Page 49 of Christmas at the Scottish Lodge
‘I really don’t care about Harry,’ Mairi insisted, going to pick up the keys for one of the rooms earmarked for new guests. ‘I sent him an email after our call breaking things off. I think he was relieved I got around to it first. My guess is he falls out of love just as easily as he falls into it.’ Hopefully, his latest beloved wouldn’t get her heart broken when his head got turned by someone else.
She was just glad she’d ended the relationship swiftly after the call with Kenna. It had been the right thing to do – especially since things had progressed so quickly with Jed afterwards. Not that her relationship with him was any clearer now. She was just as confused about what was happening – especially since they’d spent another night tangled in Jed’s sheets before he’d crept out this morning.
It was like they were playing at being married – but no one was allowed to know. Pretending, lying to those she cared about was eating her from the inside out. At least it wouldn’t be for much longer…
‘Let me show you to your room,’ she said, going to pick up Kenna’s case.
‘Another guest? I thought it was just Quinn checking in today,’ Jed asked, striding into reception with Douglas.
‘Your brother is coming here?’ Kenna’s mouth pinched and her gorgeous face fell.
‘Aye, I’m afraid so.’ Mairi sighed – now she was going to be surrounded by well-meaning family and friends, which wasn’t helpful if she wanted time alone with her husband to show himhow much he meant. ‘Jed, this is my agent, Kenna.’ She waved a hand between them and watched her friend’s eyes narrow.
‘Soyou’rethe eejit.’ Kenna gave Jed her most irritated glare. ‘I hope you know you’re responsible for Mairi being behind deadline on her book? Amongst other things.’ Her tone was all ice.
Douglas glanced between them, looking confused. ‘Why’s that, lass, what did he do? Doesn’t sound like Jed.’ He tugged up his large tool belt and scratched his frizzy white hair which was even more skew-whiff than normal.
‘She’s joking,’ Mairi jumped in. ‘Kenna, this is Douglas; he works at the lodge too.’
Kenna frowned at the multitude of tools poking from the older man’s belt. ‘Are you building your own sleigh or something?’
Douglas gave her a wide smile. ‘Nae, lass, I’ve been working on a new invention, but I’ve also been putting the finishing touches onto mypièce de resistance.’He grinned and waved his hands enthusiastically. ‘It’s a surprise. Since you’re going to be here tomorrow, you’ll get to see what I’ve been creating too.’ His eyes sparkled and he turned towards Jed. ‘Can I have a wee word, lad? Something I wanted to ask you in private.’
‘Sure,’ Jed said, glancing at Mairi and Kenna before stepping aside, close enough for Mairi to still hear.
‘I wonder what they’re up to,’ Kenna whispered and Mairi pressed a finger to her lips.
‘Ach, lad, I’ve been wanting to ask you something,’ Douglas said – he had his back to them now, but Mairi could see how nervous he was because his shoulders were twitching.
Jed glanced at her momentarily before tearing his gaze away, giving the older man his full attention. ‘Of course,’ he said uncertainly. ‘What is it, Douglas? Are you still okay to work tomorrow?’
‘Aye.’ Douglas nodded enthusiastically. ‘I can’t wait. I’ve had too many Christmas days alone since my wife passed.’ His expression dimmed. ‘What I wanted to know.’ He took the hammer out of his tool belt and began to juggle it from palm to palm and Jed’s eyes widened. ‘The thing is.’ Douglas swallowed. ‘I wondered if I could have your permission to ask your Aunt Effie on a date.’
Jed eyed the flying hammer, and Douglas must have noticed because he blanched and quickly slipped it back into the belt. ‘I…Well,’ Jed puffed out a breath. ‘Why are you askingme?’
The older man cleared his throat. ‘Because Effie thinks of you as her son. If you didn’t like the idea, I know she’d say no,’ he said simply. ‘I don’t want to cause any issues between you.’
‘A son?’ Mairi watched Jed’s face change. Saw a hint of longing skip across it before he blanked it out as if dismissing the idea. ‘I don’t think that’s true.’ Jed untangled his arms before re-tangling them again. ‘But if my aunt is happy to go on a date with you, I won’t stand in your way.’ His forehead creased and he looked upset. ‘Just— don’t hurt her.’ His voice lowered. ‘She matters to me – more than you could know.’
His eyes skidded back to Mairi’s, his meaning clear. The man was all heart, but he had no idea how important he was to everyone. No idea how little his success or failure mattered to the people who loved him. They’d feel the same way, regardless.
‘Grand!’ The older man clapped. ‘Then I’d better get on with finishing the surprise. I want to impress her tomorrow. It’ll be the perfect romantic moment for an invitation.’ With that, he turned on his heels and headed outside.
Mairi guessed Jed was going to follow and was about to ask him to stay when a voice rang from the entrance. ‘What areyoudoing here?’
When she turned, she saw her brother staring at Kenna. He had a backpack swung over one shoulder and his blue eyes werewide. He pulled off his beanie hat revealing cropped black hair, before sweeping his eyes slowly up and down Kenna’s curvy frame. Then he scrubbed a hand over his mouth and shook his head. ‘I think I’m having a nightmare. Surely you ought to be visiting your family crypt for the festive season?’
‘Nah, it’s shut. I could say the same thing,’ Kenna said dryly. ‘But it would be rude.’ She paused for effect. ‘If I’d known you were coming, I’d have packed garlic and holy water to ward you off.’
Mairi waited for her brother to deliver an icy response, but he looked more surprised than insulted. There was a brightness in his expression, almost like he was enjoying the exchange. What was that about? Quinn turned to look at her as if suddenly remembering she was there. ‘Good to see you, sis, surprise!’ He strode across the room and swept her into an embrace.
‘She’s not surprised, you eejit – she was expecting you,’ Kenna told him.
Quinn pulled away and glared at Jed. ‘You told her?’
‘Which means you didn’t, I suppose?’ Kenna snapped. ‘Is that because you were afraid if you did, she’d have told you not to come?’
‘I’d have told youbothnot to come,’ Mairi said, losing patience. ‘But now you’re here I’d better check you in.’ She went to grab another set of keys before pointing to the stairs. ‘No more fighting,’ she grumbled when Quinn opened his mouth. ‘I’ll talk to you both later. For now, I’ve got things to do.’ And one of those things included kissing her husband and telling him how much he mattered to her.
