Lorie Langdon - Doon

“What are you doing?”

She flashed me an expression of impatience. “Setting the clocks ahead, silly.”

“Why?” I had to hear this.

“So we won’t be late for anything. You know how I hate being late.”

I loved my friend but sometimes her logic confounded even me. “You could just try getting ready earlier.”

Cutting me off with a shake of her head, she set the clock down. “Doesn’t work.”

“And this does?”

“Absolutely. One tiny adjustment and voilà ”—she rolled her hands with a flourish—“more time.”

I knew her ambition stemmed toward Broadway and not quantum physics; but there were so many things wrong with that statement, I couldn’t help but respond. “Uh, you know time’s not really adjustable, right?”

“Sure it is,” she replied as she scooped up an armload of socks and dumped them into my middle drawer with my shirts and sweaters. “Haven’t you ever heard of leap year?”

I shook my head with a laugh, chalking it up to Kenna’s special brand of logic. After removing the rest of my books, I zipped my suitcase and then shoved it under the bed, nearly hitting my head on the four-poster frame as a knock sounded on the bedroom door. I peeked over the edge of the mattress as the door swung open.

“Hi there!” A girl with blonde, curly hair and a huge smile walked into the bedroom. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. My mum sent me over to welcome you to the cottage, since we’re of an age .” Her lilting brogue and open expression caused me to like her instantly as she extended her hand to Kenna. “I’m the caretaker’s daughter, Allyson Dell. Ally for short. You must be Gracie’s niece.”

“Hi. Call me Kenna.” The girl shook hands with my BFF, and I noted the sun reflecting off the silver and rhinestone piercings in her nose, upper lip, and left eyebrow. The sparkling jewels coordinated with her outfit, making her look less Goth and more chic. “And this is Veronica Welling.”

Ally turned her vivid green-eyed gaze on me and I waved from the other side of the bed. “Nice to meet you, Veronica. Would you girls be up for some local culture tomorrow night? I’d like to take you someplace special and buy you your first ale.”

“That sounds perfect.” Kenna clapped her hands together enthusiastically just as my cell vibrated from the nightstand.

Janet’s picture popped up on the screen. I didn’t want to answer—no sense ruining my first day in Scotland. But maybe she was worried and calling to make sure I arrived safely. Excusing myself, I snatched up the phone and walked over to the window.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Punkin, you aren’t going to believe what’s happened!” She was practically jumping through the phone with excitement.

No interest in how I’d survived my first flight ever —across an ocean, no less—or what my plans were in a foreign country. Typical Janet. “What’s that, Mom?”

“Bob asked me to marry him and I said yes!” All the blood drained from my head and I gripped the phone so hard I heard a cracking sound. “We’re getting married as soon as we can get the license, and then he’s takin’ me to the casino for a whole week! Can you believe it?”

“Uh … uh,” was the only response I could manage, since my vocal cords seemed to have dried up and turned to ash. No way would I live in the same house with my new step-daddy .

“Well, is that all you’re going to say?” A hard note crept into her voice.

I swallowed, stiffening my spine defensively. “Congratulations?” It was more of a question than a statement.

“Thanks, darlin’! When you get back all your stuff will be waitin’ for you in the shed. Bob’s boxing it up now, so he can use your room for an office.” Bob the redneck pervert was boxing up my stuff? Including my underwear? I clenched my teeth with a snap.

“Since you got the Purdue scholarship, darlin’, we figured you would want all your stuff boxed up anyway.”

It was only a partial scholarship and she knew I’d had to defer until I’d saved up enough money to cover the rest of the expenses. We’d agreed I’d live at home while I taught extra classes at the dance studio—a plan she’d conveniently forgotten in lieu of her own self-centered interests. “I gotta go, Mom. I’m losing the signal.”

“Okay, bye.” Click .

I stood absolutely still and stared out at the swaying trees, every muscle in my body tensed against the emotion ballooning in my chest. Was it possible that anyone on this earth would ever love me enough to care about what I wanted, instead of plowing ahead with their plans and leaving me behind to pick up the pieces?

“Vee, what is it?” Kenna asked.

I glanced over my shoulder, realizing that Ally was still in the room. She didn’t need to see how pathetic my life was—if she hadn’t figured it out already. Trying to sound nonchalant, I answered, “Mom’s getting married and it looks like I’m homeless.”

“Oh no! Not Bob the Slob?”

“Yeah—the one and only.” I glanced at Kenna only to see my own hurt and betrayal reflected in her face. I attempted a smile but failed miserably. “I’ll be all right, but I’m really tired. Think I’ll lie down for a bit.”

Allyson’s honey brows scrunched over her perfect nose as she clucked sympathetically from the doorway. “You poor thing. A good rest is exactly what you need. Tomorrow you’ll be right as rain. You’ll see.”

With a nod at Kenna, she added in a lower voice, “I’ll just show m’self out.”

We listened in silence as Ally’s retreating footsteps echoed down the stairs and out the front door. The cottage suddenly felt oppressive, tainted by Janet’s selfishness despite the ocean between us. Why had I thought coming to Scotland would change anything?

When Kenna finally spoke, her voice trembled. “Vee … you know you can always come to Chicago with me.”

I held up my hand to stop her words before we both ended up bawling like babies. “Can you give me a few minutes … please?”

“Sure thing, sweetie.”

Watching the sun’s retreat across the unfamiliar landscape, I waited until Kenna left before letting my head rest against the cool pane of the window.

I felt like a beach ball tossed around by the whims of everyone around me. Eric decided when our relationship was over, Mom packed up my crap as if it’d been my choice to move out, Dad left without asking if I would’ve rather gone with him, and although Kenna asked me to go to Chicago, that was her dream, not mine. I was sick to death of other people dictating my future.

When would it be time to find my destiny?

The sun had nearly set, and I squinted to discern the view against the fading light. Past a clump of overgrown trees, the sapphire river flowed through the lush, green valley and disappeared under a sliver of arching gray stone.

As I stared, the awareness of a presence in the room raised goose bumps on my arms. Icy cold shot down my spine, followed by a rush of hot blood to my face. Someone stood inches behind me. The boy who’d been haunting my every waking hour was with me—I could feel him.

A shadowy reflection materialized above mine in the window—dark, intense eyes, golden brows, and strong, full lips. Fighting the urge to turn around, I stood petrified—afraid he would actually be there, and terrified he would not.

“Verranica.”

My eyes widened in shock as the deep timbre of his voice flowed through me. His mouth hadn’t moved.

“Ye dinna need to be afraid of me.”

Afraid? I wasn’t sure what I felt, but I didn’t fear him. “Who are you?” The words escaped my lips in a strangled whisper.