m on a rescue mission.”
He ran his hand through that Harry Styles-esque hair, his fingers curling in frustration. “I told you not to wander, especially over here. What about that sounded like an invitation to you?”
“Daddy!” Kenna cried, derailing Alistair’s fury. She sounded absolutely delighted. “Look! Santa brought me a doggy!”
I could see the look of utter horror on his face at the thought of having to keep Princess. He bit down on whatever expletives had been reserved for me and cleared his throat. “Santa hasn’t been yet, sweetheart.”
“Come meet her,” Kenna insisted, ignoring him. “It’s okay. She’s so nice.” She giggled, holding out her hand. “See, she licked me.”
Alistair stalked over to the side of the bed, but I was relieved to note that he was very gentle with Kenna and Princess as he separated the two of them and tucked the dog under his arm.
As Princess wiggled in his grasp, I shook off the whiplash of watching Lord Crankypants be all sweet and doting.
“Come on,” he said softly to Kenna. “Get cozy. It’s late. ”
She shuffled down into the blankets. “Madison said she and Princess are staying!”
He snapped his head around, throwing me an exasperated look over his shoulder. He looked oddly hot, like he should be smoldering at me from a magazine cover. Heat prickled in my cheeks, and I was glad for the dimness of the night light.
“Just tonight,” I clarified. “That’s all I said.”
Alistair was clearly annoyed, but his expression softened as he turned back to Kenna. “The puppy has to go to sleep now. And so do you. Remember, Santa can’t come if you’re awake.”
Kenna gasped, pulling the blankets up to her chin. She snapped her eyes closed, then popped one open a beat later. “But can I play with the doggy tomorrow?”
“We’ll see,” Alistair said diplomatically. “I think you’ll have many other things to play with.”
Kenna nodded, yawning. “Me and Princess are friends now.”
“I think acquaintances at best,” Alistair said, leaning over to kiss her on the forehead. “Night, love.”
He turned around, that scowl in place again as he stalked up to me, those blue eyes flashing a warning. A lock of gorgeous hair had fallen across his forehead, and I sort of wanted to reach out and see if it was as silky to the touch as it looked. The guy could have model haircare no problem.
“Out,” he hissed. “Now.”
“Okay, Crankypants,” I muttered, taking Princess from him as he ushered us back into the hallway. He pulled Kenna’s door closed. I waited for the click. “In my defense—”
“What defense could you possibly have? I was incredibly clear.” His patience was clearly wearing thin as he stepped closer to me. I was suddenly engulfed in a cloud of very manly cologne, and my head buzzed.
I shook off the daze, putting Princess down. “I didn’t realize I was in the west wing.”
“Did you need me to draw you a map?” he grumbled. “The guest room is in the east wing. This is on the total opposite side of the house.”
“Well, I’m not used to houses you need a compass to navigate! The only kind of wing I usually deal with is the chicken variety.”
Alistair pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Besides, how was I supposed to know this was what you were hiding?” I said, gesturing to Kenna’s room.
“You weren’t,” he growled. “That was the point. So take yourself back to your room. Now.”
“Fine,” I said, turning around. Princess dashed after me. I could feel Alistair at our heels. “We know where we’re going—we don’t need an escort.”
“Clearly you do since the concept of following directions eludes you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Princess was the one who wanted a midnight escapade, not me.”
Bark. Bark.
“Can you not keep her quiet?” he bit out.
“She obviously has a lot to say,” I snapped. “It’s been a harrowing night.” More so for me than her. Princess was having the time of her life.
“A harrowing night? I’m the one who’s had to listen to that insufferable barking. How can something the size of a loaf of bread be such a nuisance?”
“She’s not a nuisance,” I argued. “She’s perfect. There’s nothing wrong with a girl who’s willing to speak her mind.”
We stopped outside my room. Alistair stood there, arms crossed.
I waved Princess in ahead of me. “Well, thank you for the escort, Lord Crankypants. I’d say it’s been a pleasure, but we both know that’s a lie.”
He bristled in response. “This isn’t a hotel. Do not leave your room. Do not pass go. Do not test me. Is that clear?”
“Crystal.”
“Are you sure? I’ll say it again. Slowly. Just to make sure you really understand this time. Stay put and mind your own damn business.”
I rolled my eyes. “Gladly.”
He shook his head. “I cannot wait to be rid of you.”
“What a fine example you are of Scottish hospitality.” I knew I was goading him, but he didn’t have to be such a grump.
“Hospitality is for guests,” he growled. “You’re a trespasser.”
I scowled, not thrilled with the reminder that I was technically in the wrong here.
Okay, so maybe breaking in via doggy door meant I wasn’t the ideal guest, but that didn’t mean he had to be the world’s worst host. “I think we both know who Santa won’t be leaving presents for.
” I turned my nose up at him and stalked back into my room.
“I hope you enjoy your fat lump of coal!”