Chapter 11 #2
‘Aye. I’ve got the message, hands off.’ His cocky smile slid back onto his face. ‘Good job there are plenty of other bonnie women in Honey Haven. Speaking of women,’ he added turning to Scott, his voice teasing. ‘I heard you had another lass turn up at the hotel expecting to interview for a job?’
Cameron felt himself relax – now they weren’t talking about Izzi, he felt more comfortable. He didn’t check over his shoulder, but he could still feel her presence. Knew she was somewhere in the room because his limbs were hot and tense, and his skin was tingling.
Scott’s eyes narrowed and his mouth pinched as he regarded Lachlan.
‘That’s why I wanted to catch up with Cam tonight.
I’ve no idea what’s going on. All these women keep arriving thinking I want to hire someone to work in the hotel even though I haven’t advertised a job.
Someone’s messing with me, but I don’t know why. ’
‘Could it be the big hotel in Carnferry?’ Lachlan asked. ‘Is it possible they’ve – I don’t know – advertised and put in the wrong business name?’
‘What and the wrong village too?’ Scott raised an eyebrow. ‘As explanations go, that sounds like something out of a soap opera,’ he grumbled.
‘The thing is, you do need to hire someone to work in the hotel,’ Cameron said reasonably. ‘You told me last week you need more bank staff for when you’re busy. So, why’s it such a problem?’
‘Aye, I’m short-staffed sometimes,’ Scott said.
‘But I want to choose who to interview myself. And as I told you, all these women look exactly the same.’ He momentarily shut his eyes.
‘And I definitely don’t want any member of my staff to be the spitting image of my ex-fiancée. ’ His blue eyes flamed.
‘You mean—’ Lachlan started.
‘She who shall not be named,’ Scott said coldly.
‘She’s gone and I’m not interested in being reminded of her.
That means anyone who comes to work in The Hot Chocolate Hotel either needs to be male, over the age of thirty-five, or, well…
’ His shoulders slumped. ‘They have to be blonde, or have red hair. Curly or short is fine.’
‘Aye.’ Lachlan nodded, looking amused. ‘So, what you’re saying is no one with long auburn hair or blue eyes need apply?’
‘Exactly,’ Scott said, taking a long sip from his espresso.
They were on their second hot drink, and Cameron was finally starting to relax when he felt that familiar buzz across the back of his neck. When Lachlan’s eyes lit, he knew without turning that he was looking at Izzi.
‘Can we join you? Lara’s coming too, but she’s running late,’ Cat said, scooting around the sofa and taking the empty spot beside Scott.
She patted the sofa on her other side indicating Izzi should sit too.
‘Something happened in the café today,’ she said quietly glancing at the entrance.
‘We need to talk to you about it before Maud arrives.’
Izzi flushed. ‘I was going to mention it earlier, but you weren’t at home.’ Was it Cameron’s imagination or did she look disappointed?
‘I’m Lachlan by the way,’ his friend interrupted, eagerly shoving a hand across the coffee table, ensuring Izzi took it. ‘Nice to meet you.’
‘You need to steer clear of that one,’ Cat said dryly as they shook hands.
‘Unless you want him to rewire your house. He’s a decent electrician but far too bonnie for his own good.
Even worse, he knows it,’ she mock whispered, making Izzi laugh and Cameron found himself smiling too, aware her happiness was becoming increasingly important to him.
‘Why thank you for the introduction, Cat,’ Lachlan said, sounding amused. The two of them often goaded each other which was entertaining to watch.
‘I’m Scott,’ his friend said, offering Izzi his hand too. ‘I’ve heard your skills in the kitchen are second to none.’
At his words, Izzi’s eyes widened and shot to Cameron, while her cheeks went up in flames.
‘He’s talking about your baking,’ he said rapidly, feeling his own cheeks warm and his heart thump when his mind immediately shot to what had happened in his kitchen last night. ‘Word travels fast in Honey Haven.’
‘Ah, okay, good,’ Izzi said, sounding relieved as her eyes dropped, severing their connection. She picked up the cappuccino she’d brought to the table and sipped, her trembling hand telling him she was affected by him – which shouldn’t have made him feel as good as it did.
‘Aye.’ Scott gave Cameron a thoughtful look. He’d picked up on something – but it was clear he wasn’t sure what. ‘So, you’ve got something to tell us?’
‘Cameron really,’ Cat said, nodding at him. ‘Tell him, Izzi.’
She looked worried. ‘Your gran is planning to go to Edinburgh for Halloween,’ she said, looking unhappy. ‘She told us in the café this afternoon. She’s already booked to stay with someone called Beth.’
‘Goddammit,’ he said, putting his mug back on the table. He hadn’t seen that coming, hadn’t even thought about it being a possibility. ‘What about the café?’
‘She asked if we could cover and – well, we could hardly say no.’ Cat shrugged.
‘I suppose not,’ Cameron said, wincing.
‘We need to find a way to stop her,’ Cat said. ‘Could you ask her not to go?’
Cameron grimaced as all eyes turned to him.
‘I don’t think that would work. I mean – I’m a grown man, I’ve got no reason to ask her to stay in Honey Haven.
Besides, you know my gran. Once she’s made up her mind, it’s difficult to change.
’ People had compared them in the past, but Cameron knew he was way more flexible than his grandma.
‘I could, I don’t know, pretend I’m sick? ’
‘She’d see through that,’ Cat said. ‘It’s not like you can fake a temperature and I’m not sure how good your acting skills are.’
‘Probably awful,’ Lachlan teased. ‘Do you remember when you—’
Cameron kicked his shin under the coffee table. ‘Never mind,’ Lachlan yelped.
‘Besides –’ Cat’s eyes strayed to Izzi. ‘– you’ve got someone who lives close enough to look after you.’
Cameron cleared his throat, trying not to imagine Izzi coming into his bedroom to check on him. Would she make him chicken soup or bake something sweet? Would she be wearing his dressing gown and smell of caramel and apples again? If he was cold, would she offer to warm him up? He swallowed hard.
‘You could do something to her car?’ Lachlan suggested. ‘I don’t know, let the tyres down or something?’
‘I don’t think I’d feel right about that,’ Cameron said, dragging his mind back to the conversation.
‘I’m all out of ideas.’ Cat rested her cheek in her palm looking unhappy.
‘Just leave it with me,’ Cameron said. ‘I’ll think of something.’ Although at this moment he had no idea what.
‘Ach you’re here!’ Flora’s voice suddenly boomed from behind the café counter and when Cameron turned, he saw his grandma had arrived. She waved at him and he waved back, then he glanced at Izzi and saw her eyes were drooping. She looked like she was about to fall asleep.
‘Now Maud’s arrived, my mam will probably join us,’ Scott said, sighing. ‘You might want to make yourself scarce,’ he whispered to Cameron. ‘She’s in full matchmaking mode. There’s just something about October that gets to her. I’ve no idea why. I thought spring was the time for falling in love…’
‘Must be the beautiful leaves, log fires, mouth-watering desserts. It can be very romantic,’ Cat said. ‘I fell in love in autumn.’ She sighed before frowning.
‘I’ll stay,’ Lachlan said, picking up his mug and grinning. ‘I can take it. I’ve spent the last two weeks with the best matchmaker there is. It just bounces off.’ He patted a hand on his chest and Cat snorted.
‘Can you handle the quiz without me?’ Cameron asked.
Scott grunted. ‘I doubt we’ll even notice you’re gone.’
‘I might go then,’ Cameron said as he watched his grandma head towards the counter.
He knew they only had minutes until she’d take over serving and Flora and Erin would join them on the sofas.
After that it would be impossible to leave.
‘Izzi?’ he said, as her eyes drooped lower.
‘You look tired, do you want me to walk you back?’
She gave him a grateful smile. ‘Sure, thanks. I think I might be ready for bed. It was an early start.’
Cat tapped her on the back and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as she rose. ‘See you tomorrow. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.’
Cameron heard Izzi laugh, but he didn’t join in. Because all he could think about was her skin under his fingertips. How she’d tasted when he’d kissed her.
He grabbed Cupcake’s lead and followed Izzi to the door of the café, watching as she dragged on her coat, aware of the sea of eyes watching them. He averted his gaze from Izzi’s face, knowing if he looked at her, he’d want to pull her into his arms and kiss her.
He had to fight this. No matter how drawn he was to Izzi, he couldn’t give in.