The Highlander's Hope - A Contemporary Highland Romance by Cali MacKay Page B

looked at Iain in question, wondering if he’d manage to lie successfully.  If it were her, she knew she’d have a hard time convincing anyone who truly knew her.  A good thing James had never bothered to pay attention to anyone but himself.
    Iain shrugged.  “Cat has an ex that followed her up from Cambridge.  I just didn’t like the look of him is all.  Thought I’d scare him off.  The gun wasn’t even loaded.” 
    Angus looked to Cat.  “Is that true?”
    “That I have a jerk of an ex, and he showed up in town?  Unfortunately, though he’s not dangerous.  The gun was a bit of overkill.”  Cat tossed Iain a scolding glance, playing things up for Angus. 
    Though the gun was over the top, the stakes were high and there was a lot to be lost.  She hated to admit it for even a second, but people had killed for less—and this was the Highlander’s Hope.  She could see why Iain was being overly cautious, even if she still thought they were safe since no one really knew what they were after.
    Angus looked at the two of them, and shook his head.  “Al l right.  I’ll let it go for now.”
    “Will ye stay for a bit of dinner?”  Iain sat forward.
    Angus stood, finished his drink, and set the glass aside.  “No.  I should go.  But if ye need anything, call me.  Promise.”   His gaze was direct, locked on Iain’s, his tone serious. 
    “Aye, I promise.”

 
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
    “I found it.”  Iain wandered down the hall and grabbed the painting from where he stashed it when he’d heard the pounding at the front door.
    Taking it back to the library, he uncovered it.  It was like he remembered—the beautiful woman gazing mournfully out the window of the sitting room, the hills stretching out just beyond.  She was stunning, her porcelain skin glowing with a blush across high cheekbones, her blue eyes contrasting with her deep brown hair. 
    Cat leaned in close to take a look, so he shifted a bit to make room her, all too aware of her body brushing against his.   “There doesn’t seem to be anything obvious, though I wouldn’t really expect there to be.  They wouldn’t want to call attention to anything too obvious.”
    “The room she’s in… it’s our sitting room.  I recognize the landscape shown in the window, and the detail of the wood paneling is the same.”  He looked again, taking in the details. 
    Her dress was modest, though the details of the gown and the rich burgundy brocade spoke of a certain status.  A sheer lace covered her from neck to chest, though there were no other adornments.  No necklace flashing like a beacon.
    “That painting there.”  Cat pointed to it in the portrait, where it hung on the wall behind the woman.  “I’ve seen it.”
    She moved to where they’d propped the other pieces of art, and started looking through them.  “Right here.”
    She brought it over and propped it next to the portrait.
    “Aye.  So?”
    “I don’t know, now do I?”   She glared at him before turning her attention back to the matter at hand.  “The clue could be anything—a single brushstroke, a spark of light, a misplaced vase.”
    “Or nothing at all.  We could be trying to find something where nothing exists.”  He hated to be the realist, but it seemed she was always far too hopeful where the jewels were concerned.  Maybe it was the romantic in her.  She just couldn’t give up on the lovers, as if finding the Hope would somehow bring their love full circle.
    “That’s true.  There could be nothing at all, or it could be right in front of us.” 
    He stood up and stretched.  “I’m starving, and if I don’t eat something soon, I’m going to get grumpy.”
    “ Please, then, don’t let me stop you.  ‘Cause you know you’ve been an absolute joy up until now, and I’d hate to be the reason for your souring mood.”   
    The smile that tugged at her lips and the humor that danced in those green eyes sparked something primal