Embrace the Highland Warrior

“Nina. Matilda. What are you doing here?” Her aunt was slim, with short, gray hair, the kind that looked like it came from an expensive salon, but didn’t. Matilda’s hair was a shocking color, something between orange and red, resembling a baboon’s nose, a jarring contrast with her purple jogging suit.

“We’re on our way to meet some of Matilda’s friends in Washington. We thought we would tour some museums,” Nina said.

“Maybe we’ll run into the president,” Matilda added. “I have a thing or two I’d like to get off my chest.”

“You could start with that push-up bra,” Nina said.

“Then we might go to Atlantic City. We’re taking a road trip from here,” Matilda said. “Like Thelma and Louise.”

“Not if I can talk her out of it,” Nina whispered as she gave Shay a hug.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“We wanted to surprise you. We flew into Richmond and rented a car. I just had to stop by and see all of you together. It’s been so long.” She moved to hug Cody. “Look at them, Matilda. All grown up. Aren’t they just beautiful?” Nina clutched her hands to her chest. “I think I’m going to cry—Shay, why do you have a bandage on your head?”

“I uh… tripped over the cat,” she said, looking at the creature perched at Lachlan’s feet.

“Maybe we should stay a few days, Matilda. Shay might have a concussion.”

“No,” Cody and his brothers chorused the word abruptly, startling both women.

“My head’s fine. We wouldn’t want to interrupt your trip,” Shay said. “It’ll be an adventure.”

“I could use an adventure,” Matilda said, nodding. “Speaking of adventure—”

There was a scraping of chair legs, and Lachlan called out, “I just remembered something,” as the back door slammed.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think that boy was avoiding me,” Matilda said, her eyes—was that blue eye shadow?—narrowed thoughtfully. “You talk to him, Cody. He promised me a camping trip, and I’m not getting any younger.”

“Then stop dressing like a teenager,” Nina said. “Have a cookie, Shay, boys. There’s oatmeal raisin and peanut butter.”

“There’s nothing wrong with my clothes,” Matilda said.

“Oh, this is just like old times,” Nina gushed. “Does my heart good, I tell you. I even saw Old Elmer peeking out of the woods when we pulled up. I worry about him. If Shay won’t move back, maybe I’ll give the house to him. All he has is that old cabin out there in the middle of nowhere.”

Cody gave Shay a puzzled look. “Give Shay the house?”

“I’ve been trying to get her to move back here for a year now. I don’t want to wait until I’m dead and gone and can’t see this place filled with love… and grandchildren. Maybe you boys can help me persuade her.”

Shay had to admit, coming home, while alarming in some aspects, had made her realize how much she missed everyone. Everyone she cared about was here, other than Lucy Bell. Perhaps it was time to come home.

“That’s a great idea,” Marcas said. “She’s been gone too long.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Cody whispered, giving Shay a sullen look. “Now who’s keeping secrets?”

“It’s not the same thing,” she whispered back.

“Says who?”

“She’s over there in Scotland all alone,” Nina continued. “This break-in at her shop proves it’s not safe. The world’s become a dangerous place. Hasn’t it, Matilda?”

“Very dangerous.” Matilda broke off a piece of her oatmeal cookie. “Muggers, thieves, rapists. You should move back home. Here, kitty.” She handed the cat a morsel. It gave her an arrogant look, turned its head, and flicked its tail. “There are perverts out there too,” Matilda added, inspecting the cookie tray. “And psychos. Scotland’s full of them. I saw it on the news.” She chose another cookie. She handed the cat a nibble, again. It stared at her and its chest heaved once, as if sighing. “Does anyone besides me think this cat acts odd?”

Nina nodded, either in response to Matilda’s perverted psycho assessment, or the question about the cat. “This is a nice, safe place.”

“My break-in was probably just a… secret admirer.”

Nina and Matilda shared a startled glance, followed by twitching eyebrows and widening eyes obviously meant to convey a private message. What were the two of them up to? Matilda fluffed her hair, a sure sign she was flustered. Usually she sprayed it stiff and dared anyone to touch it. “You have to watch those secret admirers. They could be dangerous. I had one in high school. His name was Willy. He stuck notes in my books for the longest time.”

“If he was a secret admirer, how do you know it was Willy?” Nina asked. She seemed a little on edge.

“Well, I didn’t know it was him at first, because he was so shy. I finally caught him sneaking a note into my math book. I think it was because of his ears being so big.”

“What does the size of his ears have to do with being a secret admirer?” Nina asked.

“I mean that’s why he was shy. The kids called him Dumbo. He was afraid to approach me. I was so popular all the boys wanted to court me. That’s when my hair was naturally red, of course. The color of love, you know; that’s what Willy said in his note. Poor boy. Kids are so mean sometimes. Teasing someone just because of the size of his ears. Nowadays, he would just put one of those big metal rings in it. The bagger down at Kroger had holes so big I could’ve stuck a poker through them. His ears were big, come to think of it. That’s why I