Read Online Kilt at the Highland Games by Kaitlyn Dunnett - Free Book Online

lot.
    â€œDo you want to come in?” Liss asked her aunt when they reached the sidewalk that led up to Liss’s front porch.
    Margaret glanced at the house and frowned, as if she didn’t quite know how she’d gotten there. Then she literally shook herself, dislodging Liss’s arm as she squared her shoulders and stiffened her spine. “We’re not dead yet,” she announced, misquoting one of Dan’s favorite lines from Monty Python and the Holy Grail .
    Liss felt a grin spread across her face. Margaret had recovered her fighting spirit.
    â€œI’ve been events coordinator at The Spruces long enough to have plenty of tricks up my sleeve,” the older woman announced. “The original plan was to kick off the Highland Games with a parade, an opening ceremony in the town square, and fireworks that would be set off on that hill behind the hotel. We’ll just have to have a procession around the hotel grounds instead. The opening ceremonies can take place in one of the fields where the competitions will be held. Thank goodness Joe bought that adjoining land two years ago. We have plenty of room.”
    â€œWhat about the town square merchants?” Liss asked. “I’m okay, since I already have a booth at the Highland Games, but what you told Thea is true. The organizers won’t allow you to add vendors. Could her suggestion about the lobby work?”
    Margaret shook her head. “I can offer limited display space in the hotel gift shop, but even that would take some doing.” Her expression turned rueful. “I’m in for a busy couple of days!”
    â€œI’ll help all I can.”
    â€œI know you will, dear. We’ll talk more tomorrow.” With that, she walked on toward her apartment.
    Liss sighed. Her impulsive offer to help was likely to come back and bite her in the butt. By morning, Margaret would have produced a to-do list that was the proverbial mile long, one that would have them both running right out straight until the Highland Games opened.
    Liss let herself into the house, scooping up the black cat waiting just inside the door. At least there would be one bright side to staying so busy. Juggling a thousand and one details would distract her from constant worry about Angie and the kids. As it was, questions about what had happened to them crept into her thoughts at every opportunity. Despite her exhaustion, sleep that night was a long time coming.
    * * *
    Two hours after Liss opened Moosetookalook Scottish Emporium on Saturday morning, Sherri turned up wearing her uniform and a worried frown. Liss froze in the act of cleaning a shelf full of china figurines—pipers, dancers, drummers, and a few Scottish lions.
    â€œAny news?”
    Sherri glanced around, as if to make certain they were alone before she said anything.
    â€œRelax. Business has slowed to its normal crawl. You want coffee?”
    â€œNo time.”
    â€œIf it’s bad news, just spit it out.”
    â€œNot bad. Not anything. That’s the problem. If there weren’t children involved, we wouldn’t even be able to call Angie a missing person yet. Not officially. It’s been less than forty-eight hours since the fire.”
    Liss made a spiraling motion with one hand, urging her friend to get to the point.
    â€œOkay, here’s the thing. A logical step in the attempt to locate Angie and the kids was to look into Angie’s background.” Sherri didn’t seem to be able to stand still. She prowled toward the area of the shop where a set of bagpipes (not for sale), drumsticks, penny whistles, and practice chanters were displayed on a wall.
    â€œMakes sense.” Liss abandoned her can of lemon-scented furniture polish and dust rag to trail after her friend. When Sherri made an abrupt about-face, it caught her by surprise. The two women came within an inch of colliding.
    â€œSorry.”
    â€œWhy don’t you sit down and tell me