Home Free - Fern Michaels [35]
“I don’t have to answer to anyone, not even my colleagues. What is it you Americans are so fond of saying? Oh, yes, I’m free as the breeze. Footloose and fancy free. What that means to you, Annie, is this. I can stay on here as long as you want me to stay. It might be cold here, but it is ten times worse back in Scotland, and I do not have central heating. I can’t fish in the winter, and I don’t like hunting. There is one thing, however, and we need to get it straight right now. I pay my own way. I can’t live off you. My pension is not all that big, and I have to measure out my wants and needs. I do have a nest egg, but that is for emergencies. Is that going to be a problem, Annie?”
Annie thought about what Fergus said. She understood it and admired the man for his ethics. “This is how I see it right now, Fergus. You’re my guest. Guests don’t pay their host for living accommodations—at least my guests don’t. When and if I visit you in Scotland, I wouldn’t expect you to charge me for staying with you.”
“Annie, there is a world of difference between your accommodations and my accommodations. I do see your point, though. Then there is the question of airfare between our two countries.”
“I have a private jet, Fergus.”
Fergus groaned. “I know that. That is the problem. I will not . . . I cannot . . .”
Annie stood up to her full height, which was impressive. “You will! Money is not our issue. This is about you and me. We can make it work, but you have to cooperate with me. Otherwise, you can leave right now.”
Fergus’s vision of driving down the road in the snow swam before his eyes again. “Can we put this on the shelf to be discussed again?”
“We can,” Annie said happily.
Fergus was saved from any further rebuttal when they heard the sound of a horn that announced an arrival. Annie ran to the window. “It’s Kathryn and Bert! Oh, look, it’s snowing harder. This is all so wonderful! Maybe we’ll be snowbound for the weekend! I do love snow, don’t you, Fergus?”
Fergus hated snow, but he wouldn’t admit to any negatives at that point in time. “I do, dear lady. I dearly love snow.”
“It’s not the same when you run through the snow with a ton of clothing on as opposed to running through the rain bare-ass naked.”
Fergus decided to let that little comment go right past him.
Hugs and kisses and a manly handshake between Bert and Fergus, and the greeting was over. Annie finished off the greeting by saying Fergus was taking Maggie’s seat at dinner, and wasn’t it wonderful how he gave up dinner at Camp David to come celebrate Thanksgiving with them?
When she started to say something about trading Fergus for Maggie, Kathryn walked over and whispered in Annie’s ear, “You need to quit while you’re ahead. So, was it as good as you thought it would be?”
Annie flushed a bright pink. “Actually, it was better. Are you telling me I need to tone it down for when the others get here?”
“You said it, not me, but yeah. Way to go, ‘Mom’!”
“Do you girls mind if we go into the family room to watch a pregame?”
The minute Fergus and Bert were out of earshot, Kathryn hissed, “Tell me everything, and don’t leave one thing out.”
“Oh, my God, I don’t know where to start. I gave my first pole recital!”
Kathryn was so jaded she didn’t think anything could surprise her, but her eyes popped wide as saucers. “You didn’t!”
“I did, and it was perfect. I did such a good job, I didn’t think I would be able to revive Fergus. And at my age!” Annie cackled.
“Is this going to go somewhere, Annie?”
“Well, if it doesn’t, it won’t be for lack of trying on my part. He has this thing about my money. It could become an issue.”
“Only if you let it, Annie. What I’m trying to say here is, don’t be too quick to want it all your way. He’s a man. He has pride. Let’s face it, your lifestyle is one that most people can only dream about. Be open, okay?”
“That lifestyle