Page 44 of Chasing a Highland Dream

As they walked away from the gift shop, Olivia asked, ‘Bells, are you okay? You seem a little off today.’

Bella nodded. ‘I drank too much when I was out with Aiden,’ she said, a hand over her stomach. ‘He kept topping up my glass but not his own.’

‘Oh, right, was he trying to get you drunk?’

Bella shrugged. ‘I think he was being polite.’

‘So, how did it go?’ Olivia asked eagerly.

Bella smiled despite the throbbing in her head. ‘It was… erm, interesting. He’s… interesting.’

Olivia giggled. ‘Well, that’s a weird word to use, twice. Were there any sparks?’

Bella frowned. ‘We kissed.’

Olivia seemed surprised to hear that. ‘So it was a date!’

Bella shook her head. ‘It was all a bit confusing.’ She chewed her lip. ‘Especially because… it turns out…’ She glanced over her shoulder and then lowered her voice. ‘He’s Carrick Murphy.’

Olivia gasped. ‘As in your favourite author Carrick Murphy?’

Bella hissed, ‘Shhh! Yes, as in my favourite author.’

Olivia’s eyes widened. ‘Bloody hell, Bells, that’s huge!’

‘I know, right?’ She crumpled her brow. ‘He seemed to have a bit of an ego, though. After we kissed, he commented that I’d just kissed my favourite author.’

Olivia smiled. ‘Oh, come on, I think maybe you’re reading too much into that.’

Bella nodded. ‘Yeah, it’s probably nothing. He’s a nice guy. Quite funny and sweet in a way. Maybe I’m being oversensitive after the Kerr situation.’

Olivia linked her arm through Bella’s. ‘Hey, not all men are as rotten as my brother. If Aiden seems to be those things, it’s probably because he is.’

Bella chewed her lip. ‘I hope you’re right. But please don’t say anything about his identity, will you? He doesn’t want anyone to know.’

‘My lips are sealed, honey.’

‘Thank you. I haven’t seen him today and I haven’t messaged him. I don’t want to come across as desperate. But hopefully he’ll ask me out again and things will be better now the cat’s out of the bag.’

‘Fingers crossed for you, my lovely.’

They walked back through to the main foyer to find Innes with a group of the volunteers who had been taken on as tour guides. Innes was teaching them all about the paintings and furniture pieces in the house and their connection to the family, and was putting them through their paces. As they passed the group, Innes selected one of them to talk about the large painting in the main entryway depicting the Clan MacBain at the Battle of Culloden. It had been painted by an eighteenth-century Anglo-Swiss artist, and was one of Olivia’s father’s prize possessions. Until recently, it had hung in Laird MacBain’s former bedroom but had been relocated due to its significance to the castle and its origins in readiness for public visits.

‘Have you heard from Kerr at all?’ Bella asked as they walked through to the dining room. It was as if he had fallen off the face of the earth, Bella thought.

Olivia sighed. ‘Not a word. Since Innes saw him in Inverness, he’s literally disappeared. But it’s not like him to be so quiet for so long and I must say I’m worried he’s skulking in the background, ready to pounce on Saturday. Either that or he’s in very deep trouble somewhere. I’ve had to stop thinking about it because it’s driving me mad. Brodie has been keeping a look out for him on social media just in case, but no sightings.’

Bella furrowed her brow. ‘I hope he doesn’t attempt to sabotage the opening like he did the fashion show.’

‘Same here.’

22

On Thursday, another day closer to the grand opening, flowers arrived to be displayed in the foyer of the castle – this wouldn’t be a regular thing, thanks to the expense, but Olivia had decided the opening day warranted it. Bella had overseen the delivery and with Olivia’s permission she had discussed the displays and her vision for them with the florist who was to arrange them. Another small but enjoyable use of her creativity.

So many people had complimented her on the design of the apartments, especially prospective clients who had visited to look at them in more detail. She was at risk of believing herself capable of making a career out of it. In reality, you didn’t essentially need a qualification in order to work in the field, but Bella was aware in order to do the kind of work she dreamed of, qualifications would definitely be beneficial.

Bella absentmindedly stared into space as she sat in the castle kitchen with Olivia on a coffee break.