Page 4 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands (Scottish Highland #5)

‘Aye, you’ll not want any panties being thrown,’ Isla said with a giggle. ‘They used to do that to Tom Jones, mind. Now he’s a handsome man. And he’s more my age.’

Bella nudged her with her shoulder. ‘I thought you only had eyes for Tam, Granny!’

‘ Dinnae get me wrong, Tam’s wonderful, aye. But you heard what Morag said!’

‘All joking aside though,’ Millie said. ‘Dex is loving playing again. He’s so enthusiastic about it. It’s really lovely to see.’

Jules nodded. ‘Same with Reid. He’s only ever played classical stuff on the piano, so he’s really enjoying learning new songs on his shiny new keyboard. And it’s great for them all to spend time together. Men don’t often have close friends.’

‘I’m all for it,’ Bella agreed. ‘It means I get to watch whatever I like on the TV for an evening. Or better still, drink wine with you lot.’ They all laughed again.

‘So, what did everyone think of the book?’ Jules asked, holding up a copy of O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker, trying to get the meeting back on track. ‘I felt quite sorry for the main protagonist, Janet. She seemed to be somewhat neglected and sidelined. Did anyone else think that?’

Bella had opened her mouth to respond but Isla had blurted, ‘Speaking of watching what you want on TV, I have to tell you a story, ladies, about something that happened recently,’ she had said, ignoring Jules.

‘It’ll make you chuckle.’ She giggled to herself briefly and then continued, ‘Me, Gladys, Maeve and a few others at Pabay View were watching a film starring that Jamie Doorknob, I forget what it was called, anyway, it got me thinking about other things he had been in. And I remembered Fifty Shades of Grey , although the book was better in my opinion?—’

‘Isla!’ Caitlin had exclaimed, wide-eyed. ‘You dark horse!’

Isla had waved her hand and snorted. ‘Oh, hen, I’ve been on this earth so long now that nothing fazes me any more.

Anyway, so I told Gladys she should read it, but I warned her it was a vera spicy book and that she should hide it from her son and grandkids when they came to visit.

But…’ She’d started to giggle again, and her face had coloured bright red.

‘But she came to me the other day and said, “I don’t know what kind of books you’re usually into, Isla Douglas, but spicy is not a word I’d use to describe this one.

” So, there I was thinking oh my goodness, she’s really offended, and she’ll never look at me the same again.

Anyway, she thrusts the book into my hand, turns on her heel, and walks away in a huff, and I look down at the book.

She’d only gone and bought Fifty Sheds of Grey ! ’

The women howled with laughter and Bella, once more, realised how lucky she was to have Isla as her granny.

* * *

Back in the present, Joren, the owner of the pub, tapped the microphone, pulling Bella from her reverie. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to welcome this evening’s entertainment to the stage. There’s not an arrest warrant in sight so please give a warm hand to the Glentorrin Four!’

The place erupted with whoops and cheers as Harris took the microphone from Joren and placed it back in its stand, and the other three men took their places behind him in the tiny allocated space.

‘Hi, everyone. Thanks for having us and for being here to help me and my beautiful fiancée celebrate our engagement. It goes without saying that we’re so happy to have you all here and we’re especially grateful to those of you who’ve travelled a fair distance just for us…

and Mr Burns, of course. I also want to thank the guys up here with me for agreeing to start up a band.

We’re the oldest teenage garage band you’ll ever meet.

’ A rumble of laughter travelled the room.

‘And we don’t even practise in a garage.

’ He grinned. ‘Anyway, I’d like to dedicate this first song to the woman of the hour, Bella Douglas, soon to be Bella Donaldson.

The sooner the better for me.’ More mumbles and awwws could be heard.

‘Although I’ve been told to be patient because apparently these things take a while to plan.

’ He shrugged and then continued, ‘I met Bella in Inverness when her granny and my mum decided we should be a couple. I have to say I’m grateful to them both every day of my life for not giving up when they knew we were right for each other before we even did.

Bella is the light of my life, she brings out the best in me and I can’t quite believe I get to marry her.

’ He cleared his throat as his emotions almost got the better of him.

‘Anyway, this first song was originally released by a very cool young guy called Benson Boone. The lyrics are pretty awesome at saying exactly how I feel about Bella. This one is “Beautiful Things”. Bella, I love you more than my own words can express.’

Bella’s heart skipped and a wide smile spread across her face as Dexter played the opening chords of the song on his guitar and Harris began to sing, keeping his gaze fixed on her.

Her heart soared as he smiled, the lyrics falling from his lips as if he’d written them himself.

The feeling was mutual. She couldn’t quite believe she had fought her feelings for him for as long as she did.

But nothing was going to stop her marrying the man of her dreams now.

Olivia slipped her arm around Bella at one side and heavily pregnant Skye did the same on the other side as they all sang along to the chorus.

Harris wowed them all with his voice which had always been good but had somehow got even better, and at the end of the song the applause was enough to tear the roof off the place.

* * *

The night was filled with dancing, laughter and music and Bella had loved showing off her stunning diamond ring to everyone who asked to see it.

Olivia joined Bella where she sat stroking Bertie. He was at the bitey stage and every time her hand loomed towards him, he bit her finger.

‘You monkey,’ she said to the ball of fluff as she giggled. His little teeth were rather like pins.

‘He’s so bloomin’ cute,’ Olivia said as he rolled onto his back, and she rubbed his belly. ‘I have a question to ask you, Bells.’

Bella lifted her chin. ‘Oh? Go on then.’

‘Can I design your wedding dress? If you haven’t already chosen one, that is.’

Bella’s eyes widened. ‘No, Liv, that’s just too much. You’re providing us with a venue and?—’

‘Please?’ Olivia stuck her bottom lip out like a sulking toddler.

‘You can pay for the fabric if that helps, but I would love to design something wonderful for you. You deserve to look stunning on your special day, and I’d be so honoured.

’ Bella didn’t know what to say so she didn’t speak and Olivia filled the silence.

‘I’ve already done some sketches,’ she said with a cringe.

The scenario was reminiscent of the time Bells had put together a mood board for the interior design of the stable block apartments at Drumblair Castle, never really expecting Olivia to use them.

‘You have?’

Olivia nodded. ‘Want to see?’

Bella’s heart tripped over itself with excitement. ‘Absolutely!’

Olivia took her phone from the pocket of her dress and pulled up the drawings she had produced of the most stunning wedding dresses Bella had ever seen. If she had been talented enough to design something herself these images were exactly what she would’ve drawn.

Her eyes welled with tears. ‘Oh, Liv, these are gorgeous.’ She wiped at her eyes and giggled. ‘Look at me getting all emotional at a 2D wedding dress.’

Olivia nudged her with her shoulder. ‘It can only mean one thing. You want me to design your dress.’

Bella grappled Olivia into a hug. ‘I definitely do.’

* * *

After the haggis had been carried in to the sound of bagpipes played by a friend of Evin’s, everyone sat to eat and listen to Burns poetry being read in an open mic kind of way. When it came around to Harris’s turn, he read the poet’s most famous love poem.

‘Of course this is for you, Bella,’ he said before he began.

‘O my Luve’s like a red, red rose

That’s newly sprung in June;

O my Luve’s like the melodie

That’s sweetly played in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,

So deep in luve am I;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a’ the seas gang dry:

Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi’ the sun;

I will luve thee still, my dear,

While the sands o’ life shall run.

And fare thee weel, my only Luve,

And fare thee weel awhile!

And I will come again, my Luve,

Tho’ it ware ten thousand mile.’

When he was finished, the room erupted in applause and Bella thought her heart might burst with the love she felt for the man who was unabashed about showing his feelings for her. This was real love. This was what Robert Burns had been writing about.

Once they had finished their food and no one else was left to get up to read, the tables were pulled back, and a duo called the Toilichte Hens – which loosely translates to Happy Hens – took to the makeshift stage area.

One of the two women played the fiddle, and one played an accordion and between them they started the ceilidh.

As everyone danced, Harris slipped his arms around Bella’s waist and kissed her. ‘Are you having fun?’ he asked.

She nodded. ‘It’s been the best night. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. And watching you read Rabbie Burns and dedicate it to me was ridiculously sexy.’ She felt her face heating with a flush of desire.

‘Hold onto that thought, Bella Douglas,’ he said with a chuckle. ‘I can’t wait to marry you.’ His eyes were filled with as much love as she felt inside.

‘I feel the same. We’re quite lucky, really, when you think about it.’

Harris shook his head. ‘Nah. Not lucky, just meant to be.’ Once again, her heart melted as she gazed into his dark eyes. ‘And we get to wed at the most stunning location. Now that’s the lucky part.’