Page 38 of A Scottish Christmas Hideaway
‘It was.’ He shrugged. ‘My male pride took a bit of a bashing, but thinking about it now, we were never suited. I want her to be happy though. When she arrived the other night, she was in a bit of a state. This guy she had the affair with dumped herand her contract was terminated. No coincidence there. But her timing was awful. Especially after what happened between us.’ He looked at her, she was standing next to him now, her elbow touching his, smiling. He had never seen someone so beautiful and she had visibly relaxed.’ Perhaps he hadn’t blown it after all.
Jessica looked thoughtful. ‘Let me get this straight. The man she had the affair with has sacked her and she doesn’t want to make a fuss because he holds a senior position and could make things tough for her. Especially when she looks for another job in a place where people talk to each other?’
He turned to look at her, stunned. ‘How did you know all of that?’
She forced a small laugh. ‘It’s my job and it’s a very common scenario.’
They started to walk again, Jessica clearly deep in thought as she didn’t speak for several more minutes. Reuben wondered if Belinda’s case was a lost cause. Perhaps she should just try and do her best to move on elsewhere. Yet it didn’t feel very fair.
‘If you can tell me some details . . . like the name of the firm and the colleague who caused her issues, I will discreetly make some enquiries,’ she eventually said. ‘I’m not making any promises, but I have a colleague who is well connected and she may well have some helpful advice for Belinda.’
‘Thank you. I would appreciate that. It just doesn’t seem right that she’s been treated this way.’ He chuckled. ‘And yes, I did just say that out loud. Which is ironic. You definitely can call me a mug because I am one.’
Jessica looked across at him. ‘I don’t think that at all. I just think you’re very kind and have a big heart.’
Her eyes lingered on him and Reuben wanted nothing more than to kiss her. But he needed to know that he hadn’t totally blown it. ‘And I thought you just saw me as your brother’sannoying best friend.’ He held his breath as he waited for her to answer.
Jessica grinned. ‘I do. You are. But I’m starting to see there is more to you than just pulling my ponytail to annoy me.’
Reuben smirked as he reached over to gently tug at her hair. Relief settled over him as he started to think there was a chance after all.
Chapter Twenty-Four
As they continued to walk along, snowflakes began to softly drift from the sky. Jessica laughed playfully as she reached out to try and catch some in her gloved hands. ‘You were right about the weather,’ she said.
Reuben looked up at the sky. ‘It looks like it’s getting heavier. I think we should head back or I’ll soon be challenging you to a snowball fight.’
‘I think you would lose that,’ she said teasingly. ‘I have a very good aim. But I agree, let’s turn back.’
They quickened their pace and Jessica realised that talking to him had definitely cleared the air between them. ‘I haven’t actually told anyone else this, but I toyed with the idea of buying the bakery.’
‘Really?’ he said, clearly surprised. ‘I wasn’t expecting you to say that.’
‘Neither was I. It was an idea that came to me and I wanted to help. But then the more I thought about it the more I realised it should be owned as part of the community. It’s already like a hub for people and it should stay that way. Wouldn’t it be great if it could be owned by the village and we could also offer jobs and apprenticeships to younger people?’
He smiled at her. ‘I think it’s a great idea. And are Gillian and Struan on board?’
She shook her head. ‘Not yet. I haven’t spoken to them properly about it. We’ve got a meeting later in the week and I thought I’d float it past them then to see what they think.’
‘If they agree, how long would it take to happen?’
‘If we can get things moving then it could take around six months.’
‘Well, let me know if I can help in any way.’
‘Thanks,’ she said now feeling elated at Reuben’s encouragement. She hadn’t realised how much his opinion mattered to her. The fact she trusted him enough to share her thoughts spoke volumes. She was usually so guarded about what information she shared with anyone. More importantly, she loved how easy it felt again between them. ‘Your ears must be bleeding,’ she said to Reuben, apologetically. ‘You’re very easy to talk to.’
‘Not at all,’ he said with a grin. ‘You seem really enthusiastic about it. In fact, it’s the most excited I’ve seen you since you’ve been back.’
Jessica could feel her smile slip from her face. ‘Really? Have I been that miserable?’
He smiled kindly at her. ‘Sorry, that maybe wasn’t the right thing to say. You’ve just been a bit distracted. Though not obviously . . .’
‘Jeezo, thanks,’ said Jessica, now feeling quite deflated. ‘I didn’t realise I was that bad. I thought I’d done a good job of putting on my happy face.’ She forced a smile.
‘Hey,’ he said lightly, touching her arm. ‘You’re not at all. I guess I just recognised something in you because it reminded me of . . . well, me. And your mum is always diplomatic but I know she’s been worried about you. Your brother too.’
She arched an eyebrow at him. ‘I see. So, you’ve all been talking about me.’
