Always You (Adair Family 3)

We listened to the one-sided conversation on tenterhooks. Inwardly, I prayed that they’d caught the perpetrator, that it was Lee, and we could put this mess behind us for good.

When Mac hung up, his eyes came to mine as he conveyed, “They caught him. Patrol car caught Lee on the A9 near Blair Atholl. They questioned the sports center receptionist and he hadn’t seen anything, but the CCTV footage corroborated our story. They’ve got Lee in custody but haven’t questioned him yet. Lisa says the evidence is pretty cut-and-dried. And this time, he won’t be released on bail.” Mac slumped as if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. “It looks like this might be over, Arro.”

That stifling feeling that had suffocated me these past weeks melted away, too, and it was like I could breathe properly again. I accepted more hugs from my brothers and agreed to join them for a celebratory dinner later in the week.

I watched Mac as Lachlan hugged me again, and though I was relieved we were more than likely in the clear, I was more confused than ever about Mackennon Galbraith.

23

Arro

The sound of Arran’s laughter mingled with the kids’ giggles and Eredine’s low chuckles. Such joyous sounds filled me with a sense of peace. Regan sat beside me at her kitchen island while Eredine, my brother, and my niece and nephew played out in the garden.

“They’re at that age where they want to go on playdates with friends on the weekend, but ever since Arran moved into the annex, they love hanging out with him instead,” Regan said, giving me a soft smile. “He’s so good with them.”

A flicker of unease ran through me, bursting my bubble. I worried about how the kids would react once Arran left. It was surprising he was still here, now that the threat hanging over me (and Mac) was over. The police had formally arrested Lee Kilmany. He’d been charged with the suspected murder of Bryan McNab and the attempted murder of Mac (Lisa told Mac her detectives were trying to find evidence that linked him to the crimes involving his other old friends), and those were separate from the charges of conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

While Lee denied sending the notes to me, he’d also denied running over Mac and killing Bryan McNab. We’d had a family meeting, and all felt pretty sure we had our suspect. Mac thankfully agreed I no longer needed private security, i.e., him shadowing my every step. It was hilarious to me that six months ago, I would’ve thoroughly enjoyed having Mac breathing down my neck every hour of the day, but now I was glad to have some space from him for a while.

I ignored the little voice in my head that said I’d missed him this past week. While it might’ve been a wee bit true, the bigger truth was I needed time to process everything that had happened between us since March.

“Where did you go?” Regan’s voice cut through my thoughts.

I gave her a bland smile and fibbed, “Just wondering how long Arran will stay. I’m surprised he’s still here.”

Regan leaned into me. “He and Thane talked last night, and it sounds like he’s staying permanently. Apparently, Gordon is retiring and thinking of selling the Gloaming.”

Shocked, I gaped at Regan. Gordon had owned the Gloaming since before I was born. The hotel, bar, and restaurant were part of Ardnoch’s identity. “It can’t be true.”

She nodded. “He came to Lachlan to ask if he might be interested in buying it. Lachlan said he’d give it some thought, told Arran about it, and Arran showed genuine interest in running it. I think he’s considering taking his piece of the Adair inheritance to split the cost with Lachlan. Go into it as partners.”

My heart raced at the thought. In a good way. A slow, hopeful smile creased my cheeks as I looked out toward the garden, where I caught flashes of Arran racing after the kids as they played football. “Then he’s really staying?”

“I hope so.”

Lewis got hold of the ball, his little face scrunched with determination as he dribbled it toward their imaginary goal lines. Eredine moved to intercept him, but Arran wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her out of Lewis’s way.

“Not fair!” Ery laughed, looking happier than I’d seen her in a while. “That’s cheating!”

Arran barely released her when Eilidh jumped on him too. He fell to the ground, laughing as Eilidh climbed all over him, tickling him in punishment.

I dragged my attention from the scene to smile at Regan. “I think, despite my earlier worry, he’s been good for Ery.”

Regan nodded, but with raised brows. “I wonder how Brodan will feel about their friendship when he gets back.”

“Brodan doesn’t get a say,” I said a little too sharply.

Regan made a face. “Okay, Mom.”

“Sorry. It’s just … Have you noticed how every time he’s home, he watches her and flirts with her, but then he buggers off again, forgetting she even exists? I’m sorry, but Eredine deserves better. I don’t care if he is my brother.”

“And considering Mac kind of played you that way for a while, I can see how you’d feel sympathetic toward Eredine.”

I gaped at her for the second time. “How do you know about Mac?”

She grimaced. “Was I not supposed to say anything? I thought because he talked with the guys, it was all out in the open now.”

“I knew he spoke to Lachlan, but I didn’t know he’d spoken to Thane and Arran. Why haven’t they mentioned it to me?”