Here With Me (Adair Family 1)

“Which is why I’m being such a good friend. Appreciation is a dying sentiment.”

Not only had Lucy helped style me for my first ceilidh, she and Eredine also tried to teach me Scottish folk dances while streaming music on Eredine’s phone. We’d laughed our way through the session, and I’d come to the conclusion that there was no way I would remember the steps nor could I even contemplate a folk dance in this dress.

“I wonder if any other members will attend tonight?” I mused as we walked out of her luxurious suite.

Lucy shook her head. “No. I asked around. Looks like I’m flying solo.”

“I thought they’d love getting into something as traditional as a ceilidh.”

“They do. But Lachlan hosts them here at the club. One for summer solstice and another at Christmas. As much as they love Ardnoch, they come here for the privacy, remember.”

“So do you, but you’re attending.”

Lucy shrugged. “I guess because the village feels like home too. Everyone treats me like an ordinary person. It’s great. And I love hanging out with Lachlan’s family.”

“Arrochar and Thane will definitely be there?”

“Should be. They usually are. Unless Thane can’t get a babysitter.” Lucy’s expression softened. “But hopefully he does tonight. I like coaxing him into a dance or two.”

Something about her tone caught my attention. Something … tender. “Thane, huh?”

My friend rolled her eyes as we descended toward the second floor. “Stop it.”

“I’m serious. Do you have a thing for Thane? I mean, I’d get it. If I had to choose, he’s the sexiest of the male Adairs.”

Her hand tightened on my arm, and she stiffened a little. “I’d advise against it. Thane deserves someone who is going to stick around.”

Wait. What? Was she … jealous?

“Oh, Lucy, I’m just making an observation. I’m not interested in Thane.” In fact, I’d had plenty of Adair interaction for one lifetime. I was still sore over Lachlan ignoring me two days ago and had studiously avoided him since.

“I know that.”

“So … you and Thane?”

Before she could reply, director-and-actor couple Merriam Burbanks and Jack Loman strode up the stairs toward us. I’d seen them around the castle but hadn’t interacted with them.

Jack murmured, “Evening,” and nodded his head in appreciation. Merriam commented, “You look beautiful, ladies. Enjoy your night.”

“Thank you, Mer,” Lucy called gaily as we passed on the staircase; I nodded my thanks, trying to act cool.

Laughing to myself at how surreal life was, it took me a second to catch up after Lucy said, “There is no me and Thane.”

“Okay …”

She flicked me a sad smile. “Thane lost a wife he loved.”

“How did it happen?”

“One morning he woke up, and she was dead next to him in bed. She’d passed away in her sleep. Brain aneurysm.”

Emotion clogged my throat. I couldn’t imagine how devastating that must have been for him. “God, that’s heartbreaking.”

Lucy nodded, eyes bright. “Thane’s life is those kids. And it should be. It would be nice to see him find someone else, but that lucky woman will need to commit to being a good wife and an even better mother. Thane is … well, he’s just wonderful.” The forlorn quality to her voice upset me. “But I’m not cut out for settling down. I have my career to think about. However”—she beamed again, but the smile wobbled a little—“I am committed to making the man enjoy himself now and then by forcing him to dance at social gatherings.”

Even though I knew she was right, that Lucy’s career meant she was not the ideal candidate to be the perfect stepmother, I couldn’t help wishing things were different. As strong and seemingly content as Lucy was, I worried about the shadows in the back of her eyes, the ones that appeared when she thought no one was looking. I worried my new friend was lonely, and considering how good she was to everyone else, I hated the idea of her feeling alone.

My concerns about her well-being were halted as we descended the main staircase into the castle’s reception area. Lucy squeezed my arm, drawing me from my thoughts.

Mac, Lachlan, Eredine, and a woman I didn’t recognize were waiting for us near the sofas at the fireplace.

Eredine looked willowy and elegant in a spring-colored maxi dress with cap sleeves. She’d left her gorgeous hair loose, and it tumbled around her shoulders in dramatic curls.

As beautiful as she was, there was a casualness to her dress that made me feel self-conscious. I wasn’t used to self-consciousness and didn’t like that I was experiencing it in front of Adair. “Okay, we’re overdressed.”

“Maybe a little,” Lucy admitted with a shrug. “But life is too short not to dress up for it.”

Groaning under my breath, my gaze moved to Mac, Lachlan, and the unknown female.

I almost stumbled on the last step.

The woman was a pretty blond, dressed in a chic jumpsuit the same color as Lucy’s dress, and she clutched Lachlan’s hand.