Page 10 of A Scottish Christmas Hideaway
‘I guess I wasn’t expecting to see you in workie’s gear,’ she said tersely.
‘Are you only used to slick city lawyers these days?’
Urgh, he was so annoying. ‘No, I didn’t mean that . . . you look great,’ she said quickly before realising what she’d said.Why did she just say that?She wanted to disappear.
‘You think I look great, do you?’ He flashed that smile again.
Jessica felt her cheeks turn pink with annoyance. ‘I didn’t mean it like that and you know it. You haven’t changed at all, have you, Reuben?’
He eyed her with amusement. ‘And how are you, Jessie? Is it good to be back? Your mum did tell me you were going to be home for a few weeks. They’ve missed you. I hear you’ve not been home since last year.’
She stiffened at his sideways dig. Plus she had alwayshatedhim calling her Jessie when they were younger, and she bristled, feeling as though she was fourteen again. When she looked up at him, he was smiling mischievously at her. She felt her face flush as she noticed his strong forearms. It was like she’d had a knock to the head. He might have had old painting overalls on, but right now she realised he would look good in a bin bag. But he was still as aggravating as ever thinking he knew best.
‘Yes, I’m back for the holidays. Anyway, here you go,’ she said, practically shoving his jacket at him, desperate to get away. ‘What shall I say about lunch?’
‘Say thanks to your mum but that I’m on a roll at the moment with the painting, so I’ll just crack on. Maybe another time though, eh?’ He raised an eyebrow at her.
‘I’m sure you’ll be invited again, given howpopularyou are with everyone.’ She realised she sounded sulky but couldn’t help herself. She mumbled goodbye and walked down the path. Turning to close the gate, she gave Reuben a tight smile — he was watching her.
‘Bye, Jessie.’ He raised his hand and waved.
The less she saw of that man the better. He may well have grown up to be handsome and full of charm but he was as infuriating as he had been when they were kids.
* * *
As Reuben closed the door he couldn’t quite believe Jessica was back. She had always been his best friend’s annoying little sister. And she still was, as far as he could tell, as she was practically stamping her foot at the idea he was welcome at her family home. But she had certainly grown up and there was no denying she had a spark about herandwas gorgeous. He smiled to himself, realising having her back in the village could be fun.
Chapter Seven
Jessica had been home for four days. It was Thursday and she woke up to the sound of banging and clattering downstairs. It was still dark, and when she picked up her phone on the bedside table, the illuminated screen said it was a little after eight. Pulling the covers up around her shoulders, she thought about life in London, just last week. If she was still there, she would be sitting at her desk by now, with a bucket of coffee next to her. It was strange to be tucked up in bed in her childhood bedroom. For a fleeting moment, she felt as though she was falling, with no idea where she might land. For years, her focus on her career had kept propelling her through life. But now, as she rolled onto her side, Jessica acknowledged that she wasn’t missing work in the way she had assumed she would. Once upon a time the thought of taking an extended period of leave would have horrified her, and when she was on holiday, she would have kept her phone on and dealt with any problems with clients. That was the expectation if you wanted to make partner and rise up the ranks. And she didn’t mind as her job had always beeneverything. She worked and studied hard to get to where she was, and her career had validated her. Since the events of last Christmas, she was grateful that work had given her purpose and focus and a reason to get up in the morning. On many occasions she had told herself how lucky she was. She had somewhere to go each day and something to do. She had people who needed her. In fact, theyreliedon her. What would this past year have been like if she hadn’t had work? She shuddered when she thought how desolate she would have been. Knowing she needed to get up and face the day each morning had definitely helped to keep the feelings of dread and doom at bay.
She closed her eyes, hoping she could turn over and go back to sleep for a little while. But then the clattering started again.What on earth was going on? She lay for a few more minutes wondering if her mum had taken up plate smashing, before realising she was emptying the dishwasher.Verynoisily. She could hear the drawers closing and shutting as Catriona threw in the knives and the forks and spoons. Jessica wondered if she was standing at the front door and launching them from there. It was making an absolute racket. Then the radio was switched on. Sighing, she threw back the covers. It was no use. She may as well get up. She wouldn’t be surprised if the blender was switched on, too, for good measure. She laughed and shook her head. No chance of a lie-in this morning. Pulling on her dressing gown, she padded downstairs.
‘Good morning,’ said her dad in surprise. He smiled warmly. ‘You’re up early, dear.’ He was sitting at the kitchen table tucking into a bowl of porridge, and he put his spoon down.
‘Hi, Dad. Yes, I could hear you were both up and about . . .’ She raised an eyebrow.
‘Oops, sorry, Jess,’ said her mum, standing at the sink. ‘Did we wake you? We keep forgetting that not everyone is an early riser. We’re so used to our own wee routine. And you must have slept through it every other morning. Maybe it’s a sign you’re getting back to your old self and ready to be up with the lark?’
Jessica laughed and sat down next to her dad. ‘Hmm, maybe.’
‘A wee cup of tea?’ asked her mum, automatically pouring it anyway without waiting for an answer. She placed the mug in front of Jessica.
‘Thanks.’ She wrapped her hands around it, enjoying the feel of the warmth, and then took a sip of the liquid. She had forgotten just how much she loved the taste of tea at home. The water here was so much softer than the hard water in London, which left a murky film around the mug and the kettle full oflimescale. She yawned as she considered whether to head back upstairs with her tea and disappear under the covers again.
‘So what’s the plan today, love?’ asked her mum.
She shrugged. ‘I’m not sure. Just chilling I think.’ Her dad gave her a look as though to say,good luck with that. Sitting down for more than five minutes had never been a family trait in this house.
‘Seeing as you’re up, do you fancy coming . . .’
She inwardly groaned. This could go anywhere. What was her mum going to suggest? The sauna or her craft group or another new hobby she hadn’t yet mentioned. ‘Hmm . . .’ She felt her stomach sink then took a deep breath and reminded herself her mum was trying to help.
Her dad threw her a sympathetic look. ‘It is quite early, Catriona, and she is meant to be here for a rest. It’s still dark out.’
Catriona regarded her for a moment. ‘True. But I didn’t mean right this minute,’ she said huffily. ‘I was just trying to make a plan. Okay, go back to bed for a while,’ she said, clapping her hands together. ‘You can come and get the tree with us later.’
Phew, thought Jessica. ‘Okay, you have yourself a deal, Mum.’
