Page 41 of The Christmas Highland Lodge

His mouth twisted into an irritated line.

‘If you had just mentioned to me that you were going to send that email to Max or even spoken to me first, I would have appreciated it.’

Blake’s thick brows flexed. ‘Since when did you become the boss? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I was under the impression that Max and Stephanie Styles employed you, not the other way round.’

He really was an arrogant git. I folded my arms tighter. ‘Max and Stephanie have put me in charge of the cabin refurbishments, as well you know.’

‘Oh, believe me, we know.’

Now it was the turn of my brows to fence. ‘And what do you mean by that?’

Blake surveyed me out of his blazing, dark eyes. ‘Nobody else is getting a look-in with suggestions.’

I pulled a sarcastic face. ‘Er. Yes. Because as YOU might not have noticed, that’s MY job. Project management.’

There was a charged silence. ‘So why do it then?’ I pushed. ‘Why make those alternative suggestions?’ I sighed, frustrated. ‘You heard what the Styleses said. We’re all working as a team – or at least we should be.’

Blake listened, but didn’t comment.

‘In just a few weeks, it’s Christmas and those cabins are going to look magical.’

Blake leant against the door frame of his store room. ‘I am aware of that. You’ve just got to step into Craig Brae. It’s like some drug-induced hallucination.’ He pulled an appalled face. ‘It’s all hearts and romance and bloody tinsel sprouting everywhere. It’s not normal.’

I blinked at him. ‘Excuse me?’

Blake’s dark eyes burned. ‘Sentimental clap-trap, if you want my opinion.’

‘Well, I didn’t ask for your opinion.’

Undeterred, he continued with his dark rant. ‘Good grief. Don’t tell me it’s as bad at Easter and Halloween round here.’

I glowered at him. ‘Well, if it’s so appalling around here, why move to the area?’

Blake’s bearded jaw throbbed. ‘Sorry?’

‘Why move to Craig Brae if you think it’s such a godawful place? It’s not exactly a heaving metropolis.’ I eyed him. ‘I would have thought that for someone like you, a quiet town like Craig Brae would be too provincial.’

His muscles flexed under his tight jumper. ‘I wanted a change of scenery, to escape the city life for something calmer…’ His voice tailed off for a few seconds. ‘And anyway, I don’t have to stand here and explain myself to you, Ms Grant.’

Ouch. I definitely touched a nerve there. But it was a valid question. Why had he chosen to set up a business here?

I tutted at his hard expression. ‘What is it with you?’

Blake stiffened and stood up straighter. Now it was his turn to fold his arms. ‘What do you mean?’

‘All the negative comments; the sarcastic asides; the eye rolling and the grunting when I make creative suggestions; not showing up to help us out at the lights switch-on…’ A picture of him shimmered into my head, glowering up at the illuminations. ‘What is your problem? Do you have something against fun and frivolity? Are you some kind of anti-happiness police inspector?’

Blake’s mouth twisted into an expression of barely concealed fury. ‘You know nothing about me, Ms Grant, so please don’t make sweeping assumptions.’

‘Likewise, Mr Dempster. It’s a pity you felt you couldn’t assist the rest of us with handing out the leaflets at the lights switch-on the other Saturday.’

Blake gave a dismissive shrug. ‘I was busy.’

‘All day?’

‘Yes. Why?’

Now it was my turn to shrug. ‘That’s odd, because I did actually see you there.’