Page 66 of A Scottish Highland Surprise

It was only when she discovered her voice, after the last few months of having been thrown in at the deep end of business, that Donald observed in astonishment that his wife had morphed into another woman. He realised this with a quiet but grudging admiration.

“I’m still going to be here to take care of Marnie,” pointed out Helena. “My mind is made up. It’s not up for discussion.”

Donald had stared back at his wife across their chintz-ridden sitting room, with her pretty tilting nose and defiant air. He had never seen her like this before. If he was being honest, it was rather attractive.

But before he could tell her as much, she had spun away on her wedged heel and vanished into the kitchen to prepare dinner and watch Crackerjack with Marnie.

Helena had changed. But was it for the better?

Right now, he wasn’t sure.

But whether her husband was pleased with her new status as a working mum or not, Helena was too delirious with happiness to care. Although nothing had happened between her and Chris, she could sense the increasing tension and atmosphere.

It was wrong to will something to happen between them. She knew that. In some ways, she was relieved when Barbara and Angela, her two members of staff, were in the shop. It kept things safe and controlled.

Helena and Chris had exchanged stories of their past before but now that she was working for him in Cup of Joy, she felt as though each day she was discovering something new about him. He supported Rangers and Arsenal. He liked Elvis and Sweet. He loved spaghetti Westerns. They were peeling back deeper layers of each other’s lives and sharing moments that she treasured.

It was only a matter of time until something happened. They both knew it and they refused to ignore it. They didn’t want to.

It had been a brisk Friday afternoon of trade and the centre of Briar Glen was drizzled with a light flurry of snow. Locals had decided not to venture into town and so local businesses had been able to capitalise on keen Christmas shoppers.

Marnie had gone round to her friend Joanne’s for tea straight from school. That had meant Helena was able to work a few extra hours and give Angela and Barbara a helping hand in Cup of Joy.

Helena was winding her crimson crocheted scarf around her neck, when Chris appeared from the stock room. “You dashing off? I thought Marnie was at her friend’s?”

“She is.”

“Well then. You can let me buy you a Christmas drink.”

Helena fiddled with a strand of hair. “Oh.”

Chris cocked his head to one side. “That wasn’t exactly the response I was hoping for.”

Helena’s face broke into a grin. “And what were you hoping for? Bells? Whistles?”

“A full marching band at least.”

Helena watched as the retro fairy lights strung against the back wall cast an angelic glow around Chris’s head. She wanted to laugh. Angelic wasn’t how she would describe him.

“And the answer is? I have to give you your Christmas present, Helena.”

Helena was glad she was wearing her scarf. She could feel heat travelling up her neck. “If it’s not a pink diamond, I’m not interested.”

Chris smiled and reached into his jacket, which was hanging up on a nearby hook. He plucked a small jewellery box out of it, all glossy maroon wood and topped off with a lime-green bow. “Here. This is for you.”

Helena’s fingers fluttered to her neck. Her scarf was wrapped around it like a cobra and she had no idea what to do with her hands. “What is it?”

“I’m not telling you that. You have to open it.”

Helena shot Chris a charged glance. She turned and reached under the counter. She had bought Chris a gift a few weeks ago and had hidden it in one of the locked compartment drawers she had a key for. She hadn’t even been sure she was going to give it to him. But now she was so glad she had bought him something.

She had wrapped it in electric-blue foil paper sprinkled with Christmas trees and she’d tied a navy bow around it. A pretty gift tag, in the shape of a glittery snowflake, was attached.

They both let out flirtatious laughs, as the streetlamps outside cast a soupy glow.

“You first,” insisted Chris.

They exchanged playful smiles, before Helena removed her thick scarf and deposited it on top of the counter. She felt self-conscious under Chris’s intent hazel gaze.