Page 9 of Snowy Surprises in the Highlands

‘Which was?’ Olivia asked.

‘We’d had such a lovely night and there were no signs that anything was wrong until we got home. But when we did, he asked me if I had any regrets and said something about life being too short to be marrying the wrong person. I’m worried he’s getting cold feet.’

Skye raised her eyebrows. ‘Harris? Cold feet? Pfft, he’s got the warmest feet of any man I know.’ Olivia turned to her with a questioning look, so Skye elaborated. ‘What I mean is, he absolutely adores you, Bells. There’s not a chance on earth that he has cold feet. Are you sure he’s not worried you’ve got cold feet?’

Bella’s heart sank. ‘But why would I? He’s everything to me. And I’ve never given him any reason to think anything else.’

Olivia reached out and squeezed Bella’s arm. ‘Don’t forget he’d had alcohol, and he rarely drinks so maybe it was just the red wine melancholy. It happens a lot to people who don’t usually drink much. Maybe he was just feeling so much love for you that he was overwhelmed?’

Bella shrugged as the waitress brought a tray with their drinks and three plates with luscious deep cakes covered in thick chocolate frosting. Bella’s mouth watered as the rich aroma of coffee and chocolate mixed and reached her senses. ‘I hope that’s all it was. We can usually talk about anything, so it’s knocked me sideways.’

‘Look, give him a couple of days and approach him again. I think you’ll find that it’s absolutely nothing to worry about.’ Olivia was always so positive and optimistic and at that moment it was just what Bella needed.

She took a deep breath and decided to change the subject. ‘Enough glumness. I have a favour to ask you both.’

‘Ooh, that sounds intriguing, go on,’ Skye said, jiggling in her seat.

‘Do you need to pee, Skye?’

Skye cringed and held up her finger and thumb. ‘Little bit. This little monkey likes playing footy with my bladder.’ She patted her bump.

‘Go on then, I’ll wait ’til you get back.’

Skye waddled off to the loo and Olivia watched her. ‘It’s so exciting that she’ll be a mum in April. Her little boy is going to be adored,’ she said.

‘I know. Have they chosen a name yet?’ Bella asked.

‘Apparently but she’s keeping it quiet for now. Although you know what Skye is like with us. Can’t hold her own water… literally.’ She giggled. ‘I bet we’ll know before we head home today.’

* * *

A few minutes later, Skye returned and sat down once more. She narrowed her eyes. ‘What? Why are you looking at me like that?’

‘We were just talking about you being a mum to a little baby boy soon.’

Skye smoothed her hand over her bump and smiled. ‘See, Theo, me and Daddy aren’t the only ones excited to meet you.’ She snapped her head up and widened her eyes. ‘Dammit. Pretend you didn’t hear that.’

Bella and Olivia burst out laughing and both stood to hug their friend where she sat in her chair.

‘What a lovely name,’ Bella said, placing a hand on Skye’s bump as her eyes welled with tears.

‘It’s gorgeous,’ Olivia said, doing the same.

‘Ugh, me and my big mouth. Anyway, what did you have to ask us, Bella?’ Bella and Olivia sat down again.

‘Okay so… I was wondering if you might be my bridesmaids for the wedding in December?’

Skye and Olivia shared smiles. ‘Absolutely!’ they said in unison.