22
22
Callum
Callum: Can you take Dad to his appointment this morning?
I have some errands in Portree.
Callum: There’s a timed daily routine taped to the fridge.
Stick to it to the letter, it helps ease his anxiety.
I can talk you through it.
Alistair: I think I’ll manage.
Callum: Sorry, sorry, I forgot we had Dr Macabe on the island.
Alistair: I can’t take the insult.
I’m packing my bags as I type.
“No wonder you haven’t laughed in years if this is the music you listen to, harpy. It’s depressing as fuck.” The man’s melancholy voice droned on as I observed Juniper from the doorway of Ivy House’s small kitchen.
For a moment I was afraid I’d gone too far.
And then she glanced up from the mixing bowl she stirred with a large wooden spoon.
Her wicked smile filled with enough electricity to restart my heart.
“I can put on some Phil Collins if you prefer?”
There she is .
Always right back in the saddle.
“How old do you think I am exactly?” Easing closer, I laid my hands on the stainless-steel counter.
“Old enough you should consider getting one of those little chains to attach your wallet to your trousers.”
“Feeling snarky this morning, sweetheart?” I should take her over my knee for that one.
Admittedly, if one of us were to get our arse reddened, it was more likely to be me.
“Seems like it.”
I finally looked her over.
In leggings and a baggy T-shirt, she was more dressed down than I’d ever seen her.
Still, she made my breath catch.
It was fucking witchcraft, I swear.
That was the difference between infatuation and love.
Juniper would always be the most stunning woman I’d ever laid eyes on, that was an indisputable fact, but what made her beautiful to me in that moment was her strength.
Her eyes were still slightly puffy, her nose red from the emotional blow Alistair had inflicted and yet, here she was, just as I’d predicted.
Her eyes flicked up from the bowl again.
“You shouldn’t be back here.”
“Morning to you too, sunshine. We’re leaving in ten minutes, change into something warm.” Surprise stole across her face.
“You said you wanted to stick to our bargain. I still have three dates, remember?”
“I’m ill.”
“You don’t look ill.” I looked pointedly to the finger she was currently licking batter from.
She paused; finger caught between her lips.
“It isn’t contagious.”
“Great.” I clapped my hands together.
“Let’s go.” Come on , I silently urged.
Come with me, sweetheart.
Don’t let this change things.
“No.”
“No?” Hank’s rough voice filtered through the door a second before the gruff man appeared, already buttoning his chef whites over his wide chest. “What are you doing in my kitchen?”
“ Helping. I already started on the oatcakes.”
Batting her hands away, he took the bowl and stuck his little finger in the batter and tasted it.
Cringing, he added another sprinkle of sugar.
“I dinnae need your help. You may as well take the lad up on his offer.”
“See?” I winked at Hank.
He glowered back. “We can go back and forth all day, harpy, but this ends with your arse in my front seat.”
Ignoring me completely, she rounded on Hank.
“Who’s going to run the breakfast service?”
“Ada, she’s already in reception.”
Juniper’s eyebrows lifted.
“You came in together?”
I didn’t think it was possible, but the man actually blushed.
“It’s not like that , she got a flat tyre yesterday. I offered her a ride,” he muttered.
Juniper looked so delighted, my own lips curled into a smile.
“Can you survive without her?” I asked Hank, slipping around the counter to cover Juniper’s mouth with my hand before she could protest.
His moustache twitched.
“Aye.”
“Then it’s settled.” With a slight pressure on her shoulder, I steered her out the door.
“ Fuck .” I flinched away as pain seared through the fleshy part of my palm.
“You bit me.”
“Hands off,” she hissed while I marvelled at the tiny little teeth marks.
“Would it be weird to get these tattooed?” I held my hand out for her to see.
Her lips twitched just as I’d hoped.
“You’re a strange man, Callum Macabe.”
I kissed her cheek in lieu of a response, already backing down the hall.
“I’ll be in the car, you have ten minutes. Oh, and remember a swimsuit … Or don’t.”
She flipped her middle finger.
I flipped mine right back.
Alistair: Do you know where Dad’s medical notes are?
Mum can’t find them.
The text from Alistair was time stamped five minutes ago.
Callum: Top drawer of the desk.
Alistair: That was quick.
Thought you were headed to Portree?
Shit.
Callum: Fuel stop.
I hated lying. It didn’t come easily to me, even with the screaming voice that told me lying was the safest course of action for now, given the tangled history.
I felt especially bad using the time having Alistair home freed up to spend with Juniper.
Callum: I left some leaflets in the kitchen for daycare facilities and carer support groups, can you ask Mum to look at them?
I think it will help coming from you.
Alistair: Leave it with me.
The car door opened and I dropped my phone into the cup holder.
All thoughts of my dad and Alistair melting away as Juniper slid into the passenger seat.
The beanie I’d bought slipping low on her forehead, sunglasses so dark you might mistake her for a funeral attendant balanced on her slightly upturned nose.
“Worried you might be seen with me?”
“Aren’t you?”
“No.” I held out a Brown’s takeaway cup and started the engine.
“You brought me coffee?”
“Nope, it’s empty. I know how much you like collecting the little cups.”
“You’re extra funny in the mornings, Macabe.” Her words dripped with sarcasm.
“I meant … you live right next door.” She pointed at the tree line.
“Why drive all the way into the village just to get coffee?”
Because I know you love Jess’s coffee .
Cheeks threatening to heat, I shoved the cup into her hand.
“Enough questions. Just drink it.”
She took a sip and grimaced.
“It’s cold.”
“Yeah …” I winced, choking down another long sip of my own.
“It would have been warm if you’d been ready on time. Now we both have to suffer.” Starting the engine, I gestured to the centre console.
“It’s a bit of a drive, put on that sad music you love so much.”