Chapter 23 #2
Hamish clutched his tool belt and scurried off.
Winnie got up and squeezed William’s arm as she walked by, saying, “I like her.”
Phillip just stared at William before silently returning to the kitchen. William sat across from me and sipped the coffee he was holding.
I grabbed my mug to warm my fingers, which were now clammy from anxiety. “I’m sorry, was I not supposed to tell them anything? They just crowded me, and I kind of blacked out and started talking.”
William smirked. “If I didn’t want anybody to know anything, I would never have introduced you to Poppy. I’ve got nothing to hide with you. I’m glad you talked about us.”
My shoulders relaxed, and I continued sipping my tea. “They all love you very much.”
William scoffed and bit into the blueberry scone. Some crumbs landed in his beard, and I smiled and wiped them away with a napkin.
He grasped my hand before I could put it back down and kissed the inside of my palm. “You up for that hike with Mum? She’s leading a tour, and I thought it would be fun to tag along.”
“Definitely.”
We finished breakfast and went to change into proper gear before meeting his mom at the trailhead off to the side of the inn. A small group was already gathered, and she started leading us up the path.
We walked through a forest that looked like it hadn’t been touched in centuries.
The air was chilly under the canopy of the trees, and it smelled of wet leaves and grass.
We were completely shrouded from the outside world, and William held us back so we could close our eyes and experience the cloaked silence to ourselves.
He led us to a bench, and we sat and looked out into the maze of trees.
“It’s so magical here.” I trailed my eyes over every bird, mossy stump, and a babbling creek.
William hummed and kissed my cheek as we silently looked out. Everything felt so right in this moment. Like William and I had finally come full circle.
I couldn’t wait to see more beautiful things with him by my side. “Did you do a lot of hiking as a kid?”
“Aye, there wasn’t much else to do, and it kept me out of trouble for a wee bit.”
“Before you got involved with Angus?”
William nodded and seemed to think over something. “He reached out recently.”
“Oh?”
“He’s been keeping in touch with our mum unbeknownst to me. I don’t want her getting close to him, but he sent her a gift basket. Hopefully that was the last of it.”
“I know he’s an asshole. But he’s still your brother. This can’t be easy for you.”
“He was a bully. He was supposed to protect me, and he did the complete opposite. I don’t know why he always hated me.” William closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.
I squeezed his hand. “I don’t know why he’s always mistreated you. That’s something only he can answer to, but if I had to guess, it’s because he saw something in you he could never be.”
William looked at me curiously, and I continued. “You’ve always been strong and brave. A good man with limitless potential.”
He smiled sadly.
“And it’s okay to still love him despite it all, William.”
He let his head hang. “How do you always know what I’m thinking?”
I laughed. “After stalking you my whole life, I developed a sixth sense.”
William laughed and sighed. “Let’s not talk about it anymore, love. He’s a dangerous guy, and I don’t want him anywhere near us.”
“Okay. But I’m going to ask you another question you probably won’t like.”
William scooted closer and wrapped me in his arms so he could kiss my neck. “Mmm, not if I distract you.”
I laughed. “William, come on.”
He gave my earlobe a quick nip and pulled back, folding his hands in front of himself to patiently wait for the next question.
“What happened with your ex? I mean the full story.”
He let out a huff. “Shannon was a master manipulator like Angus. She pretended to be sweet but treated everyone like shit behind my back. Last I heard, she married some other guy in the gang. He’s their accountant, and I use that term loosely.
He launders money and takes a fair portion off the top for himself.
Angus sleeping with her was the best thing that could have happened to me. ”
Satisfied with my probing for the day, I snuggled back into his arms and hugged him tight. I knew his past still plagued him, and I hoped he could get closure one day for his own sake.
William’s deep voice rumbled against my ear as I lay my head across his chest. “Stop worrying about me, love. I’ll be fine. I’m not living in the past anymore. I have something to look forward to now.”
I looked up and kissed him before we got up and continued the hike.
We came to a large meadow of heather and rolling hills where a herd of lambs were grazing.
Along the hills, small waterfalls formed around the cragged rocks, the flow of water trickling into small ponds.
When we rounded one of the hills, we came upon a loch cradled by mountains.
We were at a high point, so we were looking down at it.
I could see the beach with a few people that looked like dots walking along the shore.
The sun was shining above and made the dark water sparkle like obsidian glass.
I looked up at William to see him smiling back at me.