Page 49 of Summer in the Scottish Highlands (The Scottish Highlands #5)

‘I should hope so,’ Faye said flatly, although she was not about to ask how much it had cost. It was not something either of them would be able to afford on their salaries.

Being a Ross obviously had its advantages.

She looked at him and had no idea how much he was worth.

Was he a millionaire? It was possible. She supposed he didn’t really need a job, and she wouldn’t either when they married.

But it wouldn’t be like her or Jake to sit around, wafting through their days, doing not much at all – unless they were on holiday.

And she knew it wasn’t an example either of them would want to set for their daughter – even though Natty would have no money worries in the future because her new daddy was a Ross.

Jake was looking worried. ‘I wouldn’t have booked something so … so …’

‘Lovely?’

‘I was going to say outrageously expensive, ostentatious. If it hadn’t been so last-minute and there had been other choices …’

‘Oh, so you would rather have not treated us to a holiday in this?’ Faye kept a straight face. Of course she was kidding, but the surprised look on Jake’s face, sent her into a fit of giggles. ‘Oh, Jake, I was only kidding.’

‘It is a bit much though – isn’t it?’

They both turned to look at the property, named Cabin in the Woods .

However, it was no little cabin of the sort that Faye would have conjured up in her mind, with an all-in-one sitting and dining room and kitchen and a couple of small mezzanine bedrooms in the loft space.

Something small and cosy. This was unlike any cabin she’d ever seen in magazines or on TV – or could even imagine.

Luxurious was all she could think of. It was obviously a luxury log cabin, with huge windows and doors, a beautiful wooden wraparound veranda, and she imagined vaulted ceilings inside.

But because of the sheer scale of it, the sprawling cabin looked more like a small hotel.

It was ridiculously big for three people.

As if reading her mind, Jake said, ‘It sleeps ten people in six bedrooms, and has as many bathrooms.’

Faye wasn’t surprised. She suddenly leaned forward and kissed him. When she drew back, he looked at her wide-eyed. ‘What was that for?’ He quickly added, ‘Not that I’m complaining.’ He grinned at her. ‘I take it you do like the place?’

Faye said, ‘Oh, yes. But that wasn’t what the kiss was about.

That was for just being you.’ She knew he was rich.

But his attitude was typical of a Ross. He was worried about appearing ostentatious, flaunting his wealth.

She knew that he wouldn’t have chosen this if there had been somewhere cheaper that was of the same standard, but smaller, more modest. The Rosses weren’t the type of family who flashed their cash – unless they were helping other people. She was thinking of Marty and Derrick.

‘It’s a lot bigger than I expected. The photos on the website don’t quite do it justice.’

‘Natty is going to love this place.’

Jake grinned. ‘I know. Apparently, the wildlife comes right up to the windows, so you can be sitting in the lounge on the massive sofa in front of the roaring fire, and you’ll see foxes and deer, and if she’s really lucky some wildcats right here in the garden.’

‘No bears, then.’

Jake looked at her for a moment before breaking into a grin. She was having a joke with him again. ‘Nope – no grizzly bears like Hercules.’

‘Did you say a roaring fire?’ Faye asked.

‘Yes, we can light one, as the summer evenings in Scotland can be quite cool, and sit on the big rug in front of the fire and play board games.’

Faye liked the sound of that. ‘And cuddle up on the sofa when Natty has gone to bed.’

‘Ah, we can do one better than that. The location of the cabin is renowned for its dark skies, meaning no light pollution. I was reading about it on the website. We can wrap ourselves up in a blanket and sit together with a hot chocolate on the veranda and just marvel at the bright stars in the velvety black sky.’

‘That sounds amazing.’

‘Doesn’t it?’ Jake agreed. ‘Shall we go and have a look inside the cabin before we head back?’

‘Have you got the keys already?’ Faye asked, surprised.

‘No, but there’s a key box outside the front door. I have the key code.’

‘We can’t!’ exclaimed Faye.

‘Why not?’

‘Because we’re renting the cabin from tomorrow night, remember? We’ve still got one more night at Gayle’s.’

‘Yes, of course we have.’

Faye shot him a look. ‘You’ve rented it from today, haven’t you.’

Jake was silent for a moment as she studied him.

He looked at her sheepishly. ‘I know it means we’re double-booked, but I just thought if I booked the place from today, then we wouldn’t have to wait around on Monday until four pm for check-in.

It means we can move in for the rest summer any time tomorrow. ’

‘Or tonight.’

‘Or tonight,’ Jake said slowly, raising his eyebrows. ‘I didn’t think that’s something you’d consider, leaving Lark Lodge a day early. I know you’ll miss Gayle, Doris, Marty and Nick.’

‘And don’t forget Olive,’ Faye said, smiling. She looked at the cabin. ‘But who could resist this?’

‘Yes, I feel the same way.’

‘I think Natty will love it, it’s just …’

Jake said, ‘I know what you’re going to say. She’s going to miss her playmate.’

‘Olive can’t come with us – can she?’

Jake sat drumming his hands on the steering wheel. ‘You know, the guesthouse is fully booked from tomorrow night. Gayle is going to have a house full, and Olive …’

‘Olive …’ Faye prompted.

‘Well, you know what she’s like. That dog just loves all the attention. ’

‘She certainly does,’ said Faye, beginning to get an idea of where the conversation was leading. ‘She’s going to get under everyone’s feet, isn’t she?’

‘She is the sweetest dog,’ said Jake, ‘but I think a big dog like that … not all the guests are going to appreciate her around. Gayle or Nick will have to keep her shut up in another room in the house away from the guests and the communal areas.’

‘But that’s most of downstairs,’ exclaimed Faye. ‘That’s not fair on Olive.’

‘Nope, but I don’t think either Nick or Gayle factored in what would happen with Olive living at the guesthouse during peak season when the house is full and there’s not just Nick and Marty there.’

Faye nodded. ‘Unless there was somewhere else she could be for the summer.’

Jake nodded. ‘Like doggy day care.’

‘Gayle said that Olive does go to Duncan’s store during the day.’

‘Yes, but with her guesthouse full, she’ll need doggy night care too,’ added Jake.

Faye looked up at the cabin. ‘Does this rental accept pets?’

‘Yes, one well-behaved dog.’

Faye frowned. ‘I wouldn’t always call Olive well-behaved. She does beg at the table.’

‘Yes, and slobber.’

‘That’s true.’ Faye nodded. ‘And she loves stealing shoes. But if we clear up after her …’ she trailed off. ‘Wouldn’t Nick miss his dog?’

‘Nick is terribly busy with work. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. He can visit, take her out for runs in the forest at the weekends.’

Faye knew Nick wasn’t the only one who would miss his dog. ‘We can pop into Lark Lodge for a cuppa and a catch-up with Gayle and Doris and take Olive along.’

‘Yes, I thought you might like to do that over the summer, and Natty would like to see Evie. I’m sure she’d love to have her for a sleepover here. That’s why I booked a place as close as I could to Aviemore.’

‘You’re so thoughtful, Jake.’

‘Do I deserve another kiss?’

‘I think you deserve more than a kiss,’ she said suggestively.

Jake looked at her wide-eyed.

They both turned to the cabin. Faye said, ‘Perhaps we’d have time to take a peek at our new holiday accommodation after all.’

Jake opened the car door. ‘Shall we start upstairs … in the master bedroom?’

Faye laughed. ‘You read my mind.’