Page 29 of A Highland Family Affair

The smell of fresh pine, mulled wine and cinnamon wafted through the air and the stunning Christmas trees chosen and installed by Kerr stood proudly in situ, complete with twinkling lights and decorations.

Olivia had noticed Kerr and Charlotte sharing little moments when they thought no one was looking and she decided to turn a blind eye for a while in case it simply fizzled out. But the more she saw them together, the more she felt bad for standing in their way.

At the end of the fayre, it was ascertained that it had been even more successful than the previous one and, even though everyone was exhausted, it was agreed that it would continue to be a staple event on Drumblair Castle’s calendar.

‘Will is such a great lad, you know,’ Kerr announced at lunch on the second Monday in December. He had spent the weekend working with Charlotte’s son at the nursery. ‘He just gets stuck in. He’s so confident and he’s learning all the Latin names of the plants. And we have such a laugh together. He’s got a wicked sense of humour for a kid.’

‘That’s really nice,’ Olivia said but couldn’t help the concern niggling at the back of her mind. Him getting close to Charlotte’s son meant it would be even more difficult if things didn’t go well with her.

‘He loves that place as much as I do, you know? And we make a really great team.’

Olivia knew that he was angling after her approval to date Charlotte, and she was ready to give in and hang the consequences. Seeing him so enthusiastic about things these days made her happy and it was incredible to see him making such a go of the nursery. These days she often found him in the library with his nose in gardening books.

Ali Gordon had called her a couple of times to reassure her that Kerr too was getting stuck in and didn’t mind what job he was given or how mucky it was. Apparently, he was quite a hit with the customers too, something she had never anticipated hearing about the Kerr she’d always known. Although it was becoming more and more apparent that the Kerr from her past no longer existed. The traits of the old version had faded away and been replaced by a kind, caring heart and a deep-seated need to help people. This newfangled Kerr, this all-singing, all-dancing big brother model, was working out just fine.

As she listened to him enthuse, she made a decision. ‘How do you think Will would feel about you dating his mother?’

Kerr placed down his soup spoon and swallowed. ‘Are you saying what I think you’re saying?’

Olivia shrugged but smiled playfully. ‘I’m just asking a question.’

Kerr straightened his spine and a wide smile appeared on his face. ‘He actually suggested I should ask her out. She’s been trying dating apps and has met some real “dobbers”, Will’s words, not mine,’ he said with a grin.

Olivia pushed her chair away from the table and stood. ‘There you go then,’ she said simply before putting her plate in the sink and leaving the room.

Kerr dashed after her. ‘Wait! Liv, are you saying I should ask her out?’

Seeing how happy this prospect made him, she replied, ‘I’m saying you should ask her out. But…’

‘Be careful? Don’t mess it up? Don’t scare her away because you need her?’

Olivia folded her arms across her chest. ‘All of the above, yes.’

Kerr gave a theatrical bow. ‘Your wish is my command, Lady MacBain.’

Olivia smiled and shook her head before turning away again.

‘Olivia,’ he called out and she turned back once more. ‘Thank you.’

On the Friday of the following week, Olivia had taken the day off to pack for her trip with Brodie as they would be leaving the castle in the early hours of Saturday morning to make the most of their drive over to Skye.

She saw Charlotte taking a break in the kitchen around one in the afternoon. ‘Oh, hi, Charlotte. How are you?’ she asked as she grabbed herself a cup of the freshly brewed coffee from the pot.

Charlotte flushed pink and smiled shyly. ‘Hi, Lady Olivia. I’m good, thanks. Really, really good.’

Olivia was intrigued and sat down opposite her. ‘Come on, spill the beans. Why are you so smiley?’

Charlotte chewed her lip for a moment and a crease appeared between her brows. ‘Oh… erm… I’m not sure I should…’

‘Is this about Kerr?’ Olivia asked, guessing the reason for her cagey reply.

The problem with Charlotte was her cheeks gave her away every single time. ‘Erm… would it be a problem if I said yes?’

Olivia smiled and shook her head. ‘Nope. I said he should ask you out. And apparently so did Will.’

Charlotte’s eyes widened. ‘Really?’ She placed a hand over her heart. ‘Oh, that’s so sweet. Of both of you. But yes. We went out last night. He took me for a meal at the village pub.’

Olivia frowned. ‘He took you to the Drumblair Arms?’ She was surprised he had taken her to a place that so openly served alcohol and that he hadn’t tried to be overly fancy and showy but was quietly impressed at his modest but solid choice.