Wolfish in Sheep’s Clothing #6
“Maybe I can help. I know a little about plumbing.”
“You’re a guest.”
“Guests can help. I like to feel useful.”
“The main sink won’t drain and it’s a bother using the others.” Janna waved towards a deep sink that was filled with murky water.
“Do the other sinks drain? Because if it’s only the one, then it’s a local clog. Do you have any tools and a bucket?”
Ten minutes later, Kathy was under the sink removing the U-trap. When she finished and turned on the water, it swirled quickly down the drain. “There,” she said, smiling at Janna. “If you pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain monthly, it helps prevent buildups.”
“You’re a very practical young lady. I hate to have you work on your vacation.”
“My parents always taught me to take care of things myself so I wouldn’t have to pay others to do them for me.” Kathy washed her hands and dried them on a kitchen towel. “Being on vacation is exhausting. I like doing things, being useful.”
Janna laughed. “You may regret saying that.” She made a new pot of tea and told Kathy about the local sights, and said, “You’ll be bored by this evening. This is why we can’t get tourists, although Humphrey’s concocted a grand plan to lure them here. Bless that man, but …”
“But?”
“He should have left when he was young and he could have had a real life.” Janna smiled a little sadly. “But we love him for staying.” She glanced out the window and said, “There’s a break in the rain. Would you like to borrow wellies for a tramp?”
Kathy bundled up and walked across to the inlet, then up a hill to enjoy the views.
She snapped photos of sheep, trees, storm clouds, rocks.
When she returned to the house, Janna had prepared lunch: a salad made from homegrown greens and locally made feta with warm bread.
It was eerily like the setting Kathy had imagined for her fantasy business.
Janna sighed and said, “Well, I’ve got to sort out the furniture in storage, because Humphrey wants the bedrooms set up for guests.
“Can I help?”
Janna didn’t take much convincing and Kathy spent the rest of the afternoon helping pull old furniture out of piles in the basement storage rooms. She fixed wobbly legs and polished the pieces with Janna’s homemade beeswax paste.
In the evening, Janna went home, leaving Kathy alone with the old dog and her knitting. The next day Kathy went into the tiny village. Everyone was friendly and asked if she’d met Humphrey MacNeil.
“Not yet. He’s very kind to let me stay.”
The owner of the cheese shop winked and said, “He must have heard how pretty you are. He’s not married, you know, and quite a catch – as smart and kind as he is handsome.”
Kathy didn’t believe for a second that anyone named Humphrey was handsome. He must be very peculiar if everyone was so desperate to find a wife for him. “I’m sure some girl will snatch him up.”
“He’d have no problem if he was willing to leave us. He’s too loyal, Humphrey is.”
Kathy smiled, but she wasn’t interested in some ancient workaholic. She returned to the house and helped Janna sweep, polish and wash linens for the guest rooms. They chattered away and shared tips and recipes.
Jenna said, “You sound very close to your parents. Do you live near them?”
“I used to, but my mother passed away several years ago and my father remarried and moved, because he kept remembering how difficult it was for her at the end. Now it’s just me.”
“You’re always welcome here, Kathy.”
“Thank you. I really like it here.” Kathy paused and then said, “Janna, I was going to return to London tomorrow. Would it be all right if I stayed until the end of the week?”
Janna grinned. “Of course, you can! You’re a dream, Kathy, and if Humphrey could see what a hard working lass you are … well, he complains about those who are only interested in being coddled and spoilt.”
Kathy didn’t say anything, but she thought that Humphrey was probably more interested in a servant than a wife.
Her last full day at the island came too quickly and Kathy already felt a pang of nostalgia for this lovely place and the friendly locals.
Before she took her last visit to the sights, Kathy wanted to finish putting up drapes in one of the bedrooms. She was standing on a ladder, facing the window with its views of verdant hills, while she tried to balance a long rod with heavy brocade drapes.
At the sound of footsteps behind her, she said, “I’ve almost got this. ”
As a rule, Kathy was careful. But she was caught up in her sadness about leaving this place and she stretched farther than she should. When the ladder rocked, she shifted her weight … but the rod was too long and heavy.
She let it drop and as it clattered on the floor, there was that awful moment when Kathy realized that she couldn’t save herself. She was falling and the next instant strong arms were around her, catching her.
She grabbed on to the person and found herself looking right into Calder’s blue eyes. Seeing him again made her speechless.
Calder’s astonished expression swiftly changed into delight. “I’ve been looking all over Edinburgh for you and I’ve finally caught my wild golden-eyed Kat.”
“Goddamn you! Put me down.”
“Not even a welcome home kiss? Or more? I recall a promise …”
She brought her arms forwards and shoved at his chest. She could feel his firm flesh under a fine dove-grey cashmere sweater. When he let her down, he said, “Why did you leave and how did you find me?”
Kathy stepped away from him, catching her foot in the fallen valance, then kicking it away. “I left because you’re married, and I didn’t find you. I’m staying with my friend’s relative, Humphrey MacNeil.”