Finding Fraser(86)

I slipped out of the library before Katy even had a chance to give me the stink-eye. I had bigger worries than Katy, anyway. Outside, the sun had begun to shine like it really might be summer. A breeze swirled up from the Firth, cooling the heat that had sprung to my face reading Genesie’s comment.

What if she was right? Was Hamish a dud? Or worse—what if I was? I counted backwards as I pedaled toward the cafe. I’d spilled the hot water down his neck almost a month ago. Almost a month. And the closest we’d come to getting naked together had been thwarted by farm animals.

Cute farm animals, but still.

Maybe Genesie was only pointing out what I hadn’t been willing to face. Why hadn’t I pushed harder to get alone time with Hamish?

And why should I have to push, anyway?





The minutes until my lunch break ticked by more slowly than tenth grade physics class. Sandeep flicked his fingers impatiently at me when I asked him for the third time if he thought the worst of the rush was over.

“What’s so important that you have to race out of here?” he demanded.

“I’m—I’m just going to run across the street a minute. I have to ask Geordie a question. I’ll be back right away …”

He rolled his eyes and viciously dug coffee grounds out of the strainer. “Geordie? More likely Hamish, aye?”

“No—well, maybe. I just want to find out when he’s coming back.”

Sandeep snorted. “In the old country, girls don’t chase after boys. They let their fathers handle the arrangements.”

I untied my apron and cracked open the back door. A blast of warm air swirled in. “I’m not chasing anyone. Just asking a question. Besides, weren’t you born in Glasgow?”

“Close the fookin’ door,” he yelled, and I bolted.

Less than a minute later, I ran into the garage office. Genesie’s comments had made me more desperate than ever to see Hamish. Seeing him would quiet that doubting voice in my head, I knew it. Earlier in the week, when I had stopped by and asked Geordie, he said Hamish would be back in a day or two. It felt like an eternity since we’d been together.

When I burst into the office, I was surprised to see Hamish standing inside the first garage bay, large as life. He and Geordie were laughing uproariously.

“You’re back!” I said, and threw myself into his arms.

Geordie gave me a sideways glance. “Two minutes, man,” he said to Hamish, and grabbing his coffee cup, stalked into the office. Hamish picked up a rag and began to wipe the grease from his hands.

“Don’t worry about that,” I said, and leaned in for a kiss.

He gave me a little kiss on the tip of my nose, and then hurriedly stepped back, still wiping his hands. “Ach, ye’ll no’ want this grease on yer uniform, lass,” he said, and walked round to the far side of the small car in the bay.

“Okay, you’re probably right,” I said, reluctantly. “I missed you so much, though. It feels like you’re always away.”

He nodded, and started digging around under the hood of the vehicle. “It’s been a bi’ of a busy season,” he said, his voice muffled.

I stepped closer, and stuck my head under the other side.

“So … where’d you go?”

“After the pickup in Glasgow, I had to turn around and head to Fort William. It’s down south a bit.”

“I know it. I have a friend there. Maybe I could hitch a ride with you the next time you go?”

“Mebbe,” he muttered, and dropped the wrench he was using inside the engine. “Aw, fer fook’s sakes,” he said, and dove in to try and reach it. “Em, ye’d better get back to work, hadn’t yeh?” he gasped, as he felt around inside. His voice reminded me of Morag the time she was dealing with the mama sheep.

“Okay, I’ll go,” I said. “But I feel like we haven’t spent any time together lately. I miss you.”

He grunted loudly and then held up the wrench triumphantly. “Got the bastard!”

Geordie stuck his head in from the office. “You still here?” he said to me.

“I’m leaving, I’m leaving,” I said. “But since I never get to see my boyfriend any more, maybe next time you send him away on a weekend, I can go along to navigate?”

Hamish was making wild hand gestures at me, but Geordie crossed his arms over his chest and stepped inside the door.

“Aye, well your boyfriend is makin’ a short trip tomorrow evenin’ all the way doon to the fine municipality of Dores. I’m sure you’d be a welcome distraction to his drivin’, if yer free.”

I nodded eagerly. “I’m off at five. That would be perfect!”