Page 45 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands

And then,

Let me know if you’ll be wearing a shirt and I’ll take it from there. Wouldn’t want to be overdressed (third winky face).

And then,

Are you ignoring me? I’m guessing you are. I was only joking about the shirt thing.

And finally,

I understand it’s the weekend, Bella, but I would appreciate an answer as soon as possible because I’m heading back to the States soon for a few days. I have a thing to attend to. A situation if you will.

She wondered what kind of situation would require him to fly all the way back to the US that couldn’t be dealt with over video call. Although it would be a relief to have a small reprieve from his flirting.

Harris had already climbed into bed and turned off his lamp, but she caught him watching her in her periphery with a crumple of concern to his brow as she frowned at her phone. ‘Is everything okay, sweetheart? You look annoyed.’

She switched her phone off and put it on the bedside table, screen down, to doubly ensure Carlton couldn’t bother her again and spoil what had been such a lovely night. And then turned off her own lamp. ‘It’s nothing.’ She snuggled up in Harris’s arms, the emotion of the last few days had caught up with her and drained her of every ounce of energy she had previously possessed. She’d clearly been running on adrenaline since her granny had gone missing and it was only now beginning to subside.

Harris put his arm over her body and pulled her in tighter, so her back was pressed against his front. He kissed her head. ‘Okay. I know you’ll tell me when you’re ready.’

Remembering their talk about Alba, suddenly she was wide awake. She turned in his arms to face him in the darkness. ‘Okay, I know we said no secrets.’

She felt him nod. ‘We did. And I’ve seen that expression a few times now when you’ve been reading messages. I’m guessing it’s a work thing and I have to say I’ve been a bit concerned. I didn’t want to pry but I’m here if I can help.’

She closed her eyes for a moment, inhaled a deep breath and opened them again. She could make out his silhouette where the moonlight was shining in through a crack in the curtains and casting a white outline to his face. ‘It is a work thing. A male work thing.’

Harris reached behind himself and flicked on the lamp. He sat up, the crease between his brows had deepened. ‘I’m listening.’

She pulled herself upright and sighed. ‘His name is Carlton Somers and he’s the owner’s son.’

‘Oh, aye, he’s the guy who was in the local news for rescuing the old place. Isn’t he an ex-model or something? I read about him in an online article. Saw the photo too. Good-looking bloke. You’re not going to tell me you’re running away with him, are you?’

Bella scoffed. ‘Quite the opposite. I’m more likely to run away from him.’

‘Okay, now I’m intrigued. Tough customer?’

She nodded. ‘Not in the way you might think.’

‘You’ll have to tell me now. I won’t sleep wondering about it.’ He was teasing her; the glint in his eyes gave him away.

‘Okay… The thing is, he’s asked me out and told me, in no uncertain terms, that he won’t give up until I say yes. I’ve told him I’m engaged and not in the slightest bit interested but he’s being persistent. He’s walked around shirtless in front of me a couple of times as if he’s trying to show me what I’m missing out on.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘I even tried speaking to his parents, but they shrugged it off as nothing in an almost boys will be boys way which I found disturbing. He sometimes makes me feel uncomfortable, that’s all.’

Harris’s frown deepened. ‘What the hell? Who does he think he is? Just because he’s a model doesn’t give him the right to make you feel like that, Bella. I’ve a good mind to⁠—’

‘I can handle it, Harris, so please don’t worry. So long as you know I’m not flirting back.’ She gazed into his eyes, hoping he could read the truth there.

Harris took her hand and shook his head. ‘Bella, that thought hasn’t even crossed my mind. I’m just angry that you feel like that because of some bawbag who doesn’t respect you. But of course I trust you, Bella. I have no reason not to.’ She watched his jaw tensing and waited, knowing he had more to say. ‘The shirt thing is a bit pathetic though. He clearly doesn’t know you at all if he thinks abs and pecs are going to turn your head. Look, you know I’m not one of these caveman types, these “Get your hands off my woman” types, and I don’t claim to own you, and rightly never would, but if this guy is bothering you as much as he seems to be I’m prepared to go and speak to him. It’s not right that he’s harassing you when you’ve made your feelings clear.’ The anger he felt was evident in the way his hand tightened around hers, not painful or aggressive, just protective. ‘I’ve handled prats like this before, so I know his type. I’m not at all happy about this, Bella. You shouldn’t have been suffering in silence, sweetheart.’

‘I know, it’s just… he’s sort of my boss, and I don’t want to jeopardise this design. I’m loving working on the hotel and bringing it back to life. But he said he’s going to try and keep me there as long as possible and he’ll keep finding things for me to do, that’s what that string of messages was about,’ she said, pointing to her now sleeping phone. ‘Which is sort of a compliment if he’s that happy with my work but… if it’s not my work he’s interested in it’s a bit creepy.’

‘Too right it’s creepy. He’s abusing his position to sexually harass you, Bells. That says an awful lot about who he is. By the sounds of it he’s a spoiled mummy’s boy who’s not used to hearing the word no.’ He spoke through clenched teeth, clearly holding back the venom he would’ve liked to have spat.

‘You’re right. But I’ll handle it. Thank you for offering, I just don’t want to be one of those damsels in distress. Because I’m not really in distress. I’m just irritated. And I can look after myself.’

He smiled. ‘Oh, I know you can. I remember the Kerr situation and how you whacked him after he’d been a shit. But the offer’s there. I could even go in my official capacity if that helps.’

Bella waved a dismissive hand. ‘Oh, no, really, there’s no need. It’ll be fine. I’ll just be professional and aloof. He’ll get the message eventually.’

Harris leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. ‘The trouble is you’re too beautiful,’ he stated matter-of-factly. ‘Maybe you need to go in wearing an awful dingy outfit with spinach in your teeth and unwashed hair.’