Page 6 of A Highland Family Affair

‘I bet you feel better after your shower,’ Olivia said with a small smile.

Kerr swallowed a mouthful of the soup and nodded. ‘You have no idea. Sir Lancelot does too, don’t you, lad?’ The dog walked over and sat beside him, his damp tail swishing along the floor as it wagged happily. ‘You’d have laughed, I don’t think he’s ever been bathed before. He was a bit freaked out, but I think he enjoyed it in the end. It was nice and warm, so it must’ve been soothing for him. I’m going to need to find a groomer, though. His coat’s in a state.’

‘I think that would be a good idea. He can’t be comfortable with all those knots,’ Olivia said. ‘But he seems happy enough. He clearly adores you.’

‘The feeling’s totally mutual. I meant what I said about him saving me. I was at my lowest point when Michael died. I’d hurt all of you, so I didn’t feel able to come back and I felt like I had nothing worth living for. But when Michael asked me to take care of Lancey, I knew I had to get through it. I had to stop wallowing in self-pity and find the strength to carry on. He has no one else.’ He reached down and stroked the dog’s head. ‘Do you, lad? It’s been just us, hasn’t it? You and me against the world.’ His affection for the animal shone through his eyes and his soft tone of voice. Sir Lancelot’s tongue lolled out and he panted happily, his rancid breath wafting across the room, causing everyone to pinch their noses.

‘Bloody hell, his breath smells worse than Marley’s and that’s saying something,’ Dougie said with a laugh.

‘Aye, maybe get him to a vet too, eh?’ Mirren said in agreement. ‘I think his teeth need cleaned.’

Kerr smiled and his eyes lit up as he pushed away his bowl and patted his stomach. ‘Good idea. Thanks for the soup, Mirren. It was delicious. And the bread… wow. Just how I remembered it. And I see you’ve some more ready to go in the oven.’ He licked his lips.

‘Aye, would you like some cake?’

Kerr rubbed his hands together. ‘What do you think?’

Olivia observed the interactions and smiled. Family, she thought, it’s all I’ve ever wanted, for us to be a real family. Maybe it’s about to happen? But she still couldn’t help the niggle of doubt that sat in the periphery of her mind. He had a lot of proving himself to do before she would be able to relax completely in Kerr’s company. That one thing was for sure.

3

Olivia climbed into bed and snuggled up to Brodie. Her mind was whirring, and her limbs felt heavy. Doubt and worry clouded her thoughts but she was sapped of energy and just wanted to sleep. Kerr had retreated to his own room after dinner, and she figured he must also have been worn out. A good night’s sleep in a proper bed will no doubt do him the world of good, she thought.

She lay silently for a while, but sleep evaded her. She couldn’t get the image of her brother in his unkempt, scrawny state and with the remnants of a black eye out of her mind. He had always been someone who took pride in his appearance. How had he allowed himself to get to that point? Was it her fault? Should she have been more forgiving when he had tried to ruin her plans for Drumblair? No! she told herself. She was trying to keep their family’s legacy alive, and she was doing that the best way she could discern under the circumstances. The fact that he hadn’t liked it wasn’t really her problem. The fact that her mother had chosen her to inherit the castle over him hadn’t been her decision. And although she was very much aware of the shock it had caused him, she knew her mother had had good reason for doing so.

‘Are you okay?’ Brodie asked as he pulled her into him and kissed her forehead.

She slid her fingers across his bare chest and placed her hand over his heart. ‘I think so. I’m just a little… befuddled, I suppose.’

Brodie drew lazy circles on her bare arm with his fingertips. ‘I’m not surprised. It’s all been totally out of the blue. Not only him turning up but his general demeanour and attitude. Just bizarre.’

Olivia pushed herself up onto her elbow and looked down at Brodie. ‘Do you think we can trust him?’

Brodie sighed. ‘Honestly? I wish I could say yes but… it’s hard knowing what we know of him from before. It all feels a bit too good to be true. And he pretended to be a changed man when he was having that fling with Bella only to pull the rug out from under us all. I think…’ He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. ‘I think we should proceed with caution. I mean, there were tenants in his house paying rent so that talk of him running out of money seems weird.’

‘He actually had them pay him up front, so he had all the money in one go. That’s how he ended up spending it. And Uncle Innes found a clause in the house deeds that means it can’t be sold, and the tenants moved out a while ago now, so he won’t have had any income from that.’

‘But that’s another thing,’ Brodie said, a crease of concern between his eyebrows. ‘If his house is empty, why has he turned up here? Don’t you think he would have preferred to go back to his own house? Don’t you find it strange that he could’ve gone to the town house and got himself and his dog cleaned up first, before coming here? Or if he knew they had moved out, why was he on the streets?’

Olivia scoffed. ‘I find the whole situation strange. But… if he is telling the truth then maybe he came here because he wants to make amends. Maybe he’s here for some kind of redemption. And perhaps he wanted me to see him at rock bottom.’

Brodie paused for a moment. ‘Maybe. I’m just worried he did it this way because he knew he’d get the sympathy vote. Tug at your heartstrings and take advantage of your decent nature.’

He had made some fair points. ‘After the way he spent his money so fast and resorted to drinking, I think I fully understand why Mum left the castle to me instead of Kerr.’

‘Oh, absolutely.’ He paused for a moment before saying, ‘I still think we should⁠—’

‘Proceed with caution,’ Olivia said. ‘Yes, I agree. Thank you for being so understanding about all this. I know how you feel about my brother and the trouble he’s caused in the past. I just have this feeling in my gut that he’s genuine this time.’

Brodie reached up and cupped her cheek in his palm. ‘I really do hope you’re right. But nevertheless, I’ll support you no matter what, Liv. I’ll always have your back.’

She reached up to kiss him tenderly. She knew she would never tire of the feeling of being wrapped in his arms. A thought sprang to her mind, and she pulled away. ‘Oh, my word, Bella leaves for Skye tomorrow with Granny Isla. I’d totally forgotten with Kerr turning up.’

‘She’ll understand. Just pop round to the apartment and see her before she leaves. No doubt she’ll be shocked that Kerr’s back too.’

‘You’re not wrong there. I’m really going to miss her being around.’ Her stomach knotted, and sadness washed over her.

‘Well, we’ll just have to make sure we go and visit plenty. Skye is absolutely beautiful, so I won’t need much convincing to go. And it’s going to be amazing for her to be with Harris again. Think how happy she’ll be. And knowing Isla will be just up the road too will be comforting for her.’