Page 65 of A Scottish Christmas Hideaway
He kept his eyes on the road ahead and cleared his throat.
‘Mum means the reading room upstairs. Where she keeps all her romance books.’
‘I’m a real sucker for a good romance book,’ he said diplomatically. ‘You can perhaps recommend one to me?’
Jessica had looked round at her mum, who sat there looking the picture of innocence.
‘Of course I will, dear. So that’s a yes then? You’ll stay?’
‘Thanks, Catriona,’ he said grinning. ‘That’s really kind of you. I would like that. Is that okay with you, Jessie?’ He winked at her.
Once back at the cottage, they had made sure Catriona was comfortable and settled on the sofa with a cup of tea and Angus next to her. Reuben and Jessica sat at the kitchen table.
‘You look tired too,’ said Reuben. ‘Are you going to go to bed and try and get some rest?’
‘I will,’ she said yawning. ‘I need to go to work tomorrow and I don’t want to let them down. I do feel like I could face plant right here at this table.’
‘Come on,’ he said huskily. ‘You go and get some sleep. And I’ll head off.’
She stood up, dragging her feet. ‘And you’ll stay with us tomorrow?’ She wasn’t too tired to notice the playful smile tug at his lips.
‘In the love room? How can I resist.’ He pulled her close and kissed her, only moving away when they heard Angus move around next door.
It hadn’t taken Jessica long to fall asleep and she had slept well, dreaming of Reuben and waking with a smile on her face.
* * *
The time at the bakery had flown and there was only an hour left until closing time. Gillian and Struan had both greeted herwith a hug when she arrived first thing, clearly grateful she was back and that her mum was okay.
‘I hope we’ve got enough to last us until lunchtime,’ said Struan. ‘There’s some more loaves out back but not many.’ He surveyed the counter display which was starting to look sparse. ‘The cinnamon buns are all away and there’s only a few mince pies left.’
‘Yes,’ said Gillian, who appeared with another tray of buns and pies. ‘But you’ve forgotten that we decided to make an extra batch in case. And anyway, folk will start coming in for their sausage rolls soon and pies.’
Struan, wearing his Santa hat again, nodded in agreement.
Just then the door opened and Iris, who ran the bottle tombola at the Christmas fair, came in with a woman who looked around the same age as Jessica and Gillian. She wore an orange woollen coat over a pair of blue dungarees and she had a knitted hat over her long, dark hair.
‘Good morning,’ said Jessica, pleased to see Iris.
‘Hello, dear,’ said Iris, her eyes twinkling. ‘How are you? I heard about your mum and her broken arm. How is she?’
‘I know,’ said Jessica. ‘But she’s okay. We’re here to look after her and she’s been told to rest and make the most of it while she can. I’ve left her in the capable hands of my dad this morning.’
‘It’s lovely you’re home to be with her.AndI saw Reuben earlier at The Wee Bookshop,’ she said knowingly. ‘He said he’s spending Christmas with you, too.’ She gave Jessica a wink.
She could feel her cheeks redden, and Gillian was now looking at her strangely.
‘Who’s this then?’ said Jessica quickly.
‘This is my granddaughter, Flora,’ Iris said, smiling proudly at the woman standing next to her.
‘Nice to meet you, Flora. Are you here for Christmas?’
Flora nodded and grinned.
‘That’s so nice for your gran.’
Iris beamed. ‘Yes, it will be nice to have some company. Otherwise, it’s just me and the boys.’
