Chapter 6 #2
Nairie’s eyes slowly traveled up my body. I was glistening with sweat, wearing a weighted vest with no shirt. Most of my torso was covered, but she stared at the hints of my pecs and abs. I sat up a little straighter and smirked.
Nairie wiped her mouth with the back of her hand after biting into her omelet. “How are things at the inn?”
I waved it off. “It’s nothing. Got it taken care of.”
Nairie stared at me and rested her chin on her hand. “You know you can be honest. You don’t have to pretend to have everything handled all the time.”
“It’s handled.”
Nairie rolled her eyes. “You did this all the time when we were younger.”
I was about to ask her what she meant, but when I bit into my omelet, a burst of spicy, delicious flavors exploded in my mouth. “Dear god.”
Nairie looked up and smiled knowingly.
“This is amazing. What is this?” I scooped another serving into my mouth.
“Just spicy sausage and egg.”
I hummed my approval. “Sorry, what were we talking about?”
Nairie laughed, and her head tilted back with the motion, the timber of her voice still raspy and sexy from waking up after a night of drinking. “Tell me what’s going on in your life. I want to know.”
“It’s nothing. Just some upkeep at the inn.”
“Sounded stressful.”
“Running the inn has been a blessing and a curse.”
“How so?”
I didn’t typically vent my frustrations about work or life to anyone.
People came to me with problems, and I solved them because that was how it had always been.
Even though I wasn’t the eldest brother, I was the most reliable, the most levelheaded, and I always got shit done.
Angus, on the other hand, found others to do his dirty work for him and never followed through on his promises.
I especially kept Nairie and Elspeth in the dark about my personal affairs or stress.
They were so young, and I wanted to pretend I was just a normal kid when I came to visit.
But it was hard keeping to myself around Nairie now.
It was her unassuming nature and patience that made it difficult not to divulge every secret.
Put this girl in an interrogation room, and criminals would probably admit to every misdeed without even realizing it.
She was innocuous in the way she asked things and didn’t even know the power she held with her innocent gaze.
But after these past couple of days and seeing Nairie in a new light, my curiosity was piqued. How would she respond to hearing some of my troubles? How would she handle some of the darker revelations I rarely spoke aloud, even to myself? Would she run away, or would she face it head-on?
“Me and Mum are still learning how to run this business on the fly. We’ve never done it before, and although it’s been successful so far, there are a whole new set of pressures. Like marketing, renovating, guest services.”
“Do you have a manager?”
“You’re looking at him.”
“You always did take on the world.” She smiled sadly.
“Once we start making a little more money from the inn, I can hire someone else full-time. But after four years, we’re still catching up from all the renovations that apparently will never end.
And even though running a farm sounds fun, the animals are constantly getting into trouble.
Ginny the pig got lost and found three times in the span of one thirty-minute conversation.
And don’t get me started on guest complaints.
One room is too hot, the other is too cold, or the decor isn’t rustic enough.
Mum also insists on still leading the hiking tour.
Her back isn’t what it used to be, but she refuses to let anyone else help her. ”
I didn’t mean for this to turn into a full rant, but once I got started, it was hard to stop.
I continued for another five minutes as Nairie silently listened, refilling my coffee or plate without losing focus on everything I was saying.
It was comforting having her full attention.
She didn’t offer solutions or suggest alternative methods for dealing with any issues. She just nodded and let me vent.
Once I was done, Nairie eyed me. “Anything else on your mind?”
I snorted and drank my coffee. I wanted to tell her that seeing her every day had given me a constant hard-on, and all I could think about was our kiss.
“Can’t think of anything else.”
“What are your days like back home?”
I scratched my beard and dug into my second helping of food. “Since I got out of SAS, I’ve focused all my attention on the inn. Mum and I even moved on-site to some of the individual cottages separate from where the guests stay just to be closer.”
“Do you have any friends?”
I paused and almost laughed. “I have friends.”
“Okay. When was the last time you got a beer with a buddy?”
I thought back, trying to find a recent memory of when I went out with a mate from school or the service, but I came up empty.
Nairie looked at me with that wise-beyond-her-years expression and silently nodded.
I chuckled. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that I was stretched thin, and getting some time off with friends would be a good place to start, but hearing Nairie say it out loud was different.
It unearthed a deeper craving within me—to have someone care for me.
Something as simple as reminding me to hang out with friends or take my vitamins.
I got up to clean our plates and the rest of the kitchen. Nairie sat and looked out the window as I put dishes away.
“So tell me about your new beau.”
Nairie snapped her head around. “Oh, that. It’s nothing, really. Just some guy from art class.”
“What’s his name?”
Nairie moved to the fridge, the topic clearly making her uncomfortable. “Luke.”
I smirked and nodded.
“What?”
“Nothing. What are you thinking of submitting for the art competition?”
Nairie paused, taking a drink. “Oh, I signed up for that, didn’t I? Last night is still kinda fuzzy. I’m not sure what I’ll submit yet.”
“Remember, I know when you’re lying.”
“Your back is facing me! You can’t even tell.”
I looked at her deadpan and smiled. “I think that elderly woman you drew on your Instagram was really good.”
Nairie’s mouth dropped open, and she furrowed her brow. “You’re not on Instagram.”
“Sometimes Elspeth will text me your stuff.”
I failed to mention that I would ask Elspeth about her illustrations myself.
I loved her art. It reflected the way she saw the world.
She had drawn a portrait of an elderly woman at a bus stop, but it was the way she’d drawn the hands that had impressed me.
She’d put so much detail into the time-worn wrinkles and age spots—turning it into something beautiful.
I loved that Nairie could find beauty in anything.
Nairie smiled. “I love that one too, but the competition is for this outdoor retailer called Limitless Co.”
“I’ve heard of them. I get my camping gear from there.”
“Yeah, so they want a mural for their Venice Beach store. I was thinking of something to match the location.”
She pulled up her phone with some of the illustrations she had brainstormed. I sat down next to her and took the phone when she offered it to me. Nairie silently waited for my response.
She licked her lips, which captured my attention, and the energy shifted.
I was leaning my weight on my elbows and was close to Nairie’s face.
Looking down at her phone, I turned it back to her. “Go with the surfer.”
“Really?”
I scratched my head and pulled away. “Yeah, it’s your strongest one. I like that it looks like a vintage postcard.”
“You don’t think it’s too boring?”
“I think classics make people feel good.”
Elspeth entered in a pair of fuzzy bunny slippers. “Do I smell breakfast?”
“Nairie made some. I’ll get you a plate.”
I started humming the tune Nairie was singing and found Elspeth giving me a confused look. “What?”
“Nothing, I’ve just never seen you in such a chipper mood before.”
I scowled.
“That’s more like it. Did you have a nice dream last night or something?”
I brought her plate and took a sip from my coffee, silently nodding. Nairie turned from the window to watch us.
Elspeth turned to Nairie. “What about you? Sweet dreams?”
Nairie shook her head and then looked deep in thought. Her face screwed into a confused pout.
I quickly changed the subject. “We better get going to the pub soon, Elle. Finish your breakfast.”
Elspeth’s fork hovered by her mouth as she gave me an annoyed glare.
***
At the pub, Elspeth showed me all their paperwork for the past year in Lindsey’s messy office. I had my work cut out for me.
I looked over some receipts and noticed a recurring charge. “Elspeth, who’s Jerry, and why have you been giving him free drinks every month?”
“That’s one of our regulars. He did some work for us around the house, always comes by if there’s a plumbing issue, and we trade him for free beer.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose in annoyance. “This isn’t the Middle Ages. You can’t barter for services.”
Elspeth held up her hands. “Okay, okay. I’m willing to do anything it takes. I’m serious about turning this place around, Will.”
I looked at my sister with fondness. She was still so young, but I knew how determined a person she was.
After a few hours of going through more paperwork and creating a proper filing system, I taught her the right methods for keeping everything on track each month.
It would take a while for me to teach her everything, and I’d have to spend late nights and early mornings catching up with the inn back home, but I was willing to put in the extra work.
We were still sifting through the office when Elspeth appeared with a glass of my favorite whisky. “Elspeth, I’m serious. No more free drinks or dipping into the inventory until we can get you out of this.”
Elspeth smacked my arm. “I know, I know. I paid for this with my own money. Just drink it.”
I leaned against the creaky chair and took the glass, sipping down the amber liquid with appreciation. “How are you feeling, Elly?”
She took a sip from her beer. “Honestly, I’m sad.
Of course, I’m devasted. But I’ve been living with this grief for the past four years.
I kind of learned to adjust. Now that she’s gone, I know she’s not in pain anymore, so it’s kind of comforting.
I don’t think I could have gotten through it without Nairie.
She was there for the late nights when Mom was too sick to go to the bathroom on her own and when I cried myself to sleep.
To be honest, I’m more worried about her.
She and I talk about everything, but ever since Mom’s diagnosis, she took on caretaker mode and hasn’t opened up to me about it.
She keeps saying my feelings are more important, and I haven’t been able to convince her otherwise.
I just wish she’d break down once so I could take care of her for a change. ”
I felt like shit knowing I wasn’t there for either of them this whole time.
That moment with Nairie crying in my arms must have meant a lot. “Elspeth, I’m sorry I—”
Elspeth held up a hand. “Don’t even start. You were helping your own mom and running the inn, Will.”
I knew it was true. Building the inn required every ounce of time I had to get my mother a stable income. She’d never been well off, and this was my chance to set her up for life with honest work.
“You checked in often. You helped cover some expenses for her care. You did a lot.”
I smiled sadly. “You can always move to Scotland and live with me and Mum at the inn.”
“No way. I’m a California girl through and through. Can’t take those harsh winters.”
I chuckled and nodded in agreement. I couldn’t live in constant sunshine. I liked my broody weather; it so often matched my mood.
Elspeth nursed her beer. “So Nairie’s changed a bit since you last saw her, huh?”
I eyed her over my glass and lifted an eyebrow without saying a word. I refused to take the bait.
Elspeth pressed on. “She’s basically a hottie. Every time she comes to the pub, there’s always a new guy who thinks he stands a chance. But she’s been seeing this model for a while now.”
I scoffed. “Luke?”
Elspeth smiled. “Yeah. In her figure drawing class. Sometimes he stands there naked in front of her for hours.”
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and took another gulp.
“Apparently he’s well endowed too.”
“Gross, please stop talking.”
Elspeth giggled. “Fine, fine. I think they’re going out again tonight, though.”
I eased the grip on my glass so I didn’t shatter it. It was hard for me to come to terms with the fact that Nairie was clearly a woman now and has been for a while—a woman I was undeniably attracted to since seeing her almost nude last night and kissing her.
“Does she like him?”
Elspeth shrugged. “What’s not to like?”
I tossed back the rest of my drink.
Elspeth smiled mischievously. “So you wouldn’t mind if I invited them to the pub?”
“Not at all. I’d love to meet him.”
“It’ll be a blast.”
I didn’t respond, but Elspeth took that as a yes and continued prepping the bar for tonight’s opening. If Elspeth wanted to crash their date, so be it. I had nothing to do with this, but I would keep an eye on Nairie just in case the prick fell out of line.