Connor nodded at the pile of sawn timber. ‘That looks like hard work,’ he said. ‘I used to play here when I was a lad. Climb the trees, walk the fells. It’s beautiful.’
‘It is … but, you should know that this area is cordoned off temporarily until we’ve cleared the tree,’ Jay said, wondering how Connor hadn’t seen the warning signs.
‘Yes, I saw the cones but I wanted to talk to you.’ Connor’s tone made it clear he’d thought the rules didn’t apply to him.
‘Is it about the tree or the decorations for the wedding?’ Jay asked.
‘No. They’re great. Keegan loves them.’ Connor scuffed his boot through the fallen leaves. ‘Actually, I wanted to discuss the situation with Lottie.’
Jay’s stomach flipped. ‘Lottie? I don’t see what you can have to say about her to me,’ he said sharply, then regretted his overreaction.
Connor looked him up and down. ‘You like her, don’t you?’ he said, ignoring Jay’s comment. ‘I’ve seen the way you look at each other. I saw your face when you walked her down the aisle last week.’
‘That was just work. I was asked to help and I did.’
Connor laughed. ‘It didn’t look like work to me. You were enjoying it too much.’
Jay’s patience was stretched too far. ‘OK. I don’t know what this is about, mate, and I’m aware you’re a guest of Firholme, but I don’t think that gives you a right to intrude into my private life, or Lottie’s for that matter.’
‘I didn’t say I had a right but I am concerned about her. From your reaction, I’m guessing I’ve touched a raw nerve and my hunch was right. You’re keen on her.’ Jay was too annoyed to reply, so Connor jumped into the gap. ‘I’m also guessing you’ve realised that Lottie and I were close.’
‘I worked that one out,’ Jay said, not wanting to drop Lottie in it. He’d no idea how much Connor knew.
‘From Lottie?’ Connor asked.
‘Like I say, I worked it out but the details are none of my business, and,’ he added firmly, ‘I don’t intend to make them my business either.’
‘No need to be so salty,’ Connor said. ‘I can see I’ve touched a raw nerve. I don’t blame you. Lottie’s a lovely girl and I still feel … protective of her.’
Jay bit back a very rude word and picked up the chainsaw again. ‘Where’s this leading? I’m busy.’
‘Chopping down trees?’ Connor smirked. ‘I can see that.’
Some guys, thought Jay wryly, wouldn’t risk riling a man with a chainsaw in his hands. However, Connor appeared not to have noticed that fact.
‘Look. Why would you have a problem with me and Lottie getting together?’
‘No problem. Only I’m not sure you know her like I do. She’s sensitive, she feels deeply, she’s very loyal. You may think she’s capable, has everything under control – that she’s happy but I can see much deeper.’
‘Right. Good for you,’ Jay said, ready to fire up the chainsaw. He turned his back.
‘You’re not right for her. You’ll only get hurt if you carry on going after her. She’s still on the rebound from me. I think that was obvious from what happened the other day at the Bothy.’
‘What do you mean?’ Jay snapped round.
Connor had a smirk on his face. ‘Nothing … all I’m saying is that I think Lottie found it hard to let me go. If you know what I mean.’
Jay felt a bit sick. He knew exactly what Connor meant because he’d felt the same way himself and Lottie had looked … guilty was the only way of describing it, when he’d walked in on her and Connor. They were standing very close. Might they have been doing more than simply talking?
He wouldn’t put anything past Connor.
‘Thanks for the tip,’ he muttered. ‘But you’ll forgive me if I don’t take your relationship counselling too seriously.’
Connor curled his lip. ‘That’s a bit rude, considering we’re paying your employer a shedload of money to have our wedding here. I’d at least expect some civility from the staff. Man, you are going to regret this.’
Jay lost it. ‘Mate, I’ve regretted a lot of things but telling you you’re a massive arse isn’t one of them.’
Connor snorted in contempt. ‘You do know I could report you to your boss but I’m bigger than that. I’ll just leave you with this. Lottie’s still in love with me. You might think she’s impressed by you and your chainsaw and the whole strong silent thing but she’s never really let go of me and—’
Jay pushed his ear defenders down and pulled the cord of the saw, cutting off Connor’s tirade. He turned his back and attacked the branch, taking out his indignation on it. The arrogance of Connor. The man relished the prospect of Lottie pining for him and being miserable and yet he seemed to have no intention of ditching his current fiancée and trying to get Lottie back. Jay felt like marching down to Firholme right this minute and telling both Lottie and Keegan what a weak and manipulative little tosser Connor was.
He couldn’t do that of course …
He turned off the saw.
When he looked round, Connor was gone. Maybe to moan to Shayla, and get him the sack.
Jay didn’t care – but oh, shit, if Connor did tell tales to Shayla, that meant Lottie could be in trouble. Not to mention that winding Jay up was probably exactly what Connor wanted … if only he could be sure how she really felt about Connor – and Jay himself?
‘Jeez, what a mess!’ His groan brought Trevor running from the truck to his side. Jay pulled his gloves off and crouched down by Trevor, rubbing his back for comfort. Trevor returned the favour by rolling over and let his hind legs flap apart, proudly displaying his bits.
Jay took it as a compliment. ‘Thanks for that, Trev. I appreciate the solidarity.’
Jay tickled his chest and Trevor
