Page 82 of The Christmas Highland Lodge

I held up both hands, almost laughing out loud. ‘Please do not insult my intelligence with that old chestnut. At least do me that courtesy.’

I rubbed at my jacket sleeves and realised I was still wearing Blake’s fleece.

I wanted to remove it. I didn’t want to feel like I was close to him at all. Let’s face it, I wasn’t. I wriggled out of the fleece, desperate to take it off and thrust it towards him. ‘Thanks for this. I’m fine now.’

For something to do, I pulled at the hem of my polo neck. The chilled air began to gnaw at my skin again.

I summoned as much of my resolve as I could. This was for the best. Of course, it was. My pride was hurt. That was as far as it went, I reassured myself. ‘You’re quite right,’ I announced through a wobbly smile. ‘Best not to complicate things.’

Then I turned and clattered up the steps of Rowan Moore House.

I should never have opened myself up to Blake. Why did I think things would be different this time?

Stephanie’s Christmas tree blurred through my mist of tears, its dangling, elegant teardrop baubles that she bought from Christmas Crackers taunting me from the hall entrance.

Chapter Twenty

Christmas week came screeching up to greet us, as did all the excitement, trepidation and frantic buying that came with it.

I purposefully kept myself occupied.

It had been a couple of days since Blake and I talked in the garden at Rowan Moore House and had our heart-to-heart. Well, heart-to-heart wasn’t the correct choice of words.

On reflection, it had been me spilling my feelings out and him looking uncomfortable, bringing down the shutters and telling me he didn’t want a relationship.

My eyes clamped shut with embarrassment every time my head returned to it. My heart stung but I knew I had to move on, brush it off and be professional.

Oh, why hadn’t I just listened to my head in the first place?

I was grateful in one way that the final trading period for Christmas Crackers was drawing ever closer. There would be odds and ends to tie up, as well as Magical Occasions Cabins to keep me busy.

The cabins were all ready and sitting waiting in preparation for the arrival of our Christmas guests.

I had dropped in to Christmas Crackers earlier that morning to see Mum and Orla. Without telling them, I had arranged for two bouquets of stunning Christmas flowers to be delivered to each of them, as well as one for Vivian, by way of a personal thank you. They were an assortment of sweet roses, gold leaf, fragrant freesia and pistache, and both Mum and Orla were very grateful and rather tearful!

Most of the stock had been sold now and only a handful of miniature Christmas trees and random decorations remained. The walls were all empty, as was the office.

Mum eyed me from behind the counter, while Orla bustled through to the back sink to place the delivered bouquets in water. I had phoned her after Blake and I talked and explained to her what had happened.

‘How are you today, darling?’

I pinned on a smile. ‘I’m good, thanks, Mum. I’m looking forward to taking a break and spending Christmas with you.’

She faffed around with some sheets of tissue paper on the shelf under the counter. ‘Have you seen much of Blake?’

My smile wavered. ‘No, and that suits me fine.’

She tilted her shoulder-length highlights to one side.

‘It’s like I told you, Mum. I read the situation all wrong. Anyway, it’s for the best.’

I leant over the counter and plonked a big kiss on her cheek. ‘See you later.’

* * *

I drove along the frosty lanes up to Rowan Moore House. The snow from a couple of days ago was vanishing, making the scenery look rather forlorn and bare.

I was adamant I was going to stay out of Blake’s way.