Page 54 of Highland Hearts Holiday Bookshop

“Oh, wow. Okay. How do I look?” I automatically brushed my hands down my outfit.

“Bonnie,” Edina said, and Esther agreed.

I’d been torn on what to wear that morning, not having much in the way of Christmas-themed clothes, and had settled on a satin slip skirt with a whisper-soft cashmere sweater in red that hugged my curves. I’d teased my hair into bouncy curls and hung sparkly drops at my ears. I’d slicked on red lipstick that matched my sweater exactly and felt pretty good about myself.

Breezing past the crowd, I caught a brief smile from Alexander before I ducked outside and posed for the photographer in front of the bookshop.My bookshop. The very thought thrilled me.

Even more so that I’d been inspired to pull out my own languishing manuscript and start editing what I’d written. The bones of the story were good,but I had so much more to add now. Ideas swirled in my brain, and I’d started waking up earlier than usual just to spend some time alone with my manuscript in the morning.

So many changes in such a short time. At some point, I knew I needed to process all of this on a cellular and emotional level, but for now, I was just riding the high of discovering a whole new life waiting for me that felt like me turning a key to unlock a door.

“Famous already,” Alexander said at my back, as the photographer waved goodbye. Turning, I grinned up at him. We hadn’t had much chance to speak once the party had kicked off even though I found my eyes straying to him more than once.

“You can say you knew me when.” I flipped my hair over my shoulder.

“Aren’t I the lucky one? Will you still talk to us plebs when you’re known around the world?” His smile reached his eyes now, much less forced than it had been the first time I’d met him. It seemed he was becoming better at socializing, at least from what I could tell, as his somewhat tense demeanor had eased some under the Book Bitches’ constant yammering this week. Once you got over how terrifying they were, it was surprisingly easy to be around the women. You could talk or not talk. It didn’t matter much to them as they would just chatter right over you. I found myself tuning out of their conversations as much as I joined them.

“I’ll consider it.” Looking him up and down, I gave him an approving nod. “You, sir, look smashing tonight.”

“Och, thanks.” Alexander glanced down at his kilt and shrugged. “Figured it was festive enough.”

“It works.”

A look passed between us, and I couldn’t help but think about the last time we’d stood in this spot, and how his lips had inspired many a naughty dream that week.

Car doors slammed and I turned to see a group of men and women, all with clipboards, approach.

“Oh, this must be the judges. Can you get the ladies?” I squeezed Alexander’s arm before turning to greet the group of judges. The door swung open behind me and the women clambered out, silent for once, as I explained the concept.

“Hello, welcome to Highland Hearts. This week’s window concept was Under the Sea.” I raised a hand and Alexander started the song.

A sound of approval came from the judges as the lights danced and twinkled, the conch shell moved, and the sharks darted among the kelp. At the end of it, they made notes on their clipboards before stepping closer to look at the figurines.

“Also, we’re having an open house party, and you’re all welcome to stop in for a drink and some food.”

The judges looked among each other and then bent to converse among themselves. One popped his head up.

“We’d love to pop in. But just for a moment.” With that, they put their clipboards back in their car and wandered into the shop for a chat. Esther punched my arm.

“Ow!” I glaredat her.

“Good thinking. Bribe them with treats. I’ve got Shannon ready to serve them the best banoffee pudding they’ve ever tasted.”

“I’m not bribing them. I’m just being friendly.”

“Uh-huh. I know a bribe when I see one. Speaking of friendly, Samuel just arrived, and we need to figure out, you know.” Esther opened her eyes wide and made exaggerated gestures toward the man who looked at us in confusion from the sidewalk.

“Should I be aware of something?” Samuel asked, and I pasted my customer service smile on, pushing Esther aside with a little more force than necessary. She was older, but she was strong. She could take it.

“Just an interpretive dance move she’s been working on. Come in, come in.” I ushered Samuel past a glaring Esther and inside. “How was your day today?”

“Och, well enough I suppose. No major dramas among my employees and everything ran fairly smoothly with the customers, so I call that a win.” He wore a cheerful smile and was dressed nicely in straight leg jeans and a fitted black sweater.

“I think that’s all we can hope for in retail, right? I’m assuming that’s what you’re in?”

“Och, apologies. Of course you wouldn’t know. I’m Samuel and I manage the local Tesco. Just up the road.”

“Welcome to Highland Hearts. I appreciate you stopping by. Here, have a seat and I’ll grab you a drink.”

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