Page 6 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands (Scottish Highland #5)

The following day, Harris and Bella said their goodbyes to their friends, hugged and then waved them off.

Bella was even more sad than usual seeing Olivia and Skye leaving but she couldn’t quite put her finger on why.

But when the door was closed, Harris silently disappeared into the police station and was gone for hours.

She tried to tell herself it was fine because it was Monday and that’s where he should be.

But the nagging feeling deep inside of her wouldn’t let up.

Bella had cleared her diary in order to be able to see her parents and brother after their house viewing and they arrived mid-afternoon as she was curled up on the sofa with the latest book club choice and Bertie snoozing at her feet on one of the cushions at the end.

‘So, how did it go?’ she asked eagerly as she carried a tray of mugs of tea into the living room and handed them out.

Her mum was grinning like the Cheshire Cat. ‘Oh, Bella, it was gorgeous. It’s called Rowan Cottage but it’s quite big really. You always imagine quaint and charming when cottage is mentioned. It needs work but as you know, your dad’s quite handy so that shouldn’t be a problem.’

Her dad shook his head. ‘Aye, nothing like retiring to do more work.’

‘And we just happen to know an interior designer,’ her mum said with a smile.

‘Oh, and the neighbour has two golden retrievers. Absolutely beautiful. Reminded us of Bertie. They were ever so friendly.’

Bella sipped her tea. ‘Oh, of course, the house was in Dunan! I bet you met Bertie’s mum!’

‘I said to your dad that I wondered if they might be related,’ her mum replied, the wide smile still fixed in place. ‘The house has an Aga too. I’ve always wanted an Aga. No clue how to use one but I’m happy to learn.’

‘And what about the garden, Dad? Big enough for you?’

‘Oh, it was grand, aye. I could see myself pottering about happily. Plenty of room for a veggie plot and a shed. There’s already a wee greenhouse for my tomato plants. Might need to get a wee dug too.’

Callum huffed. ‘Great, you wait ’til I’m leaving and then you decide to get a dug,’ he said with a shake of his head.

‘I’ve wanted a dug for ages. I bet you end up with a golden retriever too.

I might have to come to Skye instead of moving in with the lads.

’ He winked at Bella. ‘My room at Rowan Cottage is a decent size too, sis.’

‘Erm, how come you’ve chosen a room when you’re starting a new job in Glasgow next month and you’re moving in with your pals?’ Bella asked, raising her eyebrows.

‘I’ll still need somewhere to sleep when I come home to visit. I’ll be doing that plenty if they get that house and especially if they get a golden retriever dug.’

Bella’s mum huffed. ‘And that translates to, “I’ll be bringing my washing home for Mum to do.”’

Callum laughed. ‘Aye, well, I can’t leave you with nothing to remind you of me, can I?’ He chuckled.

A flutter of excitement landed in Bella’s stomach at the prospect of her parents moving to be closer. ‘So, what will you do now?’

Her mum sighed. ‘We have to sell our house now it’s on the market and we’ve no idea how long that might take, so there’s no guarantee that Rowan Cottage will still be available when we’re ready to buy.’

‘But we’re going to go home and get pushing the agent all the same,’ her dad added.

Bella’s dream of having her whole family close by felt like it was within reach. ‘I’ll keep everything crossed for a quick sale.’

* * *

A while later, when Bella was washing their cups, her mum joined her and picked up the tea towel to dry them. ‘Is everything okay, love? You don’t seem yourself.’

Bella smiled. ‘I’m okay. Just a bit worried about Harris.’

‘How come?’ A crumple of concern appeared between her brows.

‘He’s been a bit quiet since the engagement party. I’m not sure why but I’m concerned at the timing. Maybe he’s changed his mind.’

Bella’s mum scoffed. ‘About marrying you? Have you seen the way he looks at you? No, it’s got to be something else. Just talk to him, love. That’s the best thing you can do. Communication is key in a marriage.’

Bella nodded. ‘You’re right. I’m going to. I need to get to the bottom of it because this feeling is awful.’

Her mum reached out and squeezed her arm. ‘He adores you though, Arabella. That much is obvious to everyone. Try not to worry.’

* * *

Even for a couple of days after that Harris seemed a little distant; didn’t talk much and had an air of sadness about him.

He was still affectionate, held her at night and kissed her goodbye when she left for work, but Bella could sense that there was something not quite right.

It was as if he was going through the motions, like a robot following its programming.

She had been working her way up to asking him what was wrong, but every time she was about to do so, his phone would ring, and he’d be called away on police business. There just hadn’t been a fitting time.

On Thursday morning, Bella spent a few hours putting together some ideas for the Drumblair distillery and in the afternoon, she went to Sconser to visit potential new clients.

They were a young professional couple who had bought a rundown house, and it needed totally gutting.

They had so much enthusiasm and lots of ideas for what they wanted to do with the place that it should have been rubbing off on her.

After all, she saw herself and Harris in them and their excitement for their new life together but instead of making her happy she felt a little lost. Sad even. Possibly a tiny bit envious.

The house was a little further north than Rowan Cottage, the house her mum and dad had viewed, and on the way home she imagined calling in to see them as she passed the now empty house.

A twinge of sadness tugged at her though.

Everything was amplified; missing her friends, missing her mum and dad and she knew it was all because of Harris’s change of mood.

Although she wasn’t technically alone, she somehow felt the weight of loneliness, nonetheless.

On the way home, she made a detour via Loch Ainort viewpoint and pulled over.

She wrapped her coat and scarf tightly around her body and climbed out of the car.

She filled her lungs with the fresh sea air and even though there was only a light breeze, it numbed her lips and nose with its icy fingers as it touched her skin.

She walked down to the water’s edge and watched the sea birds diving into the water fishing for their supper.

Their lives were simple, she thought, search for food, build a nest, bring up chicks.

The only worry they had was finding the food to feed their chicks…

and of course predators. Okay, so they maybe had things just as hard, but they didn’t have to deal with emotions, did they?

Nor did they have to worry about whether their partner had changed his mind on the future he had offered.

Because at that moment in time she felt like her relationship was suddenly hanging by a thread.

What if he was working out how to leave her?

Trying to find a way to say it was all moving too fast?

Or that perhaps he had realised he only loved her as a friend, nothing more.

She couldn’t do this any more. The ice-cold temperature she was experiencing from the weather should remain outside and not be seeping into her heart.

She shouldn’t be accepting it from her fiancé either.

It wasn’t fair to be kept in the dark when whatever he was trying to hide from her was making her miserable anyway.

So, whatever it was, and however hard it would be to hear, she needed to know.

With renewed determination, she climbed back into the car and returned home, prepared to get to the bottom of things no matter how much it hurt.

* * *

Bella found Harris sitting at the kitchen table, staring at a mug of coffee. She walked over to the countertop by the coffee machine and removed her coat, placing it and her bag down.

‘Is the coffee fresh?’ she asked. He didn’t answer but Bertie jumped up at her legs, wagging his tail; he was excited to see her, at least. She crouched to see the pup who was growing rapidly but still a cute ball of fluff.

He wiggled and wriggled as she said hello to him, rubbing his belly when he rolled onto his back.

‘Harris.’

As if coming out of a trance, he turned. ‘Yes?’

‘I was asking if the coffee is fresh?’

He stood and poured his full mug down the sink. ‘Sorry, I’ll make a fresh pot.’

She reached out and touched his cheek. ‘It’s fine, I’ll do it. Are you feeling okay?’

He rubbed both hands over his face. ‘Aye, just tired. I’m off to go shower and see if that wakes me up.’ He turned to leave the room, and she took her opportunity. It was now or never.

‘Are you sure that’s all it is, Harris?’ She felt the stinging of tears behind her eyes. ‘Because you’ve been pretty distant since the engagement party, and I’m worried you’ve changed your mind about us.’

He paused for a moment, then turned and stood there, just staring at her, a look of disbelief on his face.

And then, as if a realisation had hit, he quickly walked over and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly as if his life depended on it.

She cried into his chest, not really understanding why, but knowing things were definitely not right.

‘If you have changed your mind, please just tell me. Because I can’t bear this silence and feeling as though you’re thinking you’ve made a mistake in asking me to marry you.’

He tilted her face up with his hands, his eyes were red and glassy with emotion too, and it was evident from the dark circles under his eyes he hadn’t been sleeping.