At the Laird's bidding - completed

Chapter Eleven

Ana eyed the dog then Andrew. "What is that?" she asked pointing at the westie who wasn't Jock under his arm. She didn't care about office rules about no dogs allowed in the building.

"This is Jackie. What do you think?"

She eyed him closely. What was she thinking? She couldn't just get up and go and obviously, why he was here. Not for her. "Why do you care?"

"Well I was thinking, coming from Australia, there wouldn't be so much inbreeding, since westies are so popular in Scotland." She loved the way his accent had increased pulling at her heart.

"And?"

"I though she was perfect for Jock." Instantly her expression softened, chin trembling slightly.

"How's Jock? Is he alright?" She asked concerned. "My wee Jock is fine?" she asked stressed.

"Aye, he is, well," he paused to have her eyes instantly. "Not really, he is fretting."

"Oh," she pulled back cheeks reddening with guilt, then smiled running her hand over Jackie's head. "With this wee lassie he'll recover and forget all about me."

"He'll never forget you Anastasia. I haven't either," he added, since she hadn't asked.

She looked up at him with those incredible green eyes, soft and wary, to chew on her bottom lip very uncertain. "Lochlan," he arched a brow and growled deep in his throat. "Sorry Andrew," he growled again as did Jackie to bring back her hand sharply. "Drew," she offered to have him, leaning in closer and kissed her softly on her lips to have the room fall silent, deadly silent.

"I think we're about to be sprung Drew," she said softly against his lips pulling back. They both glanced around to a stern looking woman behind him. Dressed strictly as was her hairstyle and stern glare that lowered to the dog under Andrew's arm, tail wagging to bark that echoed down the cubicles. Heads ducked down to go about their work looking very busy while listening.

"Good morning. I was wondering if I could borrow Miss Stewart for awhile. I need a baby sitter while I organise a flight back to Scotland, my homeland." There was so much pride in his voice.

"Aye," Ana's eyes popped open wider. She had no idea she was Scottish or had background. Smith wasn't a Scottish name as far as she knew. "May I ask who you are?"

Andrew stepped forward to hold out his hand. "Laird Lochlan Andrew Ross at your service Missus."

"Miss McLeod before I got married, my Laird, oh, what a great honour. Please come on in and sit down and have a cuppa with me." Ana dropped into her seat stunned, opened mouth.

"Just for a wee while," he turned to Ana and handed over Jackie who sat on her lap, tongue hanging out panting then barked. "Darling you don't mind?" he eyes meshed with hers, melting her heart.

"You my Laird are a charmer and a softie." She was beginning to see that, well a long time ago, just refused to acknowledge it. "Sorry," she whispered.

"For what?" he asked crouching down to her level. She hugged Jackie to her heart as tears welled up in her eyes.

"For being a jealous fool. I resented your relationship for so long with my granny. She was all I had left."

Lovingly he caress her cheek with fingertips. "I know lass, I would never take her away from you and you will always be her granddaughter. She loves you Ana with all her heart."

"As I do her." She gave a weak smile. "We can share her," she offered. "You're already a favourite and I know you will keep her a safe eye over her for me."