Page 59 of A Scottish Country Escape

‘You’re such an optimist, aren’t you?’ he asked with a tinge of amusement.

I let out a hollow laugh. ‘Well, if we don’t have hope, what else is there?’

The high street opened out now in front of us. The shops all closed hours ago, the assorted business huddled behind their Closed signs and pulled-down blinds. From where Dexter had parked his car, I could see Paper Roses.

I noticed Dexter was looking down the road at my shop too. ‘You should be very proud, Elle.’

I tried not to get distracted by his kissable mouth. This was crazy. I was letting myself think wild thoughts and imagine unspeakable things. ‘Thank you.’

We both hovered until he produced his car keys from his jeans pocket. ‘I’m more than happy to go public about the reserve. I’ll say I’m supporting the cause to save it.’

I pulled open the passenger side door, staring across at him over the top of his glossy ghost-grey car roof. ‘Dexter, I don’t want you to feel coerced into doing it.’

He flashed me a look that made my stomach squirm. ‘That isn’t it at all.’ He indicated his hand up the road, back towards the nature reserve. ‘When I saw how beautiful it is for myself and you showed me how special it is… well, how could anyone not be touched by it?’

We remained frozen to the spot on either side of the car, staring at one another as a couple of vehicles streaked past us. I was relieved to sink into the passenger seat. I faffed around for a few seconds, pretending to get myself comfortable.

I forced my attention out of my side window, while Dexter slid on his pair of mirrored sunglasses and manoeuvred the car out of its parking space. ‘Home, madam?’

‘Yes please.’

I insisted on turning on the car radio. I wanted to fill my head with music rather than all the churning thoughts about the man sitting next to me.

* * *

The wooden gates leading down past the brook to the house were open, so Dexter eased his car through them and down the incline.

‘You could have just dropped me at the top of the lane.’

‘I could have done that, but it wouldn’t have been very gallant.’

I smiled over at him. ‘Thank you for agreeing to come to the reserve and for saying you’ll lend your support.’

I swung open the car door and stepped out, my walking boots only just visible in the fast-descending dark.

‘I’ll speak to my PR people,’ said Dexter, who had lowered the passenger side window and was leaning across to talk to me. ‘They can advise us on the best way forward with this.’

‘I really appreciate it.’

Dexter shrugged his solid shoulders. ‘Anything to help.’

His clear blue eyes shone out of the car. I hoped my face wasn’t betraying the roller coaster my insides were riding. ‘I’ll get onto Fir Haven Radio and follow up the appeal broadcast for information on Linda.’

There was another electric pause, with only the revving of the car engine breaking the heavy silence.

‘Night, Dexter,’ I faltered. I performed an awkward wave and strode off down towards the house.

The carriage lights either side of the entrance glowed like little bursts of sunshine and there was a sliver of light escaping from underneath the kitchen blind. No doubt Gran was rustling herself up a mug of hot chocolate.

I fished about in my back pocket for my door key and Dexter started to throw his car into reverse.

‘Elle! Oh, Elle!’

My grandmother must have heard me arrive back. She had jerked open the front door and was dashing towards me, breathless and wide-eyed.

I threw my arms out to steady her, panic welling up. ‘What’s wrong, Gran? What is it? Aren’t you feeling well?’

She clung to me, staring at Dexter over my shoulder. He must have seen the commotion in his rear-view mirror and killed the engine. He swung open his car door and strode towards us. ‘Is everything ok?’