Justin closed the front door. ‘Do you wish to see the kitchen?’ he asked.
Isla nodded and followed him through. The kitchen was more modern in feel than the living room, with gleaming white units, stainless-steel accessories and a light wooden dining table with storm lamps hanging above. The large windows behind the dining table looked out onto a stunning mountain view.
They went upstairs. Three bedrooms, all en-suite with showers, apart from the master bedroom which had a bathroom that contained a huge free-standing bath and a large window looking out onto the same mountains as the dining table below.
‘That’s some bath time,’ Isla murmured, and Justin grinned.
‘You like it?’
‘Grandma Sarah must have been minted.’
‘Minted?’
‘She must have been rich.’
Justin shrugged. ‘She did OK. Your father paid for some refurbishment shortly before she died. He loaned a lot of money.’ He looked squarely at Isla. ‘He wanted his mother to be comfortable, but also I believe he and my aunt thought they would inherit this place when she died. But they need money now… things are not so good for them since that.’
Isla nodded. She’d been determined that the house wouldn’t influence her decisions regarding both inheritances and she was still determined now. If she agreed to anything, it would be on her terms. Instead, she simply folded her arms and looked up at Justin. ‘Well, that backfired.’
‘Yes.’
‘Perhaps he should have just kept his money safe instead of splashing it out here with no promises that it would become his.’
‘I do not know if it was promised or not. Perhaps it was.’
‘And then Sarah changed her mind?’
Justin inclined his head. ‘Perhaps.’
‘Was he angry?’
‘Perhaps, at first.’
‘I’m surprised they didn’t contest the will – see if there was some way to freeze me out. They could have done and I would never have even known about this place.’
‘My aunt may have done that – she did not know you,’ he replied, and Isla was impressed by his refreshing frankness. ‘But my uncle… I think he would not let her do that.’
‘I can see why she was upset to be honest.’ And she could, even though she hated to admit it. The place was fantastic, and it must have cost a fortune to refurbish. She couldn’t even imagine how much it must be worth. And she didn’t feel she deserved it, now that she was here. How could she take this gift with the new strings attached? Ian and Celine had borrowed money to do it up in good faith and then Grandma Sarah had bypassed them without so much as an explanation or acknowledgement. Her gaze wandered the bathroom again and then turned once more to Justin. ‘You knew I’d feel guilty about it if you brought me out here.’
‘That is not the reason we’re here. I wanted to help. I wanted you to see what you were throwing away, and Ian did too.’
‘Surely he’d have been better off fighting the case in court to claim all of his mother’s estate instead of jumping through hoops with me to get it.’
‘Maybe, and maybe he could win. But that is not his plan.’
‘You believe he genuinely wants me back in his life?’
‘I know it doesn’t seem that way. Perhaps he did not even know it himself before your grandmother died and left the condition in her will, but I believe he does. Even more now he has met you.’
‘What about Celine and her kids?’
‘When they heard that you had to come and meet him…’ He scratched his head and frowned. Isla guessed that he was feeling he’d already said too much.
‘They didn’t want me to come?’
‘They didn’t think you would. They wished that Monsieur Rousseau wouldn’t be able to find you.’
‘I bet they would have wished a bit harder if they’d known what Grandma had put aside for me,’ Isla said with a wry smile.
‘They thought it might be a little cash, maybe some jewellery. They would have been unhappy about that. But this house…’ He glanced around and shook his head. ‘I did not know her well, but I heard Celine say many times that your grandmother could be strange and mischievous. Maybe she left this house to you because she thought it was funny. She and my aunt did not always like each other and things got worse in the last few years.’
‘Why are you telling me all this?’
‘Does it matter if you know? I don’t see what difference it makes – it does not change the facts. This place is yours, if you want it.’
‘You know all about the deal?’
‘Yes, that my uncle inherits his mother’s house in Scotland and some of her money.’
Isla appraised Justin silently for a moment. ‘And what do you get?’ she asked finally.
‘Me?’
‘You’ve gone to an awful lot of trouble to get me here and onside. So, what’s in it for you?’
‘Nothing. I’m here because Ian asked me to talk to you.’
‘He could have persevered and I would have talked to him eventually. Why did you need to be involved?’
‘I wanted to help.’
‘Him, me or yourself?’
He turned his back on her and began to make for the stairs. ‘Are you hungry?’ he asked in a dull voice. ‘It is not fresh but there are tin cans and dry goods in the kitchen. We could use our imagination to make some lunch?’
Isla hung back. There had to be more to it than he was letting on and yet he’d looked so mortally wounded at her accusation that perhaps she was wrong? But when she followed him into the kitchen, an apology on her lips, he didn’t look round and he didn’t acknowledge her. He began to rifle through the store cupboards, placing packs and tins out onto the counter.
‘OK, so we have beans, vegetable soup, pasta and sauce, rice, ketchup…’
‘Pasta sounds good. Justin – I’m sorry about what I said. I didn’t mean to infer that you were trying to pull a fast one or anything, it’s just… You have to understand that it’s hard for me to trust Ian. And, unfortunately, as you’re on his side, it’s hard for me to trust you too.’
He straightened up and closed the cupboard door. ‘I’m not on anyone’s side. I was trying to help, that’s all.’ Then he broke into a small smile. ‘And I thought you were nice… good-looking. I thought I would like to spend a little time with you.’
Isla narrowed her eyes. ‘Are you flirting with me? We’re cousins, don’t forget.’
‘That’s not what you said when we first met. Do I need to remind you that you were the one who said we’re not really cousins at all?’
‘Ah, fair-weather cousin? Cousin when it suits you.’
He grinned now, the tension of earlier easing again. ‘What is your saying? All is fair in love and war.’
‘We’re not in love.’
‘Not yet,’ he said, and before she’d had time to reply he strode out of the room, muttering something about firewood.
Isla frowned. Was he coming on to her? She wasn’t sure whether she should be appalled given his connection or deeply impressed by his efforts. He wasn’t a blood relative, true. And he wasn’t bad-looking either. Good company – witty, smart, gorgeous, and with the most dreamy French accent. And he seemed nice. She had kept telling herself how she needed to let go of all this distrust that poisoned every potential relationship. Maybe Justin wasn’t such a bad place to start.
She shook away the idea. It was the most stupid one she’d ever had. A relationship with him would never work – not even a casual fling. Things were complicated enough without adding sex to the mix. Especially sex with someone who, even though he wasn’t actually related to her, was close enough to it. She couldn’t let anything cloud her judgement, and it was more important now than ever that she kept a clear head. She didn’t know what she wanted, but she knew that when she made the decision, it had to be hers alone, without any influence from anyone who might not have her best interests at heart. First Sebastian and now Justin – what was it wi
th her and men this week?
Letting out a sigh, she took another long look at the kitchen. Her gaze was drawn to the mountains beyond the vast windows. Imagine being able to sit every day and look out on that majesty. Imagine owning that view. Even if you only made it over once a year it would be worth the wait. But this was crazy, surely? She was a practically penniless student and, in reality, what would she do with a house like this? How could she afford the upkeep, let alone the regular flights to come and visit? Grandma Sarah must have been out of her tiny mind. Or else, she really did have a mischievous streak a mile wide. The sensible decision would have been to give it to Ian and Celine, who could look after it and use it. Isla could sell it, she supposed, but that hardly seemed fair now that she knew just how much Ian and Celine had invested in it. She could give it to them. But was she allowed to do that? She looked around again, and it was so achingly beautiful, so beyond her wildest dreams that she could ever hope to own something like this that, when it came to the crunch, could she really bear to give it away? She may never have an opportunity like this again – this was life-changing stuff. If she could find a way to make it hers and keep it, the idea of bringing friends over, even her mother (once she’d forgiven Isla for ever coming to St Martin in the first place) was a wonderful dream. She could have such amazing times here, and she could gift equally amazing times to those she loved, give them the sort of holidays they could never afford otherwise. And one day, maybe she’d even think of relocating more permanently. Perhaps the day would come when she’d want to say goodbye to England and move out here. She couldn’t imagine it, but the idea that she had a choice was a nice one.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the return of Justin carrying an armful of firewood. ‘It’s cold. I thought you would like a fire.’
‘That sounds lovely,’ Isla said, wondering vaguely how long he was planning for them to stay. She’d assumed that it would be a jaunt out, a quick look around and then back to her hotel, and so she hadn’t asked. But then she hadn’t expected much of the house either. ‘You want me to start lunch while you do that?’
‘You’ll be able to find everything you need?’ he asked.
‘Probably not, but I might as well have a go rather than stand here like a prune.’
‘Be my guest,’ he called over his shoulder as he stomped through to the living room with his wood. ‘I will help as soon as I have done this.’
Isla turned back to the pile of food he’d laid out on the counter. She wasn’t entirely sure what to do with the pasta and sauce that wouldn’t be pure student fare. Unfortunately, student fare was about her level so he was going to have to lump it. She stuck her head back in the cupboard and came across some tins of tuna. Now that was more like it. It wasn’t going to be gourmet cooking, but it would be a tasty warming meal to keep them going until they headed back.
A small smile stretched her lips, despite the warnings in her head. She was cooking in her own kitchen for the first time ever. Not yours yet, she kept on telling herself, but she couldn’t shake the tiny kick of excitement deep inside. Not yet, but it could be.
They sat with their bowls of pasta in front of a roaring fire in the living room and it was perfect, like a Christmas music video where they laughed and joked and ate in the warm glow. Only the decorations were missing, and when Isla mentioned this Justin broke into a grin.
‘I remember being here once near to Christmas time and I helped your grandmother bring some decorations up from her basement. Perhaps they are still there. We could look.’
Isla glanced around the room. ‘It sounds like fun, but is there any point? It’s not like I’ll be here to see them after today.’
‘But you are here today. And if you like I can come here to pack them away after Christmas. I pass by often and it would not be too difficult.’
‘Sounds crazy to me.’ Isla shook her head slowly. ‘Though I suppose I am quite curious to see what’s in the basement.’
‘Bon. You will enjoy it. Afterwards, if the sky is still light, I will show you more of the garden.’
Isla frowned. ‘I didn’t see that the house had a garden…’
‘That is because the house does not need one. The mountains and valleys are your garden. The most wonderful garden you could have.’
‘I don’t doubt that,’ Isla smiled. ‘It sounds good to me.’
He leapt to his feet and held out a hand to Isla. ‘Let us go to the basement!’
He said it like it was an offer to a luxury spa day. It wasn’t exactly the most attractive proposal she’d ever had but she was curious nevertheless. After the briefest of hesitations, she pushed herself from her corner of the sofa and followed him.
Once her eyes had adjusted to the gloomy light of a single dull bulb they took in the racks that lined the walls, full of tools, old appliances, snowshoes, wooden skis, mouldering tarpaulins, rusting snow chains and even tins of paint.
‘This needs a good clear out,’ Isla said, wrinkling her nose. ‘It’s all very well refurbishing upstairs, but when was the last time anyone came down here?’
‘I don’t know,’ Justin said. ‘I have been down here only once.’ He gave the space a thoughtful once-over. ‘But I will tell my uncle and aunt that it should be done. You are right.’
‘I don’t suppose they’ll care about a house that won’t end up being theirs,’ Isla said. ‘If I had more time I’d have a go myself. Perhaps that’s a job to put on a list for when I take ownership.’
‘You are going to take the house?’ Justin said with an expression of mild surprise. ‘Will you live here all the time?’
‘I haven’t actually decided for sure I’m taking the house,’ she said. ‘Because I haven’t decided if I can forgive my father. And as for living here all year round, that’s impossible. If I visit at all it would be once a year maximum.’
He nodded before rummaging in some boxes on a shelf. ‘It makes you sad,’ he said.
‘What does?’
‘That your father left you and came to live in St Martin.’
‘Wouldn’t you be? And not sad, but furious. Especially when I see him with a new family. He loves them and it’s hard to take.’
‘He loves you too.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous.’
Justin turned to her and gave a vague shrug. ‘You do not believe me, but he is your father. All fathers love their children.’
‘Has your dad always been there for you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then you couldn’t possibly know what it’s been like for me.’
He looked as though he would argue, but then he turned back to his search. ‘I am sorry; you’re right. I do not know what it has been like for you. But I believe he loves you.’
‘Can we not talk about it?’ Isla said, pinching the bridge of her nose and squeezing her eyes shut. The room was beginning to close in on her and she wanted to get back to the glorious light-filled spaces of the house above. ‘If you’re struggling to find the decorations then maybe we should just forget the idea. They might not even be here now – although I don’t see how that could be the case if all this other crap has been kept.’
‘Ah! Here is one… and there is another.’
Isla made her way over. He handed her a box before taking hold of the second one and then gestured for her to go back upstairs first, flicking the basement light off as they emerged into the natural light of the main house again. In the kitchen they placed the boxes onto the counter. Justin blew the dust off the lid of the first one and opened it up.
‘I think these are old,’ he said, taking a painted glass bauble out and holding it up to the light.
‘Perhaps they’re Grandma’s spare ones or something, old ones she brought from home and left here. They’re still in a good condition though.’
‘My aunt says she cared for things very well. But I think she was really saying that she was mean.’
‘She doesn’t strike me as someone who was mean. After all, she left me thi
s house.’
Justin shrugged as he retrieved another bauble from the box and laid it out on the counter next to the first one. ‘She had a lot of money because she didn’t spend it. She would not pay for repairs on this house because she said none were needed, but the roof was leaking and many things were old and rotten.’
‘But it’s huge. She must have paid a lot for it.’
‘Not so much. It was a low price because the family who owned it wanted to sell quickly.’
‘Didn’t she find it annoying that Ian and Celine wanted to make changes if she was happy with the house?’
‘Maybe.’ He scratched a hand through his hair. ‘Maybe that is why she decided to give it to you. Mais, she is not here to tell us so we’ll never know.’ By now there was a row of shining baubles on the counter. Justin glanced down at them and back up at Isla. ‘There is no tree. Where do you want to put these?’
‘They’re pretty,’ Isla said, tracing a finger over the bevelled surface of one of the baubles.
‘Unless you would like to take an axe from the basement and find a tree outside?’ Justin asked.
‘God, no! I wouldn’t want to do that, especially as we won’t even be here to enjoy it.’
A Cosy Candlelit Christmas: A wonderfully festive feel good romance (An Unforgettable Christmas Book 2) Page 10