Chapter 35
D enny wished she’d researched Bonnie Prince Charlie before the trip. But how would she know the importance he’d played here on the Isle of Skye? Or that she’d meet Alec. Meanwhile, Maureen was inhaling a book about Scotland’s history. About Mary Queen of Scots. Well, no worries there because she already had a husband. Lydia was the one Denny fretted about snagging Alec’s heart away. Molly might already own it.
She shook her head as she remembered that her life might be cut short prematurely. What was the use of starting a relationship with a man in Scotland? She felt helpless and frightened for her future. She should just call her doctor’s office from Scotland. She could log into her medical account and find out what her test results were, but her doctor hadn’t wanted her to. He’d insisted she enjoy this trip to the fullest. Which meant what? That he surmised it would be the last she’d ever take?
Like a cloud covering the sun, Denny’s mood turned dark.
Amanda ran over to her. “Aunt Denny, come out with me. It’s still snowing, but Mommy says I can’t go outside alone.”
“After another cup of coffee, sweetie.” Denny turned to Lydia and said, “Isn’t looking after Amanda your job?”
“Yah, of course it is.” A smile bloomed on her blemish-free face. “Let me run upstairs and fetch my jacket and hat.”
Denny noticed Alec’s gaze turning to watch Lydia ascend the stairs two steps at a time. Danny was afraid that he’d follow her, but he didn’t when he heard Mrs. Ross say, “Good morning to you.”
“You spent the night here?” Alec asked her.
“Indeed, I did. I often take the bus home, but none came by, so I returned to the hotel and called Gordon. He insisted I stay and enjoy all the hotel’s amenities.” Her dimples accentuated her round cheeks. “How could I refuse?” She straightened her flyaway hair. “I think he had other ideas on his mind. That I’d continue to work, which is fine. I don’t mind overtime.”
“That’s wonderful,” Alec said. “I’m glad you’re here because we’re having a bit of an emergency. The weight of the snow was too much for the peaked roof. You’ve got a nasty leak above the attic.”
“But I saved this.” Denny gestured toward the box containing the cap, then wished she hadn’t turned the spotlight on herself, like someone trying to outshine Alec and Lydia, who was trotting down the stairs wearing her coat and a red beanie. Denny assumed that acting like a show-off was not a quality Alec would find attractive. The opposite of humble Lydia.
“I mean, we all found it really,” Denny said in an attempt to appear modest. “Alec is the hero for taking us up to the attic. I would never have thought to look up there when we heard that loud noise.”
“I heard it too, luckily, or I’d still be sleeping.” Mrs. Ross stifled a yawn with her hand.
“Come on, Lydia, hurry up.” Amanda pulled Lydia’s arm until she followed her out the front door. Lydia tugged down on her knit beanie. She looked beautiful even without makeup.
“Keep your distance from the hotel in case more snow slides off the roof,” Alec said.
“Yes,” Denny echoed. “Please be careful.”
“You worry too much,” Amanda said. “Worse than my mother.” She ran out of the hotel’s front door with Lydia close behind her. Both were chattering and laughing.
Moments later a sound like a locomotive filled the air. Denny glanced out the window in time to see white passing by. “Oh no. Was that snow?”
“Yes, from the roof.” Alec raced out the front door with Denny on his heels. Both Amanda and Lydia had been knocked off their feet by the mini avalanche from the roof.
Lying on her back, Amanda’s face, legs, and jacket were covered with snow. Her breath caught in her lungs as Denny scooped her up. “Are you all right, sweetie?” Denny hugged her. “Please tell me you’re okay.”
Amanda was visibly shaken but was breathing. “I-I think so.”
Lydia lay halfway covered with snow. Alec ran over to her and pawed the snow off with his hands. Denny felt a sting of jealousy as he dusted the remaining snow off her face. Lydia was unresponsive.
“Wake up,” Alec said. “Can you hear me? Wake up.”
Lydia lay lifeless for a nanosecond, then finally stirred and murmured something Denny couldn’t understand. Maybe in Pennsylvania Dutch.
“Thank the Lord,” Alec said. “You could have been killed. Can you breathe all right?”
“My head,” she said, her hand moving to the top of it.
“Should I call a medic?” he asked Denny. “Or drive her to a medical facility?”
“With all this snow, how would you get her there?” Denny asked.
“I could give it a try,” Alec said.
“Good luck with that.” Denny felt annoyance roiling inside of her.
“And how about you?” Denny asked Amanda. “Your mother would kill me if anything happened to you.” She was trying to keep her voice uplifted while she kept herself from crying. When it came down to it, Denny held few people more precious than Amanda, who loved her unconditionally.
Mrs. Ross stepped outside wearing a long coat. “Everyone all right?”
“Yes, but let’s get these ladies inside.” Alec slid his arm around Lydia’s shoulder. “Let me grab your hat.” He plucked Lydia’s knit beanie out of the snow, gave it a shake, and then crammed it in his pocket.
“But I want to play in the snow,” Amanda said. “What if this turns to rain and I miss my chance to make a snow angel and build a snowman?”
The wind picked up, tossing the snow and biting into Denny’s cheeks. “It still feels below freezing to me.” She turned to Alec, but he was already trudging toward the hotel with his arm supporting Lydia and not giving Denny a second look to assess her safety.
“Let’s get you back inside for hot chocolate,” Denny said to Amanda. Denny didn’t even know how to make hot chocolate unless it came from a box, but it didn’t look as though Lydia would be cooking anymore this morning. She was milking this snowfall for all it was worth. Not fair, Denny reminded herself, Lydia had been knocked off her feet by the snow. Denny needed to show compassion. But she felt resentment clawing into her. She wished she was home and welcoming the first customers to her bookshop, then she remembered she would soon be out of business. She was going bankrupt. And her parents were dead. How could she forget her dismal situation for these temporary distractions?
After ten minutes Denny coerced Amanda into coming back into the hotel with the promise of something yummy. In front of the hearth, Alec fussed over Lydia, who was sitting in an overstuffed chair. Denny had to wonder. Like her father, she had never shown pain and rarely cried. But she felt like sobbing right now.
“I’m going to dash into the kitchen and grab some coffee,” Denny told Amanda. “And I’ll see about getting you hot chocolate.”
A few patrons sat at tables; their voices subdued. Surely Alec had seen her enter the building, as did Lydia, who said nothing about Amanda’s well-being. Lifting her chin, Denny entered the kitchen, where much to her surprise she found Maureen at the helm.
“Don’t worry about Amanda; she seems to be fine,” Denny said.
Maureen was fully dressed and wore a white apron. “What happened? Did I miss something?”
“Snow slid off the roof is all. Nothing to worry about. Amanda’s okay.” She neared Maureen and noticed a blush of color in her cheeks. “What goes on?” Denny asked.
“When I ordered breakfast to the room, I was told that the hotel had no cook. Which surprised me because I thought Lydia was cooking this morning. You know me. I came down to investigate and to see if I could help.” She smirked. “When I got down here, I apologized profusely for last night’s smoke fiasco. Mrs. Ross promptly told me I was forgiven if I would help with breakfast and lunch.” She shrugged. “I’ve been having so much fun that I forgot to make breakfast for myself. You want anything?”
“Sure, I’m starving. And Amanda would like some hot chocolate and a treat if you can think of one.”
“I’ll whip up some hot chocolate the way Amanda likes it.” Maureen chortled. “Amanda claims Lydia makes better hot chocolate than I do even though Lydia’s using my recipe.”
“Well, since you’re in the mood to cook, I would love a cheese omelet.”
“One hot chocolate and a cheese omelet coming right up. Would you like toast with that?”
“Yes, please.” Denny hadn’t seen her older sister so full of vitality in years. She watched Maureen prepare the hot chocolate and pour it into a mug with an abundance of mini marshmallows. “Allow me.” Denny took hold of the handle.
“Wait, I have buttered toast.” Maureen handed her a plate. She seemed back to her old self.
Denny brought the hot chocolate and toast to the table for Amanda.
“I thought only Lydia knew how to make hot chocolate,” Amanda said.
“Seriously? Your mother said she taught Lydia.”
Denny’s mind circled back to the puppies in the basement, but she did not want to disturb Princess, who needed her rest.