16

 

Late Friday Afternoon, Day Seven

“I hope I’m not just another summer romance to you, Harry.” Shelby’s eyes sparked with passion, making them more beautiful. In spite of what she said, her tone of voice and the way she’d employed his nickname encouraged him. No reason to worry.

“Enlighten me.” They’d used that expression a few times since they’d met, and it seemed appropriate now. Squinting in the sunlight, Harrison glanced up to the face of the woman at the top of the Ross Fountain in the Princes Street Gardens. “Tell me what I’ve done now.”

“For one thing, you can stop staring at her. She’s...”

“Naked and gold. Would you rather I stare at the equally naked, gold nymphets at her feet?” He quirked a brow and pressed his lips into a thin line lest he burst out with laughter. Shelby was even more adorable when she was jealous, especially when she had no reason.

“No, but it’s good they’re sitting. Covers up...a few things.” Gesturing to them, Shelby rolled her eyes. “Never mind. Naked, gold women make me crazy.”

“Don’t tell me you’re jealous of a statue.” Giving into his grin, he stepped closer. “The nymphs represent the arts, science, poetry, and industry.”

When she grunted, he laughed. “The celebration of the naked female is typical of classical French design. This statue was shown in the Great Exhibition in London and bought by Daniel Ross, a gun maker and philanthropist. It arrived in Edinburgh in 1872 in over a hundred pieces.”

“A philanthropist? You don’t say.” Tapping her foot, Shelby frowned. “I hope you won’t get any ideas about naked ladies, gold or otherwise.”

He’d ignore that comment. “If it helps, this statue’s been called ‘grossly indecent and disgusting’ by some right here in Edinburgh.”

Tilting her head, she surveyed it. “I wouldn’t say it’s disgusting, exactly. The mermaids below the tier are rather pretty,” she said, her lovely smile emerging. Much better.

He pushed his hands in his pockets, wanting to mask the fact they were as shaky as his emotions, and rocked on his heels. “We need to talk, Shelby love. You’re leaving in less than two days—”

“I’m very aware of that. Don’t remind me.” The irritation in her voice tipped him off that she was on edge. She’d been antsy and impatient most of the day, in fact. Even though he felt the same way, he thought he’d done a decent job of masking it. Shelby didn’t want to leave. He didn’t want her to leave. They’d been dancing around each other.

“You know I want to see you again when we’re both back in the States.”

“I feel the same way, but maybe what happens in Edinburgh...stays in Edinburgh.” She flinched. “Sorry. That was really corny.”

“No reason we can’t Skype, Facebook, e-mail, talk on the phone, text, or anything else they’ll invent to stay in touch at a moment’s notice.”

Tears filled her eyes, and Shelby shook her head. “It’s not the same thing, and you know it. As much as we might want it to be.”

Frustration settled in his gut. “I can visit you in Chicago. I’d love to see Harmony Lane. Unless you’d rather I don’t come.” He blew out an exasperated sigh and raked one hand through his hair. “I’m certainly not going to invite myself where I’m not wanted.”

“Stop talking now, please.” She cradled his cheeks between her palms. “Scots believe it’s bad form to express strong feelings in public and demonstrating too much warmth or friendliness is inappropriate. It’s deemed overly familiar and crass.”

His lips curled. “Says the woman with her hands on my cheeks. In answer to that ridiculous statement you made a minute ago, this isn’t a throw-away summer romance. We both know it.” Slipping both hands around Shelby’s small waist, he drew her close, gratified when she didn’t resist. “You’ve become a very precious person in my life, Shelby Harmon.”

She made a feeble attempt to push him away. “We’d best leave now, since I’m sure we’re about to incur the wrath of the good people of Edinburgh by exhibiting a blatant display of American impropriety.”

Harrison’s gaze trailed a leisurely path over her features. “Let them talk,” he murmured, his voice husky as he brushed his mouth over hers. “They half expect this kind of behavior from us, anyway. Might as well give them what they want.” He tightened his hold, loving the feel of her so close, the scent of her. “At this moment, I’m extremely proud to be an American. Time for some rough wooing.”

 

****

 

She should push him away, stop Harrison from making a public spectacle, but Shelby couldn’t resist him. “Harry…” Apparently, the whispered nickname was all the encouragement he needed. He kissed her again, much more thoroughly than the first time. A deep, soul-dragging, heart-stopping, win-at-all-cost kiss. The man was extremely persuasive.

With a final, lingering kiss, Harrison stepped back, forcing distance between them. His chest heaved a bit, his breathing ragged. Lifting his shoulders, he gave her a sheepish grin as she tried to recover her emotions. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Well, I do, but I should have shown more restraint. I hope you can forgive me.”

“You’re not alone, Harry. You’ll notice I didn’t put up any resistance. None at all, as a matter of fact.” Glancing around, Shelby was somewhat appeased to see no one else was nearby to witness their shamelessness.

“I like wooing you. We’re good together, you and me, but I sure hope you don’t have a guy back in Chicago that you kiss like that.”

“That doesn’t even warrant a reply.” She crossed her arms and fumed. “Now who sounds jealous? I hope you know I also don’t make it a habit to kiss men in foreign countries.”

“I think you just did, and I also think it’s a fair statement considering how...”

She’d started to walk away but spun around on her heel. “Considering how desperate and lonely you think I am? How needy? I sure hope that wasn’t a pity kiss, because—”

“Raising the white flag here,” Harrison said, putting up one hand. More infuriating was the grin tugging the corners of his mouth upward. “I was only going to say how beautiful you are. Shelby, you’re an amazing, absolutely incredible woman. Everyone else can see it, but for whatever reason, I don’t think you can. The men in Chicago, in Kentucky, and everywhere else on the planet, are fools.”

Lowering her gaze, Shelby paused to gather her thoughts. Although his words flattered her, unwelcome doubts pushed their way to the forefront of her mind. “Harry, please answer a question for me.”

“Shoot.”

“How is it that you’ve had so much time to spend with me? Please don’t misunderstand. I’ve loved every second we’ve spent together, but I have to wonder how a man so committed to his work can spend half his days showing me around Edinburgh.”

Harrison glanced into the distance and blew out a breath. “I have the freedom to extend my stay in any city as the need arises.” He returned his gaze to hers. “I also have a number of accumulated vacation days, and I choose when to take them. After I met you, I made the conscious decision to spend some of those days with you, Shelby. Please know that neither our time together—nor any of the places we’ve gone—have ever been at the expense of my time for the foundation.”

Shelby could only nod. He probably thought she was questioning his work ethic and that wasn’t at all what she’d meant to imply. Or was it? Perhaps the thought had lingered in her subconscious. Not that she was proud of her thoughts.

Harrison’s phone buzzed in his pocket.

“Go ahead. Answer it. It might be important,” Shelby said, turning away and running a hand over her hair. Not wanting to eavesdrop, she walked a few steps away. What was that conversation all about? More than that, what was wrong with her? She’d been snapping at him on and off throughout the day. As usual, he’d been wonderful and done nothing to merit her wrath. Poor guy must think she was a lunatic. She’d certainly acted like one lately.

Harrison talked for a couple of minutes before disconnecting the call and returning the phone to his pocket. “Pops has requested the honor of our presence at his house tomorrow night for dinner, since it’s your last night in Edinburgh.”

“Sounds good,” she said. “I hope you accepted for us.”

“I did.” He fixed his gaze on her. “Pops said he wants to explain what was in the envelope from your dad.”