"You must be pleased to have some space." She stated back with a briefest hint of a laugh. Merlin knew they had both struggled with keeping up with his mother's routine visits. The amount of times she had rushed out just minutes before she arrived due to a forgotten item was ridiculous.

Jo then nodded again and drained the last of her drink. If only she could follow that up with some whiskey or rum. Anything to take the edge off the tense situation they were in. "Okay. She normally sleeps after she's satisfied, so it wouldn't be until just before supper time most likely if that's okay. We can do later too if you'd rather." As it was she was likely going to have to find a safe place to set Ilona for the night in his cottage, for she certainly didn't expect him to pass the evening without further questions.

---

"I'm sure she is." Merlin, she hoped the conversation of Juliana wouldn't crop up again that evening. Jo wasn't sure whether or not Juliana had ever told Zach about their run in that day and she had no wish to cause any tension between siblings. Family was what mattered to Zach above all else, it was one of his traits Jo loved most.

Standing now, Jo gathered her cloak from the hook behind the booth and fastened it about herself. The one thing she hadn't missed about Scotland was the blistering cold weather. Georgia was a dream in comparison. "I'll see you tonight then. I hope you enjoy the rest of your afternoon." She tensely smiled. Then, after waiting for his own farewells, Jo began the brisk walk back to the inn.

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