There was a moment when they had a decision to make. Yes or no?
Kate leaned forward just a bit and so did Jack.
He was the one who stepped away and turned his back on her—and the moment was lost.
His shirt and jacket were hanging on the back of the old chair and he put the shirt on. He nodded toward the letter. “I remembered seeing that there had been new wooden panels put over the bricks. Probably put in to cover up decay. Lazy owners.” He was talking fast. “I looked everywhere to find tools. Had to sneak them out from under Mrs. A’s nose. Then I figured I’d get my shirt sweaty so I took it off. When I took the panel down, I found a loose brick, and there it was.”
Kate was feeling more in control. His shirt was on, but not buttoned. She stepped forward and put her hand on his warm skin. She could feel the curve of his muscles underneath. “After this,” she said softly, “let’s still go to Scotland. Just us.”
He nodded, seemingly unable to say anything. He touched her hair, just for a moment, but it was enough.
With a step back, he broke contact. “What’s it like inside?”
His words brought her back to the present. “Chaos. They’re planning something. I’ve figured out some but not all of it. They get quiet when I enter the room.”
“Do they?” He raised an eyebrow. “I have the keys to Nadine’s Jag. How about if we go out to a pub about two villages away? I hear it has a live band.”
She smiled. “Think they need a singer?”
“I think they have dancing.”
“Then I’m ready.”
He picked up the envelope. “And we’ll read this.”
“Should we? Maybe we should just hand it over to Nadine, unopened.”
“Might be a clue.” As he buttoned his shirt, his eyes were sparkling. He knew she wanted to read whatever was in that envelope.
“Yes,” Kate said. “Yes to all of it.”
“Oh how I wish that were true!”
With his funny-sad, longing-filled words, the tension between them was broken. They were back to a place where they could tease and laugh.
As they got into the car, Kate said, “Nadine won’t mind if you borrow her car?”
“That woman would lend me her soul if she could.”
“And the lacy knickers she covers it with?”
Laughing, Jack put the car in Reverse. Thanks to a father who didn’t abide by anybody’s rules, Jack had been driving since he was twelve. He whirled the car around full circle, then headed toward the gates. “This thing has been worked on. It handles well.” He glanced at her. “You’re staring at me again.”
“Think you can drive while wearing a kilt?”
“Or without it. I doubt if I can live up to the heroes in Sara’s books. They carry thirty-five-pound broadswords and ride heavy horses into battle.”
“And wear chain mail.” She sighed. “Never forget the chain mail.”
“I’m not sure I’m strong enough to do that.” He was teasing.
“I think you are. The way you climb ladders carrying two fifty-pound bags of whatever is strength personified. And you wear those heavy boots and that tool belt and—”
Jack pulled the car to the side of the road and looked at her. His voice was quiet, his eyes intense. “You know how I feel about you. I’m waiting for you and you know it. But there’s only so much restraint I can manage.”
Kate swallowed.
“If you want to leave this place t