Sparks in Scotland Read Online Free Page B

Royal Mile, a long stretch of old buildings as far as the eye could see. It bustled with people walking to and fro.
    A band of men wearing kilts and carrying tiny accordions went walking by, playing and singing loudly as they danced their way down the street. We cheered them on. A crowd of a dozen or so little kids followed behind, tiny hands clapping as they screamed for more music. One of the men, who had a huge mustache, shot me a bold wink as he passed, and Mom giggled as she elbowed me in the side.
    â€œThat’s hilarious,” I said, my stomach hurting from laughing so hard. “They looked like they were having a blast.”
    â€œNever know what yer gonna see here,” Graham said with a grin.
    Mom and Mollie stopped us at a pub with outdoor seating. We popped into the metal seats, and I sighed in relief to get off my aching feet for a few minutes. All that walking was adding up. The waitress, a young blonde in her twenties, came out and cheerfully took our sandwich orders. Graham’s long legs were splayed under the glass-top table, and his knee brushed mine as he shifted in his seat.
    I sucked in a shaky breath, torn between wanting to move my leg and wanting to push it closer to his. Good grief, this guy was causing some crazy, mixed-up reactions in me. And I’d practically just met him.
    I cleared my throat. “So, Mom,” I said in an effort to distract myself from his nearness, “tell me more about how you and Mollie met.”
    That worked. The two women talked over each other, spilling the story of their friendship. Apparently, they’d met back in elementary school when they’d been assigned to work at the same art station. When they’d both realized their favorite color was green, they’d become instant friends, the way little kids often bonded.
    Our food was delivered, and we noshed as they continued to talk.
    â€œBefore the Internet, we would write letters back and forth,” Mollie explained to me and Graham. “It was one of my favorite things back in those early days, getting a letter from your mom.”
    Mom’s smile widened, and she reached over and squeezedMollie’s hand. “Me too,” she said with a slight sheen in her eyes. “Of course, now we have e-mail and chat messengers and texts and cell phones to help us talk. Gotta love technology.”
    My heart squeezed at the real, true friendship between them. Despite the distance, they’d made it work. It made me happy to see. Even Graham seemed touched, his eyes smiling as he looked quietly at them.
    â€œRemember that time we both liked the same guy?” Mollie suddenly asked. She tilted her head in thought. “Um, his name was Bradley . . . Bradley . . .”
    â€œOh my God!” Mom said with a laugh. She clapped her hand over her mouth. “Bradley Amos? He was so cute. Remember those thick black glasses and how he’d look at us over the top of them?”
    Graham raised an eyebrow at me, and I just shrugged. Our faces held matching smiles.
    I finished my last bite and looked around the street. Now that I’d eaten and rested up, I wanted to explore more of the strip. It was tempting to ask Graham to join me, but I didn’t want to assume anything. “Mom, can I walk around for a while?” I asked in a hesitant tone. “I’ll stay right here on the Royal Mile, and I have my phone with me.”
    She looked uncertain. “I’m not sure I like the idea of you wandering around by yourself. . . .”
    â€œI just want to do a little window-shopping. Pretty please.” I clasped my hands in front of me and shot her my most begging look.
    Her response was to narrow her eyes with a knowing smirk. “I know what you’re trying to do, missy. But it’s not safe, and you know I worry.”
    â€œI’d be happy to take her around if ya want,” Graham offered. He wiped his hands on his napkin and plopped it beside his