Page 55 of Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop

“Don’t mind if I do. Been on my feet since six this morning.” Samuel sat down in one of the turquoise velvet chairs tucked in a corner and I went to get him a beer andsearch for Edina. By the time I’d grabbed the beer, because people stopped me every two seconds for a chat, I hadn’t been able to find Edina. Damn it. I hoped she hadn’t snuck out.

Returning to Samuel, I gasped as I walked through the crowd just in time to see Esther hip-check Edina so hard the woman went flying onto Samuel’s lap. He grabbed Edina, pulling her close so she wouldn’t fall, and the two locked eyes.

“Esther,” I hissed, my eyebrows at my hairline. “What are you doing?”

“Just helping love along,” Esther whispered.

“You can’t do that,” I gritted out between a forced smile.

“Just did.” Esther cooed and waved at Edina. “So sorry, dear. I just don’t see as well these days. Samuel, you’re so sweet to catch her. Have you two met?”

About as transparent as a shower door.

“Go get Edina a drink.” I elbowed her.

“You get her a drink,” Esther said.

“If she has a drink, she’ll stay longer,” I mumbled, still smiling.

Esther finally left and I let out a shaky sigh of relief. This was my first match, and I wasn’t letting Esther take it away from me.

“I’m Edina,” Edina said and made a move to get off his lap. He held her still.

“Samuel.”

The moment drew out and I wasn’t sure if I should slowly melt back into the crowd when Samuel joltedand seemed to realize he was holding a strange woman on his lap at a party.

“Och, apologies. I should let you get down. It isn’t often a bonnie lass such as yourself lands in my lap.”

“Oh, well, aren’t you sweet?” A flush of pleasure crossed Edina’s face as she eased herself off his lap and into the chair next to him. She glanced up at me and I widened my eyes, giving her a subtle nod in Samuel’s direction. Recognition flooded her face, and she gave me a quick nod of understanding back.

“Your drink.” I handed Samuel his drink just as Esther returned with a glass of wine for Edina. Blessedly, seeing the two ready for a chat, Esther didn’t interrupt other than to hand off the wine, and we both faded silently back into the crowd.

“I did it,” Esther crowed, turning to me in delight.

“Wedid it,” I pointed out, annoyed.

“Yeah, yeah. If I had waited on you, those two would be walking with a cane before they met.”

“He’s been in the shop for all of ten seconds, Esther.”

“Excuse me, are you Rosie?”

I turned to find the woman who had the two children that Alexander had been playing with earlier. A pretty woman with tired eyes, she glanced around nervously.

“I am. How may I help you?”

The woman wet her lips and then took a deep breath, and then another, before reaching into her pocket and pulling out a twenty-pound note.

Esther shouldered me aside and honestly, thewoman’s strength was astounding. I took a step back in order not to fall.

“Is it the Highland Hearts Special you’re wanting? Best to talk to me.” Esther tapped her chest. “I’m the expert.”

“You are not the expert,” I said, trying to step in front of Esther. “Ignore her.”

“I set them up, didn’t I? Look how well that’s going.” Esther jerked a thumb toward the new couple who were laughing over their drinks.

“Oh, well, yes, that does look nice. It’s just?—”

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