Epilogue
MAIRI
New Year’s Eve
Holly Berry Lodge is warm, inviting and filled with all the festive cheer anyone could want. I give it five fabulous stars, and I’ve already booked my next break to visit the cats and dogs.
The secret reviewer (aka Margo Green)
‘Surprise!’ A chorus of voices sang out as Jed led a blindfolded Mairi into the sitting room of Holly Berry Lodge.
Jed whipped off the mask to reveal a beaming Quinn and Effie, while Adam, Douglas and Scott stood by, all dressed in glittery Elvis suits.
Douglas was wearing a tool belt over his ensemble – he’d promised a surprise later to celebrate the new year.
Adam quickly leapt to the piano and began to sing, ‘Treat me Mice’, while Scott shook his head and grinned at his father. His mum was arriving later so they could holiday as a family for a few days and Mairi was looking forward to meeting her.
‘Happy New Year stroke wedding reception party,’ Jed whispered into her ear. ‘Because we didn’t celebrate before and you deserve all this and more.’ He looped an arm around her shoulder as her eyes swept the room.
Someone had hung a ‘Congratulations on your wedding’ banner over the fireplace and pretty, warm white Christmas lights sparkled beneath it.
There were bride and groom decorations dangling from the ceiling and in the corner of the room, Mairi could just make out dozens of iced white cupcakes piled into the shape of a wedding cake, with a tiny bride and groom sitting on top.
She giggled when she realised the groom held a set of skis while the bride had a book.
Douglas suddenly grabbed Effie’s hand and swung her into the centre of the room. ‘I still can’t get used to my aunt being courted,’ Jed said quietly as they began to dance.
Things had accelerated since Jed had brought Mairi back to the lodge. They’d hitched a ride in the taxi after he’d declared his love and everyone from Holly Berry Lodge had been waiting when they’d returned.
They’d all been suitably impressed by what they’d called ‘Jed’s romantic gesture’ – which had turned out to be even more enchanting than the original party and proposal he’d planned that had been aborted when the taxi had arrived early.
Mairi had immediately moved into Jed’s bedroom and after they’d burned the brown envelope containing the divorce papers, she’d spent the next few days finishing her book, which Kenna had declared to be her best ever.
Mairi glanced around the room: where was her agent?
She was about to ask her brother when Kenna came sprinting into the room.
Mairi saw Quinn make a beeline for her. They’d been spending a lot of time together and Mairi suspected a relationship might be blossoming, but neither of them would admit it.
‘I’ve already had four offers for Greer’s book and we’re still in the Christmas holidays!’ Kenna shouted shaking her head. ‘It’s unprecedented.’
‘You’ve decided to represent her?’ Mairi asked, surprised.
‘Aye.’ Kenna shrugged.
‘She’s a tricky character, lass,’ Douglas said, bringing his dance with Effie to a stop.
‘I’ve worked with worse,’ Kenna joked, winking at Mairi. ‘Seriously, her novel is amazing. I’d work with Frankenstein if he had a talent like that.’
‘I think you can handle her,’ Quinn said, giving her a slow smile.
Kenna grinned back. ‘If I can’t, I’ll just practise on you,’ she joked.
‘Champagne for everyone!’ Rhona declared as she wheeled a full trolley into the sitting room.
Things at the lodge had a been a lot calmer since the efficient housekeeper had returned.
Even Douglas had behaved, and everything was now in exactly the right place.
They all crowded around the trolley and picked up drinks.
‘Speech!’ Quinn yelled just as a man came walking into the sitting room.
‘Sorry to disturb,’ he said, raising an eyebrow as he took in the sparkly outfits and banners. ‘I have some parcels to pick up. It’s urgent, apparently.’
‘Aye, they’re mine,’ Jed said, leaving Mairi’s side. ‘They’re in reception. They’re heavy. I hope you brought a van?’
‘I did.’ The man followed Jed into reception and Mairi did too. She watched as he pointed the courier towards three large boxes before turning back to her.
‘What are those?’ She didn’t want secrets from her husband anymore. They’d agreed to be open with each other about everything.
He cleared his throat. ‘My trophies. I’ve sold them to a collector. He’s been after them for a while. Paid well over the odds.’
‘Your skiing trophies?’ she gasped. ‘What, all of them?’
‘What were you thinking, lad?’ Effie asked and when Mairi turned, she saw the whole sparkly, glittery crowd had followed them into reception.
Jed shrugged. ‘I’ve paid off Boyd’s balance with the debt collector.’ He gave Mairi a long look. He’d told her what his father had done and had promised to sort it out.
‘I didn’t want—’ Mairi started, but Jed pressed a kiss to her mouth.
‘They don’t mean anything to me without you,’ he said softly. ‘Whether I can or can’t get back to professional skiing isn’t important. What matters is being with you. I don’t want anything standing in the way of that.’
Mairi’s insides expanded and Effie let out a low ahhhhh. ‘Well done, lad,’ she said.
‘Aye, looks like your new husband has lots of romantic gestures in him,’ Kenna said. ‘You might have to use him for inspiration for your next book.’
‘I will,’ Mairi said, laughing.
‘I think this calls for a celebration,’ Douglas suddenly boomed. ‘How about you all come outside so you can see what I’ve been working on these last few days?’
‘Are you sure this is a good time, Douggie?’ Effie asked, sounding worried.
‘Never better.’ Douglas leaned down and gave Jed’s aunt a peck on the cheek. Then he hefted up his tool belt. ‘Why don’t you put on something warm while I get ready?’ He winked. ‘I’ll see you outside.’
Adam, Scott, Quinn, Kenna, Rhona, Effie, Mairi and Jed all stood outside the entrance to Holly Berry Lodge watching as Douglas fiddled with the switch he’d put on the wall.
‘Are you sure it’s going to be okay?’ Effie asked anxiously as he took a couple of tools out of his belt and made some adjustments.
‘Aye, of course, lassie.’ He turned to smile at her. ‘Are you ready?’
‘We’re ready,’ Mairi cheered, grabbing Jed’s hand and squeezing.
‘After three then! One, two—’
‘Three!’ Scott finished as Douglas flicked the switch, making the outside of the lodge sparkle in an array of gorgeous colours.
‘That’s spectacular.’ Effie’s voice was filled with wonder.
‘You really know how to put on a good show,’ Rhona agreed. ‘Well done.’ She patted Douglas’s arm.
‘Wait until you see my pièce de resistance,’ Douglas declared, flicking another switch as the words ‘Happy New Year’ and ‘Congratulations to Mairi & Jed’ appeared in more glittering green, white and red fairy lights.
‘Wow,’ Jed said, leaning down to kiss Mairi on the cheek.
‘Amazing,’ Mairi agreed, turning so she could press her mouth to Jed’s. He pulled her into an embrace and deepened the kiss, dipping her, ignoring the oohs and ahhhhs from the crowd as she wrapped her arms around his neck, just as she heard an ear-splitting bang and a loud hiss.
Jed pulled away just for a moment to whisper. ‘Was that us?’
‘Could have been,’ she chuckled before kissing him again, knowing that whatever happened from this day forward, she’d finally found the place she was supposed to be: living her very own happily ever after. With Jed.
* * *
If you fell head over heels for Mairi and Jed’s snowy festive romance, you’ll love meeting Belle and Jack in Christmas in the Scottish Highlands, as they meet in a flurry of mulled wine, mince pies and lots of sparkle!
Get it here or keep reading for an exclusive extract.