After we finish the songs we’ve planned, Violet starts us on a round of impromptu “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
“That was lovely, hen,” Elsie says, crouching with her hands on her knees to look at Violet. “You have a nice singing voice and a beautiful family.”
Violet bashfully hides in her dad’s legs. “We have a plate of sweets for you.”
“Do you really? How very kind.”
“Can I give it to her, Mum?”
“Sure, darling.” Ruby takes the plate from Luna and hands it to Violet, who gives it to Elsie.
Rory catches my eye above this interchange and raises his brows.
I ignore him. He’s been fishing for information about Callie since she came to town, and now I’m going to have to tell him that my feelings for her have developed into something real. But telling my closest friend—tellinganyonethe contents of my heart—is only going to solidify them. It’s frightening, putting words to something I don’t quite know how to identify yet.
I don’t know if I feel ready for that.
Perhaps I ought to avoid him.
Maeve has invited the whole Stewart family to dinner while I’ve been stewing over what to say to Rory and when. Before I know it, we’re all saying our goodbyes. I look for Callie in the group, but she’s nowhere to be seen.
My gaze shoots straight to Rory, but he’s chatting with Hamish and Violet near the door.
Odd. I start back toward the car, but two steps away from the house, I spot Callie speaking to Granny. They’re hidden around the side of the building, their heads bent together as they whisper.
Well, that’s even more odd. I watch them for a moment, Callie animatedly whispering, Granny nodding. They’re discussing something, and I don’t want to interrupt, but I’mdying to know what could be so important that they’d sneak off in the middle of caroling to the Stewarts.
I’m a big guy, though. If I start toward them, they’ll notice me.
The group is still chatting at the door with Rory and his parents anyway, except for Rhys, who is watching Oliver run around the front garden.
I shove my hands into my coat pockets and start toward the scheming ladies.
When I get close enough to hear their voices, their heads pop up, and they both draw silent.
“What’s all this, then?” I ask.
Callie’s grin is so wide it seems it might split her face. “All ready to leave?”
“Not quite.” I look between them, but Granny’s lips are sealed.
She has a pleased expression and draws her arm around Callie’s back. “I like this one, Gav.”
“Me too.” I clear my throat. “Thought I might introduce her to Betsy before we take off.”
“Och, she’ll fair like that. All the Americans do, don’t they?”
“I think the Scots do as well, Granny.”
She laughs. “Fair enough, lad.”
“If they don’t want to wait, we’ll see you at Katie’s,” I say.
Granny nods, skirting us. She heads back to join our families, and I reach for Callie’s hand.
“Who’s Betsy?”
“She has long, red hair and jet black eyes.”
