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

‘Absolutely. And Liv is going to design my wedding dress.’

Harris’s eyes widened. ‘She is? Wow! I’ve no words for what her and Brodie are doing for us. They really are the best friends.’

Later, Bella sat with her arm linked through Isla’s as they watched everyone dancing. ‘Granny, I have a very important question to ask you.’

Isla turned in her seat to smile at her granddaughter. ‘Anything, my sweet girl. Ask away.’

‘Would you be my maid of honour?’

Isla’s brow crumpled and tears welled in her eyes. ‘Och, dearie, I wasnae expecting that. Surely you’d rather have one of your young friends for that job, not some old yin like me?’

Bella took her hand and squeezed it. ‘Granny, you’re my best friend, you’re the one I’d like to take the role. If you’d like to, that is.’

Isla sniffed and reached up to wipe her tears away. ‘In that case, I’d be absolutely honoured, and wild starlings couldn’t keep me away.’

Bella giggled. ‘I’m so glad. The only thing is… The colour scheme isn’t purple or lilac.’

Isla huffed. ‘In that case you can ask someone else.’

Bella tilted her head. ‘Granny?’

Isla giggled and nudged her. ‘Och, okay, seeing as it’s you I’ll wear whatever colour you like. I’m just touched and honoured that you asked me.’

‘I’m touched and honoured that you accepted.’

* * *

Bertie got lots of attention and cuddles throughout the evening and Bella shared stories of how he loved to run off with socks and had discovered a love of carrots after one had fallen on the floor while Harris had been cooking.

She had reminisced how the pup had ended up with an orange face after that particular encounter.

Ben and Skye left around ten o’clock as Skye was worn out, and once she had gone, Bella sat chatting with Olivia and Brodie while the band packed away their gear.

‘We have a business proposition for you, Bells,’ Brodie said as he sipped his whisky.

Bella tilted her head in intrigue. ‘Ooooh, go on, tell me more,’ she said as a ripple of excitement travelled her spine.

The memories of her first real taste of interior design, working on the rental apartments at Drumblair Castle, were still some of her fondest and she hoped this was going to be something similar.

‘How are you fixed for time just now? Design-wise, I mean,’ he asked.

Bella narrowed her eyes. ‘It’s pretty full-on just now. But mainly small residential jobs apart from a vintage fashion shop interior I’m working on… Why do you ask?’ She hoped she knew the reason but didn’t dare presume.

He glanced at Olivia and she grinned as she took over the conversation. ‘Okay, so you know the distillery is up and running back at the castle?’

‘Ooh, I do, it’s very exciting.’

‘Well… we’ve decided not only to make the drinks and sell them in the castle gift shop but to open the place up to do tours and talk about our whisky and gin-making journey.

The front of the building is a blank canvas right now seeing as it was only going to be used for storage and it lends itself perfectly to becoming the reception and shop area.

So, we’re going to need a stunning and welcoming interior to be created, and I wondered if you knew anyone.

’ She had a glint of mischief in her eyes.

Bella pursed her lips. ‘Hmm… the trouble is, all my fellow designers are pretty chocka just now…’ She tapped her chin, feigning concentration and trying not to smile. ‘But there is this one designer I know who would absolutely jump at the challenge.’

Olivia smiled. ‘Are they any good?’

Bella nodded slowly and narrowed her eyes. ‘Oh, they’re incredible. World renowned in their own back yard. They completed a house in Glentorrin for the police inspector, no less.’

Brodie smiled and Olivia’s grin widened. ‘Sounds good! I’m guessing they’re modest and unassuming too?’

Bella laughed out loud. ‘Now that’s something I can’t promise. In all seriousness though, you guys, I’m in! And… I’ll do the design for free.’

Brodie’s brow crumpled. ‘What? No, you can’t do that! You have a business to run.’

Olivia shook her head. ‘He’s right. Absolutely not!’

Bella sighed. ‘You are hosting our wedding and making my wedding dress. It’s the least I can do. Please?’

Brodie and Olivia shared glances. ‘We’ll discuss the payment situation on another occasion. But you’ll do the design anyway?’

‘Of course I will!’ Bella said.

‘Yay!’ Olivia said and clapped her hands. ‘I’m so glad! I didn’t want to presume you’d do it because I know things are taking off for you, and I’m so happy about that, but selfishly I hoped you’d make time for us at Drumblair.’

‘Of course I will! Do you have any specific requirements?’

Olivia shook her head. ‘Nope. You have carte blanche. I trust you. I know you’ll come up with something my mum and dad would’ve been happy with so just go for it. We’re aiming to open it up to the public for tours in June so hopefully that will give you plenty of time.’

The fact that Olivia trusted her with her parents’ legacy was so touching. Bella clapped her hands this time. ‘Don’t worry. It’s definitely doable. Thank you so much for this, Liv. I have so many ideas! I’ll get to work right away.’

* * *

Later that night, Bella and Harris returned home with their sleepy puppy.

Bertie was being crate trained and although he cried sometimes when he was in there he was doing really well.

After they had let him into the garden one last time and cuddled him on the kitchen floor, they made sure he was tucked up safely and went upstairs.

As they got ready for bed, Harris came to stand before Bella. ‘Are you happy with me, Bella? I mean truly happy?’

She smiled widely and put her arms around his neck, closing the gap between them. ‘It’s a bit late to be asking me that, isn’t it?’ she teased. ‘We just had an engagement party.’

His face remained serious. ‘But we’re not married yet. Nothing is legal. So, if you’re having doubts…’

Her heart skipped in her chest and a niggle of worry gnawed at her mind. ‘What? No, I’m not having doubts. You make me happy, Harris. And I can’t wait to be married to you.’

‘No regrets?’ There was something akin to sadness in his crumpled brow. ‘Because life’s too short to be with the wrong person. So…’

Bella frowned. ‘I have no regrets at all. Why? What’s brought this on? You’re worrying me.’

He shook his head and smiled briefly. ‘Oh, it’s nothing. Just the alcohol that’s gone to my head. I’m such a lightweight these days. I drink so little that when I do it frazzles my brain.’ He kissed her forehead, but Bella sensed that something was amiss.

‘Is there anything you want to talk about?’ she asked, running her fingers through his hair.

He shook his head. ‘Nothing at all. Let’s go to bed, eh?’

He released her and climbed under the duvet, holding it up for her to climb in and snuggle up next to him.

* * *

The following day, Bella met with Olivia and Skye for coffee while the men went walking with Caitlin’s husband, Archie, who was determined to showcase the stunning scenery around Glentorrin, even on a cold and frosty winter’s day.

Harris had forgone the walk as he had paperwork to do, something which Bella had tried to encourage him to leave until Monday, but he’d said there was no time like the present.

The sky was dull overhead as they walked from the car park in Portree and there was a real nip to the air. Skye and Olivia chatted away as they walked quickly, their breath clouding before them as they put the world to rights, but Bella was somewhat lost in her own thoughts.

They found a table in Bella’s favourite café that overlooked the harbour with its brightly coloured houses. Seeing them was enough to lift her spirits on the bleakest of days usually but worry was niggling at her after what Harris had said the night before.

‘Are you okay, Bells? You’re quiet,’ Olivia said as they waited for their coffee and cakes to be delivered to their table.

Bella smiled and nodded. ‘Yes, yes, I’m fine.’

Skye tilted her head. ‘You do know that we can tell when you’re not yourself, don’t you?’

Bella forced a laugh. ‘Okay, Mum. Seriously I’m fine. Just a wee hangover, that’s all.’

Olivia shook her head. ‘Nope. Not buying it. Come on, Bells. We’re your oldest friends. If you can’t tell us what’s troubling you, who can you tell?’

Bella sighed. ‘It’s just something Harris said last night after the party.’

‘Which was?’ Olivia asked.

‘We’d had such a lovely night and there were no signs that anything was wrong until we got home. But when we did, he asked me if I had any regrets and said something about life being too short to be marrying the wrong person. I’m worried he’s getting cold feet.’

Skye raised her eyebrows. ‘Harris? Cold feet? Pfft, he’s got the warmest feet of any man I know.

’ Olivia turned to her with a questioning look, so Skye elaborated.

‘What I mean is, he absolutely adores you, Bells. There’s not a chance on earth that he has cold feet.

Are you sure he’s not worried you’ve got cold feet? ’

Bella’s heart sank. ‘But why would I? He’s everything to me. And I’ve never given him any reason to think anything else.’

Olivia reached out and squeezed Bella’s arm. ‘Don’t forget he’d had alcohol, and he rarely drinks so maybe it was just the red wine melancholy. It happens a lot to people who don’t usually drink much. Maybe he was just feeling so much love for you that he was overwhelmed?’

Bella shrugged as the waitress brought a tray with their drinks and three plates with luscious deep cakes covered in thick chocolate frosting.

Bella’s mouth watered as the rich aroma of coffee and chocolate mixed and reached her senses.

‘I hope that’s all it was. We can usually talk about anything, so it’s knocked me sideways. ’

‘Look, give him a couple of days and approach him again. I think you’ll find that it’s absolutely nothing to worry about.’ Olivia was always so positive and optimistic and at that moment it was just what Bella needed.

She took a deep breath and decided to change the subject. ‘Enough glumness. I have a favour to ask you both.’

‘Ooh, that sounds intriguing, go on,’ Skye said, jiggling in her seat.

‘Do you need to pee, Skye?’

Skye cringed and held up her finger and thumb. ‘Little bit. This little monkey likes playing footy with my bladder.’ She patted her bump.

‘Go on then, I’ll wait ’til you get back.’

Skye waddled off to the loo and Olivia watched her. ‘It’s so exciting that she’ll be a mum in April. Her little boy is going to be adored,’ she said.

‘I know. Have they chosen a name yet?’ Bella asked.

‘Apparently but she’s keeping it quiet for now. Although you know what Skye is like with us. Can’t hold her own water… literally.’ She giggled. ‘I bet we’ll know before we head home today.’

* * *

A few minutes later, Skye returned and sat down once more. She narrowed her eyes. ‘What? Why are you looking at me like that?’

‘We were just talking about you being a mum to a little baby boy soon.’

Skye smoothed her hand over her bump and smiled. ‘See, Theo, me and Daddy aren’t the only ones excited to meet you.’ She snapped her head up and widened her eyes. ‘Dammit. Pretend you didn’t hear that.’

Bella and Olivia burst out laughing and both stood to hug their friend where she sat in her chair.

‘What a lovely name,’ Bella said, placing a hand on Skye’s bump as her eyes welled with tears.

‘It’s gorgeous,’ Olivia said, doing the same.

‘Ugh, me and my big mouth. Anyway, what did you have to ask us, Bella?’ Bella and Olivia sat down again.

‘Okay so… I was wondering if you might be my bridesmaids for the wedding in December?’

Skye and Olivia shared smiles. ‘Absolutely!’ they said in unison.