Plus-size Perfect

Chapter 7

It is the start of the December holidays and Eva's car is loaded. Her Dad promised to send the rest of her belongings with Henry the next day. She is very tired when she drives into Isla's driveway. She has to collect the keys to Dower Castle and make sure she has a copy of her contract so with a bit of luck; Morgan will not see this as a too familiar visit to her in-laws. Isla is in the garden with a cup of tea and welcomes Eva like a long lost daughter. "Hullo my darling Eva. I misst ye. I am so glad ye ar here at last. Cam hav a nice cup of tea and relax a bit. I already went tae Dower Castle this morning, and left Maisy and Lian there, tae air everything out and clean a bit of the dust away." Eva hugs her and sits down for a cup of tea. "Hullo Isla, I am so happy tae be here. Thenk ye for airing out my place but it wasnae necessary, really. Though I appreciate it, I would hav done it as soon as I arrived. My Da will send the rest of my belongings with Henry tomorrow, so I hav enough time tae dust everything." She enjoys Isla's company until Isla's phone rings. "Och hullo Torin love ... nae, I am wonderful thenks for asking. Busy in the gardens this mornin ... aye ... aye ... och nae, I am enjoying a lovely cup of tea in the garden with Eva now. .. Aye she has arrived about half an hour ago ... Och really ... but that is wonderful. Then ye can bring the rest of Eva's belongings with ye and poor Henry dinnae have tae bring it tomorrow ..." Eva shakes her head and tries to tell Isla not to bother Torin with her belongings, but Isla just waves her away. "Okay ... I will tell her that. Bye my love, drive safely." She puts her phone on the table and laughs. "Ye ken Eva darling, ye shouldnae make a fuss, if we want tae help ye. Torin is bringing a few things for me from Blackhood for my garden too and there is plenty of space in the truck he rented. He is staying here for the holidays until the school starts again in January." At first Eva cannot understand why she feels excited about Torin being here in Thornton for a whole month, but when she thinks about it, she realises she can just as well face it, she still has a huge crush on Torin. With her house already clean when she arrives, and the two maids' help, everything is in its place very soon. After Isla and the help went home, Eva starts to explore every nook and cranny of her new home. She just loves the swing in the back yard and she knows, she is going to enjoy that swing many times. Late afternoon she looks in the fridge to find that it is stocked already. The cabinets in the kitchen, is also full of all the type of food that Eva can eat and likes to eat. She makes herself a salad for dinner and goes to bed early.
Very early the next morning Eva is still in her nightgown in bed, when she hears a car door. She grabs a robe and peaks out the window next to the door. O my goodness, there on her doorstep in jeans, t-shirt and work boots stands a very sexy looking Torin with a paper bag in his arm. She opens the door feeling very uncomfortable. He gives her a killer smile, looks her up and down, and pushes past her into the house.

"Guid mornin' Miss. Eva. Why ar ye still nae dressed on such a fine mornin' like this?" He places a kiss on her cheek when he goes past her into the kitchen. She smells the fresh cinnamon rolls and she wants to scream. How the hell does he knows that is her one down fall. "Ar ye sleepwalking honey, is that why ye havnae said a single word yet?" She looks at him, rubs her eyes and yawns. "Dae ye ken how early it is? Why can ye nae visit at a decent time like everybody else, and why ar ye so perky at six o' clock in the mornin'? Nae normal human being, ar so happy this early in the mornin'. Ye sound like Seth this mornin'." He takes her hand and pulls her into the kitchen because she still stands in the hallway. "Wow, and I thought I cam tae surprise ye with yer favourite cinnamon rolls. Dinnae look at me as if I grew horns Eva. I ken ye try tae nae eat these heavenly morsels, but ... I thought yer new house and freedom from yer Mother warrants a little celebration." She cannot believe Torin is here and he speaks to her as if she never was his student. She laughs and shakes her head. "Okay Torin let us start again. Guid mornin' Mr. MacKensie. Thank ye for the thought of my Achilles hill. I dae appreciate it, but it is rather early. Were ye on the road during the night?" She puts on the percolator and takes out some plates and butter for the rolls. He smiles, folds his arms while he leans against the back door and then he looks angry. "I need tae tell ye, I am nae longer Mr. Mackensie tae ye Eva. I am Torin tae ye in future and I dinnae care what yer family says. They can all gae tae hell for all I care. I couldnae sleep last night, so I decided in the early mornin' hours; I can just as well start my trip early, since I already got yer belongings from yer Dad last night. Which I must confess, yer Mother dinnae like one bit." They drink coffee and eat the still warm cinnamon rolls. While she puts everything away afterwards, he moves towards the counter. "Torin, tell me where did ye get these rolls so early that it is still warm?" He laughs and shakes his head. "That my sweet Eva is my secret. If ye promise tae indulge and humour me, for the whole duration of the holidays while I am here, I will tell ye." She looks strangely at him where she stands against the counter, but he only smiles. "How am I supposed tae indulge and humour ye?" He laughs and grabs her hand, pulling her to stand between his legs, where he sits at the counter on a bar stool now. When his hands moves to her hips, her eyes become bigger and she blushes a beautiful pink. "If I should be in need of a companion tae the family picnics, gatherings, parties or a night out, ye must accompany me. It is that easy." She tries to pull away but he keeps his hands firmly on her hips. "I ... I cannae dae that Torin, please understand ..." She thinks of Morgan's anger and volatile personality when she does not get what she wants. She wonders if Peter and his family know about it. "Honey, I dae understand that ye still think of me as yer teacher, but please that's in the past. I am yer friend too and as a friend, I ask ye as my companion. Or else, yer dear Sister is gaun tae try tae pair me again, with her snobbish friends like in the past years. Please Eva ..." She relaxes and he stands up, but still holds her hips. She looks pleadingly to him. "Nae, please Torin, I really cannae dae that. Morgan asked me tae stay away from the Mackensie clan and that includes ye. I am nae gaun tae any of yer family gatherings, parties, or picnics. I am here to study nae socialize with the Mackenzie clan. Morgan will never forgive me and she will make my life miserable..." He takes her hand and walks to the lounge where he pulls her down with him on the couch. He puts his one arm over the back around her shoulders and with his other hand, he keeps on holding her hand. "Eva I told ye, they cannae longer make yer life hell. Nevertheless, I willnae let her dictate my life and whom I can date. If ye let her rule yer life here in Thornton ye can just as well gae back home tae yer Mother, tae make yer life a living hell." She looks sad when she looks up and there are tears in her eyes. "Ye dinnae understand tae what extremes Morgan will gae. I dinnae think yer family or even Peter ken of the type of temper tantrums she can have and then ... ye ken that saying hell has nae fury ... it does nae only mean if a man makes her angry ... anyone ... and I mean anyone, who comes in her path will get burnt ..." Torin sees that she is serious and now he understands why Peter is becoming more silent by the day and why he tries to avoid any family gatherings. He does not want his family to know about Morgan's tantrums and that is probably why they dae not have children yet. He pulls Eva into his arms and holds her to his chest. "I dae understand what ye ar saying Love, but I have my ways and a certain kind of power here in Thornton tae keep Morgan of yer case. Therefore if need be, I will use my power and she willnae like it one bit if she dares tae turn on ye. Dae ye want tae be my companion tae these parties and gatherings? I am nae asking ye if Morgan will allow ye tae accompany me ... I want tae ken if YE would like tae be my companion. Besides, ye already ken I am the perfect gentleman, when I take ye out. Dinnae I proved myself months ago, when I took ye tae the club and restaurant, and even when I visited ye, when ye were alone at the house that one time?" She smiles shyly and wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. "I ken I can trust ye Torin and I ken ye ar a gentleman. There ar things that ye dae nae ken ... Yes, I would like tae be yer companion ... but ... I dinnae want tae cam between ye and yer family." She tells him of Morgan's demand that she stays at her house and focus on her studies and that she does not want Eva to get too familiar with her in-laws and actually any of the Mackensies, which includes him and Seth. Torin's eyes become stormy and she knows that he is angry. "So whit ye ar saying is, if Morgan ken about Seth and Mira, she will dae everything in her power tae stop them, even if it means, that she needs tae dae something terrible behind their backs?" Eva nods. "Yes, and I have a suspicion that she did something years ago when they were still in school too. When I think back at the time when Mira was in grade 12, I can remember how Morgan and Mother used tae talk in the kitchen until Mira or I cam into the kitchen. Morgan also was very happy and cheery when Mira said she broke up with her boyfriend, but at that time, I dinnae ken who it was and I assumed Mother and Morgan dinnae ken either, but now I am nae so certain aboot that." Torin looks thoughtful and let go of Eva's hand. She sits more away from him and wonders what he is thinking. When he gets up from the couch, he pulls her with him. "Cam help me unload the truck with yer belongings. I still hav tae take my Mom's things tae her." After every box was where she wanted it, he makes ready tae leave and kiss her cheek again. "Bye Eva, see ye around. Please dinnae fash about Morgan, or how we ar going tae handle the situation. I promise ye my family willnae get angry with ye. Ye keep on being with my parents as ye ar when ye ar alone with them and I will handle yer dear sister." She nods and watches him leave. Then to her astonishment she realizes that she is still in her robe and she starts to laugh. Wow, Torin made her forget she was not dressed yet. What a way to start yer morning ...
Torin arrives at his Mom's house, delivers her garden things as she asked and then makes a lunch appointment with Peter. Although he is his brother, he knows that Peter is a busy man. Just before lunch he picks up pizza and sodas for him and Peter and makes his way to Peter's office.  The receptionist shows him in just before she leaves for lunch herself.  Peter looks up and smiles, he is his normal old self for a change. "Hullo Torin, and tae whit dae I owe this visit little brother?" Torin laughs as he puts Peter's Pizza and soda in front of him. "I ken ye ar busy and I thought if I cam see ye in lunch I dinnae take away someone else's appointment with ye and ye and I can hav lunch together. My appointment is of a personal family nature too." Peter takes a big bite of pizza and looks curiously at Torn. "Okay I am listening."  Torin swallow his piece of pizza and swig it down with some soda before he starts his questioning. "Whit dae ye think of Eva?"  Peter seems a bit surprised but he does not have a problem to answer Torin.  "Well, I really dae like and respect her. She is a bright and very smart young woman. I always wanted a little sister and actually looked forward tae having Eva as mine, but then ... She seems tae walk circles around me. Later, during the years at family gatherings, she dinnae show up or preferred tae sit alone in the garden. The only people she talked tae from time tae time was Mira, ye and Seth. To tell ye the truth I am worried aboot Eva." He goes on and tells him about her visit the previous month and how she went home on the second day, even though she was supposed to stay the week. "Ye see Peter whit I am aboot tae tell ye, have tae stay between me and ye. Ye cannae tell Morgan any of this, even though she is yer wife." He tells him everything Eva told him about her Mother and Morgan, of how Morgan told her she is too familiar with the Mackensies and all the other things. Peter looks somewhat ashamed. "I am sorry Torin, Eva is correct and if I ken how Morgan treated Eva I would hav talked tae her about it. Morgan throws temper tantrums and we hav many fights aboot her snobbish attitude. I just dinnae want tae involve the family in my personal problems. I always thought she wants children and suddenly she is afraid it will ruin her figure. I take clients as I see fit, and dae some pro bono work once in a while and she doesnae like it. She wants me tae only help the rich and famous clients. As ye ken that is nae the way we were brought up or how I want tae dae business. Tell me, is Eva here already? I assumed she is going with her parents on the ski-holiday in Switzerland until Christmas. Morgan and I ar supposed tae meet them there on Christmas day and stay until after Boxing Day. That is why I asked ye and Seth if all of us can hav a family meal at Mom's place the 24th. Just tell me Seth's new girl is a decent model, or dae ye nae ken aboot her?" Torin smiles secretly. "Let's just say, Seth's girl is gaun tae be a great surprise, but also nae one that Morgan is gaun tae like at all. Mom and Dad on the other hand will be very glad aboot this one. Eva is nae gaun with her parents as far as I ken, that is one of the reasons I want tae ask her tae accompany me tae the family dinner the 24th. She actually declined my invitation, 'cause Morgan is nae gaun tae like it if Eva accompanies me. I also asked her for the picnic on the 1st of January and I wanted tae take her tae the charity ball on the 31st, but she says, she cannae dae it, as she doesnae want tae cause a riff between me and the family. She actually doesnae want tae make Morgan angry, that is all." Peter looks thoughtfully at Torin. "May I ask ye something very personal Torin?" Torin has an idea about what is coming, but he is okay with it and he nods. "I ken Eva was yer student until very recently and I ken ye would nae hav overstepped with Eva, but ... what ar yer feelings towards her? Why dae ye look out for her?" Torin shifts uncomfortably in his chair, but looks Peter in the eyes when he answers him. "I dinnae touch her or talked anything inappropriately with her while I was her teacher and personal trainer at the weight loss clinic. Ye ken I help Toni out once in a while and this was one of those times. I must confess I did kiss her once, very late one night, when I went tae her house tae give her, her birthday present. I also did hold her in my arms a few times and kissed her on the forehead, when she cried aboot her Mother and Morgan's attitudes towards her. Peter, I think I am developing romantic feelings for Eva, but she is totally unaware of me or my feelings. I always liked her, but I stayed clear 'cause I was a teacher at her school. These last few months were a bit difficult, because I noticed her more and I became very aware of her as a woman. I want her tae study without me complicating things, but I also want tae make her aware of my intentions ... I only want the best for her. That doesnae make sense does it?"  Peter smiles knowingly.  "Torin my little brother, ye arnae developing feelings for Eva ... ye arnae falling in love ... ye already ar in love with her. It is gaun tae be difficult with ye in Blackhood and her here. I think ye should convince her, tae accompany ye tae all the family gatherings, leave Morgan tae me. In that way she can get used tae being in a relationship with ye, people will see ye together and realise what is gaun on and ye can slowly start tae show her how ye feel. Even, if it is only during the holidays. Just remember a long distance relationship is difficult at best. Hopefully she will fall in love with ye too when she gets tae ken ye better as a man and nae her teacher. Ye will also hav tae tell her who is her landlord and who ye ar? If she accompanies ye tae places, she is gaun tae find out anyway from other people. Rather let it cam from ye ..." Torin nods and looks at the time. "Thenk ye Peter, I feel better already. I will see ye sometime during the week again." He gets up and takes the pizza boxes and soda cans, to dispose of it somewhere else. He is sure Peter does not want his office to smell like pizza for the rest of the afternoon. He has to go to his estate to finish some of the work he planned for this holiday. First he has to go and change cars at Max's house. He will wait a few days before he tells Eva about her landlord. Let her get settled in first. Maybe then, she will not get mad at him.