Only You (Adair Family #5)(13)

Adorable.

Something like relief flashed across his face when he saw me, and my heart stumbled. “Ms. Sinclair.”

“Are you all right?”

“You’re Lewis’s teacher,” Eilidh announced brightly. She was a beautiful child with big blue eyes and dark curly hair.

I smiled. “I am.”

Suddenly, she frowned. “You’re very pretty.”

My lips twitched, wondering why this would cause her to frown. “Thank you.” My attention drifted to Lewis. “Everything okay?”

Considering all the other kids had been collected and these two were still standing here, I had to think not.

“Who’s picking you up today?”

“Mum,” Lewis answered, his brows pinched together. “It’s supposed to be Mum.”

I vaguely noted he called his stepmum mum and how lovely that was before I nodded. “Okay, let’s go back inside and see if we can call her.”

“Ms. Sinclair!”

Turning around, it shocked me to see our head teacher, Mrs. Anita Cooley, hurrying across the car park. I’d never seen her move at anything but a sedate pace.

“Ah, thank goodness,” my boss said as she slowed to a stop. “I’m so glad you’re waiting with the children. Mrs. Adair just called. The children’s uncle Arran is on his way to pick them up, as Mrs. Adair had to rush her sister to the hospital. She’s in labor.”

Oh my.

“Where’s Uncle Lachlan?” Lewis stepped forward, concerned. Eilidh leaned into his side.

“He was on the estate,” Anita said. “He’s on his way to the hospital, too, but your mother was with her sister at the time.”

Just then, we heard the telltale sound of an engine and a black Range Rover skidded to a stop outside the gates. Arran jumped out of the driver’s side, and I ignored the unease I felt at the sight of him. I knew Arran wanted us to be friends again, but it was too complicated for me.

Arran’s relief upon seeing the kids was palpable, and then our gazes met and gratitude filled his expression. “Thank you for waiting with them.”

“Of course. I hope your sister-in-law is okay.”

“Robyn is a warrior,” Arran said, just as Eilidh threw herself at him. “It’s okay, sweetheart.” He lifted her into his arms and she clung to him like a little monkey. “Aunt Robyn’s tough, isn’t she?”

“She’s tougher than you, Uncle Arran,” Eilidh agreed with a serious nod.

Anita snorted behind me, which made it hard to stifle my laughter.

Arran grinned, completely unabashed. “You haven’t met Robyn. Eilidh only speaks the truth.”

“It’s true.” Lewis nodded. “Aunt Robyn used to be a police officer, and she’s been shot and she taught every girl in the family martial arts.”

I knew a lot of this from village gossip, but to hear it confirmed made me want to meet Robyn Adair in person. She sounded like quite a character.

Of course, if I met her, it would only be in passing. I’d never have the chance to get to know her.

“Anyway, we better get going. Thanks again.” Arran gave me an intense look. “Hopefully, I’ll see you soon.”

I tried not to blush. I knew he knew I was avoiding him. Arran had tried to get me to rent a cottage owned by the Adairs at a discounted rate, but I’d turned him down, and we hadn’t seen each other in weeks.

I gave a noncommittal smile and waved them off.

“See you tomorrow, Ms. Sinclair,” Lewis said before he followed his uncle and sister.

“See you tomorrow, Lewis.”

Once they drove off, I turned toward my car and almost squeaked with fright at the sight of Anita. I’d forgotten she was there.

She looked like she was struggling not to smile, as if she knew quite well I’d forgotten her presence. “Rumor has it you used to be quite close to the Adairs.”

Anita Cooley was a transplant from Aberdeen. She’d taken on the position of head teacher at the primary school ten years ago, so Brodan and I were before her time here. “Years ago, yes.”

“Parents’ evening is coming up. I take it that won’t be an issue for you.”

“Not at all,” I promised. And it wouldn’t be. Thane Adair probably barely remembered me, and it wasn’t like Brodan would stay in Ardnoch much longer. It had been a few weeks since he’d ignored me on Castle Street, so surely his feet were itching to leave by now. Besides, even if he didn’t leave soon, I’d never have to be around Brodan simply because I was teaching his nephew.





The good thing about driving a small car was that I could squeeze into small spaces. I grabbed the last parking spot near my mum’s cottage, but she wasn’t my first stop. Hands filled with shopping bags, I had to settle them on the ground to unlock my neighbor’s door.

Flora’s mum, Belle, had given me a spare key once I started insisting on doing her shopping for her. Unlike my mum, Belle gave me money every week for my help. Flora used to do it for her, but since I was already bringing Mum hers, I didn’t see any point in Flora stressing herself out trying to run the café and look after Belle. I knew Flora’s husband was a police officer and had little free time either. So I helped. It was why Flora wouldn’t let me pay for coffee.