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

CHAPTER SEVEN

Skye worked at her sewing machine in the vintage dress shop hemming one of the evening dresses. The design had a layer of ice blue chiffon sprinkled with sparkle, another contender for the ball gown collection. Repairing a hem was an easy enough task and it could make a pre–worn dress look refreshed again.

With the sound of the machine whirring away, she didn’t hear the shop door open as Innis walked in.

He stood there for a moment watching her skilfully feed the fabric through the machine, clearly adept at this sort of mending.

‘Skye.’ His voice was a rich purr that caught her attention without jarring her.

She stopped sewing instantly and looked round at him, surprised to see him standing there so tall and handsome, making the shop appear smaller.

‘I don’t want to interrupt your work,’ he began, but then he realised this was exactly what he was doing. Fool, he chided himself.

‘It’s fine,’ she assured him with a smile and tilted her head, curious to know why he was there. He wore his usual work attire, a short sleeve white shirt and black trousers that showed his build to advantage. Her senses reacted in all sorts of ways that she hoped she hid well. Putting the dress on the sewing table, she stood up and gave him her full attention. Judging by him standing in her shop she reckoned he merited it. ‘What can I do for you, Innis?’

Oh that he could answer that truthfully. Could she go with him to the ball? Could she realise how much he liked her and that he wanted to build on the brief momentum they’d exchanged at the fashion show? Could she understand the double–edged sword that cut through his heart every time he saw her? On one edge he wanted to ask her to be his girlfriend, and more. A lot more. On the other edge was the doubt that he could ruin her trusting heart, break it, even if unintentionally.

‘Are you okay?’ Her words jolted him from his conflicting thoughts.

‘Yes, well...I wanted to...’ What? Take her in his arms and kiss the breath from her? Feeling he couldn’t just ask her to start dating him, beginning with the ball, he side–stepped the situation of his own making and commented on her dressmaking. ‘Is that one of the new ball gowns you’re sewing?’ Then he reworded this. ‘Not new obviously, but vintage...what is it you call them...pre–loved?’

Skye’s expression brightened even more. He’d taken an interest. ‘Yes, that’s right.’ She held up part of the dress showing him how the blue chiffon sparkled under the shop lights. ‘This arrived with the evening dresses, but I think it’s lovely enough to be one of the ball gowns. I’m mending the hem. The fabric is chiffon so I’m using a rolled hem technique to keep the edges fluid.’

Was she babbling? She hoped not, but he wasn’t fidgeting or looking bored. He looked interested in what she was telling him.

‘It looks beautiful.’ So did Skye.

She paused, holding her gaze steady with his, wondering what he wanted. He never dropped by for a casual chat. Nothing about Innis was ever casual. So why was he here?

‘Were the chocolates to your liking?’ he said finally.

Realising she hadn’t commented on them, and he probably valued feedback, she replied with enthusiasm. ‘Yes, they were delicious. I tried two or three. They were all very nice. I particularly liked the toffee cup sprinkled with white chocolate like snow, the dark truffle and the spicy Christmas flavoured one.’ She giggled. ‘All of them really. The other ladies at the knitting bee said you were scrumptious too.’

He smiled.

‘No, not you, what I mean is...your new chocolates.’ The blush she’d been fighting to keep down rose up in all its telltale glory.

He cut–in to rescue her from her embarrassing remark. ‘I’m glad. Feedback from people that I can rely on to be honest with me is very helpful.’

Skye nodded and drew breath. Change the subject to anything and calm down, she scolded herself. ‘Are you going to the carol singing this evening?’

He looked like he knew nothing about it.

Scooting past him into the kitchen, she was going to pull the leaflet off the wall to show him the list of events when she felt him standing in the kitchen doorway, his shoulders filling the width of it and tapering down to that lean torso.

‘This is the list of local events this Christmastime.’ She gestured to the leaflet and moved aside a little so that he could have a peek.

He stepped closer to read it, closer to her.

She didn’t want to step back in case he thought she was trying to avoid him or create any awkwardness. The turmoil in her stomach was enough to make her feel like she was on the brink of acting like a complete fool. Maybe she was already. With the mix of emotions flooding through her, it was hard to gauge if she was fooling anyone, including herself.

Those amber eyes scanned the list, taking in each one, while Skye took him in, so close and yet so far.

They’d danced at the fashion show, so she knew what it felt like to be wrapped in his strong arms. But he’d never been in her kitchen or her shop like this, so informal, when it was just the two of them. Was he really here to get feedback on his chocolates? Innis wasn’t easy to read. That guard of his was always up. But here he was, standing right there reading the leaflet like it interested him immensely.

‘I’d no idea there were so many events this year.’ He sounded genuine.

‘I think there are more than ever. The recent publicity in the newspapers in Glasgow has sparked interest in the island. A few of the knitting bee ladies have said they’ve had more customer enquires and sales for their crafts than previous years.’ She shrugged. ‘So I’m guessing that more events have been added to cater for visitors. Though I’m happy with everything that’s listed and hope to attend most of them.’

‘Even the sledging?’ His lips curved into a wry smile.

‘Especially the sledging. I know I don’t look like the daring type, but just watch me. Those slopes are going to be well used by me.’

His smile reached up to his intense amber eyes framed with dark lashes that added to his wolfish persona. ‘I might take you up on that challenge.’

Skye blinked. ‘Challenge? I wasn’t actually—’

He shrugged his shoulders, and she saw his strong chest peeking out from the unbuttoned top of his shirt. ‘It sounded like a challenge to me.’

He was teasing her surely. Wasn’t he? She perked up, and the mischief element in her nature kicked in. ‘Okay. See you on the slopes.’

‘Do you have a sledge?’

‘No, but that can be remedied. There’s a Christmas market tomorrow and Holly and I are buying lamps for the lantern walk event. There are probably sledges on sale too. If not, I’ll ask Ailsa if she can order them for us from her craft shop.’

‘The castle has sledges,’ he told her. These were for the use of guests, though Innis and his brothers had long enjoyed the sledging, with or without an official event.

Skye put her hands on her hips and gave him a challenging look. ‘It’s okay for some people.’

‘I’ll put two aside for you and Holly. But be warned. They’re designed for speed.’ He was winding her up.

Skye took the bait. ‘All the better to beat you with Mr Wolf.’ The words were out before she could filter them.

He grinned. ‘I’m looking forward to our race.’

He was playing with her. But was he flirting? Was Innis capable for flirting? Before she could decide, he referenced the other events on the list.

‘The carols and hot chocolate event this evening sound enticing, but I have plans for tonight.’ This including taking a walk up into the hills after closing the cake shop. He had a lot on his mind that needed consideration and he always thought clearly when he walked up there in the evenings.

‘Baking and business,’ she summarised.

‘Yes, I’m planning to try out new recipes for my chocolates, working late in the castle kitchen,’ he explained.

Skye tilted her head in genuine awe. ‘I can’t imagine how you make all those smooth, beautiful chocolates. They look like they’ve been manufactured by a top confectionary company. But they have your handcrafted mastery.’

She didn’t intend to flatter him, and this flattered him all the more. Hearing her opinion of his chocolatier work meant more to him than he realised. Dropping his guard for a moment, the invitation was out before he could reconsider it. ‘Come up to the castle this evening and see how they’re made.’

Skye found herself nodding and yet she’d told Holly she’d go to the carol singing.

His mind took this into account. ‘I’ll be working quite late. You’re welcome to pop up after the carols and hot chocolate with marshmallows.’ He’d glimpsed what was included in the event.

‘Yes, I will. I’ll go easy on the hot chocolate if I’ve to indulge in eating your chocolates. I’m assuming I’ll be your official taster?’

He hadn’t thought of this, but lied and planned to make it so if she came and joined him later that evening. ‘Yes, you can sample the new flavours.’

She’d been joking, playing along with their light banter, experiencing a side he’d kept hidden for so long. ‘I promise not to eat all your chocolates.’

‘You can have anything you want from me, Skye.’

The richness of his tone sent shivers through her, nervous shivers of romantic excitement.

‘I’ll see you tonight at the castle,’ she confirmed, needing him to leave now so she could breathe and think about the potential trouble she’d entrenched herself in. Not that she was complaining. She loved a challenge. And she’d a feeling that Innis and his chocolatier work that evening at the castle would be far more challenging than the snowy slopes.

He walked through to the shop, needing to get back to his own work too.

Before leaving he offered her a lift to the castle. ‘Would you like me to pick you up this evening?’

‘No, I’ll drive myself there. It’ll let you keep working without interruption. You’ll have enough of that to contend with when I arrive to chomp your chocolates.’

She made him smile. And she made something in him feel alive, as if he was glad he’d overstepped his own mark and invited her to join him while he worked on his chocolates.

‘I’ll see you later,’ he said and left, leaving her stunned that she sort of had a date night arranged with Innis.

She sat back down at her sewing machine and didn’t stitch anything. Flopping back in her chair she wondered what she’d cornered herself into. Not only the chocolatier experience later on, but the sledging.

Although she wasn’t inclined to be nervous when it came to social events, she felt the anticipation of an evening with Innis flutter through her stomach.

‘Was that Innis I saw leaving the shop?’ Holly’s voice shook her from her thoughts.

‘Yes, he was here to get feedback on the box of chocolates he gave me.’

Skye’s words hung in the air so heavy that Holly knew something had happened. And she saw the rosy glow across her sister’s cheeks.

‘You look flushed.’

Skye’s blue eyes were filled with trepidation. ‘I’ve sort of challenged Innis on the snow slopes. He’s lending us sledges from the castle. They’re fast, apparently.’

‘You’ve never done sledging.’ Neither had Holly, but she wasn’t taking on the wolf.

‘No, but—’

‘Innis will have been sledging since he was a boy. How to you plan to win?’ Holly knew Skye was competitive, but nevertheless...

‘Skulduggery, mischief and bamboozlement.’ Skye pressed her lips together and nodded firmly, trying to convince herself about her tactics. They were the first tactics that sprang to mind, but often impulsiveness worked well for her.

Holly had seen Skye’s mischievous character succeed before. ‘It sounds like you’re in with a chance.’

They giggled.

‘And he’s invited me to the castle tonight to taste his new range of chocolates and see his chocolatier skills.’ Skye explained the details.

Holly smiled and shook her head. ‘I leave you for ten minutes while I pop to the post office and when I come back you’ve wangled two dates with Innis.’

‘Wangled is right. I don’t think he had any intention of asking me to do either.’ She frowned. ‘Though he seemed out of sorts, like he was making up an excuse, wanting to know what I thought about the new chocolates. I think he was edgy, as if he’d dashed in on the spur of the moment. Maybe he’d seen you leaving and thought he could chat to me for a few minutes on my own. I don’t know.’ She swept the wisps of hair from her pinned up messy pleats that were threatening to unravel, almost as much as she was.

‘That makes sense,’ Holly said firmly. ‘The two of you are never alone together. He probably did see me head to the post office. He sees everything from his cake shop window, and he couldn’t miss me laden with parcels for posting.’

Skye agreed. ‘Whenever I’m in his cake shop, Rosabel and Primrose are there too. So, you’re right. We don’t have many private moments.’

‘And Innis is the deep, secretive sort. He’s not like Rory or Lyle. Rory would march in and ask you to go out with him in front of a crowd, totally unabashed. Lyle’s no shrinking violet either when it comes to speaking up.’

‘Well, now all I have to do is settle my own jitters until I drive up to the castle.’

‘I’ll put the kettle on for tea. And you can sing your heart out before you go. You can’t sing Christmas carols and have the jitters at the same time.’

‘Is that true?’

Holly hustled through to the kitchen and filled the kettle. ‘Maybe, probably,’ she called through to Skye.

‘What will I wear?’ Skye eyed the clothes rails, suddenly spoiled for choice, though a glamorous dress wouldn’t be suitable.

‘Go glamorous,’ Holly advised, rattling around in the kitchen, hoping they hadn’t eaten the last of the shortbread.

‘A glamorous evening dress isn’t appropriate.’

‘You don’t need to wear an evening dress to be glam. Emphasise your assets. Wear a pair of those stretch velvet trousers that flatter you so well.’

‘The dark blue ones or the burgundy?’

‘Burgundy. And wear that lovely cropped white jumper you knitted. You look great in it.’

‘That could work. Not too overdressed, but suitable for the winter.’

‘And textures that will tempt him.’

‘I’m not aiming to tempt Innis tonight.’

Holly guffawed. ‘Keep telling yourself that.’

Skye relented. ‘Okay, maybe it would be nice to see if the spark I felt the last time I was dancing with him could be reignited.’

‘But be careful. You’re playing with fire if you play around with Innis.’

‘What! You’re the one encouraging me.’

The kettle clicked off and Holly busied herself making the tea. ‘I’m just reminding you to keep your guard up. Feel things out. You’ll know if he’s toying with you. Though I don’t think he’s the type. Rosabel and Primrose think he’s ready to settle down.’

Skye sat down at the kitchen table and cupped her hands around her mug of tea. ‘Settle as in...’

‘All in. Perhaps Innis will be the first of the three brothers to get engaged.’

There was no shortbread left so they drank their tea.

‘Can’t I just go for a fun night of eating chocolates at the castle?’

Holly shrugged. ‘That’s an option, but let’s see what the night brings. And you’ve got a back–up plan.’

Skye didn’t know what it was. ‘I have?’

‘The sledging,’ Holly told her. ‘Skulduggery, mischief and what else was it?’

‘Bamboozlement.’ Skye started to smile as she said this.

Laughing and drinking their tea, they talked about Skye’s date with Innis and wondered how the night would unfold.

Innis finished icing the cakes he’d been working on while avoiding the inquisitive looks from Rosabel and Primrose. They’d seen him popping into the vintage dress shop and knew that Holly was at the post office.

‘I wanted to know if Skye liked my new selection of chocolates,’ he eventually relented.

‘Did she?’ Rosabel prompted him while rearranging the bon bons in one of the display cabinets.

‘Yes, especially the toffee cups, dark truffles and Christmas spice flavour,’ he elaborated to show that they really had been discussing his confectionary. The gossip about him inviting Skye to the castle would be rife tomorrow, but he wanted a little bit of breathing space before that started circulating.

‘He’s hiding something,’ Rosabel murmured to Primrose.

‘We’ll find out later,’ Primrose whispered to Rosabel. ‘Holly and Skye are going to the carol singing. Holly told me.’

‘He’s definitely got a spring in his step,’ Rosabel observed, watching Innis move deftly around the kitchen and dart back and forth to the window display to add more cakes.

‘I heard that,’ Innis said, causing them to giggle.

Yes, he thought. The gossip was going to be sensational. He hoped it would be worth it. Skye certainly was. He probably did have a spring in his step even though it was the depth of winter.

After Rosabel and Primrose left the shop at the end of the working day, he tidied up, he put on his sturdy walking boots so he could trudge up into the hills.

Shrugging on his warm jacket, he flicked the main lights off, leaving the window display aglow with fairy lights, and strode off up into the hills as the early evening sky deepened.

The cold wind blew through his thick dark hair, emphasising his sculptured profile as he forged on up the steep slope. This was the fastest route to the top, and the toughest, but over the years his strong, lean thighs had become accustomed to the attempted assault on his muscles. He didn’t feel the burn these days, and hadn’t for a long time. The hill walking was one of the things he believed kept him fit and strong.

At the top, he was usually the lone figure, standing there, looking out at the island below and other islands way off in the distance. The sea and the sky merged at different points around the curve of the long, sweeping bay. The seasons were at their most distinguishable from his vantage point.

Gazing up at the darkening sky, he saw snowflakes flutter through the air. They were there and gone in seconds.

The scent of snow in the icy air was unmistakable. Here it comes, he thought with assurance. The snow was on its way tonight.

He glanced down to where the festive lights outlined the main street edging the bay. Often the lights were crystal clear, but this year they glowed with colourful red, green, pink, blue and golden yellow.

The little fire pit they’d set up to toast marshmallows flickered with warmth.

The large Christmas tree adorned with a star on top shone like a beacon. Skye would be there singing carols, but later she’d be driving up to the castle. The roads were at their most unpredictable when the first fall of snow occurred. Once everything was covered in snow the roads were strangely more reliable. Should he warn her to be extra careful? Or would that seem like he was fussing?

Deciding that Skye was a competent young woman capable of handling the drive, he tried to listen to the carol singing. The voices were barely audible, but the wintry breeze blew a few notes up into the hills. Traditional songs from yesteryear rose up and touched his heart, reminding him of all that made Christmas special. Though this year, Skye was the true heart of it for him.

Murdo lugged a couple of sledges across the castle’s front lawn as Merrilees arrived for dinner with Finlay.

She parked her car and called over to Murdo. ‘Isn’t it a bit early for sledging?’

‘Innis wanted me to bring them out of the garden shed where we keep them. I’m taking them round to the storeroom to give them a buff and spruce up for Skye and Holly.’

‘Are they using them for props for their dress shop modelling photos?’ She couldn’t think why else they’d want them.

‘No, they’re for hitting the slopes for the sledging event.’

The journalist in her was intrigued. ‘But there’s no snow forecast yet, and the sledging isn’t until just before Christmas Eve.’ Having written about the list of events on the island for the newspaper, she was familiar with the schedule.

Murdo shrugged. ‘Innis didn’t elaborate. He was busy frosting a fruit cake and it was a quick call to get me to earmark these for Skye and Holly.’ He smiled and continued on his way, trailing them round to the storeroom at the back of the castle.

Merrilees headed inside reception and was greeted by Finlay as he stood behind the desk discussing the dinner menu with Geneen.

‘I hope you’re hungry,’ Finlay said to Merrilees, walking round and giving her a welcoming hug. ‘Chef has exceeded himself this evening. He’s practising items for the ball’s buffet.’

‘Yes, I am.’ She’d barely stopped writing all day, forging on, knowing that dinner was at the end of it. Cups of tea and a shortbread finger had kept her going while she wrote by the fireside in stargazer cottage.

‘Wonderful.’ Finlay put his arm around her shoulder and escorted her through to their usual private table in the far corner of the function room.

She mentioned about Murdo and the sledges.

It was the first he’d heard of this.

‘Why does Innis want sledges put aside for Skye and Holly?’ said Merrilees.

‘I don’t know, but I’m sure he’ll tell me what he’s up to when he comes home to the castle this evening,’ Finlay concluded.

Nairne fussed around Finlay and Merrilees as staff served up samples from the buffet menu.

They both tried the grilled Scottish salmon pastries with caramelised red onions and a medley of roast vegetables flavoured with peppers and tomatoes.

Finlay gestured to his plate. ‘Everything in this selection should be served at the ball’s buffet.’

Merrilees was in agreement.

Pleased that they approved, Nairne headed back through to the kitchen. Innis was due back soon to commandeer his area of the kitchen for his chocolatier work. Nairne wanted to make everything tidy for his arrival. He’d no idea that Skye would be joining Innis later. Innis rarely invited anyone to watch him work on his confectionary.

Skye and Holly were wrapped up warm against the cold night as they joined in the carol singing.

Skye’s long hair tumbled around the shoulders of her pastel pink wool coat. A retro buy from the seventies that had become one of her favourites. She wore a woolly white hat and mittens that she’d knitted herself. The white yarn had a light sparkle effect through it and she’d bought skeins of it from Elspeth and Morven’s knitting shop. Under her coat she wore the burgundy velvet trousers tucked into boots, and the white jumper. She’d fussed with her makeup and was feeling butterflies of excitement about her so–called date with Innis.

Singing took her mind off the impending evening at the castle as she concentrated on the song sheet.

Standing beside Holly near the large Christmas tree, she felt the heat from the fire where marshmallows were being toasted. The flames flickered against the backdrop of the shimmering silvery sea, creating the perfect atmosphere for the festive singing.

This was such a wonderful lifestyle here on the island, Skye thought. She didn’t miss the mainland or the cities, and neither did Holly. They’d settled into their new and exciting life on the island. The only thing that was missing for both of them was romance. There was no one that Holly had in mind. And only one man that Skye considered getting involved with. But Innis...well, he was such a lone wolf. Would he be the man for her?

Holly wore grey cords with boots, a beige Aran jumper, a cream wool coat and matching cream woolly hat, gloves and scarf. The scarf was red and she’d knitted her accessories herself.

‘Hello, ladies,’ a man’s familiar voice said, approaching them from his tea shop.

‘Lyle.’ Holly was the first to react with a smile, shortly followed by Skye.

‘Are you here for the singing or the hot chocolate and marshmallows?’ Holly said to him.

Before he could explain, one of the main organisers of the carol singing saw Lyle and made an announcement. The man’s voice sounded clear in the cold night air.

‘I’d like to thank Lyle for contributing all the hot chocolate and marshmallows for tonight’s event,’ the man announced, causing everyone to acknowledge Lyle’s kindness with smiles and a round of applause.

‘I’m happy to help out,’ Lyle told them, giving a cheery wave.

Holly looked at him. ‘You provided the hot chocolate and marshmallows?’ She didn’t mean to sound so surprised.

‘Yes, the local folk support my tea shop so I wanted to give a wee bit back to help with the event,’ he explained. ‘Other businesses are contributing to the festive events this year,’ he added, giving credit to others. ‘Innis has given large boxes of his luxury chocolates for the raffles, and cakes. I’ve given an iced fruit cake, a Christmas cake for a raffle at tomorrow’s market. Make sure to buy a ticket. You never know your luck.’ His cheerful manner made them smile warmly at him.

‘We will,’ said Holly.

‘Right, I’m away back to my tea shop,’ he said, rubbing his hands together for warmth. He’d thrown a jacket on but the biting cold blowing in from the sea made him shiver. ‘Enjoy your hot chocolate.’

‘I’m forgoing it,’ said Skye, unable to contain her news. ‘Innis has invited me up to the castle to show me how he makes his chocolates.’

Lyle’s face lit up with a smile. ‘Ooooh! A date night?’

Skye raised her shoulders and tucked her hands deep into her coat pockets. ‘I’m not sure.’

‘Ah, that’s Innis for you. Sometimes you never quite know where you stand,’ said Lyle. ‘But for all his lone wolf and standoffish tendencies, I find him to be a good–hearted man. Maybe not the easiest to get along with, but...Innis and his brothers are generous to a fault when it comes to the local community.’

‘A wee bit like yourself, Lyle.’

Holly’s remark made him feel the unfamiliar sense of a blush rising up. ‘No, I wouldn’t put myself in their league.’

Flakes of snow started to fall around them.

‘Innis was right,’ Lyle was the first to remark. ‘The snow is early this winter.’

‘Will it start with a light covering of snow?’ said Skye.

‘No, once it starts snowing this evening, it’ll be a whiteout by midnight and that’ll be the last you’ll see of the greenery on the hills until the thaw in the New Year,’ Lyle explained.

‘Perhaps I should drive up to the castle now before it becomes too heavy,’ Skye suggested.

‘Yes, but drive slow and steady,’ Lyle advised.

‘I will,’ said Skye. Hurrying away, she gave a cheery wave to Holly and Lyle, got into the car she shared with her sister that was parked outside their dress shop, and drove off.

It was Holly’s turn to shiver.

‘Get yourself a hot drink. You’re looking a wee bitty cold,’ Lyle advised her.

‘I will. I’m probably needing something to eat, so I’ll indulge in plenty of marshmallows.’

‘Have you not had dinner?’

‘No, we were working late at the shop, and then it was a flurry of getting ready for the carol singing. The time flew in and...here I am.’

Lyle thumbed behind him at his tea shop. ‘I’m heading back for a bowl of soup that I’ve left simmering on the stove for my dinner. I’ve had enough sugary things today. I like to eat a hearty soup made with plenty of winter vegetables. I add lentils or split peas to the mix. Tonight, it’s split peas.’

Holly’s tummy rumbled at the thought of it. It sounded tasty, but she didn’t want to force him to invite her to join him.

‘You’re welcome to join me for a bowl of soup and crusty bread,’ he offered. His offer was genuine, and he was under no illusion that this was a date night in the making with the beautiful Holly.

‘Okay, thanks, that would be great.’

Walking together to his tea shop, they chatted about the ball gowns that were due to arrive the next morning. Or at least, Holly did, chattering happily.

He listened with interest.

Lyle was easy to talk to she thought as she headed out of the cold and into the cosy tea shop that smelled of a savoury dinner cooking.

The tea shop was closed for the evening, and he’d tidied the front shop area so everything looked shiny and clean. The fire still flickered in the hearth, creating a homely ambiance.

‘Come on through to the kitchen,’ he beckoned her. ‘It’s nice and toasty. I’ve had the ovens on baking cakes and cooking the soup on the stove.’

Holly followed him through, glad to be out of the cold and in the cosiness of the tea shop kitchen. The modern vintage styling was lovely and she admired the floral ceramic teapots on the shelves, along with the pretty blue and white stripe milk jugs. Shiny pots and pans hung on the walls and reflected the overhead spotlights.

He lifted the lid on the large pot that was simmering on the stove. ‘Yes, it’s ready. Let me take your coat.’

She took her coat and accessories off and he hung them up along with his jacket in a cupboard.

He gestured for her to sit down at the kitchen table while he washed his hands and then proceeded to serve up two bowls of the soup. He poured two ladles full each, sprinkled greentails on top, added a dash of freshly ground black pepper, and then selected a farmhouse loaf and cut thick slices for them.

And all the while Holly continued chatting about the ball gowns. ‘The first half of the delivery arrives tomorrow. The suppliers are sending the second half, but it’ll give us a chance to sort through the dresses and start getting them ready for sale.’

‘Will you and Skye have the pick of them, or are some earmarked for customers?’

‘Skye has her eye on a pink sparkly ball gown. Pink really is her colour and the dress is like something out of a fairytale, so that one is hers. I haven’t decided yet which one I’d like. I know it sounds silly, but we’re so excited to have all these wonderful dresses arriving. We had a delivery of evening dresses too, and it was like opening Christmas presents. Skye has already added organza and chiffon to a couple of the dresses so they’re ideal now for the ball.’

‘Tuck in,’ he said, ‘and help yourself to the bread.’

‘Oh this is so tasty.’ She enjoyed a couple of spoonfuls and then lifted a slice of bread and took a bite of it.

He continued their conversation about the dresses. ‘When I picture a ball gown I think of something all sparkly and light. I don’t know a lot about fabrics, but silk and chiffon comes to mind. What was that other fabric you mentioned?’

‘Organza.’

‘Is that like chiffon?’

‘Yes, only chiffon is soft and fluid, but organza is a bit firmer so it sits out well for a ball gown.’

‘I had to select various fabrics for the tea room furnishings. I found it interesting the way traditional patterns like floral prints and gingham are still popular.’ He pointed to the kitchen curtains. ‘I chose that yellow and white cotton gingham for the curtains. It makes the kitchen look sunny even on dull days or dark mornings when I’m in here early to start baking fresh scones and cakes.’

‘You work long hours, but I never hear you complain about being tired. You’re always cheery when I come into your tea shop.’

‘That’s because I love what I do. I’m where I want to be, doing what I’ve always wanted. The tea shop has thrived beyond my expectations. Yes, it’s hard work, but I’m sure you feel the same about your vintage dresses and fashions.’

‘I do. Sometimes I’m reluctant to leave the shop if I’m working on a dress, repairing it, adding special touches that bring the past up–to–date. I forget the time and just keep sewing and mending until it’s done. But like you I don’t feel tired because I love my work. I’ve loved fashion and dresses since I was a wee girl. And so has Skye.’

A message came through on Holly’s phone. ‘Sorry, I have to check this in case it’s Skye.’ She read the message and smiled. ‘Skye’s arrived at the castle. It’s snowing heavy up in the forest. But she’s safe.’ She tucked her phone away and relaxed, happy to continue enjoying her time with Lyle.

‘I hope things work out well between Skye and Innis,’ he said.

‘So do I. She’s liked him for a while, and there’s an obvious spark between them, but I worry she’ll get her heart broken. And I worry too that she won’t take a chance on love.’ She sounded unsure.

‘Skye’s a sweetheart. She deserves to find romance and happiness. Hopefully, it’ll be with Innis. As I said, he’s a good man.’

‘And handsome too.’ She meant that he was a heartbreaker.

‘Apparently, the most handsome man on the island.’ Lyle wasn’t as tall, handsome or imposing as Innis, but he was nonetheless a fine looking man with light brown hair and hazel eyes that twinkled with interest.

‘Innis is a looker,’ she said.

Lyle shrugged his broad shoulders. ‘Good looks fade with time. But a kind heart remains constant.’