Page 7 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands

Harris shook his head. ‘Nah. Not lucky, just meant to be.’ Once again, her heart melted as she gazed into his dark eyes. ‘And we get to wed at the most stunning location. Now that’s the lucky part.’

‘Absolutely. And Liv is going to design my wedding dress.’

Harris’s eyes widened. ‘She is? Wow! I’ve no words for what her and Brodie are doing for us. They really are the best friends.’

Later, Bella sat with her arm linked through Isla’s as they watched everyone dancing. ‘Granny, I have a very important question to ask you.’

Isla turned in her seat to smile at her granddaughter. ‘Anything, my sweet girl. Ask away.’

‘Would you be my maid of honour?’

Isla’s brow crumpled and tears welled in her eyes. ‘Och, dearie, I wasnae expecting that. Surely you’d rather have one of your young friends for that job, not some old yin like me?’

Bella took her hand and squeezed it. ‘Granny, you’re my best friend, you’re the one I’d like to take the role. If you’d like to, that is.’

Isla sniffed and reached up to wipe her tears away. ‘In that case, I’d be absolutely honoured, and wild starlings couldn’t keep me away.’

Bella giggled. ‘I’m so glad. The only thing is… The colour scheme isn’t purple or lilac.’

Isla huffed. ‘In that case you can ask someone else.’

Bella tilted her head. ‘Granny?’

Isla giggled and nudged her. ‘Och, okay, seeing as it’s you I’ll wear whatever colour you like. I’m just touched and honoured that you asked me.’

‘I’m touched and honoured that you accepted.’

* * *

Bertie got lots of attention and cuddles throughout the evening and Bella shared stories of how he loved to run off with socks and had discovered a love of carrots after one had fallen on the floor while Harris had been cooking. She had reminisced how the pup had ended up with an orange face after that particular encounter.

Ben and Skye left around ten o’clock as Skye was worn out, and once she had gone, Bella sat chatting with Olivia and Brodie while the band packed away their gear.

‘We have a business proposition for you, Bells,’ Brodie said as he sipped his whisky.

Bella tilted her head in intrigue. ‘Ooooh, go on, tell me more,’ she said as a ripple of excitement travelled her spine. The memories of her first real taste of interior design, working on the rental apartments at Drumblair Castle, were still some of her fondest and she hoped this was going to be something similar.

‘How are you fixed for time just now? Design-wise, I mean,’ he asked.

Bella narrowed her eyes. ‘It’s pretty full-on just now. But mainly small residential jobs apart from a vintage fashion shop interior I’m working on… Why do you ask?’ She hoped she knew the reason but didn’t dare presume.

He glanced at Olivia and she grinned as she took over the conversation. ‘Okay, so you know the distillery is up and running back at the castle?’

‘Ooh, I do, it’s very exciting.’

‘Well… we’ve decided not only to make the drinks and sell them in the castle gift shop but to open the place up to do tours and talk about our whisky and gin-making journey. The front of the building is a blank canvas right now seeing as it was only going to be used for storage and it lends itself perfectly to becoming the reception and shop area. So, we’re going to need a stunning and welcoming interior to be created, and I wondered if you knew anyone.’ She had a glint of mischief in her eyes.

Bella pursed her lips. ‘Hmm… the trouble is, all my fellow designers are pretty chocka just now…’ She tapped her chin, feigning concentration and trying not to smile. ‘But there is this one designer I know who would absolutely jump at the challenge.’

Olivia smiled. ‘Are they any good?’

Bella nodded slowly and narrowed her eyes. ‘Oh, they’re incredible. World renowned in their own back yard. They completed a house in Glentorrin for the police inspector, no less.’

Brodie smiled and Olivia’s grin widened. ‘Sounds good! I’m guessing they’re modest and unassuming too?’

Bella laughed out loud. ‘Now that’s something I can’t promise. In all seriousness though, you guys, I’m in! And… I’ll do the design for free.’

Brodie’s brow crumpled. ‘What? No, you can’t do that! You have a business to run.’