Shaking off thoughts of Stone, Lachlan considered his friend and decided to put what was pissing Mac off out there. “Just thinking you’re acting like a grumpy shit because of Robyn.”

Mac scowled. “She’s not been to see me in days.”

“She’s not been on the estate in days.” Lachlan frowned. Not since Stone.

“Lucy says it’s because she’s working. Driving around Sutherland, taking photos.” Mac didn’t sound convinced.

Lachlan wasn’t entirely either. Although it could be true that she was out taking photos for her business. Arrochar found Robyn’s photography site and Instagram account. She showed both to Mac. Lachlan, being a nosy bastard, looked too. To his shock, he discovered Robyn’s work was exceptional. No wonder she had so many followers on her Instagram account. He thought of her as a cop, not just because she was investigating the stalker/attacker case but because of her manner. But there was no denying where her true talent lay.

Her shots were interesting city perspectives on Boston and New York. And lately, incredible scenic shots of Ardnoch and Sutherland. So beautiful, in fact, Lachlan considered commissioning work from her that he could display on the estate.

“Lucy’s probably right.”

“She’s avoiding me.” Mac ran an aggrieved hand through his hair. “I’m not a stupid man, Lachlan. She was fine one second and then the next, I’m Uncle Mac with Eilidh and Lewis, and Robyn can’t get out of here fast enough.”

His brows furrowed as he remembered the moment. Robyn looked so panicked, Lachlan had instinctively reached for her. When she’d eluded him, he’d chased after her, bumping into Lucy on the way. Lucy had gone after her in his stead, but it had surprised Lachlan how concerned he’d been for Robyn. Later, when he’d inquired about her to Lucy, his friend was closemouthed. She assured him, however, Mac’s daughter was okay.

It didn’t occur to him that what was wrong with Robyn was watching Mac interact with Lachlan’s niece and nephew. Belatedly, he pieced together what Mac had perceptively already done. “She found it hard to see you being parental?”

Mac gave a slight lift of his chin in answer. Lachlan noted the way the muscle in his friend’s jaw ticked. And ticked, ticked, ticked.

Sympathy moved through him as he stood from the desk to approach the bed. “Mac, you need to give her the letters.”

“I don’t want her to think her mother is to blame for this. I’m in the wrong too.”

“I never said you weren’t. But things might have gone differently if her mum hadn’t made it so bloody hard for you.” He thought of Robyn again, looking so young and alone that morning she’d run from Mac’s suite, like savage ghosts of the past were chasing her. He found the idea of cocksure, tough Robyn Penhaligon so easily broken by Mac’s behavior oddly disconcerting. While he still wanted to protect Mac, Lachlan knew it was in Robyn’s best interests, too, to discover the truth. “Who got hurt the most in the end? Clearly Robyn. And she should know that losing you isn’t just on you.”

Mac’s eyes narrowed as if he heard something in Lachlan’s voice. “It is. I hurt Stacey.” Mac referred to Robyn’s mother. “And she hurt me back through Robyn.”

“Only to hurt Robyn too.”

“Well … it’ll be up to me to tell Robyn. If I decide to tell her. She already hates one parent. She shouldn’t have to hate two.”

“She doesn’t hate you, Mac.” Her big, wounded eyes flashed in Lachlan’s mind. “She wouldn’t be here if she hated you. She wouldn’t be gunning for the person who attacked you if she hated you.”

Mac studied him closely. “You won’t tell her. I mean it. There are things I will forgive you when it comes to Robyn…” He gave Lachlan a pointed look he pretended not to understand. “But telling her about her mother is not one of them.”

“I wouldn’t dream of interfering,” Lachlan semi-lied, even as he crossed the room with that purpose in mind. He wouldn’t tell Robyn about her mother, but he’d certainly give her a kick up the backside to come visit Mac and sort out their shit. “I’m going back to work. Arro should be here soon. Said she’d pop by to have lunch with you.”

“I don’t need to be babysat,” Mac grumbled.

“Then I’ll tell her not to bother.”

“Well, I never said that. She’s probably already on her way here. Would be silly to stop her now.”

Lachlan hid a grin as he pulled open the bedroom door. “Enjoy lunch.”

As for work, he technically hadn’t lied about returning to it. He needed to ask Robyn about commissioning those photographs.

And if he happened to remind her while he was there that she had a duty to look after her father’s well-being, then so be it.

* * *

ROBYN

“Isn’t it still early there?” I held my phone up to my face so Autry and Jaz could see me in the dim light of the trailer.