Chapter 22
MAIRI
‘What are you doing here?’ Mairi squeaked as she watched Kenna stride through the entrance of Holly Berry Lodge the following day. She blinked a couple of times to check she wasn’t imagining it, or the huge black suitcase her agent was pulling in her wake.
‘Surprise! I’m here to spend Christmas with you,’ Kenna said, her full mouth curving impishly as she glanced around the reception area.
‘You are?’ Mairi swallowed, staring at Kenna as she spun on her heels and grinned at the Christmas decorations, wondering exactly how she was going to spend time alone with Jed now.
‘This place is charming – everything you said it was,’ Kenna cooed, looking impressed.
‘Thanks, I mean—’ Mairi sucked in a breath. ‘Why are you here, really?’
Her agent pierced her with her best take-no-prisoners stare, slowly stroking her gloved hands over her red fitted coat as she considered.
‘My festive plans fell through at the last minute, so I decided to see how you were getting on with your book.’ She sucked in her cheeks, looking serious.
‘We both know how important it is that you hit your deadline and after everything with Jed and what I told you about Harry…’ She frowned.
‘I didn’t want the news to derail you even more. ’
‘I really don’t care about Harry,’ Mairi insisted, going to pick up the keys for one of the rooms earmarked for new guests.
‘I sent him an email after our call breaking things off. I think he was relieved I got around to it first. My guess is he falls out of love just as easily as he falls into it.’ Hopefully, his latest beloved wouldn’t get her heart broken when his head got turned by someone else.
She was just glad she’d ended the relationship swiftly after the call with Kenna.
It had been the right thing to do – especially since things had progressed so quickly with Jed afterwards.
Not that her relationship with him was any clearer now.
She was just as confused about what was happening – especially since they’d spent another night tangled in Jed’s sheets before he’d crept out this morning.
It was like they were playing at being married – but no one was allowed to know. Pretending, lying to those she cared about was eating her from the inside out. At least it wouldn’t be for much longer…
‘Let me show you to your room,’ she said, going to pick up Kenna’s case.
‘Another guest? I thought it was just Quinn checking in today,’ Jed asked, striding into reception with Douglas.
‘Your brother is coming here?’ Kenna’s mouth pinched and her gorgeous face fell.
‘Aye, I’m afraid so.’ Mairi sighed – now she was going to be surrounded by well-meaning family and friends, which wasn’t helpful if she wanted time alone with her husband to show him how much he meant.
‘Jed, this is my agent, Kenna.’ She waved a hand between them and watched her friend’s eyes narrow.
‘So you’re the eejit.’ Kenna gave Jed her most irritated glare. ‘I hope you know you’re responsible for Mairi being behind deadline on her book? Amongst other things.’ Her tone was all ice.
Douglas glanced between them, looking confused. ‘Why’s that, lass, what did he do? Doesn’t sound like Jed.’ He tugged up his large tool belt and scratched his frizzy white hair which was even more skew-whiff than normal.
‘She’s joking,’ Mairi jumped in. ‘Kenna, this is Douglas; he works at the lodge too.’
Kenna frowned at the multitude of tools poking from the older man’s belt. ‘Are you building your own sleigh or something?’
Douglas gave her a wide smile. ‘Nae, lass, I’ve been working on a new invention, but I’ve also been putting the finishing touches onto my pièce de resistance.
’ He grinned and waved his hands enthusiastically.
‘It’s a surprise. Since you’re going to be here tomorrow, you’ll get to see what I’ve been creating too.
’ His eyes sparkled and he turned towards Jed.
‘Can I have a wee word, lad? Something I wanted to ask you in private.’
‘Sure,’ Jed said, glancing at Mairi and Kenna before stepping aside, close enough for Mairi to still hear.
‘I wonder what they’re up to,’ Kenna whispered and Mairi pressed a finger to her lips.
‘Ach, lad, I’ve been wanting to ask you something,’ Douglas said – he had his back to them now, but Mairi could see how nervous he was because his shoulders were twitching.
Jed glanced at her momentarily before tearing his gaze away, giving the older man his full attention. ‘Of course,’ he said uncertainly. ‘What is it, Douglas? Are you still okay to work tomorrow?’
‘Aye.’ Douglas nodded enthusiastically. ‘I can’t wait.
I’ve had too many Christmas days alone since my wife passed.
’ His expression dimmed. ‘What I wanted to know.’ He took the hammer out of his tool belt and began to juggle it from palm to palm and Jed’s eyes widened.
‘The thing is.’ Douglas swallowed. ‘I wondered if I could have your permission to ask your Aunt Effie on a date.’
Jed eyed the flying hammer, and Douglas must have noticed because he blanched and quickly slipped it back into the belt. ‘I… Well,’ Jed puffed out a breath. ‘Why are you asking me?’
The older man cleared his throat. ‘Because Effie thinks of you as her son. If you didn’t like the idea, I know she’d say no,’ he said simply. ‘I don’t want to cause any issues between you.’
‘A son?’ Mairi watched Jed’s face change.
Saw a hint of longing skip across it before he blanked it out as if dismissing the idea.
‘I don’t think that’s true.’ Jed untangled his arms before re-tangling them again.
‘But if my aunt is happy to go on a date with you, I won’t stand in your way.
’ His forehead creased and he looked upset.
‘Just— don’t hurt her.’ His voice lowered.
‘She matters to me – more than you could know.’
His eyes skidded back to Mairi’s, his meaning clear. The man was all heart, but he had no idea how important he was to everyone. No idea how little his success or failure mattered to the people who loved him. They’d feel the same way, regardless.
‘Grand!’ The older man clapped. ‘Then I’d better get on with finishing the surprise. I want to impress her tomorrow. It’ll be the perfect romantic moment for an invitation.’ With that, he turned on his heels and headed outside.
Mairi guessed Jed was going to follow and was about to ask him to stay when a voice rang from the entrance. ‘What are you doing here?’
When she turned, she saw her brother staring at Kenna.
He had a backpack swung over one shoulder and his blue eyes were wide.
He pulled off his beanie hat revealing cropped black hair, before sweeping his eyes slowly up and down Kenna’s curvy frame.
Then he scrubbed a hand over his mouth and shook his head.
‘I think I’m having a nightmare. Surely you ought to be visiting your family crypt for the festive season? ’
‘Nah, it’s shut. I could say the same thing,’ Kenna said dryly. ‘But it would be rude.’ She paused for effect. ‘If I’d known you were coming, I’d have packed garlic and holy water to ward you off.’
Mairi waited for her brother to deliver an icy response, but he looked more surprised than insulted.
There was a brightness in his expression, almost like he was enjoying the exchange.
What was that about? Quinn turned to look at her as if suddenly remembering she was there.
‘Good to see you, sis, surprise!’ He strode across the room and swept her into an embrace.
‘She’s not surprised, you eejit – she was expecting you,’ Kenna told him.
Quinn pulled away and glared at Jed. ‘You told her?’
‘Which means you didn’t, I suppose?’ Kenna snapped. ‘Is that because you were afraid if you did, she’d have told you not to come?’
‘I’d have told you both not to come,’ Mairi said, losing patience.
‘But now you’re here I’d better check you in.
’ She went to grab another set of keys before pointing to the stairs.
‘No more fighting,’ she grumbled when Quinn opened his mouth.
‘I’ll talk to you both later. For now, I’ve got things to do.
’ And one of those things included kissing her husband and telling him how much he mattered to her.
Mairi threw a handful of dried orange peel into the fire she’d just lit in the sitting room when she felt a presence behind her and knew from the way her skin prickled that it was Jed. ‘You disappeared,’ she murmured without turning.
‘I’m sorry, I had to take a call from Boyd.
He’s nervous about the ski championships,’ he said quietly.
‘I am too. There’s a lot riding on it.’ He moved closer so he could press a kiss to the back of her neck, making everything inside her crackle and froth.
‘And it’s… difficult being around you in company when I’m trying to keep my head, especially now your brother and Kenna are here. ’ He sounded disappointed.
She mashed her lips together and nodded.
‘I’m trying to be patient too, but it’s hard.
’ At least with Quinn and Kenna staying at the lodge there would be plenty of distractions.
‘I don’t want to interfere with your skiing mojo.
’ She swallowed. ‘And I told you I’d wait until after the championships.
’ She shut her eyes – it was only two more days.
‘But it’s going to be difficult keeping us a secret with Quinn here. ’
It wasn’t just going to be hard; she was going to hate every minute. Her brother might be overprotective, but that didn’t mean he deserved to be lied to anymore. Having him here made it so much worse. ‘I think we might have to sleep in our own beds at least for tonight.’
She heard Jed sigh and felt him press another kiss to her neck. ‘Aye, I was thinking the same thing.’
‘I thought I might find you both here,’ Effie said suddenly wandering into the room with Bear and Midnight at her heels.
‘You’re supposed to be in bed,’ Jed replied, immediately rushing to his aunt’s side to take her arm. Mairi turned to study her. She looked better – her cheeks weren’t flushed and she didn’t look as pale.
‘Ach, lad, I’m feeling bonnie – almost back to tip top shape.
’ She glanced around the sitting room and grinned at Mairi.
‘I thought there’d be lots to do, but it seems you’ve got it under control.
The room looks wonderful, lass. Thank you.
I thought I’d make a start on the preparations for tomorrow.
I’m feeling stronger, but I promise I’ll stop if I feel tired.
’ Jed guided her to one of the chairs and signalled that she should sit. ‘How is everything?’
‘Good, great,’ Mairi said. ‘Quinn and my agent Kenna have just checked in, so the lodge is almost full.’
‘Quinn?’ the older woman looked delighted. She shifted around, searching the room as if she expected him to pop up from behind the piano or something. ‘Where is the lad? It’s been too long since I had all my babies under one roof.’
‘I’m here!’ Quinn said, as if he’d sensed her talking about him. He strode through the door and made a beeline for Effie just as Kenna followed him in. She raised an eyebrow at Jed and Mairi and mimed blowing a kiss.
‘Have you got a lass yet, lad?’ the older woman asked as Quinn hugged her.
‘He’s too busy following his sister around to bother with women,’ Kenna said dryly, holding out a hand to Effie as Quinn let her go. ‘I’m Mairi’s best friend and agent. I’ve come to make sure she finishes her book.’
‘Lovely to meet you, lass,’ Effie said, beaming. ‘Sounds like a good plan – she needs to take some time to do her work. It’ll be easier now I’m back on my feet.’ She cocked her head. ‘You’re very bonnie. Have you got a significant other?’ Her tone was sly.
‘I’m not looking for a boyfriend.’ Kenna looked amused.
‘Quinn’s available and he’s really quite handsome,’ Effie joked, her lips curving even more.
‘Oy,’ Quinn protested, looking embarrassed. ‘I can get my own girlfriends.’ Which was true, only he hadn’t had one for a long time…
‘He’s tolerable I suppose,’ Kenna said seriously. ‘But not handsome enough to tempt me.’
‘Pride and Prejudice?’ Quinn asked, earning himself a surprised look from Kenna. ‘I do read.’ He looked offended.
‘If you change your mind, lass, he’s quite the catch,’ Effie said. ‘He can be shy about his achievements, but he’s an accountant and works in mountain rescue. He’s been responsible for saving a lot of lives.’ Her chest expanded with pride.
‘Mountain rescue?’ Greer repeated as she walked into the sitting room with Shadow and Fluffy following closely by her feet.
‘Get away,’ the older woman blustered as she sidestepped the cats, before turning to Quinn.
‘Would you be willing to give me an interview?’ she asked, tugging her notebook from her pocket and grabbing his arm.
Mairi glanced at Jed. What was the woman thinking? What could Quinn tell her about the lodge, he’d only just arrived. There was no way she could know he’d stayed before.
‘Um, why?’ Quinn asked.
‘I’m a writer and I’d be fascinated to know more about what you do,’ she said, lowering her voice.
‘Perhaps we could sit together in the dining room? It won’t take long.
’ She began to guide Quinn out of the room, almost tripping over Shadow again.
She would have fallen on her face if her brother hadn’t released himself and caught her by the arm.
‘A writer?’ Quinn asked sharply. ‘Let me introduce you to Kenna McKay – she’s a literary agent. I’m sure you’d much rather talk to her.’
‘It’s not that kind of writing,’ Mairi said quietly, earning herself a mind your own business stare from Greer.
‘An agent?’ the older woman asked, and Kenna sighed. ‘That’s perfect. I’ll find you at dinner – I’ve a lot I want to ask.’
‘I’m only here for a couple of days.’ Kenna frowned at Quinn. ‘Besides, I’m sure you’ll get plenty of material from this one. He loves talking about himself…’
Quinn laughed again as Greer steered him out of the room.
‘What was that about?’ Effie asked, staring after them.
‘I’ve no idea,’ Jed said as his eyebrows met. ‘Douglas mentioned Greer asked him for an interview too. It must have something to do with the review. First impressions of the lodge perhaps?’
‘I’ve not got a good feeling about this,’ Effie said, looking unhappy.
Mairi frowned – hopefully, her brother wouldn’t say anything wrong. They still had a day to impress Greer. With luck, a seamless Christmas would give her all the material she needed for a glowing write up…