For some reason, everyone went totally silent. Holly looked from one anxious face to another, wondering what was wrong. A moment later, everyone murmured at once, breaking into a hubbub.
“Gleninnis?”
“There must be some mistake.”
“Are you sure?”
The lawyer pointed to the document.
“Gleninnis is out of the question,” Angus MacGregor said gruffly.
Even Lachlan looked alarmed. “Not Gleninnis. Not now.”
The other protests made Holly curious, but Lachlan’s made her angry. Probably because everything about him got under her skin. Being brutally dumped could do that to a gal.
“Trevor says Gleninnis, so that’s how it has to be,” she insisted.
Lachlan pinned her with his intense gray eyes. “Gleninnis is off-limits.”
She folded her arms in challenge. “Even to Trevor?”
“To everyone.”
“Including the owner?”
“Trevor is dead,” Natasha shrugged.
Holly couldn’t believe her ears. “That doesn’t give us license to ignore his wishes.”
The lawyer held up his hands. “Now, now, everyone. Let’s stay focused.”
Holly formed her hands into fists. Oh, she’d be happy to show Natasha focused.
“Yes,” Holly said. “Let’s. Trevor’s instructions clearly say Creag Aerden and Gleninnis.”
“It’s not that simple,” Lachlan interjected.
The very words he’d uttered when she’d caught up to him the morning he left her. He’d mumbled some excuses about duty, honor, and plans that couldn’t be changed. But she hadn’t asked him to change his plans. Only to do their best to work things out in the long run.
But Lachlan was a man on a mission, impossible to sway. It’s not that simple, he’d said without bothering to elaborate.
Now, as then, Holly’s blood boiled.
“No? What’s so complicated, then?”
“The island is strictly off-limits.”
“Says who?”
Lachlan nodded at some of the elders in the room. “Say the Guardians of Scotland.”
Holly’s eyes went wide. She didn’t know much about the Guardians, but she knew they were not to be messed with.
“Oh, for goodness’ sake.” Natasha flapped a hand. “Just scatter the ashes at Creag Aerden. What difference does it make?”
Penelope shook her head. “That’s not what Trevor wanted.”
Holly frowned. Damn. Why did Lachlan’s new flame have to make herself so hard to hate?
“Trevor didn’t know about the current…er, arrangement,” Fergus MacGregor said, choosing his words carefully.
Holly frowned. “How could he not know about his own island?”
“A small portion of the island is owned by a separate party, and that has been turned into a…a…” Fergus searched for words.
“What? A casino? A brothel?” Holly couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice. “An exclusive golf course? No? What, then?”
Fergus looked to Lachlan, who simply muttered, “Too dangerous.”
Holly snorted. “You know what Trevor would say to that?”
Behind Lachlan, old Fergus broke into a begrudging smile. “He would say, To hell with dangerous.”
Holly grinned. “Exactly.”
Besides, how bad could it be? Over the years, she’d learned that Scotland’s shifters loved drama — especially the unicorns. The more dangerous they made something out to be, the braver they would appear after facing it.
“I agree that we must honor Trevor’s wishes,” an older man said. “But perhaps we can carry them out when things on the island have…er…settled down.”
Holly frowned. What was up with Gleninnis?
Natasha nodded immediately. “I agree. We can honor Trevor’s wishes later. Let’s get to the rest of the will.”
The lawyer shook his head. “I’m afraid not. It says just here: ‘Once I am laid properly to rest in my homelands, the remainder of my estate can be addressed.’”
“Fine, then. Go scatter his ashes. Hurry.” Natasha shooed Holly toward the door.
The redhead at Lachlan’s side nodded sadly. “It is the right thing to do.”
Holly didn’t actually say, You bet your ass, it is, but she did step toward the urn in sheer determination. When she snatched it off the desk and did an about-face toward the door, ready to march out, no one stopped her.
Except Lachlan. He stepped into the doorway and straightened to his full height, looking every inch a dragon warrior.
“Too dangerous.” His voice was just as low and uncompromising as it had been the morning they’d parted.
Stay just a little longer, she’d pleaded.
It’s not that simple. I have to go.
Why? she’d begged. Begged, dammit, with tears in her eyes. What about love?
Love is foolish. Unnecessary.
His words had crushed her back then. But she was older, wiser, and stronger now.
She straightened her shoulders. Too dangerous, huh?
“Too bad,” she muttered, ready to shoulder past him.
“Wait!” Fergus called.
They both froze at his command.
“Miss Jennings, I admire your tenacity. And Penelope is right. We must respect Trevor’s wishes.” He held up a hand, halting Lachlan’s protest. “We move men and material to the island regularly. Surely, we can coordinate a quick visit for Miss Jennings to scatter Trevor’s ashes. An in-and-out operation, as you might say.”
Holly turned pink. Once upon a time, she’d been Lachlan’s in-and-out operation, hadn’t she? But clearly, he’d moved on.
Lachlan opened his mouth, but Fergus cut him off.
“Naturally, Miss Jennings will need protection. Which means you.”
Fergus pointed at Lachlan, and Holly paled.
Lachlan’s face flushed, which was strangely satisfying. Maybe he wasn’t entirely over her.
“But, sir—”
Holly shook her head quickly. “Not necessary.”
“I assure you, Miss Jennings, it is absolutely necessary. Just as I can assure you Lachlan is the best man for the job.”
She nearly snorted. The best man to break my heart a second time.
But that would be admitting how deeply he’d hurt her, and she wasn’t about to do that.
“Fine.” She tossed her hair, playing it casual.
Not fine, Lachlan’s low growl said.
“What was that?” Fergus demanded.
Lachlan forced his eyes to the floor. “Not a problem, sir.”
Fergus gave him a stern look, then turned to the others. “Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we have found a solution.”
“I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all,” a surly older man said.
Lachlan shook his head, clearly agreeing. “We’ll need time to plan. Transportation…logistics…backup plans…”
Fergus shook his head. “Three weeks ago, you drew up a dozen backup plans concerning the island. The logistics of just two people should prove more than manageable. And as for transportation… Well, you did just inherit a rather nice vehicle, my boy.” He grinned. “Now, then. Get moving.”