The Accidental Scot by Patience Griffin Page B

therapist.”
    She was right. He didn’t know her, but for some reason he wanted to. He wouldn’t admit he’d spent a major portion of the day thinking about her.
Things that didn’t have to do with engineering either.
He wanted to peel back her armor and see what lay beneath. Find just the right spot to touch her and drive her crazy. To have those long legs of hers wrapped around him . . .
    He ran a hand through his hair and forgave himself for objectifying this intelligent woman. He was only male, after all, but not caveman enough to act on his basic urges. He was here to negotiate MTech’s deal. Not to get her into bed. Or even offer comfort, for that matter. She had a whole town to do that for her. Max had been stupid. “You’re right. Sorry. I don’t know you.”
    She seemed satisfied, and then glanced at the house they just passed.
    He stopped. “Is that where Bethia lives?”
    â€œAye,” she replied.
    â€œIt’s getting late. Go ahead and get the tea now.”
    â€œFine.” At the rate that she took off up Bethia’s walk, he wondered if she might be embarrassed to be seen with him.
    After a few moments of knocking, the old woman came to the door. She leaned out and peered at him andthen went back to talking to Pippa. A few minutes later, Pippa rejoined him on the sidewalk with a small bag in hand.
    â€œAll right then.” Max wheeled around in the opposite direction, toward her house with the red roof and the green door.
    Pippa grabbed his arm. “What are you doing? That’s not the way to the pub.”
    â€œI know.”
    She bristled. “You’re a regular cowboy, aren’t you? I don’t need an escort to make it home. A woman has a weak moment about her da and you think—”
    â€œStop right there. There’s no way in the world that anyone could accuse you of being weak. I want to walk you home, is all.” It would make him feel better to know she made it home safe and sound. But he didn’t dare voice that out loud.
    As she marched ahead of him, she muttered to herself above the crash of the waves and whistle of the wind. “Been handling Gandiegow in the dark my whole life. Even as a wee lass.” Her brogue seemed thicker when she was angry.
    Max caught up with her and they plodded along in silence. At her door, as he opened his mouth to tell her good night, he sneezed.
    â€œBless you,” she grumbled.
    He coughed, not able to stifle it.
    â€œAre you okay?” She wore a troubled frown.
    â€œI’m fine.” But he sneezed again.
    Her expression deepened into concern, looking much like she had over her dad earlier.
    Max reached around and opened the door for her. “Stop worrying. I’ll see you in the morning.”
    â€œI’m not worried,” she snapped. “It’s just we have a lot of ground to cover tomorrow.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œI’ll come by and get you at the pub,” she reminded him. “You might as well ride with me to the factory. Save petrol. Save the planet, and all.”
    He sneezed again. “Sounds good.”
    â€œAre you sure you aren’t getting sick?”
    â€œI’m great.” He stepped off the porch. “See you in the morning.”
    But, he suddenly realized, he didn’t feel great. Burning the candle at both ends this past week, plus jet lag, plus cold wet feet this morning and his breezy kilt, had finally caught up with him. He felt achy. He dragged himself back to the pub and fell into bed. But his sleep was fitful. He just couldn’t stop shivering.
    *   *   *
    The next morning, with extra coffee in hand, Pippa stomped her way up the pub stairs, grumbling. “I can’t believe I have to go looking for him. He should be waiting at the front door for me.”
    Granted, they hadn’t agreed to meet on the main level, but she’d assumed she wouldn’t have