Where the Heart Belongs Read Online Free

spoken to you about me?’
    â€˜He did that. I got home too late last night to contact you. My timing was bad, I’m afraid. My apologies.’
    He sounded as if he thought he was to blame and she hastened to reassure him. ‘I should have telephoned first before calling at the castle, Mr Cullen. I’m sorry.’
    He brushed her protestations aside. ‘He sang your praises to the sky, did Harley. So . . . when can you start?’
    â€˜Oh,’ she said in surprise. ‘I thought you might want to interview me first.’
    He gave a deep-throated laugh. ‘I’ll take Harley’s word that you’ll do, no question. I’m satisfied, if you are. Shall we say this morning at eleven sharp? Don’t be late.’
    And that was that. For a few moments after he rang off Shona gazed at her mobile in wonder and then glanced at the toby jug in his place on the passenger seat beside her, gazing impassively ahead. ‘You don’t care, do you?’ she said. ‘You could at least show a bit of interest.’
    She took another deep breath, marvelling at how quickly things changed. One minute she was thinking of the road ahead leading her into the unknown and now she knew exactly where she was going, back to Ferniehope Castle. There it seemed she would start her new life as personal assistant to Jack Cullen, owner of the conference centre.
    Suddenly invigorated, she put the car into gear and started off again, hoping she was doing the right thing. Jack Cullen hadn’t suggested coming for a trial period so they could both work out whether this was a good idea. He must trust Harley de Los implicitly. Suppose she didn’t suit after all? Or didn’t like the job? Well, she would soon discover that.
    She drove straight there, bypassing Newton Stewart and reaching the main road before she knew it. Sunshine silvered the water of the estuary to her right and to her left the mountains were hazy against the pale sky. Nearly there . . . but, wait a minute, it was much too early. Keen she might be, but turning up an hour and-a-half before the appointed time wouldn’t look at all good. Needy and pathetic, in fact. She imagined Jack Cullen’s contempt and her own feeling of disadvantage.
    She needed somewhere to spend the intervening time. Bessie’s Kitchen, of course.
    *   *   *
    To her surprise a coach was parked in the yard at the side and a roar of laughter and chatter greeted her as she pushed open the door. A smiling Liz pouring coffee and cutting slices of carrot cake, waved to Shona. ‘Be with you in a minute,’ she mouthed.
    Shona smiled as she seated herself at the table in the far corner. She had plenty of time to sit here watching all the people bustling about. Too much really. A stir of apprehension rippled through her because the time was getting nearer when she would meet the man she knew now was her future buss.
    Gradually the noise subsided as everyone sat down and placed the remaining orders. Liz, looking a little harassed in spite of her outwardly calm manner, came to her. She was wearing blue today and her perfume was the same light fragrant one.
    â€˜I wasn’t expecting an onslaught this early,’ she said, smiling.
    â€˜Don’t worry about me,’ Shona said. ‘You’re busy and I don’t need anything, just to kill a bit of time until I have to be at Ferniehope Castle. I’ve been offered the job there I told you about.’
    â€˜You have?’ said Liz, looking surprised.
    There it was again, Shona thought, that strange air of disquiet.
    â€˜Can I just sit here out of the way?’
    â€˜You’re welcome, Shona. We’ll talk some other time. Sorry it’s so busy.’
    â€˜Good for business,’ Shona murmured as Liz edged away. She had planned to ask her about Jack Cullen to find out what kind of a man he was apart from being good with a rake. He was obviously someone prepared to