“A break from TV isn’t a bad thing. You should go outside more and practice your gymnastics.”
“It’s too hot outside. I feel gross if I’m out there for more than a few minutes. I hate Grandma’s house.”
Emily had never liked hot weather. For just a second, the thought of what it would be like to move them both to the island flitted through her mind. Emily would love the mild weather in the Pacific Northwest. But it was impossible. She’d spend the required month here and then she’d sell the house. There was no other choice.
“I know it’s a little hot. Maybe you guys can catch a movie.”
“I dunno. I miss you, Mom.”
“I miss you too, sweetie. So much.” Tears did fill her eyes now, and she resented the fact that she was being forced to stay here for a month. “Hey, tell me how Bubba is handling the stay at Grandma’s?”
Once her daughter launched into an excited conversation about her chubby Chihuahua, Sarah knew her daughter was sufficiently distracted from her unhappiness at being banished to Grandma’s house for the summer.
When Sarah hung up the phone a few minutes later, though, she knew her own unhappiness wasn’t so easily dismissed.
Her phone buzzed again and she frowned, wondering who would be texting. Her mother didn’t even own a cell phone and would’ve just called her back.
Sarah stared at the message and smiled slightly.
Kenzie. She wanted her to drop by the pub and hang out, fill her in on how the lawyer’s visit had gone.
No way. Not going to happen. Sarah started to put her phone away, deciding to text her back later, when a second text popped up.
And I promise the brother with asshole tendencies won’t be there. He’s at work.
Unable to stop a soft laugh, Sarah shook her head. Most of her hesitation at going to see Kenzie had been because of Ian. But if he really wasn’t going to be there…
It would be good to go see her friend. Kenzie would be a good distraction from how much Sarah was missing her daughter. And then she could have that glass of wine…
Before she could overthink it, she hit reply and told Kenzie she’d be there within a half hour.
Why Sarah took the time to reapply her lip gloss and fluff her hair was beyond her comprehension.
She wasn’t trying to look good for anyone. Not that the person she was most concerned about would even be there.
McLaughlin’s Pub was off a side street in Oak Harbor. It literally looked like someone’s small one-story home that had been gutted and made into a bar.
When she stepped inside, though, there was no denying the place was a Scottish pub. The national flag of Scotland was placed throughout the connecting rooms of the pub in no less than four spots, along with photos—some autographed—of various celebrities native to Scotland.
The place was dim, the stage in the back currently empty. But there was music piped in from hidden speakers, and her throat tightened as she recognized the band Simple Minds. The song playing, “Don’t You Forget About Me”, seemed a little too apt.
Surprisingly, it was fairly busy for a Tuesday afternoon. It was weird being here now, knowing she was of legal age to stay until closing time, instead of being kicked out by eight because she was a minor.
So many changes. So much time had passed.
“So the rumors are true.”
Following the sound of the voice, Sarah’s gaze darted to the extended bar counter to her right. Tall and dark, with an expression that held only warm curiosity, Aleck McLaughlin watched her from where he stood framed by the various beers on tap.
Her stomach clenched as she summoned a polite smile. Well. Apparently the rule still held that all McLaughlins must be attractive.
“Hello, Aleck. It’s been a while.”
“Aye.” He gestured to an empty barstool. “Have a seat. Kenzie is in the kitchen at the moment, but she’ll be out shortly. I assume you came to see her?”
“You’d assume right.” She pulled out the barstool and sat, folding her hands in her lap. “Could I get a glass of merlot? I’m not picky.”
He winked and reached for a bottle behind the bar. “Well lucky for you I am picky. I’ll only give you the best.”
“I appreciate it.” She accepted the glass a moment later and took a small sip. He hadn’t been kidding, it was definitely one of the better wines she’d tasted.
“You made it!” Kenzie slid onto the empty barstool next to her a moment later. “I want to hear everything the lawyer said.”
Sarah grimaced. “Everything? I’m not sure even I remember everything.”
“Well the big points. And I see you’ve got wine already—must’ve been a doozy.” She glanced at her brother. “Aleck, give me a pint of the African Amber Ale.”