Fairytale Christmas on the Island (Scottish Highlands & Island Romance #4)

CHAPTER FOUR

The impromptu engagement party notched up a gear at the cafe bar. The knitting bee members were happily dancing the night away — and this included the makeshift members, Lyle and Rory.

Brodrick had danced mainly with Elspeth, but they’d become separated as the knitting bee ladies buzzed around her again. He stepped back to let them fuss over her, and took a breather at the side of the bar where Innis was standing watching Skye and Holly dancing with Lyle while Rory bopped around with Rowen.

‘Not making a move to ask Skye to dance with you?’ Brodrick said to Innis.

Innis shrugged his broad shoulders. He wasn’t sure if he would. He wasn’t certain he wouldn’t.

Changing the conversation to the subject of business, Brodrick brought up Innis’ recent trip to the mainland. ‘How is your chocolatier work fairing? Did your business trip go okay?’

‘It did. Very worthwhile. I was looking for specialist chocolate to use for my new range of confectionary.’

‘The new festive chocolates that I’ve seen in your cake shop window?’

‘Yes, but beyond that. As I’m sure you know, we both live months, sometimes seasons ahead, planning menus and events for our businesses.’

‘It’s a full–time task. Thankfully, we both love our work. I’m already planning menus for the New Year.’

Innis had a thought. ‘I brought back a load of different flavours and types of chocolate samples. Too many for me to use. Would you like some to try out new recipes for your ice cream? I don’t make chocolate, as I’m always having to tell folk. I use top quality chocolate to make my chocolatier confectionary. The selection of chocolate I brought back from the cities is excellent.’

Brodrick was pleasantly taken aback. ‘Yes, I’ll pay you for them.’

‘Away and chase yourself,’ Innis told him with a grin. ‘I’ll bring the samples down tomorrow. I’ve been working on new recipes in the castle kitchen and storing the chocolate there. The kitchen is huge, one of those old–fashioned kitchens where there are larders for storing and cooling everything. The chocolate keeps better up there than at the cake shop where the ovens create quite a bit of heat in the wee kitchen. I’m planning to extend the premises into the garden at the back of the cake shop.’

‘You mentioned that a while ago.’

‘I put my plans on hold because I thought Morven was going to retire early and sell the knitting shop,’ Innis admitted. ‘Obviously I’m happy that Elspeth moved in with her aunt and the island still has the knitting shop which is better for everyone. So now I’m thinking of hiring Murdo and Rory to do the building work on the cake shop extension.’

Brodrick laughed. ‘Rory?’

‘I know,’ Innis agreed, ‘but he’s a top notch builder. Have you seen what he’s done with the old house in the middle of nowhere? He bought it for a song.’

‘No, but I’ve heard the gossip that it’s a complete transformation into a first–class mansion,’ said Brodrick.

‘I drove by recently. It’s like a new building. I like the architecture that Rory’s added. He’s got talent.’

‘My ears are burning,’ a voice said behind them.

They looked round to see Rory walking over to the bar, grinning at them.

‘What is it they say about eavesdropping...?’ Brodrick joked with Rory.

Innis came right out with his plan. ‘I’d like to hire you to do the work, along with Murdo.’

‘Murdo and me work well together. Look what we did with the stage and the runway for the fashion show,’ said Rory.

‘Exactly,’ Innis told him. ‘So what do you say?’

‘I say yes. When do you want me to start drawing up sketches?’

‘Sooner rather than later, unless you’re busy with work just now,’ said Innis.

‘I’ll pop round tomorrow and take a few measurements, get the ball rolling.’ Rory extended his hand to Innis.

They shook hands firmly.

‘Rory! Come and dance with me,’ Rowen called over to him.

Happy to accommodate his girlfriend, Rory went over to join her.

Brodrick decided to pluck Elspeth from the midst of the chatter and dance with her again.

Ean was up dancing with Ailsa.

Innis stood on his own watching Skye now dancing with another local man who looked delighted to be in her company.

Come on, Innis urged himself. Don’t be a fool again.

When Skye and Holly took a breather from the dancing, Innis walked over to them.

‘Merrilees asked me to tell you to keep a ball gown aside for her,’ Innis said to them, using this as an excuse to go over and chat.

‘We will,’ Holly assured him.

‘I saw a couple of ball gowns listed that would suit Merrilees.’ Skye beamed a smile at Innis.

Lyle wandered over to them. ‘Would you care to dance with me?’ he said to Holly.

‘Okay,’ Holly said brightly, and walked away with Lyle.

Innis had two choices. Three if he was being an idiot. Continue chatting to Skye. Walk away having passed on Merrilees’ message. Or ask Skye to dance.

Skye closed down all three options with one comment. ‘I love this song.’ Her words hung in the air along with her anticipation that he’d dance with her.

Innis was pleased to take the hint. The song was reasonably lively, and they danced separately, moving to the upbeat tune, but then it faded and merged with a slow, romantic number, leaving Innis and Skye standing there separately for a lingering moment.

Taking charge of the situation, Innis held out his hand to Skye. ‘Shall we?’

Skye accepted his invitation for a slow waltz that was the closing dance of the night. The party had been impromptu, but social nights at the cafe bar could be as fun as any large function. Often it all came down to the last dance of the night. And here they were dancing close together to a song that spoke of love and romance.

Holding Skye in his arms, he felt her softness and her strength. The woman who made him smile more than anyone ever had. Her forthright attitude and fun–loving nature was the perfect blend for him. But was he the right man for her? Would his strength diminish hers? Would his serious character dim the brightness that radiated from her? Or would they balance each other in ways that would make him become a better man?

Before he could dwell further, while feeling her move so close to him, she leaned back and smiled up at him to reveal a secret.

‘When I was cycling back along the main street from the post office earlier, the stars were starting to appear in the sky. The North Star, the brightest, shone so clearly that I made a wish upon it.’

‘A wish? Is it a secret? Or can’t you tell in case that makes it not come true?’

‘It did come true.’ Her smile lit up her beautiful blue eyes. ‘I wished that there would be a fairytale ball at the castle this Christmas.’

His smile poured from the depths of his heart. ‘I’m glad your wish came true.’

She leaned into him again as he held her in hold, one hand in his, the other on his broad shoulder, her head leaning close to his.

‘Do you think you’ll make another wish on the North Star?’ he whispered to her.

‘No, I don’t want to push my luck. But maybe you should try, unless you’ve used up all your wishes.’

He hadn’t used one. But perhaps it was time he tried.

Without another word, they danced together until the music ended.

Everyone filtered outside the cafe bar into the night, all heading home in different directions. Shuggie’s taxi was ready and waiting to drop a number of them off at their cottages. Others lived up on the nearby hills and walked home having had a great night.

Innis gazed out at the vast sky across the sea. Light reflected through the darkness, creating a pink hue. The sky above the island, so clear that it showed so many stars, had a glow to it even in the evenings as the light bounded off the sea all along the coast, stretching far into the distant islands.

‘Snow is on its way,’ Innis said almost to himself, but others heard his voice in the quiet night.

His amber eyes recognised that familiar pink tint that brought the snow with it. Usually he saw it from the top of the hills on the evenings he stood there on his own admiring the view of the island. Since he was a boy, he’d seen this. And he could sense it too. There was a sense of snow in the air. Not tonight, not tomorrow, but perhaps tomorrow evening around twilight.

‘Nah!’ Rory said, standing hands on hips and looking out at the sea. ‘The snow isn’t forecast until next week. I keep a check on the weather because of my building work. It’s probably going to rain a wee bit though. A rainy day tomorrow.’

Innis disagreed, but was not in the mood to argue vehemently. ‘The snow’s coming soon.’ He walked over to his car. ‘Anyone wanting a lift home?’

‘Come on, Ailsa,’ Ean beckoned to her. ‘We’ll drop you off.’

‘It’s fine. I’m walking home with Skye and Holly,’ said Ailsa.

‘Pile in,’ Innis told them, turning on the engine to create some heat in the car.

Ean opened the rear door to Innis’ expensive car.

Ailsa, Skye and Holly sat together in the back seat while Ean sat up front.

‘Thanks for a great night,’ Innis called to Brodrick as he stood outside the cafe bar with his arm around Elspeth’s shoulder as he waved everyone off. ‘And congratulations again on your engagement. I’ll pop down in the morning with the chocolate,’ he reminded him, and then drove off up the hill to take the ladies home to their respective houses.

Elspeth frowned at Brodrick. ‘Chocolate?’

‘Come on, it’s cold out here. I’ll explain inside.’ Brodrick swept his fiancée into the cafe bar, hoping to discuss their wedding plans before calling it a night.

Innis parked outside Ailsa’s cottage first. She’d inherited the lovely cottage when her grandmother left to move to the mainland. Ailsa used the cottage for her craft work, along with owning her own shop in the main street. Winter flowers grew around the door and it was decorated with fairy lights.

Ean stepped out and walked Ailsa to the front door, saw that she got in safe, kissed her goodnight and then went back to the car.

Innis then drove the short distance to drop off Skye and Holly at their parents’ house. Their parents were away a lot, visiting family and friends in the nearby islands and on the mainland since their mother retired and handed the dress shop to them.

Innis kept the engine running and they waited until Skye and Holly opened their door and waved them off before driving down the hill and along the coast road.

Ean looked out at the sea and the sky. ‘Do you really think it’s going to snow a bit earlier this year?’

‘I do.’ There was no hesitation.

‘Once the snow comes, it’ll be a whiteout until well after the New Year.’

‘It will, but the perfect setting for a fairytale ball.’ Innis shot a glance at Ean.

‘We’ve got a load of planning to do. But I don’t mind. I’m looking forward to it, and so is Ailsa.’ He paused and then commented, ‘You and Skye were looking cosy close dancing tonight.’

Ean’s comment hung in the air for a moment.

Innis drove away from the coast into the road leading to the forest and the castle’s estate.

‘Did you ask Skye to go to the ball with you?’ Ean prompted him.

‘No. Maybe I will. She’s advised me to make a wish on the North Star. Hers apparently came true. We’re having a ball.’

Ean laughed. ‘A wish on the North Star.’

Innis pressed his firm lips together and nodded.

Ean peered out the window, craning to see if he could find it in among the myriad of stars in the sky. Halfway up the forest road, he thought he saw it. ‘Pull the car over. I want to view the stars.’

Innis pull over on the quiet road. Not another car went by.

Ean stepped outside, breathing in the scent of the pine trees and greenery that overtook the sea air. He gazed up. ‘There it is.’ He pointed directly up to it.

His curiosity sparked, Innis got out and looked up at the brightest star shining in the sky.

‘I’m making a wish,’ said Ean, hinting that he wanted a moment to concentrate.

Innis let him get on with it without interruption, though he’d no intention of making one too.

‘Okay. I hope it comes true. Obviously, I can’t tell you what it was or it won’t come true. I know it’s a long shot that it will. But if I don’t try...’ He shrugged, and then looked at Innis. ‘Your turn.’

Innis shook his head and walked back to the car.

‘Come on. You’ve nothing to lose,’ Ean reasoned.

Innis stood beside the car. The star was still glittering above him. ‘What if what I wish for isn’t right for Skye?’

‘Then you’re not wishing for the right thing,’ Ean advised. ‘Adjust your wish to make it right.’

Innis’ lips formed a wry smile. ‘Whatever happened to my wee brother? Now he’s full of great advice.’

‘We both grew up. Both older. Neither of us wiser, but I’m trying not to throw barriers in my own way. You should too. Come on, it’s freezing out here. Make a wish. The knitting bee ladies were all making wishes on Elspeth’s engagement ring. And Skye’s wish came true about the ball. Maybe it’s a great night for making wishes.’

‘I’m not really into wishes and fairytales.’

Ean blinked at him and gestured around him. ‘We live in a fairytale castle on one of the most beautiful islands imaginable. We’re standing in a fantastic forest near thistle loch and a waterfall that’s all lit up at night. And we’re planning a ball for Christmas Eve.’

Innis nodded and smiled. Then he gazed up at the North Star. He took a moment to think what his wish would be — and then hoped with all his heart.

‘Yes!’ Ean said, punching the air.

‘Can we go home now?’ Innis got into the car.

‘To our fairytale castle?’ Ean joked with him.

‘Don’t push it,’ Innis warned him playfully. ‘And don’t tell anyone what I just did.’

‘My lips are sealed,’ Ean promised, gesturing that he’d zipped them shut and threw the key away.

Innis laughed, and drove them on through the forest towards the castle.

The dark stone grandeur of the castle emerged as they drove towards the entrance. Lights glowed from the windows, and the dinner dance was still in full flow. The overarching trees above the ornate gates that were wide open led through the gardens to the castle.

As they drove in, Merrilees drove out.

She waved to them from her car as she headed away from the castle to the cottage she was living in. During her trips to the mainland for her photo–journalism work, she left her car at the castle. Her schedule was flexible, but she tended to work at the newspaper office in Glasgow one day a week, and email her editorials to her editor the remainder of the time.

Innis and Ean waved to her, familiar with her routine. After arriving back from Glasgow on the ferry, she’d take a taxi to the castle to spend time with Finlay even though he was tending to the functions and parties most nights. Instead of moving in with Finlay to his suite of rooms in the castle, she’d accepted his offer to stay in one of the holiday cottages that was part of the castle’s estate. This enabled her to retain her independence and a place of her own where she could work on her romance novel, and her journalistic work for the newspaper in Glasgow. The best of both worlds, especially for a writer who needed time on her own to work and be creative.

Finlay took the cottage off the estate’s holiday listing on the castle’s website. The lease was given to Merrilees until well into the New Year. Finlay had handed her the key. It was a safe and secure place to live.

The cottage was one she was familiar with having been brought up on the island. As a young girl, she’d loved stargazer cottage and its garden, that she imagined was magical. It certainly looked magical during the summer days when she’d watch the bees, butterflies and dragonflies flit through the flowers in the garden that merged with the forest.

Murdo had recently given the pretty cottage a fresh overhaul, and had tended and tamed the garden.

But it was the view that made it extra special. A skylight window in the bedroom offered a fantastic view of the stars.

Merrilees parked her car outside the cottage, grabbed her bag that was loaded with work, and walked through the garden to the front door. A spare key was kept under an ornamental owl beside the flower pots, and she retrieved the key and unlocked the door.

The outside was picturesque, but the inside was equally impressive.

The living room’s light cream decor had touches of pastel blue and white, and a chintz couch and chairs provided a cosy niche to come home to.

She shrugged her bag from her shoulder along with the weight of the hectic day and lit the fire.

The decor throughout the cottage was fresh and clean with a cosiness from the fire and the pretty lamps. And her Christmas tree was aglow with fairy lights.

Putting the kettle on to make tea, she went through to the bedroom to change into her comfy pyjamas and slippers.

The large skylight above the double bed had a view of the stars in the night sky.

Stargazer cottage was the perfect bolthole for her to write her novel. The deadline was looming, but she was within a chapter of finishing it ready to send it off to her publishers.

But first, she planned to write the news feature for the castle’s ball and email it to her editor. So that’s what she did.

Sitting by the fireside, sipping her tea, she set up her laptop and wrote an enticing editorial about the castle’s fairytale ball. She was used to working to tight deadlines, so she finished it and sent it off to the newspaper editor.

Then she continued writing her novel until late in the night. She wasn’t heading to the mainland in the morning. No early start, no hustle and bustle of the newspaper, so she worked until she’d finished the next part of the story.

Finally, she closed her laptop, and with the fire barely aglow now, she went to bed.

Lying there, she gazed up at the stars through the skylight. The North Star was clear to see, and since living in the cottage she’d taken an interest in stargazing and tried to learn the main constellations. She loved the starry skies on the island.

Blinking, she thought she saw a couple of snowflakes drift by the skylight, but they were gone when she looked again. She chalked it up to tiredness and settled down, pulling the quilt up around her. Snow wasn’t forecast until next week. Yes, she thought, drifting off to sleep, the snowflakes were just her imagination. Part of the wonder of living in a fairytale cottage.