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Fiona catches up to me from behind. "You're coming to dinner at my house tonight, Thane. Dinnae argue. Domhnall will be sorely disappointed if you refuse our offer."
"You said 'my house' instead of 'our house.' That sounds like poor Domhnall has no say in the matter."
"Of course he does, you cheeky sod." She pokes me in the ribs. "You are coming to our house. If you try to wriggle out of it, Domhnall will steal Callum's Harley and hunt you down."
"Your cousin Callum is a bampot, and Domhnall is not terrifying to me. You'll need to come up with a better inducement."
Fiona grips my arm, and I let her pull me to a halt. "Please, Thane, come to dinner at our house. You spend too much time alone."
She might have a point. But I won't tell her so.
Instead, I sigh as if I'm only agreeing because she pestered me. "What time should I be there?"
"You can come home with me."
"No. I will drive myself there. What time, Fiona?"
The lass shakes her head. "I'm always amazed by how politely obstinate you can be. Ye never snarl or gripe."
"Fiona, when---"
"Right now."
It's my turn to shake my head. "No, Fiona. I need to check on the hothouse before I leave. I will meet you at your home in thirty minutes."
The lass clearly wants to argue with me, but she knows full well that when I set my mind to something, I do not give up. So, Fiona trots out of the building. I emerge a moment later, just in time to see Domhnall's car pulling out of the car park. I think I see a third figure in the vehicle, but I don't get a good enough look to know for sure.
After checking the hothouse, and finding all the plants doing well, I climb into my car and drive to Domhnall and Fiona's home in Loch Fairbairn. When I knock on the door, Domhnall swings it open.
"Thane, feasgar math," he says in his usual gruff tone. "Fiona and I have arranged a surprise for you."
Bod an Donais. That's the last thing I need tonight. "Good evening to you too, Domhnall."
He steps aside to let me enter the house. "The surprise is waiting in the dining room." He shuts the door and shouts over his shoulder, "Fiona! Our second victim is here."
Aye, "victim" is the word every dinner guest wants to hear when they enter a mate's home. But with the MacTaggarts, it's par for the course.
I let Domhnall lead me into the dining room, where he takes a seat at the head of the table with Fiona at his right. And on his left...
Mhac na galla. They've roped Rebecca into this nonsense.
Her eyes widen as she furtively glances at Fiona, who simply smiles with too much sweetness.
"Have a seat," Domhnall tells me. "Right beside Rebecca. We've been having a fine chat while we waited for you to arrive."
Outwardly, I appear calm and unaffected. I know this because I've cultivated that attitude for the better part of my adult life. On the inside, however, I'm plotting ways to get my revenge on the meddling couple who lured me here on false pretenses.
Chapter Twelve
Rebecca
Fiona orchestrated this blind date, and while Domhnall seems to be on board with her plan, I get the feeling he's only humoring his wife. Fiona is a wonderful woman---great at her job, friendly to everyone, willing to take risks. I'm the beneficiary of her risk-taking. She gave me a job when no one else would and gave me free rein to do that job in whatever way I see fit. But I don't appreciate being tricked into a blind date.
Thane seems calm and unperturbed as usual.
Is that an act? I know he hides an explosive amount of passion underneath his placid exterior. I'm itching to know more about him, but not in front of Domhnall and Fiona.
Fiona aims a sharp look at Thane. "Well, go on. Say hello to Rebecca. You're being very rude, and it's not like you at all."
