by Jennae Vale
The truck turned into the drive along the side of the inn and proceeded to the back where Avery stopped and got out. Conall joined her. He balanced the tree on his shoulder and followed her inside.
“You can lean it here while we get the stand and decorations from the attic.”
He did as instructed and then went with her up the stairs to the third floor, where a narrow stairway led to a false panel in the ceiling. She lifted it and moved it aside before disappearing into the space above. A moment later, she was peering down at him. “Are you coming up?”
Once he reached the top and joined her, he was surprised to see a large space with windows on either end. It was filled with stacked boxes. Clothing hung on long poles that ran the length of one wall. Furniture pieces were also scattered around here and there. “What is all of this?”
“Things I don’t use anymore and some things, like the decorations, that I only need some of the time.” She was stacking boxes near the stairs. “I think this is everything.”
“I’ll take care of it.” He lifted a stack of boxes.
“Are you sure?”
“Go on. I’ll have them down to ye in no time.”
“Okay.” She headed back downstairs. He watched her go to be sure she didn’t fall. The stairs were quite steep and narrow. She waited for him down below, gazing up at him with the sweetest smile. Avery was so beautiful to him. He could stand there all day and enjoy her smile, but he had a job to do and she was waiting for him.
He carefully brought down all the boxes to the landing and then returned to put the panel back in place.
“My husband used to do this with me. It’s been a long time since I’ve had help with the decorations.” Normally thinking of Jim around the holidays would make her feel sad, but today was different. Conall was here with her and there was no awkwardness between them as they worked. It was as though he was meant to be here. Maybe Crystal was right after all.
They got everything back down to the sitting room where Avery set up the tree stand. She filled it with water and guided him as he placed the tree trunk into the hole in the stand.
“Okay. You hold it and I’ll tighten the screws,” she said, disappearing under the tree. Once finished she sat back, looking up at the tree. “It’s beautiful and it smells so good.”
“What next?” he asked.
“We’ll get the lights on and the decorations. This is going to be fun. Tonight, everyone is coming over to have some hot chocolate and sing carols.” She began humming an unfamiliar tune and he found he was captivated by her. Everything she did fascinated him. She showed him how to hang ornaments on the tree while she decorated the mantel over the fireplace. Between the two of them, they had the entire interior finished by lunchtime.
“Later Justin from the hardware store is going to put the lights up outside. He does it for me every year.” She spun around the room. “Everything looks so pretty. Thank you for helping me. Are you hungry?”
“I am.” He wondered who this Justin was and why she needed his help. He was perfectly capable of doing anything she needed done.
“Let’s go get some lunch at the bakery.” She grabbed her coat off the coat rack and handed him his jacket and a scarf.
Her sweet smile melted his heart and put thoughts of Justin aside. He had no right to be jealous of Justin or any other man. Avery wasn’t his and would never be. He would be gone in a day or two and that would be the end of it.
Chapter 9
“Welcome!” Avery held the door open as her friends were about to descend on the lobby of the inn.
“The lights outside are so pretty. You did an amazing job as usual.” Kirsten and Bear were the first ones in the door.
“Justin gets all the credit for the lights,” Avery replied.
“Is he coming tonight?” Sue, Amy’s business partner, asked.
“No. He has a party in Tahoe City. Hang your coats over here.” Avery indicated the coat rack and hooks by the front door.
Cassie rubbed her hands together and headed straight for the fireplace. “I love all the little Victorian touches you’ve used to decorate.”
“It goes with the inn,” Avery said.
“Where’s Amy?” Billie asked.
“She’ll be here soon. She had to close the shop and then she went home to get dressed.”
“And your guests?” Crystal seemed nervous, which didn’t make Avery feel any better about things.
“I don’t know if they’ll be down or not.” She’d invited them, but Conall said he didn’t want to ruin her evening so it would be best if they stayed upstairs. She really wanted to find out what was going on, but this was a Christmas party and it was supposed to be fun and full of good feelings for everyone, so she’d leave it for now.
Rose and Walt appeared in the doorway. “Knock, knock.” Walt was carrying a large bakery box in his arms.
“I’ll go put this in the dining room.” Rose waved to everyone and then guided Walt and the box out of sight.
“I wonder what she brought.” Kirsten looked up at Bear, who just shrugged.
“Whatever it is, I’m sure it will be delicious.” Billie joined Cassie in front of the fire.
“I set up a hot chocolate bar in the dining room, so please help yourselves.”
“Yum! Let’s go, Kade!” Billie grabbed Kade’s hand and pulled him along with her.
The others followed behind, with the exception of Cassie and Ross.
“Are you okay?” Cassie asked.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Avery knew exactly why she was asking.
“It was really kind of you to let those two stay here with you, but Ross and I wanted you to know that you don’t need to feel responsible for them.”
“Someone has to help them. They’re here alone, in a different time, and I won’t have them living in a cave. Conall and Gavin have been perfect gentlemen. As a matter of fact, Conall helped me cut down the tree and he also helped me decorate it. I’m happy to have them here.” She could hear the irritation in her own voice, but it was only because she felt indignant about the way the men were being treated.
“We don’t want to spoil things, but you really should have a talk with us about them. Maybe tomorrow morning over coffee at the bakery.”
“I don’t see what the big deal is. They’ve been very helpful here and at the ski shop, but sure, I’ll be happy to hear what you have to say.” An uncomfortable feeling came over her. They all usually got along so well. She hoped this wasn’t going to change that.
“Avery, please don’t be mad.” Cassie put a hand on her arm to stop her as she turned to walk away. “We’re just worried about you and Amy.”
“I better go make sure everyone is doing okay with the hot chocolate.”
“I’m here!” Amy closed the door behind her.
“We’re in the dining room,” Avery called to her.
She hung up her coat and headed to the sound of laughter and happily chatting voices.
“Hi, Amy!” Billie gave her a big hug, followed by one from Kade.
“You look good!” Kirsten gave her the once over. “How are things at the shop?”
Kirsten had only recently sold her portion of the shop to Amy, making her now a two-thirds owner. “Great! Couldn’t be better.” She tipped her head this way and that to see around her crowd of friends. Gavin and Conall weren’t there.
“Where are they?” she whispered into Avery’s ear.
“Upstairs. They didn’t want to spoil the night.”
“I might go up to see how they’re doing.”
“Bring them some hot chocolate and Christmas cookies.”
“Did Rose make these?”
“Silly question. You know I didn’t make them.”
She grabbed a few Christmas tree shaped cookies, a snowman and a Santa and placed them on a tray Avery handed her. Adding two mugs of hot chocolate, she snuck out of the room, which was pretty easy to do. Everyone was preoccupied admiring the beautiful Christmas ca
ke Rose brought. It was a sight to see decorated in red, green and gold with large buttercream poinsettias here and there on the two-tiered wonder.
Amy carefully made her way up the stairs doing her best not to spill anything. She breathed a sigh of relief when she reached the door to their room without losing a drop of hot chocolate. She knocked and waited. Not a sound.
“It’s me. Amy.” Her mouth was so close to the door she had to check to make sure she hadn’t left a lipstick smudge.
The door opened and Gavin’s sweet face greeted her. She gave him a quick peck on the lips, drinking in the feel of it and remembering their afternoon in the stockroom of the ski shop.
“Can I come in?” she asked.
Gavin moved out of the way and she breezed by, placing the tray on the only bureau in the room.
“Avery thought you might like some hot chocolate. I picked these cookies out especially for the two of you.”
“Thank ye,” Conall said from his chair by the window where he’d obviously been keeping an eye on the street in front of the inn. He let go of the curtain as he turned to face her.
Amy handed him a mug of hot chocolate. “I wasn’t sure if you wanted marshmallow or whipped cream, so I gave you both.”
“I’ve no’ had this before.”
“You haven’t? It’s sweet,” Amy explained.
She watched as he took a sip, excited to see his reaction and was delighted when he rolled his eyes in apparent pleasure and smiled.
Conall seemed to like everything he tried. Gavin was a bit pickier, but since this wasn’t a salad, she was pretty sure he was going to like it. “Your turn, Gavin.”
He took his cup from her hand and glanced at Conall.
“Drink it. It won’t kill ye.”
He took a sip and when he looked up, Amy couldn’t help but giggle. He had a dollop of whipped cream on his nose. Conall pointed to Gavin’s nose as he chuckled.
“Why do ye laugh?” Gavin sounded as if his feelings were hurt.
Amy grabbed a napkin and wiped the whipped cream away. “You had some on your nose.”
“Like this?” He dipped his finger into the whipped cream and placed a dollop on Amy’s nose.
“Gavin!” she swatted at him before wiping her nose with the same napkin.
He laughed and took a cookie. Breaking off a piece, he held it to Amy’s lips. She took the peace offering and relished the flavor of Rose’s lemon sugar cookie recipe. “Mmm…”
Gavin stroked her cheek and stared into her eyes with something that looked a lot like lust, but there was more there. She felt warm and fuzzy all over, but this wasn’t the time or the place.
“I better get back downstairs. I’m sorry you won’t be joining us.” It would be nice to enjoy the company of a handsome man for a change, as Cassie, Billie, Kirsten and Crystal were all doing downstairs. More than that, she was developing real feelings for Gavin. He was everything she’d dreamed of. Everything she wanted. Gavin was fun to be around, which she loved, but he was also a great companion who was easy to talk to and was also a good listener.
“As are we, but ’tis best we stay here. We doona wish to create trouble.” Conall lifted the curtain and gazed down at the street.
“Avery told me. I understand. I’ll see you when they’re gone.” She reluctantly left them for the party happening one floor below.
“What are we to do?” Gavin paced back and forth across their room, grabbing another cookie as he passed by the tray.
“We’ll stay here until they leave.”
“’Tis no’ what I meant. What are we to do about our cousins?” He didn’t wish to argue with his brother, but it seemed to him that they’d arrived on a fool’s errand. Taking the three Fletchers back with them through the cave was going to be near to impossible. “They won’t come willingly.”
“Then we’ll force them to come.” Conall continued his vigil without even a glance toward Gavin.
“Conall, we doona have to do this. We could stay here, as they have.” Gavin pleaded his case.
“I will no’ hear it. Especially from ye, brother. They’ve betrayed us and our clan. You are quick to forget, brother.” Conall sounded irritated with him.
“We’re all that’s left of our clan.” Gavin felt a sadness that was not usual for him and that he couldn’t keep from his voice.
It was obvious that Conall heard it. “Once we get our land back, we can send for all those who’ve left. We’ll tell them to come back. That life will be as it once was.”
“If only it were so. ’Tis but a dream ye have.” Gavin turned his back to his brother and sat on the edge of the bed.
“Not a dream. It will be so.” His stubborn brother spoke as if he could make it so.
Stubbornness was something Gavin couldn’t argue with. Maybe after they’d been here a bit longer, Conall would soften his position. How could he not? They could live like kings in this time. And Gavin would have Amy. The thought of her sent a strong jolt of desire through him. “Our cousins have done well for themselves in this place.”
Conall shot Gavin a scowl that would scare anyone who saw it. Anyone but him. He knew his brother well. He could scowl all he wanted, but Gavin wasn’t bothered by it. “Ye spent some time with Avery today. How was it?”
Conall let loose a long, slow breath. His shoulders relaxed as he turned away from the window. “She’s a lovely lass.”
“Is that all ye’ve got to say about her?” Gavin crossed his arms over his chest, determined to have this conversation.
“I ken ye spent yer day chasing Amy around her shop, but Avery is no’ like her.” Conall stood and moved closer to Gavin.
“What is she like? Tell me.” Gavin encouraged him to speak of her.
“She’s quiet, but not because she has to be. She’s thoughtful and kind. She’s strong. Her husband has passed and yet she continues to run this inn on her own.”
“She needs a man to help her.” Perhaps if Conall thought he was needed in this time he’d change his mind about going back.
“Nay. She does no’. I helped her today, but never once did I think she could no’ have done it all herself.”
“Do ye wish to make her yers?” Gavin asked, knowing this would rile his brother.
“I’m no’ a randy young lad like yerself,” Conall snarled.
“Ye did no’ answer me question. Do ye wish to make her yers?” More needling—maybe this time he’d get an answer.
Conall’s face softened along with his voice. “I’d be a fool to say I had no’ thought about her warming me bed. Avery is no’ the kind of woman for that. She needs a commitment. She needs love.”
“Ye could give it to her.” He pointed a finger at Conall.
His brother batted it away. “Where’s yer head at. Did ye no’ hear anything I just said?” The softness vanished and the scowl returned. “We’re no’ staying.”
Gavin knew it would be pointless to continue this conversation. Maybe in a day or two, Conall would be more willing to consider what could be.
His brother knew how to get under his skin like no other. He was no idjit. It was clear what Gavin was up to, but no matter how much he wanted Avery, he would no’ pursue her. It did no’ fit into their plans and he would no’ hurt her. Every moment they’d spent together had been a sweet respite from the past months of hardship.
When they’d discovered their cousins were missing, he and Gavin had searched for them, but found nothing. He’d wondered whether they were dead or had moved on like so many others. The commander at Fort William had assured him that if he could find the Fletchers and get them to sign documents stating that they would cease resisting the English that they could have their land back. It was as simple as that, but first they had to find them. The fact that they’d walked away and deserted the clan angered Conall. Bear was the clan chieftain. He should have stayed until the bitter end. If Bear no longer wanted to lead them, then Conall would. Conall’s heart was filled with animosity toward his cou
sins. He’d done what he had to do to survive. It meant working with the English even though he knew what the other Highlanders thought of him and Gavin for doing so. He didn’t care and they didn’t understand. There was a promise made. One he intended to reap the benefits of. All he wanted was the family land back, the land that belonged to them and had been wrongly stripped from their hands. If Bear wasn’t going to fight for it, then he would.
A light tap on the door got his attention before it opened and Avery peeked in.
“Is everything okay up here?” she asked.
“Come in,” Conall said from his seat by the window.
“Gavin, Amy is waiting for you downstairs.”
“Thank ye,” he bolted out the door without even a nod to his brother.
Conall chuckled. “It seems he’s missed her.”
“I hope he feels the same way about Amy as she seems to feel about him. I’ve never seen her like this before.” She shook her head as she gazed at the open doorway.
“Young love, aye?” Conall chuckled.
“In such a short time?” It had only been little more than a day.
“Have ye never fallen in love as fast?” he wondered.
“Not really. Amy acts on her gut instinct. I like to take my time.” She ran her finger over the wooden top of the bureau she stood by.
“As do I.” Why was he telling her this? “Has everyone left?” He knew the answer to that question. She wouldn’t be here if they hadn’t gone.
“They have. I was wondering if you wanted to come downstairs and enjoy the fireplace and a whisky.” She brushed her hair back behind her ear.
“Verra much.” He watched her as she turned back to the door and then glanced over her shoulder at him. He could lose his heart to this woman if he wasn’t careful.
They descended the stairs to the sitting room. “I’ll clean up a little later.”