“No wings. Just my boots and my ice ax.” And a big, heavy anchor holding her in place.
He put the bottle down. “You’d like to leave, wouldn’t you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I saw your expression when we talked about it the other day. And I’ve been watching you.”
She felt as if she’d been caught naked. “Are you some sort of stalker?”
“No.”
“Then you’re interested in human behavior.”
He smiled. “I’m interested in you, Posy McBride.” His confession made her heart beat faster.
Was he flirting? What did it say about her that she didn’t even know?
“I’m not that interesting.”
“I disagree. And I’m intrigued as to what makes a woman with your gifts stay in one place her whole life.”
“You make it sound as if I’ve never left the village. You should know I’ve often ventured beyond the Scottish border.” She fiddled with the bottle in her hand. “I’m happy.”
“But that doesn’t stop you wondering what it would be like to climb in other places. And live somewhere the local population doesn’t know everything about you.”
“They don’t know everything. That’s ridiculous.”
Geoff arrived at that moment and put plates of food in front of them. “I swapped your carrots for peas, Posy, because I know you hate carrots.”
Great!
“Thanks.” She waited for Geoff to walk away and shrugged. “So he knows I don’t like carrots. That doesn’t prove anything.”
Luke leaned across and stole one of her chips. “It’s not wrong to question the life you’re living, Posy. It’s understandable that someone like you would want to explore the world.”
“I don’t know why you’re eating my chips when you have a bowl of your own.” She picked up her fork but immediately put it down again. “It would devastate Mom if I left. And anyway, I’m going to take over the café one day.”
She owed Suzanne and Stewart everything.
They’d sacrificed their own plans for the future, their dreams, to take in three orphaned children.
Without them, what life would she have had? Not this one, that was for sure.
Luke tucked into his food. “Maybe you should talk to her about it.”
Mom, I’ve been thinking of leaving Glensay.
Mom, I’d like to spend some time climbing in North America.
Mom, I don’t want to take over the café.
“I don’t think so.”
She stared miserably at her plate, feeling trapped.
Luke reached across and closed his hand over hers. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m not used to talking about it, that’s all. By the way, the fact that you held my hand will be all around the village by morning.” But she left her hand in his. She wasn’t sure why, given that there would be a price to pay in terms of teasing, except that it felt right.