“Oh my God,” Bonnie laughs at my side. “That’s amazing.”
“It was. Maw came home to a peeved husband, a son who couldn’t stop laughing, and another son with a black eye. That was the end of the scaring, at least for a few weeks, until Callum thought popping a balloon near Da’s ear was the next-greatest idea.”
“Was it?”
I shake my head. “It wasn’t. Callum found out quickly that Da’s reflexes were even sharper in such close proximity.”
“Another black eye?”
“Aye.” I chuckle, reveling in the realization that I can talk about my brother with Bonnie and not feel pain—just happiness. “From then on out, it was always distance scares.”
“Smart boys.” She sighs. “I’m an only child. Dakota is too, and I think it’s why we’re so close—we truly only had each other growing up. She has always been my person, through thick and thin.”
“I can see that. You two have a wonderful relationship.”
“We do.” I kiss the top of her head, and quietly she says, “Rowan?”
“Hmm?”
“You make me happy.”
I sigh. “You make me happy too, lass.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
BONNIE
Perfect date I’ll never forget: One.
How many times I felt cherished last night: Too many to count.
Male-induced orgasms: Five.
Hot Scot who’s making me fall for him: One.
Rowan was insatiable. He wanted me, every chance he got. And frankly, I think I wanted him more. Also, listening to him come is really freaking hot. There’s a slight accent in his come noise: it’s sex gold.
“What do you think? Should I hang this one here?”
Dakota glances up from her computer. “It looks too big for the space.”
“Yeah, maybe.”
I glance down at all the black-and-white photos I had printed and framed of the local hairy coos. Thursday, Rowan and I went for a walk on the Hairy Coo Footpath and took a bunch of pictures of the long-haired cows. Lots of close-ups showing off their adorable snouts and soulful eyes. Dakota then edited and cropped them and sent them to a guy in Kyle who prints and frames pieces for their gallery. Rowan was supposed to go with me to pick them up, but Shona was having a plumbing issue at the Mill Market. I insisted I would be fine driving on my own.
I was . . . okay.
I hated every second of it, but at least I got the pictures, and they are so freaking good.
“Okay, what about this?” Dakota asks me now, turning her computer in my direction.
The logo.
And God, it’s adorable. Dead center is an outlined picture of a hairy coo, all shaggy hair and curving horns, and around it in a circle is the name of the coffee house—the Hairy Coo Coffee Company.
“Dakota, this is . . . amazing.” I squat down lower to get a better look. “This would be perfect on mugs and shirts. Oh my God, my nipples just got hard because I’m so excited.”
“You really like it?”
“I love it.”
“Think Finella and Stuart will?”
“Will they what?” Rowan asks, stepping into the shop, arms full of groceries. I haven’t seen him since this morning. It was a few hours ago, and yet it feels like days. When we make eye contact, he winks, and I nearly fling my body at him and maul his face.
“Will they like the logo?” Dakota says, completely oblivious to my urges.
Rowan sets the groceries down on the counter and walks over to the new tables we bought—which look positively amazing in the space, by the way—and bends down to take a good look. A small smile starts to form on his lips, and when he stands up, he possessively presses his hand to the nape of my neck. “They’re going to absolutely love it.”
“You’re not just saying that?” Dakota asks, eyes glinting with excitement.
“I don’t bullshit. I always mean what I say.”
“That’s true,” I add. “It’s perfect, Dakota.”
“Thank you. Okay, I’m going to send the file to the guy over in Inverness and then grab the signage with the espresso machine.” She stands. “I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.”
“Wait, what?” I ask, confused.
“Isla and I are staying in Inverness. The printer needs time for the menus and the sign. We decided to stay the night and sightsee a bit.”
“Oh.” I swallow down a pang of disappointment. “You’re going sightseeing—that should be fun.”