Chapter 6
6
IVY
Ivy stood on the decking, shivering, and watched the man climb onto his snowmobile and disappear into the woods. He’d been in such a hurry to leave – perhaps he was worried about making it home? As the large flakes of snow fluttered to the ground, she admired how they sparkled in the trees, pulling her flimsy coat tighter. It was getting frostier outside – and she needed to head back indoors.
She should have asked him what he knew about Ross Ballentine – they worked together. If her brain hadn’t been so scattered by him, she might have actually thought of it while he was here. Ivy wished she’d seen his face – that the scarf hadn’t obscured most of his features. Somehow, she knew he was handsome. Perhaps it was his whisky-coloured irises, which she’d found herself sinking into whenever he’d caught her watching him.
Groaning, Ivy went to stare at herself in the mirror again. She winced at the shorn off stump of hair, wondering if she’d imagined that moment in the woods when she’d thought he was about to kiss her. There’d been a look in his eyes, a tension across his shoulders, and she’d almost stopped breathing. Then she’d found herself leaning into him until he’d jerked away. She shook her head, irritated. She was supposed to be here to find Ross Ballentine, not lust over a random stranger in the woods.
Ivy slumped onto the edge of the bed, immediately upsetting the pile of Bonnibell’s leaflets, which she’d dumped beside the pillow. Ivy watched them all slide to the floor and was about to collect them up when her mobile pinged, reminding her to check the motivational quote on the coaching app her mother had subscribed her to for her twenty-ninth birthday. A few months after the heart attack that had almost claimed her life.
As soon as she launched it, the welcome screen declared:
‘Whatever you need could be under your nose.’
Want to bet? Ivy huffed, scrolling to the menu and selecting Daily Goals , then frowning as she considered what to add before starting to type.
1. Find Ross Ballentine.
2. Convince him to move back to Hawthorn Castle.
3. Get a haircut.
When Ivy bothered to use the app, she tried to include goals she knew she could achieve because it made her feel better about herself. She closed the app and put her mobile on the bed, then glanced around the room. It was pretty here – a stark contrast to the chilly, austere cottage where she’d been staying in the grounds of Hawthorn Castle.
Her mobile began to buzz and Ivy picked up, wondering if Miriam had somehow tuned into her thoughts when she saw it was her boss calling.
‘Hello, Mrs Ballentine,’ she said crisply.
‘Ivy. Have you spoken to my grandson yet?’ the woman instantly shot back, foregoing any pleasantries and launching straight to questions.
Ivy puffed out a breath as she considered her next words. ‘Sorry, not yet. He didn’t attend the meeting we organised,’ she said carefully. ‘I understand he often gets distracted when he’s working at the resort. But I’m trying to organise another appointment for tomorrow.’ She gulped.
Miriam remained silent for a few moments and Ivy’s insides grew heavy as she wondered if she was about to be reprimanded.
‘Well I didn’t expect it to be easy. I told you he could be stubborn,’ Miriam said eventually, her voice snippy. ‘But don’t forget it’s essential that you get Ross on board. I want to announce to everyone that he’s returning so they have plenty of time to spread the word. Have you booked yourself into the resort then, girl?’
Ivy glanced around the room and nodded. ‘I’ve got a place for as long as I need it. Not that I think it’ll take me more than a day to find him,’ she added quickly as the weight in the bottom of her stomach grew heavier.
‘Well, if you can’t find my grandson and get him to move back here to become Laird, you’re not going to make a very good trader. You’ve got to be hungry and enterprising to make a success of a career like that. I know you’ll do your best because if you want that job you have to succeed,’ Miriam warned. ‘Send regular updates and don’t forget to remind my grandson when you finally track him down that he’s part of the Ballentine bloodline – a lineage we can trace back over six hundred years. Stepping up when asked is his duty. There are no choices or decisions involved here.’
‘Of course, I’m sorry,’ Ivy said. As Miriam hung up, Ivy let out a long sigh, wondering if she’d bitten off more than she could chew.
Whatever you need could be under your nose.
The message on the coaching app swam into her mind and Ivy quickly dialled the resort’s number. Perhaps someone would be able to direct her to a local beauty salon so she could book an appointment. She might not have any idea of how to achieve the first two of her daily goals, but she might be able to work it out while she accomplished the third…
After Ivy’s call the previous afternoon, Bonnibell had booked her a morning hair appointment in a local beauty salon, and then dropped her off on her way to pick up some shopping. Ivy tugged the thick coat the older woman had loaned her tighter as she tracked along Christmas Village’s high street, admiring the knitted bunting and shimmering lights swinging between the snowflakes. She passed The Corner Shop first and stopped momentarily to peer at the queue lined up in front of the main counter. The post office situated a few doors down was closed, but a few buildings further on Ivy passed Rowan’s Café and glanced through a steamed-up window to see a scatter of pretty tables filled with people sitting in huddles and groups. She briefly contemplated popping in to pick up a takeaway hot drink, but didn’t want to be late.
The Workshop beauty salon was empty when Ivy walked in. She could smell a combination of lavender, bergamot and frankincense as she wandered up to the desk at the far end, immediately noticing an essential oil humidifier puffing out fragrant steam. She pressed the shiny bell, taking time to admire the small Christmas tree perched on the white counter and various pots and tubes of beauty fare on the floor-to-ceiling shelves. Someone had wound tinsel around the products and Ivy jumped when Christmas music suddenly began to play and she heard the tap of spiky heels.
‘Oh, I’m so sorry, I’ve been out back,’ a voice rang out.
When Ivy turned her breath caught because the woman was gorgeous – with a movie-star face and figure more suited to Hollywood than the Highlands.
‘You must be Ivy Heart. I’m Kenzy Campbell,’ the woman said in a musical American accent. ‘It’s awesome to have you here. I believe Bonnibell booked you in for a haircut?’ When Ivy nodded, Kenzy scowled at the stump of hair hanging limply by Ivy’s cheek. ‘She said it was an emergency and she was right. Don’t worry, hon, we’ll sort that out.’ Kenzy led her into a small hallway. ‘You can hang your coat there and make yourself comfortable. Do you want coffee? I always forget to buy tea.’ She shook her head.
‘Please. White, no sugar.’ Ivy took off her coat before settling herself onto the cream leather sofa Kenzy had pointed to.
‘Do you have anything particular in mind?’ Kenzy asked as she returned and set the hot drink on the small table in front of the sofa.
‘Not really, just something that will work with this,’ Ivy said, patting the stump. ‘While I’m here, could you put a colour on my nails too, please?’ She wriggled her fingers and Kenzy beamed. It had been years since Ivy had bothered having her nails done – mostly because gardening and polish didn’t work well together. But if she was going to fit in in London, she knew she had to look the part. She examined the cuts and scratches on her palms, which were already healing, and her mind drifted to the man in the woods.
Kenzy interrupted the daydream. ‘It’s all about red this season. I’ve got a few options to show you and I’ll fish out some hair magazines so you can flick through them too. Unfortunately my usual stylist is off sick today, but I’m experienced. It just might take a little longer to get everything done.’
‘That’s fine,’ Ivy said. She had nowhere else to be and perhaps Kenzy might be able to give her a clue as to where she could find Ross.
‘Oh hon, I can already tell we’re going to get on.’ Kenzy grinned. ‘I’ve got another customer due soon; she’s booked in for a simple wash and set. I hope you don’t mind if I switch between you? She’s an absolute doll, I’m sure we’ll all get along.’
‘Of course I don’t mind,’ Ivy said easily, sipping some of the hot drink as Kenzy gave her a stack of magazines. ‘I’ve got a few things to work out in my head so I’m not in a hurry.’
When Ivy had spoken to Bonnibell the evening before, she’d asked if Bonnibell knew how she might find Ross, but the older woman had told her she had no idea. Apparently her husband Connell hadn’t been able to locate him on the resort grounds, although Ivy suspected he hadn’t looked very hard. Or perhaps Miriam’s mysterious grandson had asked him not to tell?
The bell at the front of the salon rang out and Kenzy immediately dashed to the door. When she returned, a woman who looked to be in her mid-seventies with grey hair wearing a ruby tiara followed her in.
Kenzy quickly introduced Ivy to the older woman. ‘And this is Edina Lachlan. She lives in Evergreen Castle which is situated just outside of the village,’ she explained. ‘Don’t mind the headwear, Edina is very fond of jewellery,’ she added, probably noting Ivy’s surprise.
‘Ach, life’s better with some sparkle,’ Edina said, her cheeks glowing. ‘Good morning, lass,’ she added, removing her coat and sitting beside Ivy. She was spritely despite her age, slim with an intense way of looking at you that suggested she missed nothing. ‘I’ve heard all about you from someone at my knitting club. Apparently you came to find Ross Ballentine and are staying in Snowman Chalet at Christmas Resort, is that correct?’
‘Um, yes,’ Ivy said, a little taken aback. She’d heard news travelled fast in small communities, but nothing had prepared her for this. She’d barely been in the area for a day. She leafed through one of the magazines Kenzy had given her without looking at the pages as Edina studied her with wily green eyes.
Then Kenzy returned from the small kitchen. ‘I just overheard that you’re looking for Ross. Have you any clues as to where he might be?’ she asked, placing a mug in front of Edina too.
‘Unfortunately not…’ Ivy pulled a face as her mind filled with the man she’d bumped into yesterday and the unusual effect he’d had on her. Wishing again that she’d asked him about Miriam’s grandson. Perhaps if she had, she’d have had a chance of seeing the mystery tree cutter again. ‘We had a meeting booked, but Mr Ballentine didn’t turn up.’ Ivy swallowed, unwilling to give away any more. ‘Bonnibell doesn’t know where Ross is at the moment – Connell promised to book me another appointment with him, but I’m thinking I might try to find him by myself.’
After yesterday, Ivy suspected Ross wouldn’t turn up to any of the meetings they organised, which meant her promised job from Miriam was in danger.
‘I’m still figuring out how, though.’ She smiled, trying not to look bothered. Her mother had recently told her that success was about faking it until you made it – no one was ever going to want to hire someone who had no faith in themselves…
‘Ross can be elusive sometimes,’ Edina said, winking.
‘It’s true,’ Kenzy agreed, looking sympathetic. She gathered up two black gowns before handing them to Edina and Ivy. ‘Let’s move into the salon so I can get working on you both,’ she said, helping Edina to her feet.
‘Does Ross have any friends?’ Ivy asked.
‘He keeps himself to himself. We rarely see him in the village and I know Bonnibell has almost given up on getting him to join in with any of the staff meals or events she throws at the resort,’ Edina shared as she sat in the shiny chair by the sink and lifted the tiara carefully from her head. ‘The only person I know he sees plenty of is?—’
‘Old man Grizzle,’ Kenzy filled in, nodding as she put the sparkly jewellery on a counter and settled Ivy into another chair before handing her the pile of magazines she’d been looking through earlier.
‘Who’s that?’ Ivy asked, looking up.
‘Grizzle. I’ve no idea what his real name is.’ Edina smiled. ‘He befriended Ross when the lad moved into the area and they’ve stuck together since.’ She leaned her head back in the white sink so Kenzy could start shampooing her hair.
‘Where does Grizzle live?’ Ivy asked, flicking absently through one of the magazines as her mind whirred. Could this man be her route to finding Ross?
‘In a cabin in woodland on the outskirts of Christmas Resort land. He’s been there for as long as I can remember,’ Edina explained.
‘But why so remote?’ Ivy queried. She loved being surrounded by plants and trees, but couldn’t imagine being so isolated. Although she might prefer that to living in London…She frowned. She knew parts of it were leafy, but would that be enough? Her stomach squeezed uncomfortably.
Edina shrugged. ‘Grizzle had a falling out with one of the women in the village when they were dating years ago.’
‘Who was the woman?’ Kenzy asked, her curiosity obviously piqued.
‘Mairi Gibson,’ Edina said. ‘She’s a widow now and lives alone – her son and his wife have just moved into their own place. She keeps herself busy and works at Christmas Resort part-time and in the optician’s just off the high street on the other days,’ she explained to Ivy. ‘Grizzle’s not that fond of people in general, but rumour is he moved out of the village to avoid her.’
‘Odd,’ Kenzy muttered.
Edina shrugged. ‘The old bampot has a good heart, but he’s not that easy to get to know.’ Ivy nodded. She’d heard the term before and knew it meant fool – guessed from the older woman’s tone that she was fond of Ross’s friend. ‘I’ve heard he’s happy living out in the middle of nowhere with just his dog for company. Well, aside from Ross who calls in every day.’
‘Ross visits him every day?’ Ivy repeated. ‘Could I find Grizzle’s house by myself?’ Perhaps if she did, she could wait and speak to Ross when he popped in.
‘That’s nae likely lass,’ Edina said. ‘Not without knowing your way around. Grizzle lives deep in the woods. You’d probably need a guide to find it. The only people who know the exact location, aside from Grizzle, are Ross and Connell.’
‘And my honeypot Logan Forbes,’ Kenzy said. ‘He chops wood for him sometimes.’ She beamed, her eyes shining. ‘But Logan wouldn’t give the position away even to me, the man’s as tight-lipped as they come.’ She smiled dreamily.
‘Aye. And Connell probably wouldn’t tell you either. Everyone in the village is very protective of the curmudgeon,’ Edina said.
Ivy tapped a finger on her magazine. The message on her coaching app the day before had definitely been wrong. There was nothing under her nose, aside from another dead end. Then again, if she could track down the mystery man she’d bumped into yesterday, perhaps he could help.
Edina suddenly sat bolt upright, her wet hair dripping onto her gown. ‘Why don’t you register for one of those adventures Ross runs?’
‘Good idea.’ Kenzy encouraged the older woman to lower her head again so she could start rinsing.
‘Adventures…’ Ivy repeated slowly. She remembered Miriam mentioning something about what Ross did at the resort, but hadn’t focused on the details. ‘What kind of adventures?’ Did those leaflets Bonnibell had given her, the ones she’d cleared from the floor and placed onto the desk in her cabin late last night thinking they were junk, include information about them? Was that what had been under her nose all along? For the first time since Ivy had arrived, she began to feel hope.
‘Ach, could be anything,’ Edina said as Kenzy finished rinsing her hair and started to dry it with a towel. ‘My grandson and his girl bought me a reindeer-spotting trip last year. Mind you, we only saw my donkey Bob, but I think he scared everything else off with all his hollering.’ She chuckled.
Ivy shook her head. Donkeys and tiaras? This woman was a strange combination, but she couldn’t help liking her.
‘Ross teaches people how to chop wood, spot birds and he regularly runs snow safaris – they’re really popular,’ Kenzy explained as she guided Edina to another chair and fussed about, making sure she was comfortable. ‘My honeypot has booked us into a mystery adventure later this week.’ She winked as Ivy absently turned another page on the magazine and saw a hairstyle she liked so folded the corner.
‘There are people who regularly go camping with him in snowstorms then take midnight walks in the wilderness.’ Kenzy shuddered, her pretty blue eyes twinkling. ‘Including Logan. Ross is an amazing guide. He knows everything there is to know about the land, local flora, fauna and animals. If you buy an adventure, it would be a good way of spending time with him. Come on—’ She indicated that Ivy should lean her head back in the sink. ‘It’s your turn.’
Edina chuckled. ‘Aye, he’ll have to meet with you then.’
‘I thought the resort was closed at the moment,’ Ivy said, gazing up at the glittering Christmas lights which had been strung across the ceiling as Kenzy soaked her hair.
‘Ach, if people register, Ross will run an adventure anytime,’ Edina said. ‘It’s not just the resort guests who book, people from the village do it all the time – and I’ve heard tales of folks coming from as far away as Edinburgh to experience a day with him. He’s got a good reputation.’
‘That could work,’ Ivy said, shutting her eyes as Kenzy started to massage shampoo into her scalp. She’d go through the leaflets in the cabin later – if she was quick and paid extra, perhaps she’d be able to persuade Bonnibell to book her in for a one-to-one adventure?
A full day with Ross Ballentine would give her enough time to tell him about Miriam’s plans for him and could be the first step to convincing him to move back to the castle to become Laird.