Page 12 of A Highland Family Affair

‘Why did you come here instead of going to the town house?’

He gave a light laugh and wiped away more tears. ‘I wanted you to see me at my lowest. I wanted you to see that I had no pride left. If I could come here looking like a tramp, you would see that I was serious. But instead, it just looked like I was playing the sympathy card.’ He shook his head. ‘Can’t even get that right.’ He closed his eyes and inhaled a calming breath. When he opened his eyes again, they were filled with a firm resolve. ‘If you want me to move back to the town house, I will. Whatever’s best for you. I can understand that you and Brodie want your own space. Your garden’s overrun with the public a few days a week at the moment, and it won’t be long before the daily castle tours begin again.’

She shook her head. ‘No, you don’t have to leave. But you do need to seek help for your gambling and drinking. That’s my one stipulation. My one deal-breaker, if you will. The gambling has been an issue for years now and it’s clear from your appearance that you’ve been relying on alcohol to numb your pain. Will you seek help, Kerr? Can I trust you to do that? I’m happy to come with you if necessary.’

He nodded. ‘Yes. I’ll do it. I’ll find groups or counselling or whatever’s needed.’ He fixed her with a determined gaze and squeezed her hand. ‘You can trust me.’

She smiled. ‘Good. Then you’re welcome to stay for as long as you feel you need to.’

He exhaled a rush of air and smiled widely. ‘Thank you. Thank you so much. And I meant what I said about helping around the place. I have no clue what I’m even good at. But I’ll do whatever you need.’

‘That’s really kind of you but I think, for now at least, you need to focus on getting well. Rebuilding your strength. Find yourself before you start trying to help.’

His smile disappeared. ‘Okay. But the offer still remains.’ He stood from the table and patted his leg. ‘Come on, Lancey, let’s go leave Olivia to her day.’ He turned his attention back to his sister. ‘I’ll be in the library if you need me. I fancy reading a book.’ The comment seemed to surprise him. ‘I haven’t done that in a very long time.’

Olivia smiled. ‘Enjoy. And help yourself to tea or coffee, or snacks.’ She closed her eyes briefly and shook her head. ‘God, I sound like a bed-and-breakfast host speaking to a guest. I’m sorry, Kerr. This is still your family home, so treat it as such.’

He gave a sad smile. ‘It doesn’t feel that way, but I appreciate you saying that.’ He turned and left the room.

Once he had gone, Olivia let out a huge sigh. The emotion and confusion of having her brother home, and him being such a changed man, was a little overwhelming. And in spite of his protestations, she still couldn’t help the doubt that fluttered around her mind like an annoying fly. She wanted more than anything to fully believe in him. But she felt that Brodie was still right about them being cautious. And at least having him at the castle for a while meant she could keep a close eye on him. She was determined to make sure he sought the help he needed. And to make sure he stuck to whatever plan was necessary to ensure he succeeded in getting well again.

5

Olivia sat on the leather sofa in her office with Paisley Campbell, the recently appointed gift shop manager. She had joined a while after the castle had opened and the original manager had relocated to England. Paisley was a twenty-eight-year-old whirlwind of enthusiasm who had blown in from Inverness like a breath of fresh air. Her bubbly personality came wrapped up in a petite, slender, five-foot-one package with long blonde hair and smiling green eyes. And what she lacked in height she made up for in assertiveness and professionalism. What she didn’t know about retail simply wasn’t worth knowing. Today she wore a pair of dark navy jeans, tan knee boots and a thigh-length navy and white Scandinavian patterned jumper. She somehow managed to be immaculately put together even in warm, casual winter wear.

Olivia held a sample piece of artwork aloft, examining it closely. ‘I just love the artist’s style. This painting of the castle in four seasons is stunning. The light is just incredible. It almost looks like a photograph.’

‘I agree,’ Paisley said, beaming. ‘I can imagine prints of that particular one flying out the door when tourist season begins properly. Greetings cards too, and perhaps postcards. I think visitors will adore the postcards for sending away home. He’s quite an eccentric guy, the artist, but so talented. This collection is quite fitting with the locations all being around Drumblair and Loch Ness.’

‘And he can supply however many we’d like?’

Paisley nodded. ‘He can. And he’s local too, which helps. I’ve also sourced this handmade jewellery by a silversmith in Drumblair village. She can make custom pieces to order using gemstones, but her silver clay work is divine.’

Paisley took the painted canvas and handed Olivia a silver heart-shaped pendant on a chain. There was an imprint of heather on the front, giving the piece a unique texture.

‘The heather she used on these pendants was grown in her own garden in the village. There are earrings to match and lots of other designs too.’

Olivia smiled. ‘You really have found some amazing things, Paisley. I think we should go ahead and place an order for thirty of the medium-sized castle prints to begin with, and some of the same in greetings cards and postcards too. And then perhaps a selection of other sizes in a variety of designs. I’ll let you choose, and definitely order a few of the heather pendants and earrings. We can see how they go and order more if necessary.’

Paisley’s smile widened and her eyes lit up. ‘Excellent! I’ll get right on it.’ She gathered her things together. As she reached the door, she turned back. ‘Oh, and I hear your brother has returned from his travels. It must be nice to have him back.’

Olivia pursed her lips. ‘Erm… yes, yes, it’s good to have him home.’ It was clear Paisley didn’t know the story of what happened before she joined the staff team at the castle, but she was in no doubt that the rumour mill would reach her eventually.

‘Family is everything, eh?’ Paisley said with a sad smile before she left, passing Noah, the café’s chef, as she left.

‘Bye, Paisley,’ Noah said with a smile as he paused for a moment to watch her leave with a look of longing in his expression. He turned to Olivia. ‘Lady MacBain,’ he said with a brief bow of his head.

‘It’s Olivia, remember? How are you, Noah?’ Olivia asked, standing to shake his hand.

He smiled briefly. ‘All good, thanks. You?’

Olivia nodded. ‘Not too bad. I’m guessing you’ve heard the news about Kerr?’

A crease appeared between his brows and his lips formed a straight line. ‘Aye, I heard. Back with his tail between his legs, I gather.’

Noah Collingwood and Kerr had been classmates at Drumblair nursery and primary schools, then drinking buddies whenever Kerr was home from university and Noah was home on leave from the navy. The two men had had a huge falling out a few years prior to Olivia’s mum’s passing, when Kerr had a fling with Noah’s then fiancée. Olivia had heard all about it via Skye and Bella as she had been in New York at the time. It had been a horrendous situation that had resulted in her brother acquiring a thick lip and a black eye.

Noah had been on the staff at the castle since the public opening after leaving the navy where he had been a chef and Olivia had found him to be a very loyal employee, in spite of his negative connections with the MacBain family. He was quite serious and always neatly presented but, boy, could he cook. She had joked with Mirren that he could give her a run for her money; that had met with a simple pfft from the castle’s housekeeper.