Page 42 of Christmas at the Scottish Lodge
‘Decorating?’ he asked, his full lips tilting.
‘Aye, if you like. Married things.’ She swallowed, knowing she was pushing this. But she wanted to be honest with him, wanted him to be just as honest with her. ‘Decorating, wrapping gifts, making mince pies.’ She shrugged. ‘There’s a lot to be said for normal. A lot of comfort in it.’ Comfort that had been lacking in her life for a long time.
He blinked and she wondered what he was thinking. ‘It’s not as exciting as being showered with teddy bears and balloons or flowers,’ he said, looking unhappy. ‘If I can’t ski professionally again, I might not be able to give you much of that.’ He winced.
‘I’d rather make a bed or put up decorations with you any day.’ She wasn’t going to tell Jed about Harry and her being finished. Not yet. This wasn’t the time to bring up her almost boyfriend.
‘And I’d rather have this.’ She leaned forward and pressed her mouth softly to his, felt his sigh before she pulled away. Her lips were tingling and she wanted to do it again, but Jed cocked his head and scoured her face.
‘You should use that line in a book,’ he murmured. ‘It was very romantic.’ He looked serious. ‘I’m…’ He let out a long breath. ‘Finding it difficult to say no to you, Mairi – and I have to.’
She reached up and cupped his jaw. ‘And I haven’t even got the mistletoe out yet,’ she said lightly. ‘Plus, I’ve made shepherd’s pie for dinner – that’s a meal guaranteed to seduce and change stubborn minds. You really should just give in now.’
His breath gushed and he shut his eyes. ‘Shepherd’s pie.’ He shook his head. ‘You should really have led with that.’
This time it was Jed who leaned in and when his mouth met hers, it was hot and fierce. The palm that had until moments ago been pressed to her thigh cupped her elbow and tugged her closer. Mairi let herself fall, literally leapt off the ladder and intoJed’s arms before looping herself around his neck. ‘Bedroom.’ She pulled away far enough to say the words before kissing him again as the fire inside her, the need shot through her, hard and fast.
‘Ach, well. This really does look quite wonderful, at least it will,’ a gentle voice said behind them. ‘I mean – oh, no, I’m so sorry to interrupt,’ the woman faltered.
Midnight yapped and when Mairi pulled away, she saw Margo standing in the doorway, looking embarrassed. ‘Oh, don’t stop on account of me.’ She flushed and batted a hand. ‘I was looking for the pup or one of the wee cats. I thought they might keep me company in the sitting room.’ She pulled an uncomfortable face. ‘Just—’ She winced. ‘Go back to what you were doing.’ She began to slowly back away.
As she did, she bumped straight into Greer who’d clearly followed. The woman glared at them and immediately tugged the small notebook from the pocket of her neat blue trousers. ‘At it again – you’re giving me so much material,’ she said grumpily before her head snapped up. ‘One of the cats, the black one with the one eye, is standing guard outside my bedroom. I need you to move it. I didn’t sleep last night and I need a nap.’
‘I can do it,’ Jed said, helping Mairi untangle her arms from around his neck.
‘Oh let me,’ Margo said kindly. ‘Shadow can keep me company in the sitting room. You two –’ She wafted a hand. ‘– go back to what you were doing. There’s nothing quite as festive as young love.’
‘Or perhaps you should both get yourself into a cold shower again,’ Greer sneered as she followed Margo into the hallway. ‘There’s a time and place, and this is not it…’
‘I’m sorry,’ Mairi said as soon as they were alone. ‘I’ve made a mess of things. Greer’s going to write the lodge such a terrible review.’
‘It’s okay.’ Jed swallowed. ‘I—’ He gazed at her for a moment before shaking his head. ‘I’ll go and check on Aunt Effie. I’m sorry, but I think that’s for the best. At least for now…’
With that, he followed the two women out of the room, leaving Mairi wondering if things between them would change before Jed won the championship – and if he didn’t win, what that would mean.
19
MAIRI
Mairi wearily made her way down the hallway that led to her bedroom after dinner. She hadn’t seen Jed for the rest of the afternoon. She’d tracked down Scott after he’d finished hoovering and encouraged him to help her with the decorations. The dining room had been filled with sparkles and glitter by the time she, Scott and Douglas had served the evening meal. Even Greer had mustered a half smile.
Mairi had hung mistletoe over all the doors, hoping to capture Jed when he came downstairs, but he hadn’t appeared. Even the promise of shepherd’s pie hadn’t drawn him out and she wondered if he’d ever stop avoiding her.
Perhaps he really didn’t care? Was she kidding herself that they had a future together? He’d talked about having to wait – but was that really just another excuse?
She let out a sigh as she passed his bedroom, wondering whether she should knock and shook her head. She’d run after Jed too many times – now she had to wait for him to come to her. If he wanted her, he would eventually. If he did blame her for the accident, she’d know soon enough.
As she drew closer to her room, she heard the thunder of feet and the sound of yipping from Jed’s bedroom and heard him shout. ‘Midnight, you eejit, give it back. You’re going to ruin it!’
There was a scuffling sound and a loud crash and Mairi quickly retraced her steps before hammering on Jed’s door. ‘Are you okay?’ she yelled, as something fell onto the floor with a loud whump.
Her heart pounded. She knew she was overreacting, but the thought of Jed being hurt again had every cell of her body shrieking with fear. She pressed her ear to the door and heard another clatter.
‘Jed!’ Mairi tried the handle. She wasn’t expecting the door to open, and let out gasp when Midnight came flying through the small crack, before hurtling down the corridor clutching something in his mouth.
‘Come back!’ Jed yelled from inside the room. ‘Why did you open the door?’
‘What’s he got?’ Mairi shouted, watching the dog sprint away. She turned and squinted into the dimly lit room, widening her eyes when she realised Jed was standing next to the bed. He was half naked and clutching a tiny white towel around his hips.
