Tartan Deadlines
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About this ebook
Rae Spencer has embarked on a new life - in Edinburgh, Scotland. Not only does she have her dream job waiting. A man is the last thing on her mind, but, unknown to her her soul mate is also waiting.
Rory MacGregor has never been married - he's married to his work. Little does he realize that his new American editor is going to change all of that.
They say it's easy to let go of the past - but will the past let go of Rae? Or will it follow her to Scotland and torment her?
Family lies and family secrets are never good.
Rory and Rae defy steep odds to prove to the world that their love can survive.
Jamie Salisbury
Writing romance stories with passion and sass, Jamie Salisbury has seen several of her books soar to #1 on Amazon. Her novella, Tudor Rubato was a finalist in the 2012 RONE (Reward of Novel Excellence) awards. The cover won for Best Contemporary Cover. Now in 2014, her novel, Life and Lies was nominated for a RONE in the Erotica category. Her books are both self published and now include several published through Secret Cravings Publishing. Music, traveling and history are among her passions when not writing. Her previous career in public relations in and around the entertainment field has afforded her with a treasure trove of endless story ideas.
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Tartan Deadlines - Jamie Salisbury
Tartan Deadlines
by
Jamie Salisbury
Smashwords Edition
Copyright © 2014 Jamie Salisbury
TARTAN DEADLINES
Copyright © 2014 Jamie Salisbury
All Rights Reserved
Smashwords Edition License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
All rights reserved. Without reserving the rights under copyright, reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or any other means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
Dedication
First and foremost this book is dedicated to the memory of Mackenzie Kennedy. Not a day goes by that I do not miss your wit, laughter, sarcasm and love of life.
Next to my readers, a debt of gratitude for embracing my books as well as their characters and for your friendship and the gift of your time whenever you sit down to read one of my books. I sincerely hope you continue to enjoy the ride.
To everyone who have been with me through thick and thin throughout the process it takes to get to this point. Thanks! I couldn't have done it without each and every one of you.
****
Cover: Anya Kelleye Designs
Chapter One
The unfamiliar wail of sirens jolted Rae Spencer upright. Though she hadn't been asleep for hours, she was still caught off guard by the noise, foreign. Sitting up she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched before standing. The bedside clock read seven am.
Come on then,
she said to no one but herself. Lots to do today.
Visiting Edinburgh Scotland, much less living there had always been on her bucket list. Now Rae found herself not only visiting, she was about to open a whole new chapter of her life. Not something she had planned. But nonetheless, she was excited at what lie ahead.
Thirty-plus years of marriage to a highly successful stockbroker, who had grown through the ranks to become a portfolio manager, more than provided Rae a lifestyle she took for granted. Now it was all gone, in the blink of an eye…gone.
Duncan had, for the past few years, been silently and secretly moving all of their liquid monetary assets to off shore accounts. Accounts Rae knew nothing about and had no access to. The money had also been transferred to a country where neither the Internal Revenue Service nor any other U.S. entity could touch it.
And then Duncan disappeared. Disappeared, Rae later found out with his twenty something girlfriend. No one, not even their son Shawn knew where he was. Shawn was in as much shock as Rae.
Smelling a huge rat she immediately hired an attorney. Keith Simpson. He was not only a partner in one of New York City's most prominent law firms, he was a man who had connections and could make things happen. He was also a long time friend of Rae's from college along with his wife Madeleine.
Long story short, Duncan may have thought he was going to leave Rae high and dry, but by the time Keith was finished with him Rae had a huge cash settlement, half the proceeds of the New York City co-op they had only recently purchased. She also was given ownership of their long time home in Manhattan and a huge apartment they had purchased in Edinburgh, Scotland. The rest of what Rae received was simply mundane, routine parts of any divorce settlement.
Rae feeling vindicated decided she needed a break. She needed to get away from New York City and any reminders of her life with Duncan.
Two months later she was living in Edinburgh Scotland. The apartment was something she and Duncan had purchased as a get-away, more for Rae than him. To him it had been nothing more than another asset. Now it was going to be Rae's home. Duncan's settlement had been so generous she never had to work another day in her life if she chose. Rae thought however it would do her good to go back to work. A way to meet new people in her adopted new country.
Shawn helped her land a job with a communications firm that was looking to expand some of its market into the United States. Rae had a successful career in public relations before she'd met and married Duncan. He saw how difficult finding a job at his mother's age was and made a few calls. They both agreed the move would not only get Rae away from the bad memories New York now held, it would give her a fresh start somewhere she had always dreamed about living.
Rae made her way around the suitcases she had yet to unpack after her arrival yesterday evening. Exhausted from the long trip she figured there was no reason to rush. The new job didn't start until Monday and she had the whole weekend to unpack and organize. It had taken two trips to get everything in the bedroom. She had taken her personal toiletries into the bathroom, which was not connected to either bedroom, something not uncommon she had found out, but decided she could easily make the adjustment.
Picking up the case that contained her laptop and other necessities she carried them back into the living room. There was a French provincial writing desk situated against one wall that would be suitable to use for now. Rae gently took the laptop from the case and set it on the desk. Rummaging through the case, she found the power cord and other necessities. After fiddling around for several minutes, getting everything just the way she wanted it, plugged it in, but didn't open it up or turn it on. She knew there would be a ton of emails to answer as she had not spoken to a soul. Well except Shawn, and that was to let him know she'd arrived safely. Rae knew her oldest and best friend Carol had probably already sent several emails. She would be expecting to hear from her. Knowing Carol as well as she did Rae knew she would be calling tomorrow if she hadn't heard from her.
Carol and Rae had been best friends since grade school. She always knew how to cheer Rae up and had insisted she come to California to visit her when all the crap with Duncan broke loose. But Rae stubbornly refused, even though eternally grateful for her ear, listening and adding her thoughts and opinions when Shawn had approached her with this job opportunity.
Rae smiled thinking about her old friend. The last time she had seen her Rae was amazed that even though they didn't see each other but every five years or so Carol hadn't changed. Oh sure her hair was salt-and-pepper but she wore it long, much like she had since their college days together. Rae on the other hand had never found a style she cared for and was constantly trying new things. She was tall and still quite slim, due to the rigorous exercise routine she maintained.
No, she could wait as well for her to respond. What she needed first was a cup of coffee. Strong coffee!
****
By Monday morning Rae was more than ready to start her new job. She had been dreading it, only because it had been so long since she had held a job, and she was nervous as a cat on a tin roof. So nervous that at one point she thought she might actually be physically sick before she even made it into the office.
But once Rae walked through the glass door, with the name MacGregor Communications
blazed across it, she felt her body relax. She was in her element. Public relations had always been her forte. She was quite good at it, if she did say so about herself. Rae had used her expertise in various charity organizations she had belonged to back home. Now she would actually get paid to do what she loved.
She approached the young receptionist who couldn't have been but twenty-five, if that. She had dark brown hair with eyes that matched and was dressed in a more casual manner than Rae would have thought acceptable. But then she hadn't worked for years.
Good morning. I'm Rae Spencer. Today is my first day, and I was told to ask for Mr. MacGregor.
Yes ma'am. Mr. MacGregor is out of the office, but he left instructions with his assistant, Gina to get you settled in,
she replied, trying not to snap the gum she was trying so hard to conceal. Her accent, though Scottish was quite refined as though she had been schooled elsewhere.
Well then, I guess you can tell Gina I'm here.
Rae was secretly steaming inside. How dare he! After all the emails and phone calls he took the day she was to start to be out of the office. On the other hand it might have been something he couldn't avoid.
She was about to sit back down when a young blonde in black slacks and a white silk blouse came bouncing toward her. This must be Gina.
Hello! Rae? I'm Gina, Rory's assistant. He said to tell you how sorry he was not to be here when you arrived. Something came up with one of our accounts and he went himself to smooth things over.
That's quite all right. I totally understand. These things do happen.
She stuck out her smooth, well manicured hand and they shook hands, each sizing the other up.
Well with any luck he should be back by this afternoon. In the mean time, why don't I show you to your office? Then I'll show you where to get yourself tea or coffee and introduce you around.
Sounds good to me,
Rae replied trying her best not to fake a smile.
Later that day, Rae looked up from the computer screen to see a man of about forty standing in the doorway. His height was slightly below the doorframe. He was tall. Wearing blue jeans and an Irish fisherman's sweater with a pale blue shirt underneath, his dark brown hair contrasted off the sweater. Sable brown eyes observed her. His smile only increased his handsome good looks.
You look good sitting there.
He boomed in a loud Scottish brogue. I'm Rory MacGregor and welcome to MacGregor Communications Mrs. Spencer.
Rae started to get up out of her chair, but her legs felt like jelly. She finally got hold of herself, stood and met him halfway.
It's so good to finally meet you, Mr. MacGregor.
He extended his hand and took Rae's in a firm grip.
And it's good to meet you as well. Please call me Rory. I don't believe in old fashioned formalities in the office.
Well then Rory, please…call me Rae.
He sauntered into the office and sat down in one of the two leather and chrome chairs strategically placed in front of the glass and chrome desk.
Very well how about if I introduce you properly to the staff? I can give you a run down on what everyone does. I know it'll boggle your mind for a week or two but you'll learn quickly.
That sounds good.
she replied, trying not to look at him too directly.
Damn Shawn! He hadn't told her Rory MacGregor was not only a younger man he had failed to let her know how handsome a man he was. Not that she was interested. A relationship with a man was the furthest thing from Rae's mind since all the nastiness with Duncan, the divorce…his girlfriend.
Rae quickly shook off any bad vibes from her past life. The one thing she had promised herself was that she would never look back-only forward…toward the future.
Rory marched into his office and shut the door behind him. Damn! He had no idea, from all the times he had talked with Rae Spencer that he would be so physically attracted to her. No woman had aroused him so quickly as this one had. There was no way he could refuse to acknowledge the jolt of awareness that shot through him when he first saw her sitting at her desk. She was an attractive looking woman. Blonde highlighted, neatly trimmed shoulder length hair, and those eyes, gray as steel and beautiful. No, she wasn't just pretty. She had a certain presence, a kind of aura about her.
He sighed and walked to his desk. He hadn't been involved with a woman in ages; except for a fling here and there, and Rae Spencer was not a woman he would want to have a fling with.
Turning to look out his window at the skyline of Edinburgh he wondered if Ms. Spencer would be interested in a man his age. He was after all, a good deal younger. Perhaps if he took things slow and got to know her better. They would be working together quite closely.
****
Rae was sitting in front of the computer after dinner that evening with a cup of hot tea. She opened emails and immediately found two from Carol. Rae had promised her they would Skype later in the evening so she could give her all the juicy details of her first day of work. And boy were they ever! A vision of Rory MacGregor streamed into her mind and she smiled at the thought.
The first email consisted of her Atta girl, you can do it
speech Rae had come to know so well over the past few months. She giggled.
If you only knew girlfriend,
she told the computer screen.
The next email from her however was different, apologetic in tone.
I totally forgot the new time difference! I'm sorry but I won't be able to Skype tonight. Little Bella has her first piano recital and you know I can't miss that. Email me with a time that works for you. I promise I will schedule anything else around you!! Hugs and Kisses!! xoxoxo
While Rae was disappointed in not being able to share the smoldering hot description of her new boss with Carol right then, she smiled at the thought of Bella, Carol's nine-year-old granddaughter. She was the apple of Carol's eye-the only grandchild she had at the moment. Heck that was better than I was doing. Shawn had yet to produce any heirs, let alone get remarried, Rae thought, staring at the screen.
She started typing her reply. She laughed to herself as she began typing.
How about we do it this Saturday at 8am your time? That will give me an entire week at work…AND getting to know my smokin' hot new boss!! Remember to add five hours to New York time now. I'll initiate the call. Best of luck to Bella. I know she'll be awesome. Hugs and Kisses!! xoxoxo
Rae clicked on the send
button just as the telephone rang. She had insisted a landline be installed in the apartment. She wasn't sure how the cellular reception would be in this old building. Rae looked down at the caller ID and saw that it was Shawn.
She picked up the receiver, anxious to hear a familiar voice.
Shawn! I'm so glad you called!
Well I thought I would check in and see how your first day at work went. You know since it's been such a long time since you've actually held a job.
That stung! As if she didn't already know that. But that was Shawn, straight and to the point. Just like his father.
I'm going to ignore that last remark, okay.
I’m sorry Mom. That was uncalled for. So tell me about your day. What did you think of Rory?
So it was Rory, was it? She wondered just how well Shawn knew him.
It went great. I spent most of the day on the computer learning more about some of the accounts the firm has.
Um, what did you think of Rory? He's got such innovative ideas, and such passion for what he does.
Shawn certainly sounded excited describing Rory. But then he had hired Rory's firm to help bail out his fledgling financial business when the market had taken such a huge hit a few years prior. Whatever magic Rory possessed it worked. Within a year Shawn saw his clients return and new ones sign on.
I didn't meet him until quite late in the day. There had been a crisis with a client and he went and personally took care of the situation. But from what little time we had I must say I was impressed.
That's Rory, never afraid to get back in the trenches.
"Well we're supposed