They rode in silence for a few miles. Helen had thought the conversation was over, but he shocked her by speaking again.
“The guy on the plane. You flirted with him for almost eight hours. Under my nose.”
Helen felt her heart lurch inside of her. Was that jealousy? No. It couldn’t be. “I wasn’t flirting. I was having a conversation. A very pleasant conversation with someone who actually thought I was interesting.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You can work it out yourself, Andrew McInnes.” She turned back to the glorious view. “Now if you don’t mind, I want to enjoy being here. In fact, stop at the next hotel you see. I want to spend a night here before we go to Invertary.”
“And if I don’t want to spend the night?”
“You can drop me off and I’ll see you at the castle tomorrow.”
She thought she heard a growl, but when she looked back at him he was still staring at the road. Helen felt a zing of exhilaration course through her. This was the person she remembered being. The person she’d been years ago. She wasn’t sure if it was the scenery or the attention of the man on the plane, but she felt more like herself than she had in years.
A few more miles and Helen relaxed back into her seat, letting the blues and purples of the Scottish highlands wash over her. She wished she’d made Andrew take her to Scotland years ago. It should have been something they’d enjoyed together.
“It isn’t right to flirt in front of your husband.” His low voice rumbled through the interior of the car.
Helen smiled as she looked out over a picture-perfect loch. And for the first time in her life, she was the one who stayed silent.
“Where’s the bride?” Mitch said to Josh as he came into the kitchen.
&nb
sp; “Around,” Josh snapped. Hiding. The coward. One little kiss and she’d fled like the hounds of hell were on her tail.
Mitch grabbed some chips from the cabinet.
“What’s with the group meeting?” Mitch pointed at the wedding planner and the domino boys.
“Would you believe we’re planning the wedding?”
“By committee?”
Millicent snorted, then covered her mouth as she pretended to cough. Josh frowned at her. At all of them. His famous sense of humour absent for once.
“Right.” Caroline swept into the room and took the chair opposite him at the table—as far away from his as she could get. “Let’s get on with this.”
Her back was rigid again. Her chin was in the air and her tone was icy. She was back in control. If it weren’t for the fact she wouldn’t make eye contact with him, Josh would have wondered if the whole episode in the hall had actually happened.
“We need to decide on the submarine,” James said.
Mitch almost choked on his chips. Josh shot him a glare.
Caroline turned to the domino boys. “Not. One. Word. I already told you that this would not be a naval-themed wedding.” Her tone cold enough to freeze alcohol. They visibly swallowed and, one at a time, lowered their eyes.
There was a moment of heavy silence. Josh glanced at Mitch, whose eyebrows had travelled up his forehead.
“Now”—Caroline spread her hands on the table—“we are going to sort this wedding. Anyone have a problem with that?”
“Not me,” Mitch said as Millicent and the boys shook their heads.
At last, Caroline looked directly at Josh. The air sizzled between them. Josh wanted nothing more than to clear the room and carry on where they’d left off. Instead he gave her a lazy smile imbued with promise. He took great delight in the fact her breath hitched and her cheeks warmed. “You’ve got my attention, baby.”
Her eyes went wide and she frowned. “Don’t call me baby.”
Caroline turned her attention on Millicent. “Order a marquee. I want heather and snowdrops as flowers. Book any band Josh thinks is good. I want a wooden dance floor. Lavender and silver are the colour scheme. I want everything to be simple, tasteful and elegant. You are in charge. No one else. I want menu ideas by end of day tomorrow. I need a recommendation for a dress. And you will have to organise mobile accommodation for the guests. I’m thinking luxury trailers in the castle grounds. That is unless the guests wish to stay in Glasgow or Edinburgh and travel up for the ceremony. We don’t want gifts; suggest that the guests make a donation to a charity instead. I’ll send you a list for them to choose from. I’ll sort out my maid of honour. I’m assuming Mitch will be best man.” Mitch nodded. Her attention moved back to the wedding planner. “I’ll talk to the minister about the ceremony. Josh?”