Chapter 11: Bella's Edinburgh ExcursionShe exited the elevator on the ground floor and strolled through the lobby. Glancing around, she spied a copy of today's newspaper someone had left on a chair. She picked it up, put it in her bag, and headed through the revolving door to the sidewalk outside.The street seemed to be busier to her left, in the general direction of Edinburgh Castle. It seemed likely to Bella that the tourist area would be that direction and she wasn't disappointed. She was passing all manner of souvenir store, several tea shops, and even a tartan dealer. Removing the GoPro from her bag, she began to shoot footage of the street, the hotel from this perspective, and the people milling about. She made the decision to grab a cup of tea and sat at an outdoor table, watching the action, getting a feel for the area. Sipping her tea, she realized that she heard more different languages than she could recognize. Clearly there were visitors here from all over the wor

Chapter 13: Touching Base"Well, hello, Sleeping Beauty! You finally decided to join the land of the living!" came the reply when he dialed her number. Then she laughed.She has a nice laugh, Luke thought. "Yup, I'm upright with my eyes open and everything," he countered, also laughing. "Where are you?""I'm not sure, maybe a mile or so from the hotel. I've been wandering and people watching," she said. "And I made an appointment for us tomorrow. I also have some really great video. You'll be impressed," Bella promised."You have some video?" He was a little taken aback. Did she take his gear? He looked around for his camera bag."Yes, I always take my GoPro. You never know what you'll find, and I found some good tourist-area footage, plus I got our first story. Also, I bought you a present," she replied."A present?" He felt confused. He hadn't been awake long enough to digest all the rapid-fire information."Relax, it's not a diamond or anything." She laughed again.

Chapter 15: A Force of NatureLuke went out on the terrace to smoke a cigar while Bella changed for going out. He thought back over the things she'd said. There were times he wondered if he missed out, not having family. Bella's story reminded him that family equals complications."Hey, ready?" she asked, breaking into his thoughts. He turned and for a moment he could only stare. She had changed into a black long-sleeved sweater with a deep V-neckline over a grey form-fitting skirt finished off with some very sexy grey heels. Once again, she was all curves. He wondered briefly if she was wearing that bra he'd seen earlier.She looked down at herself, frowning. "Is this alright?" she asked, self-consciously."Um, yeah, you look…great," he managed.She smiled. "Oh, good!""So let's go," he said.They walked the two blocks to McTavish's. Holding open the door as he allowed Bella to precede him into the pub, Luke instinctively placed his hand on the small of her back and at once

Chapter 17: A Great Story"Ailsa Duncan survived the explosion that destroyed an entire neighborhood five years ago," Bella explained in the back of the cab on their way to meet their 10:30 appointment. "But her husband and two children were killed. They were crushed when their house collapsed. Ailsa was found the next day, badly injured but alive."Luke was only half listening. He remembered covering the disaster, shooting video of the devastation. There had been a gas leak and before the neighborhood could be evacuated, there was a tremendous explosion. The fire had been apocalyptic, but the percussion from the blast obliterated homes that were never touched by flames."She wrote an open letter that was published in the newspaper, kind of an anniversary remembrance," Bella continued. "Are you alright?" she asked, concerned by his silence."Yeah, I'm fine. What happened to your hangover?" he asked, trying to change the subject."I've put it on ignore," she responded.The cab s

Chapter 19: Visiting a Family BusinessNevin and Luke kept up a lively conversation as they drove out of the city and into the countryside. Bella sat between the two men, listening to them reminisce about the old days and she smiled. Oh, to have been a fly on the wall during their misadventures. About twenty minutes out of town, Nevin drove up to a large rambling collection of buildings made of dark stone and roofed in slate. They were easily a hundred years old. After Nevin parked the truck they got out and Luke and Bella followed him to one of the smaller buildings. It looked like a cottage and that's exactly what it turned out to be."This is the home where I grew up," Nevin explained, "and my father before me, and his father before him. This business has been in my family for five generations." He spoke with a sense of heritage and pride.Nevin opened the door and as he did so they were treated to the aroma of something delicious cooking inside. "Here we are!" he shouted