A Highland Heist A Contemporary Highland Romance Book Three (3 page)

Iain walked over and saved her from having to come up with another excuse. “I’m glad I caught ye before ye’d left for the day. If ye have no plans for the evening, Cat would love to have everyone over for dinner-wants to thank ye all for the hard work ye’ve been putting in. Not to mention, she’s been experimenting with some new recipe and is desperate for mouths to feed.”

Not exactly what Maggie had planned for the evening, but she knew better than to turn down invitations from her clients, especially when they were wealthy and well-connected. She glanced at Andrew, wondering if she’d be stuck turning down his advances the rest of the night. Probably no way to avoid it.

She managed a smile for Iain and hefted her bag onto her shoulder. “Sure. Thanks for the invite.”

Andrew smiled in her direction before looking back to Iain. “Sounds perfect to me.”

Iain clapped his hands together. “Excellent. If seven works for ye, that would be grand.”

Maggie hefted her tool bag onto her shoulder and followed him towards the door, hoping to leave Andrew behind. Luckily, it worked. “I’ll see you then.”

With her tools locked up on the bus and everything secured for the night, she grabbed her helmet and hopped on her motorbike, a gorgeous Triumph Speedmaster. Black, moody, and mean, she loved her bike. Loved the feel of its rumble and speed.

“Ye heading home?” It was a Scottish lilt rather than Andrew’s English.

Relieved, she turned to find Conall walking towards her, his car parked next to her bike in the makeshift parking lot. It was currently no more than grass, dirt, and puddles of mud, but it’d all get paved over once the construction wrapped up. “Yeah. I’m desperate to get home and wash the day’s dirt and grime off me. The beginning of a job is always the dirtiest.”

The old church had most of its walls standing before the renovation started, but the roof had been mostly caved in. Cat and Iain had spared little expense adding on to it and bringing the original part of the building back to life. It’d be gorgeous once it was completed, a perfect home for the Hope.

“I wanted to thank ye for taking Piper on that run. She was knackered afterwards. Never seen her so quiet in all my life.” He shifted his weight, repositioning the strap of his laptop bag.

If Maggie had to guess, this was probably the longest conversation the man had all month outside of work. “Like I said, I’m happy to take her with me in the mornings. She’s good company.”

He barked out a laugh. “Is she now?”

Maggie shrugged, a smile tugging at her lips. “Well, a running partner who actually speaks would also be nice. But since I know I’ve got a better chance of getting hell to freeze over than to get ye out for a run with me, Piper will have to do.”

“I run. On occasion.” His eyes narrowed in annoyance as the wind caught his hair, blowing it across his face.

“Do ye now? Well then, I might just have to drag ye with me.” She could have laughed at the expression on his face. “Or not. I’m happy to change up my exercise routine if there’s something else ye’d rather do.”

She could think of
so
many different ways to get a workout with him. She just couldn’t help herself. A woman would have to be blind to miss that the man was damn good looking with his strong jaw covered in stubble not quite long enough to be a beard, thick longish hair, and those gold eyes, so incredibly cat-like. Damn. He made her want to be so very bad-not at all professional of her, even if she didn’t mind crossing that line once she’d clocked off for the day.

“Did Iain invite ye to dinner?” He shifted his weight again, as if growing impatient.

“He did-and Andrew too. I take it yer going?” It’d be nice to have someone other than Andrew and her employers there.

Not that she didn’t like Cat and Iain. They were great-but they were still her clients. And the last thing she wanted or needed was to be encouraging Andrew by hanging around with him. She liked him enough and on paper he looked great, but that spark between them was missing, and there was nothing you could really do about that sort of thing.

A hint of a smile tugged at his lips, transforming his face and lighting his eyes with a fire she hadn’t expected. “A bit hard to say no, isn’t it? Don’t get me wrong-they’re great. But it’s not really my thing.”

She met his smile with a wider one of her own. “I had the same exact thought. Guess I’ll see ye later then?”

“Aye. I suppose so.”

She kicked her bike to life, the roar of it breaking the silence of the glen. With a grin at Conall and a teasing flick of her eyebrows, she put on her helmet and took off, knowing he was still watching her-and no doubt thinking she was going too fast. She had to laugh. Fast indeed. The bike hugged the curves of the winding roads, as the engine thrummed underneath her, her ride home already over just as she was starting to really enjoy herself.

With more than two hours to get ready for dinner, Maggie opted for a nice long soak in the tub, her mind wandering to the things she’d need to accomplish in the next few days. Once she started a project, she always liked to rethink things. It was one thing to design a system based on the diagrams you’d been given, and another to actually see the space you’d be working with-especially once you had the chance to work the area and become familiar with the space and its quirks. And old places had quirks aplenty.

The changes Conall wanted to make were good ones, and she found that she didn’t mind working with him. They seemed to respect each other’s work territory, and that wasn’t something she always got on a job site.

It left her wondering what Conall would be like tonight. Would he remain serious and tight-lipped? Or would he relax a bit once he wasn’t working? She’d caught glimpses of what he might be like if he’d just loosen up-and she’d be happy to help him get there, even if she had to drag him, kicking and screaming. He was a challenge, and one she’d be happy to tackle.

Knowing she’d have to ride her bike to Iain’s, she picked out a pair of dark skinny jeans and a pretty bohemian top, and then paired it with her leather jacket and calf-hugging chocolate suede boots as she headed out the door, a bottle of wine in hand. Again, the ride to Cat and Iain’s was a short one, and she swore she’d take the weekend to go for a nice long ride along the coast.

Cat answered the door and invited her in, taking her jacket and the bottle of wine with a thank-you. “I’m so glad you could make it. Everyone’s hanging around by the fire, and be sure to get Angus to pour you a drink. I just have a few last-minute things to take care of, but I hope you’ll make yourself at home.”

Maggie let Cat get back to her cooking as she looked around the place on her way to the sitting room. She remembered the small castle from her first visit to meet with Cat and Iain, and found that she was still as captivated by the place as she was the first time around. The tall ceilings, the aged dark wood paneling, the ancient tapestries, the period paintings-and a far too inadequate security system. She’d have to mention it to them in the near future.

She quickly scanned the room of people, realizing she knew almost everyone there. Angus and Rowan, whom she’d met when she rented the cottage from them, and there was Andrew and his boss, Phillip, along with a few more of their employees, Johnny and Clyde. There was an older gentleman, whom she believed to be Iain’s father, and Cat’s assistant, Tansy. Conall had yet to show up or was wandering about elsewhere in the home. Not that Maggie was disappointed-not yet, at least.

Andrew spotted her, but she avoided his gaze and wandered towards the bar, happy to make small talk with her landlords. In response to Angus’s question, she said, “A glass of red would be lovely. Thanks.”

“How’s the cottage working out?” Rowan cringed with a smile. “I know it’s pretty basic-and it can get damn cold and drafty.”

“Actually, it’s perfect. It’s big enough, everything works, and the views are just gorgeous. The area’s perfect for a morning run.” Though she might sleep in tomorrow morning.

Angus’s brow furrowed. “I hope ye’ll be careful, lass. It gets foggy in the morning and ye don’t want to stumble off the cliff.”

She gave him a smile. “That’s what Conall said-though with fewer words.”

Rowan laughed. “Sounds about right. Isn’t he also working on the museum?”

“He is. In fact, we’ll be working together so my systems work seamlessly with his. I’m surprised he’s not here already.” She glanced over her shoulder, but he still wasn’t around-and she’d now inadvertently caught Andrew’s attention. Turning back to her discussion, she hoped she could avoid him just a little longer.

Angus scoffed. “I’m not in the least bit surprised. Probably waiting until the last moment to show. Hell, I’m shocked he even agreed to come. He’s yer neighbor, ye know.”

Humor sparked in Angus’s eyes, making Maggie think he was far too mischievous a man. He threw Rowan a glance that spoke volumes-one of those looks between lovers when they need no words. She missed that silent communication. The way you could have an entire conversation with a simple look. And Angus was clearly head over heels in love with the beautiful redhead.

It made her think of her own love life-or lack thereof. It was hard when she was constantly on the road. Eventually she’d like to give a serious relationship another try, though she’d learned from her past mistakes. It was one thing to have a bit of casual fun, but if she were going to fall in love and give her heart to another, she could only do that utterly and completely-and they better be willing to do the same. She refused to settle for someone who couldn’t reciprocate at the same level.

Thinking of Angus’s words and her morning run, she had to smile. “I actually paid him a visit this morning to drop off some plans and see if he wanted to go for a run, but I’m afraid I probably woke him up. He’s got a great dog, though. Ended up taking her with me.”

A smile danced on Rowan’s lips, her eyes sparkling. “Be forewarned-Piper’s a bit of an escape artist. Although she’s gotten into the habit of beelining it to the cottage when she does get loose.”

Angus shook his head, his lips pursed, though there was still humor in his eyes. “That’s because ye’d give her treats when she showed up at yer door. It’s no wonder she tries to escape every chance she gets. Rewarding bad behavior is a very bad habit, love.”

Rowan laughed. “Don’t go blaming me. I’m not the one letting her escape. And at least this way, Conall knows where to find her.”

Angus tilted his head. “Speak of the devil.”

Conall approached while scanning the room, his brow furrowed. Maggie had to wonder if it was permanent, though there was no doubt having to come to dinner with a large crowd wasn’t helping his mood. He looked like the type to avoid socializing at all cost. “Hey.”

“A man of many words.” Rowan teased Conall with a smile jumping to her lips as he glared at her.

“No point in yammering.” He flicked a glance in Maggie’s direction as if accusing her of just that.

Maggie barked out a laugh. “That would be me then, aye? Yeah, I know I seldom shut me gob, but that’s because I like ye. If I ever stop talking, that’s when ye know you’re in trouble and need to worry. Won’t say I don’t have a wee bit of a temper, but at least I’ll warn ye.”

It was almost as if he were fighting to hold back the hint of a smile that seemed to tug at his lips. “Lucky me.”

“Damn right-and don’t ye be forgetting it either.” Her eyes narrowed to a stare, though she hoped he saw the humor there.

Rowan’s smile widened as she gave Conall a look, while linking her arm with Angus’s. “We should go check in on Cat and Iain. If you’ll excuse us.”

“I like them-they’re good together.” Maggie watched them go; though having played match-maker herself on more than one occasion, she suspected their departure was a ploy to leave her and Conall alone together. Not that it was going to happen. Andrew approached, and there was no way to escape without being rude.

“You look lovely tonight, Maggie.” Andrew all but ignored Conall, his gaze focused on her.

“Thanks. Have ye met?” She linked a hand around Conall’s arm, flicking him a silent plea with her eyes. Maybe Andrew would let up if he thought she was dating someone. “Conall, this is Andrew. Andrew, Conall.”

“The computer guy, right?” Andrew looked from her to Conall, and then, as if dismissing Conall as not being a worthy rival, refocused his attention back on Maggie-not that Conall was one to be easily dismissed.

“Aye, the computer guy. And…I’m sorry, I’m not familiar with what it is ye do.” Conall covered her hand with his, his gaze landing casually on Andrew, as if he were of no real consequence-and certainly no threat.

He pinned Conall with a look of annoyance. “I’m the foreman. I’m running the project.”

“The construction end, aye? Wouldn’t know much about that part of the project, I’m afraid. Security is my specialty-just like Maggie here. Speaking of which…” He gave her a rare smile. “I’d like to discuss those plans if ye have a moment.”

“That would be perfect-I’ve been meaning to speak to ye about that.” She turned back to Andrew. “If ye’ll excuse us.”

Conall escorted her away from Andrew and to a more private part of the room, not far from the fireplace. Once they were alone, he let her arm slip free and turned to face her, his voice kept low. “Do ye want to tell me what the hell that was about?”