Page 7 of A Christmas Escape to Arran

‘Hello! Lovely morning, isn’t it?’

She nodded. ‘What were you doing?’Oh, for goodness’ sake? What did she think he was doing? Playing the violin.How she wished she could stuff the words back inside her mouth and move away as swiftly as possible.

‘Erm, swimming.’ His dark brown eyes crinkled in amusement.

Amelia couldn’t help staring at him as he stood there like some sort of action hero, clad from head to foot in neoprene. ‘Isn’t it cold?’

‘Well, it is at first but you soon warm up. The wetsuit helps. You should try it sometime.’

She giggled.Swimming? In Scotland? In the sea? In November? Never. ‘Yes, I should,’ she said casually, as though it was the sort of thing she did all the time.

He gestured at his van parked up on the road. ‘I’d better go and warm up. I’ll catch you later.’ Then he reached a hand towards her cheek.

Amelia felt herself start to wobble. What was he doing? Wasn’t it a bit early for this kind of thing? He barely even knew her. She involuntarily started to tilt her head up toward his hand.What was she doing?

‘You’ve got a feather in your hair.’ He pulled it from her head and blew it away.

Oh, dear God. ‘Clearly I didn’t look at a mirror before I left the house this morning.’ Her cheeks turned bright red and she managed to laugh. ‘It will probably be from one of Edie’s many pillows. Thanks. Again.’

‘No bother.’ He jerked his head towards his van. ‘I’d better go get some clothes on. I’m a bit chilly.’

She smiled and said, ‘Bye for now,’ then turned and retraced her steps back along the beach, forcing herself to keep her eyes ahead and not turn back. As she walked, she mulled over the interaction again and again. What on earth was wrong with her? She’d known him for approximately five minutes and had turned into a quivering wreck. It wasn’t exactly how newly separated women were supposed to behave, was it? Shouldn’t she be broken-hearted? At that moment all she could think about was what was underneath that wetsuit and the annoying way she kept blushing whenever he happened to glance her way.

Chapter Six

Fergus watched Amelia make her way back along the beach, unable to pull his eyes away. He sighed softly. It had been a long time since he had felt drawn to a woman in the way he was to her. She was pretty, with her dark hair and huge smile that lit up her face. But she was funny and real, which attracted him even more. Plus, there was something about her that intrigued him. He could sense sadness in her eyes, yet a glimmer of something else, and the fact she had come here alone in the middle of winter meant she was plucky. Inhaling a deep breath of the crisp morning, he felt invigorated, and not just because of his cold swim.

Smiling, he headed back up to the van, parked on his usual patch of grass. He quickly dressed and then made his way towardsCèic, the café, to pick up his usual coffee.

* * *

When Amelia arrived back at the cottage, she walked through the garden, admiring the view of the rolling hills in the distance. She let herself in and crouched to tickle Molly, who greeted her happily.

Edie was bustling around the bright kitchen making tea and toast. ‘Good morning, dear. Enjoy your walk?’

‘It was lovely, thanks. I love that beach . . . and I saw Fergus.’

‘Let me guess . . . was he swimming?’ asked Edie.

Amelia nodded.

‘That would be a sight for sore eyes,’ she said, erupting into a deep throaty chuckle. This morning, Edie wore slim-fit jeans with a navy sweater and a necklace made from huge mustard-yellow beads. She leaned against the worktop and crossed her arms. ‘Well, you’ve got some colour about your cheeks. You must be hungry. Sit down and help yourself.’

Amelia realised she was ravenous and took a seat at the table, which had a large vase of white roses placed in the middle. She tucked into several slices of toast with Edie’s homemade marmalade. ‘This is delicious,’ she said, allowing her eyes to close as she appreciated the flavours of lemon and lime. ‘And your coffee is too.’ The smell of vanilla-scented coffee was divine.

Edie laughed. ‘I decided it was time for an upgrade and to move on from the instant. These pods are quite the thing, you know.’ She patted the coffee machine.

‘You have everything you need. Fancy coffee, artisan bread and delicious homemade soup. Can I stay here for ever?’ She traced her finger across the red-spotted oilcloth that covered the table. ‘It’s so peaceful.’

‘Is there anything in particular you would like to do today?’ asked Edie.

‘Well, I’m happy for you to show me the ropes at work and tell me what I need to do.’

Edie shrugged. ‘Of course. But don’t worry too much about that. Let yourself settle in and have a look around the village. Lamlash is just one of the villages on the island. There is so much to see. What can I tell you about it?’

‘I’ve done some research,’ said Amelia. ‘I’d love to have a look around Brodick and check out the castle. Then there’s the King’s Caves, Blackwaterfoot and the cheese company and Arran Aromatics . . .’

‘You certainly have done your homework. That’s what I like to hear.’

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