Chapter 11
MAIRI
‘The mattress in my room is too hard and whatever you’re using to wash the linens is making me sneeze.
’ Greer sniffed and flicked a strand of grey hair out of her reproving grey eyes as she chewed a spoonful of the beef stew Mairi had made the evening before, which she’d insisted on having for an early lunch.
The older woman pursed her narrow lips and sighed heavily and Mairi waited for her next complaint. She’d been counting them on her fingers since she got up and had already run out of digits.
‘I’m sorry, I’ll change the tablecloth for you later,’ she promised, trying out her most agreeable tone for size, wishing she’d got around to putting the Christmas decorations up so she could distract the woman with something glittery.
Greer swiped her fingertips on her napkin looking disappointed. ‘Ach, well. Make sure you do,’ she said stiffly. She tugged a small pad from the pocket of her skirt and made a couple of notes, cupping a hand over it so Mairi couldn’t read. When she finished, she glanced up.
‘It’s not very clean either.’ She flicked a fingertip over the tablecloth, making a handful of crumbs from some of the sourdough bread she’d just eaten go flying.
‘I’ll be cleaning up as soon as lunch is over,’ Mairi promised.
She’d dealt with difficult people in the past, written about plenty, but Greer was something else.
The lodge had been one of the few places that had felt like home after her parents had died.
She had to keep it safe and getting a good review was important, so she was going to do everything possible to get the woman on side.
Greer glanced around until her gaze rested on Bear who’d settled under a table and was gazing at her, his misshapen head cocked.
‘You have a dog in the dining room,’ she spluttered.
‘I suppose it’s another of the lodge’s rescues.
’ She frowned. ‘I heard about them. You really need to decide if you’re a hotel or a zoo.
’ She stopped talking for long enough to scribble more notes.
Bear let out a low whine of disapproval – or it could have been offence.
‘I’m sure it’s against hygiene rules.’ Greer’s voice was scornful.
Mairi knew it wasn’t strictly against the rules so long as Bear behaved, but she wasn’t going to argue. She had to remember, the customer was always right – even when they were grumpy and constantly looking for things to complain about.
Greer had booked in until the day after Boxing Day – she could be patient for that long. She’d spent the last eleven months hiding her feelings, this was just more of the same.
‘He’s just waiting until someone has time to take him for a walk,’ she admitted, and the dog barked excitedly.
Douglas might do it if she asked – or Jed could take him to work.
‘I’d like to interview you,’ Greer said abruptly, pausing writing for a moment.
Mairi huffed out a breath. ‘I’ll try to find some time for you later,’ she promised.
She’d do nothing of the sort, but she wasn’t going to get into an argument with the older woman.
She wasn’t interested in spilling secrets about the lodge or digging the dirt – and that could be the only thing the older woman wanted.
‘What are you up to today?’ Mairi changed the subject just as Scott, his father and Margo Green – the other new guest – wandered into the room. Scott and Adam were both wearing ski gear and the teenager’s cheeks were flushed.
‘Is there any food?’ Scott asked eagerly. ‘I was skiing with Jed and I’m famished.’ At the mention of Jed’s name Mairi’s stomach jumped.
‘You ate a huge breakfast already, lad,’ his dad chuckled, pausing as he was about to pass Greer’s table.
‘Ach, a new guest, I already met Margo on the way in.’ He winked at the older woman who smiled back at him, then he grinned at Greer, his handsome face illuminating.
‘I’m Adam Miller and this is my son Scott, we’re staying until after Christmas.
You’re not going to be able to help falling in love with this place,’ he crooned, emulating Elvis, before holding out a hand.
Greer stared at it for a beat, then took it. As soon as she broke contact, she began to make more notes in her book. Perhaps she was going to blame the lodge for the singing guests too?
‘Greer Abernathy,’ she said stiffly. ‘I’m not sure love is the right word.’ Adam’s face dropped, and Mairi indicated he and Scott could take a seat wherever they wanted.
‘I’ll bring a hot drink and some stew over,’ Mairi promised.
‘Effie’s bringing the food. It looks like you’ve got enough to keep you busy,’ Adam said kindly. He gave her a wink and guided Scott to the furthest edge of the dining room before taking a seat at one of the laid tables.
‘Is there anywhere in particular you’d like to sit?’ Mairi asked Margo. The older woman was dressed in a smart navy-blue dress and a pink cardigan which would have been more suited to the office than the cosy lodge surroundings.
‘I’ll go wherever you put me.’ Her eyes lingered on Greer, her expression thoughtful. ‘Perhaps a little closer to the window,’ she said after a pause.
Mairi guided her across the room. ‘I’ll bring you a hot drink too,’ she promised.
‘Aye, and then I’d love to sample the stew, thank you,’ Margo said, tugging her cardigan tighter and turning to gaze at Bear who was watching her from under the table. Mairi wondered if she was going to complain too, but instead Margo smiled and called the dog over.
‘I need more coffee,’ Greer suddenly snapped. ‘I’ve got notes to make.’ She glanced at Adam. ‘And interviews to conduct.’
‘I’ll get you some.’ Mairi sighed, going to grab the pot and pouring more for Greer before taking the coffee to Margo, Adam and Scott.
When she returned, Greer was frowning again, her narrow eyes tracing the multiple tables which were laid with cutlery and glasses, before her attention turned to the polished floors and cosy rugs.
‘Where are all the decorations? I’d expect them to be up by the first of the month, it’s almost Christmas.
’ She sniffed. ‘My da used to say, “Tardiness robs us of opportunity”. This place really isn’t as advertised.
You could do with someone who knows what they’re doing.
’ She picked up her pen again and scribbled, then ate another spoonful of stew, chewing slowly and pulling a series of faces which suggested she wasn’t enjoying the food, despite it being her third helping.
Mairi glanced around. She’d promised to decorate yesterday but had got caught up.
Douglas was supposed to have done some too, but he’d been distracted trying to modify the washing machine so it washed at twice its usual speed.
It had stopped working altogether and they’d had to call an engineer, which meant Effie had needed to wash the linen at another hotel.
Which is probably why Greer didn’t like the smell.
She’d talk to Jed about it later. Perhaps they could decorate together?
Mairi heard the sound of muffled coughing coming from the kitchen and turned to frown at the door. ‘I’ll be right back,’ she said. ‘I just need to check on something.’ Could the coughing be Jed? Was he somewhere in the lodge?
‘Don’t be long,’ Greer ordered as Mairi left the dining room.
Mairi froze when she entered the kitchen and saw Effie bent over, visibly wobbling and holding onto her knees for support.
‘Are you okay?’ She rushed across the room just as the back door swung open and Jed came striding in.
He stopped for a beat when he saw Mairi and glanced back at the door, making her want to scream. Would he ever stop running from her?
Effie coughed again and Jed jerked his head around, before galloping to her.
‘Aunt Effie, are you okay?’ He pulled out one of the wooden chairs under the metal counter in the centre of the kitchen which was piled with bowls ready to serve lunch.
‘Are you sick?’ He patted her on the back, then began to undo his jacket, shrugging it off and exposing a tight underlayer that hugged his chest.
Mairi’s insides swooped and her throat tightened. She dragged her eyes away from his perfect torso, edging forward – this wasn’t the right time to ogle her husband. Effie’s cheeks were maroon and her forehead looked damp. She was clearly unwell.
‘Nothing’s wrong, lad.’ Effie coughed again.
‘I’m absolutely bonnie.’ She gazed at the chair and sank into it, looking weary, then ran a hand over her throat and yawned.
‘I didn’t sleep well, that’s all – the wee bairn wanted to play.
The good news is the shelter said we can keep him.
’ She smiled wearily, but her usual beam had dimmed to half its normal wattage.
‘That’s great, but you need to go to bed,’ Mairi insisted, pressing the back of her hand to Effie’s forehead. ‘You’re burning up. Do you have a thermometer?’
Effie waved the question away. ‘It’s nothing, lass.’ Her voice was gravelly. ‘I’m just hot stuff.’ The joke fell flat.
‘It is something, Aunt Effie,’ Jed insisted. ‘I think you might have the flu. You’ve obviously caught it from Rhona. Douglas told me he thought you weren’t well.’ His mouth pursed. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t notice.’
‘I didn’t either,’ Mairi said, feeling guilty.
‘Why would you when there’s nothing wrong? Douglas is just being a mother hen,’ Effie complained, but her attention still darted to the back door and her eyes sparkled.
‘I should have realised you’ve been doing too much. I let myself get caught up in—’ Jed gulped and his attention strayed to Mairi before moving back to Effie. ‘The competition.’ He flushed. ‘Mairi’s right, you need to go to bed.’
‘I can’t!’ Effie cried as Mairi went to put the kettle on. ‘I’m serving lunch.’
‘I can do it, and you just need to rest for a while,’ Mairi said. ‘I’ll make you a hot drink and you can have a painkiller and get some sleep. I’m sure that’ll help.’ Although she suspected Effie would need more than a quick nap.
‘I’ve got too much to do,’ the older woman wailed as she started to rise.
‘What about the guests, there’s afternoon tea to make and we still have to put the decorations up.
Christmas is in five days.’ She coughed, great wheezing whoops that made her wobble until she sank back into the chair.
Jed went to pat her back and his gaze shifted until he was looking over his aunt’s head straight into Mairi’s eyes.
He looked worried and something in her chest vibrated.
He adored Effie, aside from his skiing she’d been the only constant in his life.
‘It’s going to be okay,’ she mouthed, feeling her insides melt when he nodded.
‘What about the wee pup, Douglas said he’d walk him, but he can’t take care of him for long?’ Effie croaked and Jed immediately jerked his eyes back to hers.
‘I’ll take care of him,’ he promised. ‘Bear too.’
‘And what about the guests?’ Effie wriggled her body as she prepared to rise. ‘We’ve got honeymooners arriving tomorrow and Greer is—’ She winced.
‘Trying, demanding, difficult?’ Jed filled in, giving her a half smile.
Effie winced. ‘Ach, the customer is always right, lad, you need to remember that. Even when she’s being trying, demanding and difficult. I suspect the poor lass only goes to places to find things wrong because she’s got nothing else to do.’ She sounded sad.
‘She ought to do something more positive with her time,’ Jed grumbled, although his tone had softened.
‘I’ll look after the guests, including Greer,’ Mairi promised. ‘You don’t have to worry about a thing.’ Her eyes shifted back to Jed’s and he looked surprised.
What had he expected? That she’d pack her bags and go? Didn’t he understand how important the lodge was to her; how important he was too?
‘You’ve got things to do, lass. You were never supposed to stay for long,’ Effie said quietly. ‘What about your book?’
Mairi shrugged. ‘I’ve still got time.’ She winced because it was running out. ‘Besides all this drama might give me some inspiration.’ Maybe her characters would bond over decorating Christmas trees, making puff pastry and changing sheets?
Effie wheezed out a breathy laugh. ‘I’m really not sure, lass. This is just a headache.’ She shook her head and grimaced, making it clear the movement had been painful. ‘Nothing a cup of peppermint mocha won’t fix.’ The kettle started to whistle.
‘I’ll make you some,’ Mairi said mildly because it would do nothing of the sort.
She went to the stove and took it off the heat.
‘Why don’t you have a mug and go to bed so you can catch up on some sleep?
’ She glanced at Jed, who was watching her again and flushed.
‘Jed and I will take care of everything until you’re back on your feet. ’
It seemed odd saying his name out loud. She was so used to keeping their relationship a secret that using it in a sentence made her feel like she was somehow breaking the rules.
‘Jed has things to do too,’ Effie said, her tone quieter. It was as if she’d deflated, finally realising that she wasn’t well enough to work.
‘Aye,’ Jed said, his blue eyes meeting Mairi’s again, giving her insides the same warm zap all over again. ‘I’ll need to ditch my lessons, but I’ve got some favours I can pull in. Can you give me an hour?’ he asked.
Something thumped hard in Mairi’s chest. He was actually looking at her now, asking a question and waiting for a response. Such a simple thing, but it felt like they were finally connecting after all these months.
‘Sure.’ She cleared her throat, enjoying the warm bloom of heat that filled her when he smiled back.
‘I’ll be back,’ Jed said as he stepped away. ‘If you can serve the food to our guests, then make sure my aunt gets to bed—’ He waved a hand at the kitchen. ‘I’ll help with whatever needs doing when I get back.’
‘No problem,’ Mairi said, giving the older woman a quick hug. ‘Let me sort everything, then I’ll get you settled.’
She heard the door at the edge of the kitchen close and knew Jed had left. She smiled. He was going to have to spend time with her now – which would give her a chance to find out exactly what was going on in his head and heart.