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

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Snow glittered in the morning sunlight and Skye and Holly’s dress shop was busy with customers buying ball gowns. Some of them were buying fabric to alter or upgrade the dresses themselves.

The day flew in and as an early twilight settled over the main street, Skye and Holly got ready to go to the tea shop for dinner.

Innis had been equally busy, baking cakes and decorating them with icing or chocolate ganache. He hadn’t seen Skye all day as she’d spent most of it working at her sewing machine. But he had seen her beautiful pink ball gown in the window of the dress shop. He couldn’t wait for the night of the ball so he could hold her in his arms and dance with her.

The gift he’d ordered for her from the mainland was due to arrive the following day. He hoped she would like it.

Rosabel and Primrose had been helping with the extra cake baking while leaving the expert icing to Innis.

He heard them chatting about sewing their dresses for the ball, and apparently Geneen had bought her gown from the vintage dress shop.

Working away in the kitchen he listened to the customers talking about getting their groceries and gifts all set for Christmas, and the time seemed to ramp up until it was officially closing time at the cake shop.

Rosabel and Primrose headed home to finish their dresses, waving and telling Innis not to work too late.

But this was his plan, to continue working at the shop, baking, icing and creating everything from traditional Christmas cakes to rich chocolate sponges filled with buttercream, iced with fondant and topped with a couple of his chocolate truffles.

Tucked away in his kitchen, he didn’t see how lively the tea shop looked all lit up and with every table taken. He’d considered going along, but checking Lyle’s website he saw that the night was fully booked.

He pictured Skye and Holly sitting at their window table looking out at the sea view while being feted by Lyle and his tasty tea shop menu.

Innis had checked the menu, something he often did, not for competitive purposes, but out of interest in what was popular with customers. Lyle had highlighted his special Yule log, his own recipe that he said was rich with chocolate flavour.

Skye gazed out the tea shop window at the wintry sea as she enjoyed her Yule log with Holly. There was a wildness to the sea that appealed to her. It looked especially beautiful against the snowy night.

‘This Yule log is delicious,’ Holly said to Skye.

Lyle overheard her as he buzzed around serving customers. He’d hired a couple of staff to help him, and the atmosphere in the upstairs extension was warm and welcoming.

‘Thank you, Holly,’ said Lyle. ‘It’s my special recipe.’

Holly pointed her fork at the cake. ‘I don’t know what you’ve added to the chocolate ganache topping to make it taste so rich.’

‘Extra dark chocolate, extra cream and a pinch of spice,’ Lyle confided.

Skye nodded as she ate hers.

‘I’m baking some for the ball’s buffet,’ he added.

‘Great,’ said Holly.

Bustling around, Lyle kept swinging by their table, adding little extras including chocolate dipped cherries and sugared Scottish raspberries to their cake stand.

They’d started with the quiche and salad, moved on to the scones with whipped cream and strawberry jam, and finished with the Yule log and dipped fruits.

Hastily made tomato sandwiches was all they’d had for lunch due to being so busy at their shop. This ensured they had an appetite for the traditional tea shop treats.

Skye couldn’t help her thoughts drifting to the sledging practise that Merrilees and Ailsa would be enjoying near thistle loch with Finlay and Ean. And as much as she was flattered that Innis had invited her to go with him, she was happy to be at the tea shop with Holly.

Innis finally finished work at the cake shop. Glancing out the window, he saw the wild sea. But it wasn’t snowing, so he put his warm jacket and boots on and instead of driving home to the castle, he ventured up the hill to clear his thoughts.

The view from the top was always worth it. The main street far below glittered with fairy lights and the large Christmas tree glowed like a beacon.

The icy breeze blew through his hair, sweeping it back from his troubled brow. Troubled because he wondered about getting deeply involved with Skye. He was involved already even though they weren’t officially a couple.

He’d see her at the lantern walk. Finlay, Merrilees, Ean and Ailsa were planning to set off from the castle, cutting through a part of the forest that led to the waterfall. Others would be walking up the forest road from the coast route and approaching the waterfall from that direction.

Innis planned to leave the castle along with Finlay and the others. No doubt Skye and Holly would be accompanied by Lyle, but once they all met up at the waterfall, he hoped to spend the time there with Skye.

And then it wouldn’t be long until the snow challenge. He was disappointed that Skye hadn’t been able to join in the practise with Merrilees and the others. Skye had never done any sledging and this put her at a further disadvantage.

The wind rising up from the sea whipped up the fallen snow sending flakes circling around him like starlight. There was a sense of fairytale magic in the air, or perhaps he was just falling deeper under Skye’s spell.

Before trudging back down the hill, he looked way off in the distance towards the estate. The dark silhouette of the castle stood strong against the elements. He felt this was what he needed to do if he wanted to win Skye’s heart — stand strong against the twists and turns of events that at times seemed to conspire to keep them apart.

With that bolstering thought, Innis tugged up the collar of his jacket and bounded back down the hill with more determination than when he went up it.

Another day sparkled under the winter light and flew by again in a blaze of ball gowns and glittering sequins.

Skye arranged the ball gowns that were left on the rails along with the evening dresses, while Holly parcelled up online orders that were mainly for the evening dresses and little cocktail numbers.

‘What should we wear for the lantern walk?’ said Holly as she packed the dresses.

‘Warm coats, warm trousers, warm boots, warm...everything,’ Skye advised her.

Holly peered out the window at the grey clouds swirling along the coast. ‘Do you think it could rain and our lanterns will fizzle out in the wet?’

‘Nope. The forecast is more snow.’

‘It was wrong before,’ Holly reminded her.

‘The forecast according to Innis,’ Skye clarified. She’d met him briefly when she’d popped out for milk for tea. He was outside his shop loading cake and chocolate boxes into the back of his car. They’d chatted for a moment, mainly about the weather and the lantern walk.

‘Warm everything it is then,’ said Holly. No argument from her.

The snow held off, as if doing them the courtesy of not forcing those taking part in the lantern walk to trudge through a blizzard.

In rows of two or three, everyone walked along the forest road carrying their lanterns.

Many of them had left their cars down at the main street to walk the entire route, while others living inland, like Rory, had parked at the forest road.

Lyle accompanied Holly and Skye, and they chatted about everything from baking mince pies to waltzing at the castle.

Ahead of them were Rory and Rowen. He’d bought the lovely ball gown Rowen had selected from the dress shop, and he’d told Skye that he was wearing a classic dinner suit to attend the ball.

Geneen had revealed when she’d been in buying her dress that Innis, Finlay and Ean were wearing their full kilts and finery. And that they always went commando under their kilts. Something neither Skye or Holly wanted to ponder.

Behind Skye and the others were Elspeth and Brodrick, followed by Morven and Donall. Somewhere near them walked Nettie and Shuggie, and someone said they heard contented purring from Shuggie’s backpack.

Rosabel and Primrose were near the front and had taken part in a few lantern walks over the years.

There was a fine turnout for the event from the local community and the cold air was abuzz with their joy at being out at night in the snow with their lanterns looking like festive firelight in the depths of winter.

As they all veered off the main forest road into the heart of the forest itself, Skye glanced back at the view of the sea in the distance. She’d only seen it from the car, but walking along gave a different perspective and she saw even more rugged beauty in the island’s wild landscape.

The air changed to a stillness as the thick trees shielded them from the worst of the cold wind.

Skye held up her lantern. The candlelight was steady rather than flickering in the breeze. The dark forest route opened out on to forget–me–not waterfall all aglow with lights.

The fire pit was set up by the organisers and was burning brightly, ready for them to toast marshmallows to go with their hot chocolate.

Lights illuminated the cascading waterfall and the pool it collected in shone with lights too. Some were coloured turquoise blue or pink, creating a fantasy feeling.

Fairy lights had been entwined through the surrounding greenery, and people were starting to take photos of the extraordinary beauty.

Lyle stepped back and took out his phone. ‘Stand together in front of the waterfall,’ he said to Skye and Holly, and proceeded to snap several great photos of them together, something they’d treasure.

Skye then used her phone to take pictures of Holly and Lyle together. At first, Lyle was careful not to pose as if he was Holly’s boyfriend, but by the time Skye had finished, Holly and Lyle had their arms wrapped around each other and were grinning at her.

Scrolling through the pictures, Skye then showed them to Holly and Lyle. Perhaps it was seeing themselves as a couple that helped them to take their friendship to the next level.

‘I know I’m an acquired taste,’ Lyle began, ‘but would you like to go to the ball with me, Holly?’

‘I’d love to.’

While Holly and Lyle toasted marshmallows together, Skye wandered over to the waterfall and gazed at the lights glistening through the cascading water. Glancing round at the sound of other voices, she saw that Innis and his brothers along with Merrilees and Ailsa had arrived. Their route from the castle made them approach from a different direction through the trees.

Innis’ eyes scanned around everyone present and then locked on to Skye.

She smiled at him as he walked over to her. Warmly dressed in a classic winter jacket, cords and sturdy boots, her heart reacted seeing him. Finlay and Ean were equally kitted out in winter wear but they both wore woolly hats. Innis didn’t, and his dark hair was flecked with a few snowflakes that had fallen from the trees as they’d walked through the forest.

He carried his lantern and his voice sounded deep in the cold air. ‘Did you enjoy your night at the tea shop?’

‘I did.’ Skye gave him a brief description of the menu and the evening.

She then asked him about his evening, wondering if he’d joined in the sledging.

‘No, I worked late at the shop and then went for a walk up the hill. I had it all to myself as usual. It helps me to unwind, get some fresh air if I’ve been baking in the shop all day, and I’ve always loved the view of the island from the top.’

Skye kept her bright smile steady, while thinking how close she’d come to encountering Innis on the hill when she’d been sledging.

‘Would you like to go for a walk?’ Innis’ amber eyes reflected the flames from the fire. ‘There’s something I’d like to show you.’

Skye drank down the remainder of her hot chocolate. ‘Lead the way,’ she said sprightly.

‘Bring your lantern.’ He carried his.

Leaving the others to enjoy the waterfall, Innis forged through an archway in the trees.

Skye held her lantern ahead of her, following close to Innis as he swept aside some branches and dipped his head under the archway.

‘I get the feeling this is a secret route to somewhere that you’ve known for years,’ she commented, noticing the surefooted way he navigated it.

‘I’ve used it since I was a boy.’ He brushed aside a low hanging branch. ‘Though the archway seemed a lot higher then.’

He glanced at her over his shoulder and a wry smile played on his lips.

‘Where are we going?’ She saw nothing but the depths of the forest all around them. It was so dense it cut out the icy breeze and there was a calming stillness to the atmosphere. A dreamlike quality, like a rustic fairytale.

‘Nearly there,’ he assured her. Pushing the last branches aside, the forest archway opened out on to the countryside around thistle loch.

She gasped. ‘We’re at thistle loch? Already?’

‘The archway is a racing line to the loch. I thought you’d like to see where you’ll be sledging. As you haven’t had a chance to practise, I thought you should at least have a clear picture of it in your mind. The landscape is quite vast and some people find that overwhelming until they get used to it.’

Skye stood beside him and felt the rush of cold air now blow through her hair that tumbled from underneath her woolly hat. His broad shoulders and tall stature helped shield her from the brunt of the gusts that swept across the loch unchallenged.

He gestured over to the area of long, but low hills from the depths of the countryside that ran down to the loch, levelling out before they reached the water.

‘The slopes for the sledging are deceiving. They’re not too steep, but you can pick up a fair pace sledging down them.’

‘They look a lot less steep than—’ she bit her lip, almost letting slip that she was comparing them to the hill.

‘Than what?’ he prompted her.

‘Than I thought they would,’ she fibbed.

‘No one ever overruns the slope and ends up in the loch in case you’re wondering,’ he told her.

It hadn’t crossed her mind. She was too busy calibrating how fast she’d need to go to beat him. Whizzing down these vast but reasonably gentle slopes seemed doable and stirred her competitive streak.

Then her attention was drawn to the little cottage in the distance on the other side of the loch and partly bordered by trees. Stargazer cottage where Merrilees stayed. The windows were in darkness, but a lantern glowed at the side of the front door, burning a constant welcome home.

Innis followed her line of vision. ‘That’s Merrilees cottage.’

Skye nodded. She knew.

‘It’s temporary, until she marries Finlay and moves into the castle,’ he explained.

Skye didn’t give away what she was thinking, so he took the chance to pry.

‘What about you? Are you of a mind to settle down one day? Get married?’

The mercurial side of her nature rose up to reply. ‘Sometimes, yes, other times...it seems like it’s so far in the distance that I can’t quite grasp it. Always out of reach.’

The blood coursed through his veins as he fought the urge to tell her he was right there, standing beside her, and he always would be.

Before he could say anything, she threw the same question back at him.

He heard his reply and thought it was the mirror image of hers. ‘I’ve been thinking since earlier this year that I’d like to settle down. Get married. Folk keep telling me that the woman for me will one day arrive on the island.’ He didn’t dare look at her and kept his gaze steady on the snow slopes. ‘But I’m now thinking that she could’ve been here for a while.’

Skye glanced up at him, but he didn’t falter in his outward focus.

A flurry of snow and a gust of wind blew with force across the loch, jarring them.

Innis frowned as he glanced up at the fast–moving storm clouds blustering up from the coast and from inland, arching over the loch and surrounding landscape.

Skye gazed up and directly above her a storm appeared to be brewing.

‘We’d better get back to the waterfall and give the others fair warning.’

Skye’s eyes widened, glancing between Innis and the approaching storm. ‘Is it rain or snow?’

‘A snowstorm. And it’s about to hit the island soon.’

Innis strode ahead, eager to get back to the waterfall.

Skye struggled to keep pace with his long, capable strides.

‘Come on, Skye,’ he beckoned her.

‘My furry boots are slowing me down.’ It wasn’t an excuse. They weren’t snow hiking boots, just fashionably furry and kept her warm, but they weren’t made for speed. The snow became deeper on the route back to the forest archway.

Innis took charge of the situation and keeping a grip on his lantern he lifted her up in his strong arms, carrying her without faltering in his stride.

Clasping her lantern, she put one arm around his shoulders and held tight, though she had no fear that he’d drop her. His strength and protectiveness ignited her senses. She felt safe with Innis. She was safe with him.

At the archway he put her down gently and then wasted no time leading them through the forest back to the clearing at the waterfall.

Voices singing carols sounded long before they saw the cheery faces, singing, drinking hot chocolate and toasting marshmallows.

Innis loathed calling a halt to their fun night, but he knew they’d understand.

‘A snowstorm is on its way,’ Innis announced.

They could tell from his no nonsense tone that they needed to pack up and head home. No one complained. Common sense prevailed.

The organisers dowsed the fire pit, grabbed the items they’d brought and got going.

‘My taxi is parked down the forest road,’ said Shuggie. ‘Anyone wanting a lift down to the main street, come with me and Nettie.’

Innis encouraged Rosabel and Primrose to go in the taxi.

There was no time for anyone to argue. Those living locally knew the island enjoyed mainly mild weather, but there were times in the deep midwinter when the snow could be a challenge.

Innis kept Skye close to him as he rounded everyone up. ‘Is everyone accounted for?’ His commanding voice sounded clear.

Those present nodded, making sure no one had gone amiss.

‘My car is near Shuggie’s taxi,’ Rory told them, keeping a clasp of Rowen’s hand. ‘Some folk can come with us. I’m dropping Rowen off and then heading inland near the farms.’

A couple were keen to take up Rory’s offer, and they headed away with him.

Others divided themselves among the remaining cars and hurried off.

‘Don’t wait for us,’ Finlay told them. ‘Get going now.’

‘I’ll walk Holly and Skye back down to the main street,’ Lyle told Innis. ‘You get back to the castle with your brothers.’

But before they could decide, Brodrick stepped in. ‘The three of you can jump in my car with Elspeth and me.’

A firm nod and Brodrick, clasping Elspeth’s hand, started to head away.

Skye went to follow, but Innis stepped close to her for a moment and gazed into her eyes. ‘Don’t do anything foolish. Phone me when you get home. Let me know you’re safe.’

‘I will. What about you?’

‘I’m going back to the castle. Sometimes guests wander off around the estate and we need to ensure they’re all in for the night,’ Innis explained quickly.

Skye thought for a moment that Innis was going to kiss her, and she was right, but he stopped himself, not wanting their first kiss of passion to be in the midst of a melee.

Accompanying Finlay, Merrilees, Ean and Ailsa back to the castle through the forest, Innis rewound the moments he’d had with Skye at thistle loch. The snowstorm had curtailed their evening. The storm would pass, but he sensed that his feelings for Skye were all the stronger for their time together.