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Then he kissed her, a slow, sweet melting kiss that made her sigh and lean into him. Just as quickly as the kiss began, it was over. Ella whimpered in protest.
Baird ran his thumb across her soft, sensitive lower lip. “You drive me mad, Eloise.”
“Not Eloise.”
“Eloise to me.”
She rolled her eyes but also laughed. “You are impossible. This is impossible. I thought we were fighting the attraction.”
“We are,” he said solemnly. “We’re not giving in.”
“What was that kiss then?”
“A reminder that we must remain on guard, vigilant to threats and danger.”
Ella slowly shook her head, aware that she’d already lost that war. Baird had snared her heart and she doubted he’d ever give it back.
Pulling up to the cottage a half hour later, things looked vastly different from how they’d left the cottage this morning. White fairy lights sparkled from inside the cottage. A fresh fragrant wreath hung on the front door. Ella glanced at Baird as he turned the engine off, but he seemed as surprised as she did.
“What’s happened?” she asked a slight catch in her voice, surprise and confusion.
“Somebody’s been here,” he said.
Somebody had been there. Entering the cottage, they discovered the rustic interior had been transformed into the most charming Christmas wonderland with a lush tabletop tree covered in little lights and delicate ornaments. Fresh greenery adorned the mantle, boughs dotted with white votive candles that were all glowing. More greenery hung above the kitchen window, the greenery decorated with dried slices of oranges and lemons and charming green plaid bows.
Ella looked around and then at Baird, completely in awe. “Who did this?”
“I don’t know. Your sister maybe?”
“She couldn’t have done it herself.”
“Maybe with Alec’s then?” he answered, entering the kitchen and going to the stove where a copper pot sat on the burner. He removed the lid, and cinnamon and spice filled the air. “Mulled wine.” He glanced at her. “Should we have a cup?”
“I think we must.” Ella laughed. “Mulled wine, in England, by the fire. How can it get any better than this?”
“We could be having mulled wine in Scotland by the fire.”
They stayed up late talking—chatting, really—about nothing and everything and with a blanket wrapped around her and the fire cracking and popping Ella felt good, relieved to have things comfortable between her and Baird again. She learned a lot that evening about Christmas in the United Kingdom, not realizing how different countries had such different customs. She hadn’t known that Christmas in Scotland had been banned for hundreds of years, and baking Yule bread had been a criminal act. Christmas didn’t even become a recognized holiday until the 1950s, which was why Hogmanay was such a special occasion in Scotland. Since the people couldn’t celebrate Christmas, New Year’s became incredibly important.
Finally, it was time to go to bed and Ella helped blow out the candles, but she lingered for a moment by the tree, not yet wanting to unplug the lights. “It was the best surprise,” she said. “Can’t wait to thank Alec and Cara.”
In bed, Ella sent a quick text to her sister. Thank you for the most wonderful surprise. I love it all. It’s absolutely magical!
Cara didn’t answer, but Ella wasn’t surprised. Cara was going to bed early these days and when she woke up, she’d see the text.
*
Baird was outfor his early morning run, frost glittering everywhere. It was a beautiful morning, the air cold, the sky blue. There was no snow in the forecast, but the frost was just as beautiful, turning everything a glittery white.
He heard dogs barking and turned to see Otis and Milo running toward him, with Alec not far behind.
“Look at you, laddie,” Baird said, greeting Alec as he joined him. “Didn’t realize you could still run with those arthritic hips and knees.”
“I have no arthritis, old boy, and if you remember, I could always outrun you. I’m sure I still can.”
“Are you challenging me to a race?”
“I can’t. I’d hate to show you up on Christmas.”
