Sally’s Wedding: Book 3 Of A Contemporary Romance Short Story Series (5 page)

Ten minutes later Robert came into the kitchen, freshly showered and ready for Tea.

“What’s for it mum?” He
said  as
he peered into the glass front of the oven.

“It’s your favourite Robert – Shepherd’s Pie!”

“Smells fantastic!
I’ll open a wee bottle of wine shall I?”

“Yes, that would be a grand idea Robert; there’s a nice Merlot that would suit, in the wine rack.
” Agnes said as she removed the Shepherd’s Pie from the oven.

They all retired to the dining room, and were soon demolishing Agnes’s handiwork.

“Agnes, this is just delicious! Poor R
obert is going to be regretting getting married,
when he is subjected to my inferior cooking skills!”

“Not at all my dear.
This is an easy dish to make, and anyway Robert himself is quite capable of rustling up a hearty meal – or he is not my son!” Agnes proclaimed
,
glancing proudly at Robert as he stuffed his mouth with food.

“Mind you, his table manners leave a little to be desired!” She chuckled.

Sally chimed in. “Oh Robert, while I remember – we have a dinner appointment with Sir
Malcolm
and his lovely wife Lady
Frazer
next Friday.”

There was a choking spluttering sound from Robert, as he fought to clear his throat. Sally jumped up alarmed to thump him on the back, as Agnes, once she seen there was no real danger, laughed out loud.

Robert regained his composure
, and looked up at Agnes and Sally, still red-faced from his choking episode.

“Well you pair can go yourselves then – I’m not going, and that’s final!”

Sally and Agnes looked at one another, then in unison turned to give Robert a withering look, of the sort that would have wilted a weaker man.

“Oh is that so Robert!” Sally spoke
first,
her mouth set firm and her green eyes boring into the hapless Robert.

“Yes it is so!” He said with
a
weak
attempt
at gaining the upper hand – it did not work.

“In that case MY DEAR!”
Sally almost shouted at him. “I will give you his number, and you can call him and tell him why you’re not coming!”

Agnes remained silent, but her body language backed Sally entirely.

Robert tried another, gentler approach.

“Listen Sally; I’m not being awkward
,
honest
..
It’s
just…well what on earth wo
uld I have to talk about with a
Baronet for goodness sake!
”

“Well how about starting with the poachers I saw this morning? He was very interested when I told him earlier today.”

She went on to explain about their meeting at the Hotel, and how Sir Malcolm was determined to bring the poachers to justice.

Robert looked sullen, but thoughtful.

“Oh, Robert please
don’t
be such a bore. Malcolm and Katriona are lovely people – and they are so anxious to meet you.”

Agnes spoke up, in the same conciliatory tone.

“Sally’s right son; they are a lovely couple. I think you would be foolish not to accept the invitation. After all, it never harms to make friends with people who have a direct contribution to make regarding your employment!”

Robert looked warily at them both, causing Agnes to laugh.

“Ha, just look at him!
Still the wee laddie, when he is not getting his own way!”

“MUM!” Robert protested.

“Ha
ha
, don’t mum me – else I will get out the family album, to show Sally here
all your
embarrassing kiddie pictures!”

This time they all had a laugh, as Robert acknowledged that they had won the
argument.

“Ok you two, I’ll go along with it – not that I have much say in the matter it seems!”

Sally went over to him, and hugged him tightly. “Oh Robert; I love you so much”

“Yea,
yea
..so
you say, after you have gotten things your own way again.”

He replied grinning,
now his usual self
.

“So tell me Robert.”
Said Agnes, with a slight note of concern in her voice.
“What happened when you related Sally’s story to Tom and the others?”

“Well mum. It turns out that there has been quite a lot of evidence found, that points
to  poaching
activity. As the manager of the forestry workers on the estate, Tom has been in close contact with the police, as it is mainly our guys that find the evidence.”

Sally spoke out. “But what do you mean by evidence Robert?”

“Well mainly body parts and such, though there has been a crossbow arrow – or bolt – found
lodged deep in a tree; w
hich is why we never hear them. The crossbow is almost totally silent and a very efficient killing weapon in the right hands.”

Sally looked confused.
“Body parts!
Why is that?”

“Well it’s simple really, if you have a long distance to travel, and you’re carrying the deer; it’s a lot lighter without its head, legs and guts!”

“
Ugg
..how
horrid!”
She exclaimed hand to her mouth in horror.

“Yes it is a little – but it makes good sense. Another interesting thing is that the one you saw was still whole,
which could mean that their transport was not far from the scene of the crime.”

Agnes and Sally looked at one another.

“So this means that they must have been operating not far from the cabin then Robert!” Agnes spoke out.

“Well yes it does I have to admit – on this one occasion at least. Sally if you wouldn’t mind?  I have arranged for Tom to come around in the morning with the police liaison officer assigned to this case, and we can re-trace your steps to see if we can find any more evidence.”

“Yes, that’s fine. Oh while I remember; Malcolm said that he was going to chase things up with the police commissioner. They may well ask me to help them with an artist’s impression of the poachers!

Robert nodded his head in agreement. “Yes, that would certainly help out. Meanwhile Tom is asking around to see if anyone recognises potential targets from the descriptions you have given us. If they are local then someone must know them – especially the one with the limp.”

During this time they all finished their Tea and headed through to the lounge, where Agnes had lit a log fire, which was merrily blazing away in the hearth; for even in early summer-time, Scottish evenings tend to be rather chilly.

Making himself comfortable, with his feet up on a small table; Robert changed the subject away from poachers, to the plans for the wedding which he knew they were desperate to talk about
.

All this time a figure lurked in the trees outside the cabin, taking measure of the place and planning his next move.

“So th
is is
the Scottish hero!” he thought to himself, as
he
considered his
chances in a physical encounter; and decided that it should be avoided if at all possible.

******

It was late in the evening when they all retired to bed
. Agnes
having
informed them earlier that the little white church at Coylumbridge, had confirmed their booking – which delighted Sally – and that the Highland Piper was available to pipe them in.

Sally came out of the shower, and slipped naked into the bed beside Robert; who was already turned on in anticipation of what was to come.

She quickly arranged herself so that she was on top – her favourite position; and
Roberts
hungry mouth found her erect nipples. Easing
herself
on to him, Sally let out a moan of unrestrained pleasure – and immediately covered her mouth.

“Oops!” She giggled like a guilty school-girl. “I hope your mother didn’t hear that!”

Robert answered by grabbing her bare buttocks, and pulling her down further on to him
; resulting in them both being carried away with the pure ecstasy of the moment. The final release, when it came, caused them both to cry out in unison; after which
Sally  collapsed
giggling onto Robert’s muscular chest.

“Well that’s done it good and proper;
We’ll
maybe have to wear gags next time to cut the noise out!” She remarked grinning.

“Gags…hmmm – I never knew you were into kinky sex! Tell you what; you bring the gags and I’ll bring the handcuffs!” Robert replied wickedly.

Sally gave him a coy look. “Hmm, well maybe another time eh!”

“You really are a wicked hussy
Sally McInnis!” It was Roberts turn to grin as he rolled her over onto her back.

“Now that we’ve had the main course; isn’t it about time for desert?” Sally spread her legs wide in invitation.

“Well, only if you think you can manage another course!
My highland super-stud!”
She teased.

It was just beginning to get light, heralding another pleasant day to come, when Sally awoke to the early bird-song. Robert was still sleeping soundly, and
she found herself lulled into a comfortable place
,
by the quiet sound of his steady breathing.

She had wondered if Agnes would be happy with their sleeping arrangements, and had been quite prepared to get separate accommodation somewhere; or even just to sleep in a separate bedroom.

Agnes however had declared “
Och
…away with you! You are both adults, and no longer children to be told what to do!”

Sally had brought up the question of friends and neighbours – and what they would think.
To which Agnes replied. “To be truthful Sally – I’m past caring! The fact is that for the last few years, my life has been fraught with stress and heartache for my boy; I worried constantly over his inability to cope with the loss of dear Mhairi, and the subsequent gambling debts that threatened to put us out on the street. You have come along like an angel, and shone a light into an otherwise dark place. I will be forever
in your debt my dear Sally – So a pox on what the neighbours think!”

They had both laughed a
t
the finality of her last statement.

Sally herself felt immensely blessed, at her good fortune; it was if her father had arranged all this from the grave. The inheritance he left her amounting to
around 4 million
dollars in mainly gold stocks, made it possible for her to help out with the mortgage on the cabin. She had volunteered to pay it outright, but Robert would not hear of it.

She gazed lovingly at his sleeping form, and gently stroked his arm. A love that she thought would be impossible to find, welled up inside her
; causing tears of happiness to blur her vision.

“I’m such a romantic fool sometimes!”
she said quietly as she sought out a handkerchief from under the pillow.

The issue over who would ‘give her away’ at the wedding had yet to be resolved; though she did have the kernel of an idea forming in her mind. She decided to keep it to herself for a while longer, until she was sure of it.
The story regarding
Roberts
father meanwhile remained a mystery
. She had tried asking directly about him on a couple of occasions; but each time had been fobbed of with some
feeble answer. It was obviously something that
neither Robert or
Agnes wanted to talk about; and Sally felt no desire to press them.

“It will all come out in good time I’m sure.”
She thought to herself.

A quiet voice interrupted her thoughts.

“So you’re awake already. Did you sleep alright?” Robert asked.

Sally reached over and kissed him lightly on the lips. “
yes
I did my love. I usually awaken early, and go for a walk if the weather is nice; but that’s kind of scuppered now isn’t it!”

“Never mind; it’ll only be for a short while I’m sure. Something tells me that the poachers are reaching the end of the line. Your new information has served to stir things up, so that now the ‘big guns’ like Sir Malcolm are taking an active role in the search.”

“Yes, well…I wouldn’t like to think I’m going to be locked indoors for the rest of the summer!” Sally said despondently.

“No chance! I’m confident we will find them soon – meanwhile how about some breakfast?”

“Yes,
It’s
that time I suppose.” She said, as she made to get out of bed.