Page 27 of A Highland Family Affair

‘Oh, yes? What is it?’

Kerr cleared his throat. ‘I think I’d like to ask Charlotte out on a date.’

Olivia raised her eyebrows. ‘Oh, I see.’

‘I really like her, and I get the feeling she likes me too. We’ve chatted a few times when she’s been on coffee breaks and there’s just something about her. I can’t put it into words, but I’d really like to ask her out and to get to know her better. But with her being your PA, I wanted to get your approval first, obviously.’

Olivia smoothed down the fabric of her skirt over her knees while pondering how to answer. She was surprised that he even asked for her thoughts on the matter. Eventually she said, ‘I really appreciate your consideration, Kerr, but… I’m not too sure about that, if I’m honest. Yes, she’s my PA and I don’t want to lose her if things go wrong but also, you’re in AA and I’m worried that if things did go wrong, you’d risk relapsing.’

He sat beside her on the sofa. ‘I knew you’d be worried about that. And I can understand it. But I honestly think I’d be okay. I’m doing really well, Liv. I’m focused, I’m attending meetings, I think I can handle it. And I’d be so annoyed if she met someone else in the meantime. She mentioned to me that she’s tried online dating.’

Olivia wanted to believe he would cope but there was such a lot at stake. ‘Could you maybe leave it a little while longer? Give yourself time. Let Charlotte have the chance to settle in here, and give yourself the opportunity to get stronger. I know I can’t stop you asking her out, you’re an adult, after all, but… I’m concerned about both of you. And to be honest, I’m concerned about the castle. I’m going to Skye soon and I need to know I’m leaving the place in safe hands. I don’t want to be put in a situation where I lose her and have to cancel the trip. It’s really important to Brodie.’

He went quiet for a few moments. ‘I get it. I do.’ He stood and sighed deeply. ‘But I’m looking forward to the day you feel you can fully trust me. I feel like I’m in a kind of limbo until that happens. But I do understand. I have a long way to go before I earn that trust again, if I ever had it in the first place. Well… I’d better go and feed Sir Lancelot.’ And with that he left the room.

Olivia didn’t see Kerr for the rest of the day and guilt niggled at her, so she talked things through with Brodie.

‘I think you’re right, Liv. The last thing he needs is a new relationship when he’s getting sober. They say to avoid things like that, don’t they? Or is that just in movies? I don’t know. But what I do know is that you employed Charlotte to work for you, not to date your troubled brother.’

‘I feel like I’m treating him like a child, though, Brodie. I don’t want to do that but I’m still so wary of everything connected to him. Innes thinks he’s genuine but even he still thinks we should err on the side of caution.’

‘Well, there you go then. Innes is a good judge of character.’ He pulled her into his lap. ‘And you worry too much. Don’t forget he has to earn your trust and he knows that.’

She rested her forehead on his. ‘Thank you… for everything. For being you, for believing in me, for listening… just everything.’

He pulled her down to kiss her and shivers travelled her spine as his hand gripped her hair. ‘I love you, Olivia MacBain, always have, always will.’

The weekend had flown by, and it was Monday again. Olivia rolled over in bed to snuggle up to Brodie. He was naked and the feeling of his warm skin against hers turned her insides to jelly. She would never tire of this.

‘Mmmm, morning, beautiful,’ he mumbled as he wrapped her in his arms. ‘What’s on the agenda for today?’

‘I’m having a break from admin and going out for coffee with Skye. Charlotte is in and there’s nothing major going on today, so I think I’m okay to escape for a couple of hours. What about you?’

‘I have a meeting with a builder to discuss the old barn renovations. He’s going to do a full measure up and complete some quotes, so we know what we’re dealing with. Then I’m going to help Dad tidy up the walled garden for a bit. It’s been neglected in favour of the public areas, and I want to make sure it’s somewhere we can continue to go and sit when we want to. Somewhere just for us that the public don’t share.’

She propped herself up on her elbows and kissed his chin. ‘You’re so sweet.’

‘I am, aren’t I?’ He chuckled and rolled her beneath him. ‘But so are you.’ He kissed her neck and she sighed, closing her eyes to fully relish the sensations buzzing through her body. ‘I wish we could just stay here, like this, instead of adulting out in the real world.’ He continued with his ministrations. ‘I’m sure we could find plenty to entertain ourselves.’ He kissed a trail along her collarbone. Then suddenly he sat. ‘But alas! We have a castle to run!’ he said before jumping from the bed and dashing to the en suite, leaving Olivia a jellified mess.

Charlotte was already in the office when Olivia finally arrived downstairs. ‘Sorry I’m a bit tardy. Are you finding everything you need?’

Charlotte nodded. ‘I sure am. Between you and Bella, you’ve kept a very tight ship. It’s all very easy to follow. Another stallholder for the Christmas Countdown Fayre has paid their fee this morning so there’s only one more to pay.’

‘Brilliant. I was wondering, is Will looking for a Saturday job at all? Ali Gordon at the nursery is looking for help and I thought of him.’

Charlotte smiled. ‘Well, he wasn’t, but there’s no harm in him having one. I’ll mention it to him. Thank you, Olivia.’ She placed the documents down that she had been working on. ‘Are you all set to take it over now?’

Olivia nodded. ‘My Uncle Innes is finalising everything today.’

‘Exciting times. The castle business is really taking off.’

Olivia gave a nervous laugh. ‘Tell me about it! I can’t quite believe how far we’ve come in such a short amount of time.’

‘Erm… is Kerr enjoying being back at the castle from his travels?’

‘I think so. He’s definitely enjoying working outdoors with the trees and plants.’

She smiled. ‘He certainly is, it’s very clear. Will and I went to get a Christmas tree on Sunday, and Kerr served us. He seemed to be in his element.’