Page 56 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands

Bella chewed thoughtfully for a moment, relishing the flavour of the creamy pasta sauce. ‘I think I have to. For the sake of the building. I’ve put so much work into the project and it’s going to be wonderful when it’s done. I genuinely don’t think I’ll get any more trouble from Carlton. I really think I made him see that his behaviour wasn’t acceptable.’

‘In my opinion, he’s never going to be able to make a go of that place, you know. He’s far too immature. I bet you he doesn’t last a month when the place is open. He’s a model not a businessman. I doubt he’s ever run a place like that, or anything remotely similar, and it seems to me like he has no interest in the business side of things.’ He had a point.

‘I’ve thought the same things too. But thankfully I don’t have to be there to watch him fail. Once my designs are fully implemented and completed, I can move on and never look back.’

‘Will you inform his parents about what happened?’

Bella hadn’t quite made her mind up about that. ‘I feel like I should, seeing as I tried to tell them what he was like before, and evidently this isn’t his first rodeo. Maybe if they had acted this wouldn’t have happened, who knows. But I don’t want to come across as a trouble causer. I’m not sure I want that reputation. It won’t be helpful going forward.’

Harris heaved a deep sigh. ‘You’re not a trouble causer. He’s a predator. It’s his reputation that should be ruined, not yours. If he ever does anything that you find the slightest bit unnerving, or if he makes you the tiniest bit uncomfortable again, you need to tell me. I’ll arrest him like a shot.’

Bella squeezed his hand. ‘If it happens, I promise I’ll tell you. But I don’t think it will.’

* * *

A week later, Bella returned to Iolair-Mhara to check on the progress the teams had been making. She hadn’t yet spoken to Mrs or Mr Somers about their son and wondered how things would be with Carlton seeing as she hadn’t heard from him since the lift incident either.

She walked into the foyer and was happy to hear the sound of a sander and in the distance, somewhere in the building a man was singing out of tune to an ELO track on the radio; never had ‘Mr Blue Sky’ sounded more like stormy weather, metaphorically speaking.

Bella glanced over at the lift which had been bolted shut and the control panel removed, rendering it completely unusable, and a shiver made the hairs on her arms stand up.

She had pushed for the pace to be picked up and the painting and decorating company had sent extra bodies to ensure the work would be completed in a timely manner. She loved the building but no longer loved what it represented for her and wanted it to be over sooner rather than later.

‘You must be Bella,’ a voice said, making her jump. She turned to see a tall man aged around thirty-five with short blond hair. He looked like an older, slightly less handsome version of Carlton. He was wearing jeans and a checked shirt tucked in. He held out his hand. ‘Nate Somers Junior, pleased to make your acquaintance.’

She shook his hand. ‘Oh, nice to meet you too. Where’s Carlton?’ she asked, glancing behind him, expecting to see his younger brother.

Nate Junior rested his fingertips on his hips and sucked air in through his teeth. ‘My little brother is back home learning how to respect women,’ he said. ‘I must apologise on behalf of my parents for what happened. They refuse to acknowledge what he can be like. Well, until now, that is. Unlike them, I’m very much aware that he’s a dumbass and an embarrassment. Pardon my language. I was horrified when I heard what he’d done.’ He shook his head. ‘You’d have been well within your rights to press charges.’

Bella wondered how on earth he knew about what had happened when she hadn’t told anyone but Harris. And surely he wouldn’t have gone behind her back? ‘Erm… Sorry, but how do you⁠—’

‘Know about what happened?’ Bella nodded. ‘He finally did something right and told Mom and Dad before you could. Figured it would sound better coming from him.’

‘Was he honest about it all?’

Nate Junior raised his eyebrows and huffed the air from his lungs. ‘Oh, yeah. We got the elevator situation, the comments, the suggestive way he dressed… or undressed around you. The whole nine yards. He’s gone into therapy.’

Bella was surprised he had come clean so willingly and hadn’t hidden anything. ‘Ah. I see.’

‘Yeah, I can’t say I was either surprised or impressed. He’s a spoiled brat who thinks his looks will just get him everywhere and get him out of trouble too. But I think maybe he’s learned his lesson now. Only time will tell.’

‘Won’t he be coming back here at all?’ Bella felt a small niggle of guilt but quickly brushed it aside, remembering how he had behaved and that none of it had been her fault. A very important thing for her to keep in mind.

‘I think my folks are hoping to send him back once he’s been punished thoroughly. The thing I didn’t expect is that he actually wants to come back. Says he’s grown very fond of the place, and of Skye in general. Says he found a certain amount of peace here that he’s never felt before. That is until he acted like an asshole. He’s currently working for free for my dad doing property maintenance, which Dad says will be good practice for if he does return to manage this place.’ He glanced around the foyer. ‘I’m guessing you know about the situation with Helena Katsaros. She was a makeup artist he worked with on his last modelling job.’

Bella nodded. ‘He did mention something about that, yes.’

‘Yeah, she ended his modelling career, and rightly so in my opinion. Jackass. Oh, pardon my language. No one would hire him after what he did to her came out. He doesn’t seem to get that people talk. Anyway, I’m here to oversee things for a while, although looking at your work I don’t think there’ll be much for me to do. Which I’m happy about because that means I can get back home to my wife and son, and my own job.’ He smiled and Bella wondered how on earth two brothers could be so diametrically opposed in character.

‘I mean, we’re cracking on well,’ Bella said, also glancing around. ‘The rooms are coming together great, so I’m fine with you going back to the States and I can just keep in touch via video if that helps? I wouldn’t want to keep you from your family.’

Nate Junior smiled and shook his head. ‘Your accent is pretty awesome. I think I could listen to you reading a long grocery list and not get bored.’ He cringed and rubbed a hand over his face. ‘Jeez, that sounded like something my baby brother would say. My apologies. I can assure you I’m not flirting. I adore my wife, Deandra. And thank you. I think it’s very clear I can trust you to do a great job without me peering over your shoulder. I’m staying at a hotel in Portree tonight,’ Bella was surprised that he pronounced it correctly, ‘and tomorrow, but I think I’ll book my return flights. With today’s technology there’s no real reason for me to be here. I came on my parents’ request to make sure you were okay after… And it’s not like I know anything about interior design. I mean, I know what I like but it’s nowhere near as tasteful as this place. That’s why my wife won’t let me near a colour chart or a Home Depot.’ He laughed. ‘Well, I’ll let you crack on a little more. I think I might go souvenir shopping for my son, DJ. He’s into castles and I’m sure I’ll find something he’ll like.’

Bella smiled. ‘That sounds like a lovely idea. Have fun.’

‘Thanks. And again, I’m so sorry about what my brother put you through. My parents don’t always see what he’s like with him being the baby of the family. But I mean, he’s thirty years old so there comes a point he has to be treated like an adult and realise his actions have to have consequences, know what I mean? Good to meet you, Bella. So long.’ He saluted her and then walked away in the direction of the stairs; Bella presumed to collect his jacket.

Nate Somers Junior seemed like a nice man and clearly knew his brother well. Bella felt a rush of relief flood her veins knowing that she had been believed and vindicated.