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Soon, I’m sitting at a table enjoying a toffee yogurt, a banana, and apple juice—as well as a strong coffee—while Lewis prepares my hot food. It’s not long before he brings through a steaming plate and lays it down in front of me.

“Wow! Thanks again. This smells great.”

“I’m just sorry you’re all by yourself in the restaurant. Shall I leave you to eat in peace, or . . . ?”

“Sit, sit!” I wave at the chair opposite me. “Unless you’d rather finish the cleaning up? I should warn you I may not be the best company. I’m feeling rough.”

Lewis’s lips curl into an amused smile, but he sits. “Aye, I heard you were keeping folk entertained in the Pheasant last night, what with your dancing and singing. I’m sorry I missed it, but at least I saw the video.”

“The video?” I practically choke on my coffee. “What video?”

“Och, Ally’s mate Aidan sent me a clip of you and Ally doing the Highland fling. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It looked like you were having fun.”

“Oh God,” I moan. I cut a piece of potato scone—or tattie scone, as it’s more commonly called in Scotland—and pop it in my mouth. Mmm . . . delicious, but it’s not enough to distract me from what Lewis just said. “I don’t think I can show my face in the Pheasant again. How many people do you think saw that video?”

“Stop worrying!” Lewis says with a laugh. “Word on the street is you livened up the place. People enjoyed watching you perform.”

“Word on the street? What word on the street?”

“It was all Colin wanted to talk about this morning. He works in the bakery and delivers us bread each day. He was there last night.”

I remember the teenage boy in Morag’s Bakery who put my things through the till. Now that I think about it, I did glimpse him at the pub, although I was no doubt in the middle of some song or dance and too occupied to pay him much attention.

“Anyway, Colin was telling me it’s the most fun he’s ever had at the Pheasant. He thought you were great, and I think the rest of the town agrees. Apparently, his gran was buzzing when he told her the news. She was going on and on about how you and Ally are perfect for each other.”

I’m just about to pop some mushrooms in my mouth, but at this I drop my fork. “What did Colin tell his gran? And his gran is Morag, right? Isn’t she, well, the town gossip? Are you telling me that, before this day is through, everyone in Bannock will think Ally and I are an item? That couldn’t be further from the truth!”

Lewis winces. “Aye, I was wondering about that. I tried asking Ally about it earlier, but he wasn’t in the best mood this morning. I reckon he had too much to drink last night too. His exact words were ‘mind your own fucking business’. Anyway, after the last customers finished their breakfast—the last except you, of course—he went back to his bed, and that’s not like him at all.”

Lewis pauses and tilts his head to the side. “So . . . since Ally never tells me anything, can I ask what went on between you two last night?”

My face flushing with heat, I cut into my vegetarian sausage and take my time chewing it. Finally, I say, “I’m not just saying this because you’re sitting in front of me, but this food is fantastic. Honestly, the breakfast is the best thing about the hotel.”

His eyes sparkle with delight at the compliment. It’s sweet to see how just a little praise makes him look so proud.

“Thanks, and nice avoidance tactic.” He winks at me. “So, in your opinion, is the breakfast even better than the hotel’s tired decoration?”

This comment surprises me. It seems Lewis is aware of the hotel’s problems.

Chuckling, Lewis continues, “Anyway, if you think the breakfast is good, you should try dinner sometime. It’s not me who does that, it’s Elspeth, Aidan’s maw. I help out—I’m her sous chef, I suppose—but her skills are something else. She’s worked here forever, and without exception, everyone in the town loves her food. She and my maw were best mates—best mates who worked together. It’s kind of funny the way things happened because they were friends first, then Ally and Aidan were born, and they became best friends. Then Iona and I were born—Iona is Aidan’s wee sister—and she and I . . . well, we were best friends for a really long time too.”

“But no more?”

“Aye, well . . .” He flounders, apparently not sure what to say.

Of the three McIntyre brothers, Lewis is the most self-assured, so it’s interesting to see him flustered. I suspect there’s a story there.

“Iona works in Glasgow now,” Lewis says eventually, “so I don’t see much of her anymore. My wee sister, Cat, is down in Glasgow too—she’s studying there—so sometimes she and Iona drive back together for a visit. Anyway, I’m getting sidetracked. The point of the story was that Elspeth is a great chef and you need to try her food sometime.”

I smile, finding myself warming to Lewis, this small display of vulnerability only making him more likeable.

“I will. I look forward to it.”

“Good. All right, what are your plans for today, then? Any more outdoor activities scheduled?”

“No! As much as I enjoyed the rafting, I want to relax today—which I suppose means trying to avoid the people of Bannock after last night. Yesterday afternoon, I napped and read a novel, and it was luxurious. It’s been ages since I’ve just chilled like that.” With a laugh I add, “You know what I could do with? Some spa treatments, but I’m not going to get that here.”

Lewis raises a brow. “I wouldn’t be so sure. I know just the place. Why don’t I take you? Ally said he’d set his alarm for eleven, so we could sneak away before then. I could do with a bit of time away from the hotel.”