softened and she patted his arm again. “We all want ye tae succeed, Dylan. We know how hard all four of ye work, maintaining Glenshire and all that the Chisholms have worked so hard for. Glenbuie prospers because of your efforts. And it’s with that in mind that I want you to listen to what I have to say about this offer ye’ve so hastily turned down.”
Just when he’d thought this particular skirmish was over. He reined in his impatience, and forced a smile onto his face. “Have yer say then.”
“Only that we’d all benefit from your agreeing to it. In fact, I’ve never seen the town quite so excited about any prospect. It was rather unifying.”
When hadn’t the villagers been a unified lot, Dylan wanted to know, but wisely didn’t give voice to the question. Letty was on a roll now, and obviously on a mission as well. Best to let her say her piece, if he had any hope of getting more work done this day.
“Letting Miss Erin move her television show into Glenshire would be a great boon to us all. Think of the economic boost we’d all receive from such publicity.”
Apparently the villagers were no more immune to the Yank’s charm than he’d been. Fortunately he was the one making the decision here. “Ye canno’ honestly wish to have them descend upon us like a pack of jackals, turning our lives inside out, and all to broadcast us on some crass American—”
“Och, now ye sound like the city snob we all feared ye’d become from too many years spent falutin’ about with all your posh friends. I know better, Dylan. You just want to hide out here and lick yer wounds.” She lifted a hand. “I’m no’ meaning any insensitivity, I’ve only your well-being in mind when I say this, but perhaps it’s time to think on a grander scale, and put the needs of the town, your villagers, your clansmen, before your own.” She squeezed his arm. “More important, though, I think throwing your doors open to Erin’s crew might do you a world of good, yourself.” She finally released him and stepped through the front door he was presently holding open for her. Just outside, she paused and looked back, a soft smile on her face, and a steely glint in her eyes. “She’ll be in town until morning. Do the right thing. For us. And for yourself.”
Chapter 3
“N o, I haven’t given up, Tommy. Yes, I know minutes are money. Yes, this place is worth the extra twelve hours, I promise. I’ll have it sewn up by tomorrow.” Please don’t make a liar out of me, Dylan Chisholm .
Erin disconnected the call with her boss and tossed her phone on the bed, then went to stand in front of the window of her hotel room. From the top floor, she had a lovely view across the village square. The sun had finally set an hour ago but between calls to her assistant and the one from her boss, Erin had missed it. She raked her fingers through her hair and massaged her temples as she watched the people below. So many of them, out enjoying the early summer evening as the moon climbed higher in the starry night sky, strolling hand in hand, pausing now and again to chat with others out enjoying the evening as well. She wondered what it would be like, living in such a place. No pressure, no traffic, no harried phone calls and pre-production lists of demands. It was a Tuesday night and no one appeared to have anything better to do than amble about and make small talk.
“Must be nice,” she muttered, then turned away and dug a fresh shirt out of her luggage. She unrolled it, shook it out, debated on the relative merits of tracking down an iron, but that would mean actually using one, so she tugged it on as is, smoothed it as best as she could, then grabbed her satchel and headed for the door. Her plan for the evening was to head over to Hagg’s, but it wasn’t a social call. She was on a mission to chat up the locals some more. The pub seemed to be the social center of the small village and given how open and encouraging everyone had been earlier today in the lunch crowd, her hope was they’d be even more amenable this evening, their work day over.
Of course, there was the little matter of Brodie and his failure to call his brother about her business proposition. She didn’t think he’d just been humoring her, nor did she think that of the locals, either. He’d probably just gotten busy and hadn’t gotten to it before she’d arrived. She’d stopped by the local sandwich shop to grab a bite on her way back into town and the few people she’d come across had all asked her how her meeting with Dylan had gone. And here she thought L.A. had a good gossip loop. They’d each seemed sincerely disappointed when she couldn’t report that an agreement had been reached.
She hoped that buzz had spread. Maybe if she was really lucky, by the time she reached Hagg’s, they’d have already formed some kind of plan, or committee or something. She took the elevator down and found herself slowing down her usual pace a little, sauntering a bit as she crossed the square to the pub. She took a few precious seconds to enjoy the warm breeze and the relaxed vibe of the town. If she ever took a vacation, this place would be perfect, she found herself thinking, then smiled at the thought. She loved her job. It took her all over the world. She didn’t need a vacation.
She reached Hagg’s and pushed open the heavy oak door to the pub and quickly apologized when the door bumped into someone on the other side. The older gentleman shifted quickly out of the way and sketched a light bow as he held the door open for her. “Come on in.”
“Wow,” she said, squeezing herself into the place. It was jam packed. On a Tuesday. “Busy place.”
“We’ve a bit of entertainment tonight.”
“Ah.” She realized everyone was facing the rear of the bar, so she raised up on her tiptoes trying to see over their heads. “Music?” she asked, thinking it would be nice to see one of the local ceilidhs she’d heard about. Once she landed Glenshire, she’d have to scout additional locations for Greg’s dates. On her list was possibly incorporating the traditional Scottish folk music and dance into one of those dates.
“Not tonight,” the older man said. “Not yet anyway.” He faced her and stuck out his hand. “I’m Alastair, by the way,” he said. “I run the repair shop across the way with my daughter. Brodie, here, is my son-in-law.”
There was no mistaking the pride in his lovely blue eyes and Erin found herself smiling and shaking his hand with sincere pleasure. “I’ve heard nice things about them both, all well deserved, I’m sure. I’m Erin—”
“MacGregor, aye,” he finished for her.
Erin lifted a brow, but his smile only brightened.
“Small villages have big ears. The whole place is buzzing with news of your visit to Hagg’s and Glenshire.”
Erin smiled. She couldn’t have hoped for better. And it looked like she might have Alastair on her side. Someone with an actual direct tie to the family, who was also a business owner, and didn’t appear at all put out by her presence in town. If anyone could get to Dylan, make him understand what a great opportunity he was passing up, it was quite possibly this man. She cranked up her smile, and hopefully her charm, and said, “Is it good buzz, or bad buzz?”
“Quite good.” His eyes twinkled. “But then, it’s no’ often we get a fetching lass from across the pond visiting our modest little village.”
So, she thought, he was seduced by the whole Hollywood thing, too. Because fetching she was not. Whatever worked. “So you know why I’m here, then. Could I buy you an ale, perhaps? Bend your ear? I have some questions I was hoping to get answered and I think you’re just the man to help me.”
Alastair’s laugh was rich and infectious. “The man with the answers? I dinnae know so much as all that, but I’ll never turn down an offer of an ale.”
