Page 26 of Highlands Homecoming

Wait. He’d just quit his job.

He had to move to another country where a woman who he hadn’t known for long had settled.Would she even want him there? Of course she would. She would, wouldn’t she?

What would he do for work?

His dad certainly needed help on the croft, with the sheep and the dogs he trained, but that wasn’t going to pay the bills. He wasn’t licensed to practice law in Scotland anymore.Gah. What had he been thinking? This wasn’t like him at all. He wasn’t impulsive. He was reliable, steadfast … Oh hell.He was gonna get on a plane and go to Scotland and start his new life.

Chapter11

Stepping outside the Inverness airport, Colin felt the crisp Highland breeze greet him like an old friend. Quickly catching a taxi, Colin watched the rolling hills and heather-clad moors pass by, each bend in the road stirring memories of his childhood.

And as the MacGregor croft appeared, Colin felt a lump in his throat; he was finally back where he belonged.

Colin paid the driver and rolled his luggage up to the front door. He thought about knocking, but it was really his home as much as his father’s. And he knew with his father’s arthritis, it would be easier if he didn’t have to get up out of his chair. Colin opened the door and was about to shouthellowhen he saw two people entwined on the couch. The woman quickly shifted away from his father, who straightened his shirt and looked in shocked surprise at his son standing in the doorway.

“Colin!”

“Uh, surprise?” said Colin. He wasn’t sure what else to say. He sat down his bags tentatively.

“Margaret, I’d like you to meet my son, Colin. He lives in the States,” Sandy said pointedly. Colin looked down at his shoes. “Colin, meet Margaret Douglas. She and I …”

“He’s training my dog,” Margaret said quietly, with a sparkle in her eyes.

Colin looked down at the golden retriever sitting on the floor by the fire. “What a good dog,” he said. He slipped off his gloves to pet the dog.

“Wait! Don’t!” yelled Margaret. But it was too late. The dog took Colin’s glove in his mouth and wasn’t going to let go.

Sandy winked at Colin, who was completely perplexed.

“The dog likes gloves,” explained Sandy, amused.

“You haven’t progressed very far in your training, I see,” said Colin. Normally, banter like this with his father was fair game, but with this woman there, he wasn’t sure.

“Yes, well, we’re just getting started. Preliminary …” mumbled Sandy awkwardly as Margaret picked up her purse.

“That’s me off,” said Margaret. “I’ll get the messages and stop back for Bella … in an hour?”

“Sounds good,” said Sandy automatically.

Margaret and Sandy both studied Colin. He had two large bags and had arrived unannounced. “Maybe two hours?” asked Margaret.

“Perfect,” said Sandy, and Margaret was out the door.

Sandy looked at his son.

“So,” he said. “We’ve both had some changes in our lives.”

“Aye,” said Colin.

“Margaret just made tea. The kettle’s still hot,” said Sandy.

“Thanks,” replied Colin as he went into the kitchen and poured himself some Earl Gray.

He returned, sipping the tea as he walked, and his father chuckled. “Walking with your tea. You’ve really become an American.”

“Yeah, well, I think that chapter is closing,” said Colin.

“Oh?”