~ chapter 3 ~

"So, where is he?" Isabel's worried whisper bounced off the Hall of Council's stone walls. Michael and Isabel were huddled together at the far wall near the large windows. Though she was trying not to allow her uncertainty to be heard, it was difficult in such a room. Even Maria, who was walking near the opposite wall gazing up at ancestral portraits, trying her hardest to seem infinitely enthralled with the stern faces that scowled back at her, could hear every word as clearly as if Isabel were standing by her side.

Michael shrugged and glanced at the ancient clock in the corner as it rang the half hour. "I don't know. Tess went looking for him earlier." A smirk accompanied Michael's suggestively raised eyebrow. "Maybe she found him and they decided to get lost together."

Isabel's face scrunched up in disgust at Michael's suggestive tone. "Ewww, Michael. I didn't need that image…"

The massive oak doors to the Hall of Council opened with a flourish and Tess stepped into the room. She was wearing a baby blue pants suit that matched the color of her eyes. It had been a gift from Max for her birthday and she'd chosen it especially for tonight hoping to ease some of the tension she felt between her and Max earlier. Her blonde curls bounced around her face as she tuned her head from side to side scanning the room for the only person she wanted to impress. Her large sugary smile disappeared as quickly as her raven-haired knight seemed apt to do lately. "Where's Max?"

Isabel and Michael shared a glance before Michael spoke up. "We were just wondering the same thing. Didn't you see him last?"

Tess nodded slowly as her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Yeah, I did. About an hour ago. He was in that dark fancy room. You know, the one with all the books." She waved her manicured hand dismissively.

"That wouldn't be called…" Maria stepped forward and spoke for the first time on the subject. "…the library, would it?"

Tess' eyes turned to ice as her gaze swept over Maria taking in Maria's simple knee length skirt and multi-colored, short-sleeved top. Clearly not up to Tess' fashion-conscious standards, evidenced by the way the tip of her nose turned ever so slightly upwards while her gaze dropped to Maria's brightly colored platform shoes. "Who do you think you are? A contestant on 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'?"

The question was cold and curt and even Michael blinked at Tess' rudeness. Something must be up because Tess usually wasn't this blatantly uncivil. Isabel jumped quickly to the rescue when she saw Maria's eyes flare with instant anger. "Tess, this is my friend from school. Maria DeLuca. Maria, this is Max's girlfriend…Michael's sister…Tess Harding."

Tess tilted her head to the side in reluctant acknowledgment and Maria's eyebrow raised in immediate dislike. "Alrighty. So we've established Dogbreath's genes for personal hygiene didn't quite take root. Now we know the brains in the family bypassed you altogether." Maria crossed her arms in front of her and flashed Michael a sugary sweet smile. "Fess up now. Where are you two hiding the sibling with all the good genes."

Michael's face turned to stone and Tess tossed him a sympathetic look before shooting Maria daggers with her eyes. Maria instantly noticed the chill that settled around them and surmised it had nothing to do with the draftiness slowly seeping through the room. It was Isabel, once again, who came to the rescue. "Uh…Maria. Michael is adopted. Just like Max and me."

Maria's expression softened immediately. Isabel had often discussed how difficult it was at times being adopted. Not that Maria had the easiest childhood growing up. But at least she knew where her roots were. Or who she got the green eyes from and why her hair always did that annoying little flip thing on the side. She had Aunt Claire to thank for that one. She swallowed hard wondering what life would be like without an Aunt Claire…

Suddenly Michael's eyes full of pain spoke to her. She so desperately wanted to take back those words. When would she ever learn to think before she spoke? Since she couldn't take back her words, she tried the next best thing. "Oh, man. Michael. I'm sorry…"

"Whatever." Michael grunted with a shrug then turned his attention to Isabel. "I'll go check on Maxwell."

Isabel nodded and watched as Michael sauntered out of the room. Her brow was furrowed in worry until she heard Tess' acid voice addressing Maria. "That was real smooth."

"I didn't know, ok?" Maria shot back quickly.

Tess placed her hands on her hips and glared at Maria. "It was still rude."

"Oh, like you weren't?" Maria took a step forward and locked eyes with Tess.

"Guys please!" Isabel stepped between them and flashed them both a pleading look. "Look, I've got enough to worry about with Max then to have two of my friends at each others' throats, ok? God. You just met each other. Why don't you just…take a breath and start over."

Tess and Maria stared at each other a moment before they both turned away from each other, back to back, noses up in the air and arms crossed in front of them. Isabel let out a deep sigh. "Fine. Whatever." She turned her attention to Maria. "Hey, where's Liz?"

Maria blinked as confusion replaced anger. "I'm…not sure." She glanced down at her watch. "Wow. This is late for her. I'll go find her."

"I hope she's alright." Isabel stated her beautiful brown eyes tinged with worry as her fingers nimbly played with the necklace around her neck, a sure sign she was nervous. And she was. For some reason, Isabel had the oddest feeling that something was wrong. Maybe 'wrong' was too strong of a word. Something was definitely…off.

Maria tossed Isabel a reassuring smile and patted her arm. "I'm sure she is. You know how Liz gets distracted with things. Always thinking she'll find her next great masterpiece in the strangest places. I'm sure she probably got lost in her little Lizzie-world looking at a flower or something."

"Right." Isabel seemed a bit reassured. But not much. She reached out a hand to stop Maria just as she turned to go. "Maria. Just check inside ok? Even though it's early, there isn't that much light out there except the moon. I wouldn't want you to get lost or anything."

"Me? Lost?" Maria chuckled as she waved her hands in front of Isabel's face. "Babe. I am the original gypsy girl. I know directions like the back of my…" Her smile faded as she focused on the back of her right hand bringing her left hand to lightly trail along her skin. "Weeel, gee. Would ya looky here. I wonder where I got that scratch from…"

Isabel groaned and Tess rolled her eyes. Maria shrugged her shoulders. "Oh well. I'll be back in a bit with Liz in tow…"

Isabel turned from the door and slowly walked toward the large windows that looked out over the castle's resplendent grounds. The formal gardens directly below with their many paths and strategically placed shrubbery and flowers. It looked, in many ways, like a patchwork quilt with it's many patterns and colors. Isabel's eyes drifted outward to the rolling hills beyond the garden gates onward to the forest that surrounded the back portion of the property. It was there her focus remained. Why? She didn't know. She just had a feeling…

"Iz?" Tess' soft voice sounded at Isabel's side as she came to join her at the window. "Max…is he…is there someone else I need to know about?"

Isabel turned a surprised expression on Tess. "Max? And another woman?" A light chuckle escaped her until she saw the seriousness of Tess' gaze. "You must be joking."

"I wish I were." Tess stated quietly as she leaned against the window ledge and turned her attention to the moon in the midnight black sky. "I just feel like we're drifting apart lately. Not the usual kind of drifting. You know, the kind when you just get busy." She shrugged and looked down at her hands as tears threatened to form in her eyes. "There's something more, Isabel. I can feel it. Someone is pulling him away from me."

Nodding in understanding, Isabel let out a sigh. "I know what you mean. I've felt the same thing. He's always so…pre-occupied lately. Like his mind is always somewhere else."

"With someone else." Tess added.

Resting a hand on Tess' hands, Isabel spoke the one truth she knew about her brother. "Look, Tess. When it comes to love, Max isn't the kind to run around. Once he falls in love…it's forever."

Tess swallowed hard and lifted shimmering blue eyes to meet Isabel's. "That's what I'm afraid of, Isabel. That's what I'm afraid of…"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A sacred promise hung in the air between them.

It wasn't a promise to never leave. They were both too smart to make that vow. With the state of their country and the Jacobites pledge to return their rightful king to the throne, the constant strife between clans and their own personal family conflicts it was a vow they could not make and ever hope to keep with certainty.

What they were certain of is that no matter where they were, how far apart or how long the separation, they would always come home. Back to each other. Back to this place.

Their place. The one spot on MacLeod land that belonged to the both of them. Their garden. Behind their cottage. The cottage where their eyes first met and their hearts began to feel the stirrings of a strange new sensation. A strange new sensation that had grown rapidly into the overpowering emotion called love...

He heard the sound of singing. It was coming from the low-roofed cobblestone cottage nestled just on the edge of the lush green woods, by the small bubbling stream. After such a long journey, it was the most refreshing sound he'd ever heard. The sound of another human voice. If it could even be described as human.

Ian MacKinnon smiled to himself. No. That was no human voice. It was too…angelic…to be human. Surely he would find shelter and comfort under the roof of such a voice.

Reining in his flesh-colored steed, Ian threw his leg over the side of his saddle and plopped wearily onto the ground. Taking a moment to stretch his tired muscles and tethering his horse to a nearby tree, he advanced on the cottage slowly taking in every detail as he approached.

It was a large cottage for it's setting. At least two levels. Several picturesque windows that glowed with a faint warm light were framed by green climbing vines full of the most exquisite colors of flowers he'd ever seen. Reds, pinks, whites, blues and purples blended into a rainbow of petals for the eyes to feast upon. And the door. Weathered a bit by rain and sun. Ian smiled again. He'd never felt a door welcome him before. But this one did. It seemed to call to him. Begging him to come home.

Ian stepped forward and raised his hand to knock just as the door flew open and a dark-haired maid flung herself upon him with such force that they both fell onto the ground. Ian fell backwards while the maid followed him to the ground landing on top of him with a loud thud.

"Oh! I'm so sor…" Her apology died in her throat when she raised her head from his chest and their eyes met. She lost her breath and her heart froze in her chest as electricity crackled in the air around them. He was simply the most beautiful creature she'd ever laid eyes on. His raven hair fell lightly over his forehead while the long, thick lashes around his eyes curled slight upward. His lips were perfectly formed beneath a neatly sloping nose and his chin held the faintest hint of a dent that drew ones eyes to his strong jawline.

But it was his eyes that captured her. The intense warmth. The changeable amber color that seemed to darken to ebony even as she gazed into them. His unfaltering gaze that made her feel admired. Special. Adored. In that moment, looking in his eyes, nothing else existed. Not her station as future mistress of the castle beyond. Not the fact she was lying prone on a complete stranger in a most unladylike fashion. Not even the rapid pounding of her heart as it melted with this stranger's heated gaze.

Maybe it didn't matter because Lizzie MacLeod suddenly became aware that she couldn't tell the difference between her fierce heartbeat…and his.

Ian was equally affected by the dark-eyed beauty lying in his arms. Her thick, long tresses had fallen from under her bonnet and brushed lightly against his cheek and neck tickling him ever so slightly with each rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. Full red lips hovered dangerously close to his and he fought to remind himself that he had not the right to take liberties with a complete stranger. Never in his life, in his many travels, had the temptation been so great. His arms tightened involuntarily around her petite frame. Her long dark eyelashes fluttered lightly against high cheekbones that merely emphasized her large almond shaped eyes.

Doe eyes. Soft. Warm. Inviting. As her ebony eyes roamed his face with open curiosity their unveiled expression quickly turned to admiration before they captured his with her steady, slightly-dazed gaze. A gaze that spoke volumes of books to his soul. Ian instinctively believed it impossible for this lass to hide anything from him. Not while he looked in her eyes.

Ian's hand moved absently to sweep her fallen locks of hair back into place behind her ear and the magical spell was broken as his beauty's gaze faltered. He silently cursed himself for being the cause. She cautiously, hurriedly pushed herself away from him till she was in a sitting position. Her cheeks were beginning to color with embarrassment as the reality of their previous situation washed over her and Ian felt a wave of amusement tugging the corner of his lips upward.

Remaining on the ground, but raising himself on his elbows, Ian studied her steadily gauging the best time to broach the subject of their collision. He saw her comely blush deepen as she felt his eyes boring into her and knew now was the time. "And do ye alwa's greet yer visitors with such enthusiasm, lass?"

Lizzie fought the twitch of laughter that threatened to show itself at the teasing tone of his voice and cleared her throat while sitting up as straight as a rod. "And do ye, sir, alway's hold on to yer attackers, unplanned though they may be, with such ardor?"

"My question first." Ian shot back with an upraised eyebrow and a smirk to match.

Lizzie's eyes faltered. "Of course no'. I...I dinna ken ye were there." She hoped by stiffening her posture, this stranger's nearness wouldn't affect her so. It didn't work. When he spoke again, she felt that familiar feeling of giddiness well up inside of her.

"Aye. That was plain." Ian's smirked widened.

"And my question now?" Lizzie reminded him as she held her breath waiting for his answer.

Choosing to ignore her direct question, Ian turned the tables and asked another. "So, was that yer voice I heard singing as I approached."

"Aye." Lizzie nodded her head once then eyed him suspiciously. "Why will ye no answer me question?"

Ian continued as if she hadn't spoken. "So, where were ye in a rush to? A meetin' with some handsome lad no doubt." He cast out the suggestion in hopes of finding a negative answer.

Lizzie's eyes flicked to his and caught a hint of envy flash in his chestnut eyes before amusement took control once more. Lizzie's chin raised in a defiant move that only prompted a slow grin from her handsome victim. "No' until ye answer me question. And what makes ye think there would be no doubt? A...about a lad, that is."

His gaze faltered and his voice lowered shyly as he sat up and grabbed at a blade of grass absently. His words were unusally forward, but he couldn't stop himself. His heart screamed out to him that he might never get the chance to speak again if he didn't speak now. "Nay. I dinna hold on to any as tightly as ye." He inhaled a deep breath. "Because in all me life..." A light sigh. "...I've never seen yer likes. Your beauty rivals the heather-covered Highland hills in Springtime. Your voice...the angels in Heaven."

His eyes raised back to hers in time to catch the surprise and smile dancing in her eyes and capturing her lips. As quickly as the smile came, it fled as the distant sound of a bell rung faint but clear. His beautiful angel's face dropped as her eyes shot up to a distant hill behind him. "Oh, no! Dinner! I must awa..." She quickly scrambled to her feet and grabbed the basket of flowers that had fallen on the soft ground when they collided.

"Wait." Ian grabbed hold of her arm just as she moved to brush past him. When she turned back to him her eyes meeting his in question, his courage faltered and he quickly fished for a reason for further conversation. Finding one in the original reason for his presence, Ian spoke swiftly. "Shelter. Do ye know where I may rest for just a while..."

"Aye. The cottage." She nodded toward the cottage from where she had come. "Stay the necht. Ye'll find ale and bread in the cupboards. A warm bed in the loft."

"But the owner..."

A wide smile greeted him as she finished his question with an honest answer of her own. Since it was her cottage, by rights she had the authority to lend it to him. "...will no' mind. She'll think it an honor." Another clanging of the bell drew her attention from him. "Please. I must awa..."

Ian nodded and released her arm, his eyes following her every move as she quickly fled from him. Realizing he'd seen the most perfect creature in the world and still didn't know her name, Ian ran forward a few steps, cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled out to her. "Wait! Yer name! Please tell me yer name..."

Hearing his soft voice calling after her urgently, Lizzie stopped and spun around. Wanting to hold this moment forever in her memory, the moment she was admired for the girl she was and not the titled lady she was being groomed to be, Lizzie called out the name of her dreams to him. The name of her mother, long ago dead and gone. "Brenna! Me name is Brenna! And yours?"

"Ian!" He called back to her with a bright smile. "Shall we meet again?"

Lizzie nodded her head enthusiastically. "Aye. Tomorrow. Here."

"Ye swear it?" One more step forward. One more attempt to hold onto her attention a bit longer.

"Aye! I do!" Lizzie called back to him then before he could say anything more to detain her, she turned and ran as if her feet had taken the same flight her heart had...soaring on the wind.

Now, almost nine months later, the electricity in the air was still the same. Only more. Innumerable emotions flitted through their eyes as they stood staring at each other, both taking in each and every detail. Every change. Every nuance of expression. They felt like it had been years since they'd seen each other. And they couldn't get enough. They couldn't look away.

He loved the way her dark hair framed her face. It was like chocolate silk dancing around her perfect cheekbones. How the rounded neckline of her gown showed the creamy white of her skin. He knew that skin. How soft it felt to the touch. How warm she was. And her eyes. They were so bright with love it was like someone had set off a bundle of sparklers in her eyes. His head tilted to the side in confusion. Sparklers? Where did that come from?

She drank in the sight of him. The way his head tilted to the side as a slightly befuddled look spread over his face. He looked like an adorable little boy when he did that. Her heart swelled with love as he caught her frank open stare and grinned his slow, sexy smile. She loved too the way the half-moons of hair across his forehead danced lightly with the wind as a gentle breeze swirled around them. He was hers. All hers. And no one and nothing would ever change that...

Soon, the messages given and received in the silence of their respective inspections required action. Action that could speak louder than the silent words of love and desire they'd already shared with each other across the distance. Without words, their bodies moved as one. Meeting halfway, lips screamed out their mutual need with urgency when they connected.

The kiss was immediately passionate. Demanding. Explosive. Barely controlled as fingers instinctively found their way through strands of hair and tongues began a long-lasting, pleasurable duel that elicited moans of satisfaction from both sides. Hearts began to pound erratically and breathing became labored as the two lovers reaffirmed their devotion to one another in unquestionable terms.

Max finally pulled away and leaned his forehead against hers. Sucking in air to gain control of his ragged breathing, a grin spread over his face as his thumb brushed against her lips lightly. "That's one."

A curious smile melded to his touch as her eyes danced with delight. "One what?"

"That's one day. I promised myself I'd give ye a kiss for every day ye were awa from me."

"Oh, I see." Liz sounded disappointed as her smile disappeared. In its place was an adorable pout. "Seems this separation of ours affected me more than it did you then."

"What are ye sayin'?" Max's eyes were pained and his voice held a hint of injury. "I've been in hell since you left…"

"Then why only one kiss a day? I was plannin' on at least three for every day I missed seeing ye…" A slow grin claimed her lips as Liz tilted her head adorably to the side.

Max's grin returned immediately. "Three? Any special reason ya chose that number?"

"Uh-huh." Liz raised a soft creamy finger upward. "One for the flower ye alwa's manage to put on me breakfast tray when no one is lookin'."

"And did anyone...?" Max began to inquire if anyone provided her such a luxury on her journey.

Liz shook her head with a pout that brought a smile to Max's face. "Not a single one. I missed them terribly." She added a second finger. "One kiss for the note ye slip into me books while Miss Armstrong teaches me the ways of being a lady."

Max chuckled as he wrapped his arms more tightly around her waist pulling her closer. "Dinna ye mean Miss Armstrong *tries* to teach ye..."

Liz hit him playfully on the arm and cocked a slender eyebrow at him. "If I'm not a lady yet, tis all yer doin', Ian MacKinnon." She quickly clamped her hand over Max's mouth when he opened it to protest and continued her list when she saw his eyes twinkle with delight. A third finger joined their friends as a smile danced on her lips. "One for our secret nightly meetings. I live for these meetin's. Like now..."

"Me too." Max whispered softly and nuzzled her nose with his before he pulled back and raised an eyebrow in thought, his expression mirroring that of agreement as he nodded his head and pursed his lips. "Hmmm. Your reasons. They...sound right. Maybe we could even throw a kiss in for every sunset I watched while thinkin' of ye." He leaned forward and gently touched her lips with his then pulled back. The look in his eyes challenged her to continue his game.

"Every sunrise that pulled ye from me dreams." Liz whispered as her hand at the back of his head pulled him forward for another light kiss.

Max pulled away, his eyes closed in bliss. "Every song I heard that reminded me of ye…"

Liz sighed against his lips when another kiss had been delivered. "Every dance I wished it was yer arms around me…"

Max pulled away abruptly, his eyes popping open as he looked down at her. A teasing glint began to flit through his eyes and drift across his lips. "Dance? Ye tellin' me ye danced without me? And what foppish Campbell lairds won your dancin' shoes, lass?"

Liz's expression paled and her eyes faltered. "I…there was…no one special, Ian."

Lifting her chin with his forefinger, Max's eyes lost their twinkle and his voice lowered with seriousness. "What is it, Brenna? What happened to ye while ye were gone?"

Forcing a smile, Liz gazed back up into Max's face her eyes beginning to dance with love. "What happened? Oh, Ian. I died while I was awa. I felt lost without ye. Restless and lifeless all at the same time. I feel like it's been an eternity since I've seen yer face." She reached up and ran her hand lightly over his cheek. "Touched ye." Leaning up she placed a chased kiss against his lips. "Kissed ye."

Pulling back her eyes were tinged with sadness. "There's so much time we've missed. So many memories we could have had together…"

"Tell me." Max insisted.

"About what?" Liz's voice quivered slightly. Ian MacKinnon had many talents. One of them was reading her expression like a book. In all their time together now was the only time she prayed for his talent to fail him. She released a light sigh when her prayer was answered.

Max took Liz's hands in his and led her to a swing in the corner of the garden where they sat down together. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him allowing her to lean her head on his shoulder. "Tell me about our time apart. Tell me what ye did. What ye saw. Where ye went. Who ye spoke to. I want to know it all. I don't want to miss a moment of yer life."

"War." Liz stated quietly after a moment's contemplation as she pulled out of Max's embrace and looked up into his eyes with fear. "Tis brewin', Ian. Hostilities are bein' stirred. Plans are bein' made."

"For the Young Pretender?" Max supplied for her. It had been a pet project of the Highlanders' for a while now. Decades to be exact. To restore to the Scottish throne their very own beloved prince, Bonnie Prince Charlie. The only way...force.

Liz nodded. "Aye. The Jacobites are risin'. They're seekin' soldiers to join the fight. I'm afraid."

"Of what, lass?" Max tilted her head upward and swallowed hard at the tears he saw sparkling in her eyes.

"That I'll lose ye." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Liz forged ahead with the plan she'd formed on her way home. "Ian, now's the time. Before things go too far..."

"The time for what, Brenna?" Max cupped her face in his hands and gazed down at Liz with concern and confusion. "Speak to me, lass. Let us have no secrets."

Liz covered Max's hands with hers and took a deep breath steeling herself for his reaction to her next words. "Marry me, Ian. Please. Let's run awa tonight. Find a friar and begin again somewhere..."

Max stilled Liz's proposal with a finger over her trembling lips. "Nay, lass. We canna."

"Why no'?" Liz's tears rose to the surface. "Dinna ye love me?"

"Aye, Brenna. Ye ken I do." Max captured her lips with his for a sweet kiss of affirmation before pulling away to search her eyes. "Ye also ken the answer to why no'. I'm only the second son. I dinna deserve ye...yet. I promise ye this...I'll die tryin' to deserve ye or I'll die lovin' ye..."

It was Liz's turn to stop Max's words. "Dinna speak of dyin', Ian."

Max's expression softened immediately at the terror he saw in her eyes. Concern for her over-rode every other emotion. "What is it? What are ye no' tellin' me?"

Liz shook her head and pulled Max to her in a fierce hug. "I'm just...hold me, Ian. Hold me till we must part. I've been out of yer arms for too long..."

Max wrapped his arms around Liz and pulled her close smoothing her hair and letting her tears of loneliness empty onto his shoulder. Kissing the top of her head, he closed his eyes and leaned his cheek against her hair rocking her back and forth gently. "Shhh, Brenna. Dinna fear. We'll find a way to be together. Always together..."

A sniffle was heard before a muffled whisper. "Ye swear it?"

Max smiled against her raven hair and repeated their familiar phrase once more. "Aye, lass. I swear it now and I'll swear it to ye into eternity..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Brady Campbell sat down on the park bench with a sigh. Liz hadn't even been gone a day and he was already missing her. How he was ever going to make it through the next several weeks without her by his side, he couldn't even fathom.

Well, he did have his work. Vice-President of Aquisitions at Campbell Industries, Inc. He was in charge of buying real estate and handing it off to the development side of the company. Ambitious and well-positioned, Brady Campbell had a bright future at CII. Not to mention he was the boss' son. A fact he was never quite allowed to forget. From anyone.

Despite that fact, Brady wanted to make it on his own. Earn his own way. He really believed if he could get just one good deal, he'd earn the respect of his co-workers. From that point on, it'd be nothing but smooth sailing.

Until that time, it was a waiting game. Doing his every day job and waiting for that one major break. Lately, he'd been getting restless and his thoughts had turned to international acquisitions. International. Picturesque. Un-commercialized.

A slow grin spread over his face as he heard a plane overhead as it passed on its way to an unknown destination. Maybe it was time he stopped waiting and started acting. In the process, he wouldn't die of loneliness from Liz's absence. Pulling his cell phone from his pocket, Brady flipped it open and hit a button then waited for the phone to ring.

"Campbell Industries, Inc. This is Nora. How may I direct your call?"

"Hey Nora. It's me." Brady spoke into the phone as he crossed one leg over the other.

"Hello, Mr. Campbell. What may I do for you?"

Brady pursed his lips a moment. He would love nothing better than to jump on the jet today but he did have those meetings set up for the end of the week... "Well, I was wondering if dad has the private jet chartered for this weekend."

Nora flipped a few pages in her book and scanned the contents before answering. "It doesn't look like it. Would you like me to set something up for you?"

"Yes. Yes, I think I do."

"Business or pleasure?" Nora asked as she pulled her pen out and readied herself to take notes.

"Definitely business with a bit of pleasure thrown in." Brady stated with a gin.

"Alright. And your destination?"

"Scotland. The Isle of Skye."

"Fine." Nora's efficient voice confirmed over the telephone lines. "This Saturday at...9:00. The jet will be awaiting your arrival."

"Thank you, Nora." Brady stated before flipping off his phone with a satisfied sigh. "Liz, honey. I hope you like surprises because I..am coming back to the homeland..."