Chapter 7 #2
“No. Shall we have breakfast?” He abruptly changed the subject and didn’t wait for a reply as he headed into the castle.
Since I could see faint light on the horizon, indicating dawn neared, I figured, why not?
Better to have a belly full, in case I did get snatched.
I doubted a kidnapping Red Cap would think to feed me, and even if it did, would I want to put in my mouth anything it touched?
Blech. No. The smell of them alone was enough to ruin an appetite.
I sat on a stool as Alistair bustled. What a novelty, a man cooking for me.
I’d had a few dating partners over the years, even lived with someone for six months.
None knew their way around a kitchen, but that wasn’t the reason why those relationships never lasted.
I’d had my reasons for breaking up. Being cheated on being an easy one.
The guy I lived with, John, our ending proved to be the hardest because he’d not done anything wrong.
I just found myself bored in his company.
Bored during sex. Bored when he spoke. Not a good sign.
At the time, I’d thought I wanted someone nice and stable to share my life. Turned out I needed something more.
Bet a shapeshifting dragon wouldn’t be dull.
Perish the thought. Alistair made it very clear he couldn’t wait to get rid of me. Not to mention, with his looks and wealth, he could have his pick of beautiful women. I might be attractive, if a few pounds heavy, but I definitely wasn’t on his level. Still, a woman could dream…
Breakfast ended up being eggs, back bacon, toast and marmalade. Yummy. Afterwards, I took a shower and changed back into my clothes from the day before. Not ideal, but I’d left my travel case at the hotel in Mallaig, assuming I’d be returning that same night.
When I’d finished refreshing myself, I headed downstairs but couldn’t find Alistair.
The man had made himself scarce. A sign, obviously, that he considered his hosting duties done.
With no reason to stick around, despite having hours before the ferry would leave, might as well head to the dock.
As I exited the castle, I kept expecting Alistair to appear and give me one last threatening reminder to keep my mouth shut—or to announce he’d changed his mind and would join me.
Neither man nor dragon showed his face, and I couldn’t help the disappointment. Guess he’d made more of an impression on me than I’d managed with him.
My walk down to the tiny village proved uneventful, although tell that to my sore neck. I’d swung my head left and right the entire trek, convinced a Red Cap would pounce. Nothing but sea birds moved on the mostly untamed isle.
As I arrived at the ferry terminal, I frowned, for the berth lay empty. Given the time, the boat should have been docked.
Seeing someone working on the pier, I headed over. “Excuse me, where’s the ferry? Shouldn’t it be here by now?”
“Ferry’s out of commission for a few days, at least. It didn’t make it back to Mallaig before the storm hit and took some damage. It will resume service once it's repaired.”
It took me a shocked moment before I blurted out, “But how will I get back to the mainland?”
The grizzled old fellow paused the winding of a rope to squint at me. “Can’t ye swim?”
He had to be joking. “Is there someone with a boat who can take me across?”
“Aye, there’s Willy, but he left a few hours ago with another couple that got stranded when the ferry left early yesterday.”
“When will Willy return?”
“Knowing him? Not ‘til sometime tomorrow. His mom and sister live in Mallaig, so he’ll most likely spend the night.”
The mention of night had me wondering what I’d do for sleeping accommodations. “Is there somewhere I can stay while waiting for the ferry?”
“Same place you slept last night,” the smartass replied.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
“There’s the bunkhouse, but it’s full up right now.
Other than that, there’s the campground, although you don’t look like you have any equipment.
” He frowned at me as if disapproving of that fact.
“There’s the Guirdhil and Dibidil bothies but not sure if there’s anyone using them right now.
They’re first come, first serve.” Bothies being simple shelters for travelers.
At least they would put a roof over my head for the night.
“How far are they?”
“About an hour or so walk from here.”
An hour and I might arrive to find them occupied. An hour of me trekking in the wilds where anything could lurk.
“Thank you.”
Rather than even attempt either of them, I marched back to Kinloch Castle, only to find myself faced with a locked door.
I knocked and pressed the button on the doorbell until a surly Alistair snapped, “Aren’t you supposed to be gone?”
“The ferry is broken. I need a place to stay.”
For a second, the silence made me think he’d ignore my request.
The door opened, and he scowled at me in all his handsome glory.
“Thank you,” I chirped.
“Don’t thank me yet. I didn’t say you could stay.”
“But I have nowhere else to go.”
“There’s hotels in Mallaig.”
“I’m aware. I have a room rented with my things, but how would you suggest I reach them? Like I said, the ferry is broken.”
“Feel up for a flight?”
It took me a second to grasp what he meant, and when I did, I clapped and bounced, yelling, “Yes!”
As if I’d say no to flying with a dragon.