Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

“ Y ou said that the man had died?” Jack asked as he studied Beth, making her squirm slightly.

“Yes. He died of .”

“You mentioned a honeymoon? I take it your married. Wouldn’t your husband be looking for you?” Angus asked as he pushed off of the wall, seemingly a little too unhappy at the thought.

“Sorry to disappoint the grinch who steals Christmas, but I’m not married. The asshat started acting strange when he thought I would inherit the damn bar. Kept pushing for me to sell it and invest in the bullshit idea he had. Told him not only no but hell no. Someone had to keep paying the damn bills. I’m supposed to meet with some attorney in London on my way back to the US. He finally returned my calls while I was at Heathrow Airport. Apparently, he was Mac’s attorney for everything, he said he knew how to help me get in touch with his family so I can get everything to them and go from there.”

“Doesn’t explain why you’re here and still taking your honeymoon.” Jack pushed as he sat down on the couch near her.

“The day of our wedding. I went to go look for him to ask him a quick question before we started walking down the aisle. Caught him banging my now former employee against the dresser in his suite. They were laughing about how stupid I was to not have caught on to the fact that they were having an affair. He kept saying how much of a dead fuck I was and neglecting him because I was mourning the old man and trying to run the bar and that he couldn’t wait to take everything away from me. I left. Went back to my place, changed clothes, packed a bag and decided I’d still come out here. I needed to get away to clear my head. I guess I really am a dumbass like they thought.”

Jack looked over at Brodie for a couple of seconds before looking at Angus who just rolled his eyes and walked away. Yeah, looks like Angus wasn’t buying the tears.

“I’m sorry you’ve gone through a lot lately. The bed and breakfast closed down six months ago. The owner died of a heart attack and well, his daughter didn’t want to keep it. She had her own life in England.” Jack said softly, squatting down in front of the distraught woman.

“Well fuck! I guess I’ll just have to find a way back to Inverness and figure out what to do from there.” Beth sighed as she leaned back against the cushion of the couch and closed her eyes.

“No one is going anywhere for a couple of days. Sorry, Beth, but the weatherman was off about this storm. It’s still snowing, and the snow is higher than it was last night. It looks like it will be close to the end of the week before any of us can get anywhere. Welcome to the Highlands.” Brodie announced from the kitchen window with a cup of coffee in hand.

“Are you serious right now?” Beth asked as she jumped up and rushed to the large picture window in the living room, looking out.

“Aye. None of us expected this weather. We found out about it ourselves after we’d already headed up this way. When the snow comes this early, it’s always a sign of a rough winter. The Highlands is in need of it right now.” Jack answered as he joined her at the window.

“My bags. I only brought one with me out of the car…” Beth turned, bumping into Jack standing behind her.

“We found the one you had with you, along with your purse. That was it.” Jack advised her as he pointed towards her large overnight bag she’d had with her when she passed out in the snow.

“Oh. Thank you. Then at least I’ll have a couple of days’ worth of clothes.

“I’ll go see if Angus is up for a stroll around the property. We’ll go see if we can find your car and get your other bags.” Brodie pushed away from the kitchen counter with a spare cup of coffee and headed towards where Angus had disappeared too.

“They don’t like me.” Beth mumbled as she looked back out of the window.

“They have had some issues to deal with. It’s not you.” Jack advised the distraught woman.

“I’m sorry I’m ruining your boys weekend away from everyone. Maybe Doug’s right, I ruin everything with just my presence.” Beth sniffled as she wrapped her arms around her middle.

“We’ll have none of that, lass. Why don’t you go get a shower. I have shampoo and a towel you can use. Soap in the bathroom already. I’ll make us some breakfast and more coffee.” Jack suggested as he clapped his hands.

“Yeah.”

Jack watched as Beth walked away after grabbing her bag and went towards the bathroom. He waited until he heard the door shut.

“What the hell?” Jack mumbled as he shook his head.

“Where did the lass go?” Brodie asked as he walked back into the room fully clothed with Angus walking behind him, his face still dark and pissed.

“Getting a shower to feel human again. What the hell is your problem man? I get it, you’re pissed off after the shite that LeAnna chick did. Beth had nothing to do with it. She’s had a shite lot handed to her just like you two have. You could have been nicer to her.” Jack lit into his two friends.

The three men turned towards the bathroom door when they heard the shower going. Shortly after the shower started, they could hear crying coming from the bathroom.

Angus walked towards the front door and grabbed his snowsuit, shoving his legs into the suit and then his boots. Once he was suited up, he stormed outside into the cold. Brodie strolled out behind him several minutes later.