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"Ice cubes?"

"Aye I cannot fathoged

She smiled "That’s because it’s hot in places like Texas in the su"

"I could show you our gardens"

"I’d love to see theent Castle? I couldn’t afford it"

"I’erandhland wolves

But she’d never said anything about a wolf like Duncan

Chapter 11

After Duncan and Shelley returned to the villa to shower and get ready to go back to the reserve, she went off to the guest bedroom, and he planned to call Ian She still didn’t want to leave the island until she’d finished her work there, but she said she’d be thrilled to accolad about that and wished they hadn’t had theat the restaurant over where he’d intended for her to go

At this point, he wanted her to meet his family and to see if she could tolerate his mother, ould not allow anyone to speak unkindly of the clan Most likely Shelley would tell just how she and her fa of the crofters His mother would not be pleased, and she would let Shelley know it

For now, though, he just wanted Shelley safe

"Ian," he said, as soon as his brother answered the phone

Ian sounded worried "What’s wrong, Duncan?"

"Silverman wants her, damn it"

"Send Shelley here"

"She wants to accompany me home, but only after she’s finished with her work here" Duncan knew Ian would find her work ethic as ad she was a stubborn lass

"I’ll send Cearnach"

"Aye" Duncan knew his older brother and he could ensure that Shelley stayed out of har problem with Shelley’s fa it up, not sure how his brother would view the news He cleared the sudden frog in his throat "Ian, she cohland Clearances"

Ian didn’t say anything at first, then finally asked, "She holds this against our farunted Then as if he finally realized what Duncan had said earlier, he asked, "Has she agreed to coood?"

"We… haven’t really discussed that yet"

"You’re mated?"

"Nay, Ian," Duncan said, irritated Why did his brother continue to assume that? "I told you I would tell you if the relationship was headed that way I don’t even know about her family, her wolf pack Or whether she’d want to move to Scotland"

A heavy silence ensued, then Ian said, "All right I’ll call you later e knohat ti at the airport, and you can pick hi tone was back in Ian’s voice

"Aye?"

"Do not take unnecessary risks Wait until Cearnach arrives to do anything further where Silverman is concerned"

"I’ll wait," Duncan said, but only because he was concerned about Shelley’s safety Otherwise he was ready to take whatever Silverht throw at him

"I’ll call you later," Ian said

"Thanks, Ian" Duncan disconnected and headed for the bathroo they wouldn’t have any trouble in the forest while Shelley catalogued more of her plants He also hoped Cearnach wouldn’t make a play for her His brother had a ith the lasses with his sunny disposition and his air of never being concerned about anything

Maybe Duncan should tell Ian to send Guthrie instead