A Christmas Romance in the Scottish Highlands (Scottish Highlands #6)

Chapter 12

12

ALEX

‘I hope you’re working hard,’ Michael Charming asked as soon as Alex answered his mobile. He pulled the Volvo to a stop just ahead of Mistletoe Village Hall and squinted into the darkness.

It was snowing again, the flakes so huge Alex could barely see. ‘I’ve been painting every day,’ Alex assured his father, because he knew that’s what he’d want to hear. No embellishment or colourful details – just cold, hard facts.

‘You sound like you expect me to congratulate you,’ Michael growled. ‘When that’s the only reason you’re there. I expect brilliance, remember. That, and a tangible return on your time.’

‘Aye,’ Alex said because it was expected. ‘How’s work?’

‘Fine,’ his father said stiffly. ‘A little busier without you – but nothing I can’t handle. No one is irreplaceable, not even you.’ Alex nodded, numb to the ‘pep talk’ which was designed to make him feel insecure.

Michael’s particular brand of motivation ran to ultimatums, threats and warnings. Touchy-feely was anathema to him. For many years, Alex had wondered if his father simply hated him, but time had taught him it was just his way. An inability to approve of anything with a pulse seemed to be hardwired into his DNA. ‘I trust you’re keeping on top of your emails?’

‘I am.’ Alex had been up at five this morning to make sure he’d worked his way through anything urgent and he’d already earmarked the emails he’d have to reply to tonight. Although being out of the office was making him nervous. He might be related to the boss, but he knew his father would have no qualms about firing him if he didn’t keep up. ‘I’m out at the moment, but I’ll check them again when I get back to Pinecone Manor,’ he promised.

His father sighed. ‘I suppose you’re helping at that foolish pantomime this evening?’ He sounded irritated. ‘Henry always was eccentric – talented but he has some strange ideas. Don’t waste any more of your time than you have to – in fact get out of it if you can.’ His tone suggested that Alex helping with the scenery was all his own fault.

‘Aye,’ Alex said again, tapping his hand on the steering wheel and checking his watch. ‘I’ll do my best, but I don’t want to alienate Henry.’ Like his father, the artist was difficult to refuse.

‘Your mam always had a soft heart. She cared far too much about others’ feelings. My parents never approved of my choice.’ Alex stiffened trying not to let the implied criticism get to him. ‘Do you have any important news to report?’ his father asked sharply.

‘No,’ Alex said. Michael wasn’t interested in personal details. How do you feel, are you okay, what do you want? were questions that had never been asked. Even as a child, his father’s expectations had trumped every want, need or human emotion. Alex couldn’t imagine what he’d make of the people he’d met in Mistletoe so far. He thought of Ella and his lips curved, startling him.

‘I’m calling to let you know that I’ve given the go-ahead to HR to start interviewing for a replacement for Stanley.’ His father’s tone was cool, and Alex’s smile disappeared.

‘I thought we agreed to give him six months?’ he insisted.

‘We can’t wait forever, Alexander – I’ve told you before. There’s no room for sentiment in business, anyone who tells you different is after your job.’

‘Stan told me he’s going to book his flight home soon,’ Alex lied. ‘Can you give it another few weeks?’

His father remained silent for a beat. ‘Two weeks, and only because Stanley is one of our best. After that, he’s gone,’ he snapped.

‘Can we wait for longer? He’s worked with us for almost ten years. What about loyalty?’ Alex said, regretting the words the instant they left his mouth.

‘Mr Bailey has been paid handsomely for every day that he’s been with us. Remember it was his choice to leave and his choice to stay away. We don’t owe him anything,’ his father shot back, and Alex swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue: who would have chosen to have a heart attack?

‘I spoke to one of my clients today.’ Michael swiftly changed the subject before Alex could make any more fuss. ‘He was impressed that Henry Lockhart has agreed to work with you.’ His voice had warmed, but Alex couldn’t summon the glow that it would normally elicit. ‘How’s my painting going?’

‘Still work in progress,’ he said flatly.

A phone buzzed in the background. ‘I’ve been waiting for this call. Make sure you keep up with your emails and report back on Stan,’ Michael said stiffly before the line went dead, ending the conversation as abruptly as it had begun.

Alex stared at the mobile and let out a long breath. His father never changed – but for the first time in a long time, Alex allowed himself to wonder what would happen if he did.

‘You’re here!’ Mae pounced on Alex as soon as he stepped into the entrance of Mistletoe Village Hall. ‘It’s time for you to get measured up for your costumes,’ she said excitedly, guiding Alex through the noisy hall which was filled to heaving with people dressed up in a variety of dazzling outfits and wearing glittery makeup.

A few waved their scripts trying to attract Mae’s attention – but she ignored them, charging ahead. ‘I’ll be back soon,’ she cried, flapping a hand.

‘Where’s Ella?’ Alex asked as he followed, sweeping his gaze back and forth across the room, trying to pick her out from the crowd. He’d been thinking about her all afternoon, even before the call with his father.

When he’d gone back to his bedroom to change for the evening, he’d even pulled out his sketch pad and found himself doodling her until he’d caught himself smiling. When he had, he’d ripped out the page and put it in the bin.

‘She’s trying on one of her costumes,’ Mae explained, sweeping them out of the hallway through a set of red velvet curtains into a narrow corridor. ‘I’ve got Prince Charming,’ she yelled as they reached a door. She knocked once and opened it without waiting. Alex took a step inside and stopped as his heart tripped and stuttered in his throat.

Ella was standing in the centre of the well-lit room wearing a stunning silver and blue dress with a sweetheart neckline that showcased the pale shimmer of her skin. She looked beautiful, like something out of a fairy tale – which Alex supposed was the point. Although that didn’t explain why just looking at her made his chest pulse. He rubbed a hand over his jumper, trying to swipe the sensation away.

Someone had already done her makeup and styled her hair, piling it onto the top of her head, from where brown, red and green tendrils waterfalled around her neck in delicate swirls. Her waist looked tiny, especially since the material had been pinned to accentuate it. She stood ramrod straight, making her appear taller than Alex remembered.

An unwelcome current of electricity sparked through him, and he let out a noisy breath trying to relax as he silently repeated another of his father’s rules: ‘attraction is a weakness, stamp it out at the first sign.’ Although it might be too late. There was just something about this woman, something that drew him in.

An older woman, who looked almost identical to Aggie, appeared from the back of the room and bustled towards them, holding a jar of pins.

‘Alex, meet Blair McBride, Aggie’s sister,’ Mae said as the woman approached.

‘Blair runs The Snug Tea Room in Mistletoe Village and we’re working together on the costumes for the panto,’ Aggie told him. ‘Blair is also providing refreshments for the cast.’

‘Pleased to meet you,’ Alex said as both women looked him up and down. ‘I’m Alex Forbes-Charming.’

‘Oh, I know,’ Blair declared in a strong Scottish lilt, chuckling girlishly as she fanned a palm in front of her chest.

‘I need to get back to the main hall,’ Mae said, looking worried. ‘From the looks I was getting on the way here, I have to speak to some of the cast. Alex, when you and Ella have finished being fitted for your costumes, please join me by the main stage. When you’re ready, just head outside this corridor and take the first right.’ Before anyone could say a word, the door swung shut behind Mae and the room fell silent.

‘Oh, you’re a handsome one. Then again, I’ve always been a sucker for a broody expression!’ Blair said, holding out a hand. Alex took it, noticing her long ringless fingers and red and green festive nails. ‘And if I were twenty years younger…’

‘You’d still be married to husband number three,’ Aggie said dryly. ‘I know you like them young, Blair, but I think the lad would be better suited to someone who was born a little closer to his own decade.’ She looked stern.

‘Aye, I suppose.’ Blair winked at Alex before her attention swept towards Ella again and she waggled her eyebrows. ‘In that case, I’d love our next project to be a wedding dress. I’m thinking an ivory silk gown and a long lace train…’ Her eyes rolled over Ella again.

‘Oh, really—’ Ella started, her cheeks flushing bright pink. ‘I’m not looking for…neither Alex nor I feel…’ She swallowed. ‘We barely know each other, we’re just classmates nothing more.’ As her embarrassment grew, her words ground to a halt. She folded her arms and shook herself, making the long skirt and pretty petticoats swing around her ankles. Alex caught himself watching until he realised what he was doing and forced his attention away in case the women noticed his interest.

‘Don’t forget, lass, you’re playing Cinderella to this lad’s Prince Charming – one of the greatest love stories of all time.’ Blair winked. ‘Ach, and it’s Christmas, so we’re all in the mood to watch a real romance bloom, especially since none of us are falling in love at the moment.’ She shrugged as she glanced between them, taking in their expressions. Even Alex was taken aback by Ella’s look of pure dismay. ‘No mind, we’ll make do with watching you on stage I suppose.’ She looked disappointed.

‘That’s good,’ Alex said stiffly.

Aggie swung her gaze towards him again, her eyes sharp. ‘What’s wrong with Ella, lad – are you married, or do you have a significant other?’

‘No…’ Alex said slowly, feeling tongue-tied. ‘I’m just— Ella is obviously beautiful.’ He saw her cheeks were now burning, and wondered if his were the same shade. ‘But as she says, we’re working together.’ He cleared his throat. ‘So it wouldn’t be appropriate…’ The look on their faces told him he was making things worse. ‘I’m not looking for a relationship.’

Alex had faced down intimidating CEOs in the company boardroom without blinking, but in this room, he felt completely out of his depth. He glanced across the room at Ella again, but now she held a hand over her mouth, obviously trying to hold in a laugh.

‘Ignore my sister, she loves winding people up,’ Blair said, eyeing him critically. ‘You could do with some meat on those bones. I like my heroes a little chunkier. We’ll be putting refreshments out in the hall soon, so make sure you eat – and I’ll be expecting to see you in my tea room soon. Hunter’s in there most afternoons and the lad’s taken a shine to you.’

‘Aye,’ Aggie agreed, looking happy. ‘Poor thing’s usually with his mam and when she’s working, he’s with us – he hasn’t got much in the way of positive male role models because his da’s, well…’ She swallowed. ‘The less said about him…’

Alex wasn’t sure if anyone should be modelling themselves on him – especially not a child. He’d come to Mistletoe to improve his artwork, not get involved with a village of strangers – and he had no intention of befriending anyone. He had no experience with children, no clue of how to connect – what would he say?

‘You’ll see him later when you’re out front,’ Aggie told him. ‘He’ll be with his friend Maxwell who really wants to meet you too.’

‘Enough small talk.’ Blair suddenly clucked. ‘I need to measure you so we can start to work on your costumes.’ She clapped her hands. ‘You’re going to be so much fun to dress.’ She grinned as she gazed at him. ‘You’re better-looking than poor dear Andrew, I think there’ll be a lot of hearts fluttering at the panto, which will be good news for ticket sales.’ She studied Alex and a wrinkle appeared in her forehead. ‘We might want to replace Andrew in the pantomime posters if there’s time – I’ll speak to Mae about it.’

Alex shut his eyes, absorbing the full horror of that. He had clients spread across the whole of Scotland. What if someone recognised him? His father would be appalled.

Aggie hiked up her sparkly red top and swiped a tape measure from the pocket of her dark green trousers, taking Alex’s arm and guiding him to where Ella was standing. She moved out of his way.

Then Aggie slowly spun Alex round until he was facing a long mirror illuminated with lights. Beyond it were four rails where dozens of shimmering costumes dangled from hangers. In the other corner of the room, he could see a small table with a black and gold sewing machine and a half-open box containing cotton, scissors and pins.

‘We’ll need your measurements before we can start. I’m thinking you’d look adorable in silver and blue.’ Aggie studied Alex.

‘Adorable?’ he repeated. He could imagine Stan laughing at the inappropriate description, while his father stood with his arms folded, shaking his head.

‘He’d suit red too, he’s got the right skin colouring,’ Blair said.

‘I think the lad will look gorgeous in anything we make,’ Aggie agreed.

‘Can you just…’ Blair indicated that Alex should spread his legs by widening her own.

Alex did as he was told and tried not to move when she began to angle the tape measure downwards. He glanced across the room at Ella who was watching, her shoulders shaking as she gave into her laughter. Sighing, Alex allowed the corners of his mouth to twitch up too and met Ella’s eyes as the two women worked.

‘I need your inside leg measurements first and Aggie will want to know the size of your feet, head and chest,’ Blair explained as someone suddenly lassoed Alex with another tape measure from behind, capturing his arms before shifting it down.

‘Oh, dear God.’ He shut his eyes again for a moment.

‘Sorry to startle you, lad,’ Aggie whispered as she loosened the tape. ‘As I thought, a little skinny, but we can work on that. Can you put your hands up so I can get a proper measurement?’ Alex untangled his arms and did as he was asked as the housekeeper shouted a series of numbers to Blair who dutifully scribbled them down. After what felt like hours, she yelled. ‘That’ll do!’ and stepped away. ‘You’re going to make such a bonnie Prince Charming.’ She grinned.

Alex cleared his throat, embarrassed. He could hear a voice in his head – and he knew it was his father’s. He was asking what the hell Alex was doing, telling him he was embarrassing himself. He stiffened, refusing to admit, even to himself, that he was having fun. It had been so long he almost didn’t recognise the feeling.

The door to the room swung open and Hunter appeared, closely followed by another boy. Both had red hair and freckles – and each wore a headband with mouse ears flapping at the top.

‘Alex!’ Hunter yelled excitedly, trotting across the room. ‘This is my best friend Maxwell.’ He turned and swept a hand towards the younger boy. ‘Mae told us you were here – I knew you’d want to meet him.’ He beamed, his small cheeks shining.

‘Ach, lad. We don’t need to measure you both yet,’ Aggie said. ‘You should get back into the hall in case you need to practise your parts.’

‘Mae said it was okay to pop in for a moment,’ Maxwell said. His eyes rounded and he gazed at Alex. ‘Is running over dogs really your hobby?’ he asked.

‘Pardon,’ Alex gaped.

‘Nae!’ Ella laughed. ‘That’s just a misunderstanding, lad. Wyatt loves Alex now – it’s mutual, even though they’re both good at hiding it.’ She winked as she nodded in Alex’s direction and the young boy grinned.

‘I drew you a picture,’ Hunter told Alex, reaching into the pocket of his jeans and tugging out a piece of folded white paper. He handed it over as a hush fell across the room.

Alex unfolded the drawing and stared at it. He might not have had any experience of children, but he understood his reaction mattered. ‘Wow,’ he gasped, a little taken aback by how much he wanted to please the child. It was a picture of two mice playing by a fountain, with a castle in the background. ‘This is really good,’ he said, feeling something inside him warm when the boy’s chest puffed to twice its normal size.

The door opened again, and Mae entered. ‘I’m sorry to interrupt, but Aggie and Blair, we need you on refreshments now,’ she said, her voice a little panicked. ‘Your brothers are getting a little overexcited, Ella, and the rest of the cast is threatening to revolt. I think coffee, tea and a couple of your magnificent Christmas cakes might help to avoid a riot.’ Her attention shifted to Alex and Ella. ‘How are you getting on?’

‘We’re mostly done. I’ll have something for you to try on in a few days – you can pop into the café at lunchtime when it’s ready,’ Blair said to Alex, putting her pad back into her pocket. ‘Ella, take off the costume before you come out front, lass, and hang it up. I’ll get it later so we can make the adjustments.’ With that, she and Aggie followed Mae and the two boys into the corridor, slamming the door shut.

Ella pulled a face as the room fell into an awkward silence. Alex watched as she twisted round, trying to peer at where Aggie had secured the material on her dress.

‘I should go.’ He edged towards the exit.

‘Do the pins look like they’ll be easy to remove?’ Ella shuffled closer to the mirror and bent one arm, unsuccessfully attempting to grab the top pin. ‘I need to change. This dress is getting uncomfortable, and I can feel the pins coming loose.’

Alex watched as she changed tack and began to tug at one of her sleeves. ‘I don’t think Aggie or Blair realised I might not be able to do this by myself.’ She sighed as she turned towards the door. ‘I’ll need someone to help.’

‘I can do it,’ Alex said as his tongue finally unstuck itself from the roof of his mouth. ‘If you want,’ he added awkwardly. What was wrong with him?

‘If you’re sure?’ She looked embarrassed.

‘We probably shouldn’t disturb Blair or Aggie, especially if the cast are really going to riot,’ he joked. ‘Could you turn around please?’ Alex moved closer as Ella did as she was asked. ‘Do I just take out the pins?’ His attention caught on a wispy red ringlet curling down the back of her neck. He took in a deep breath and smelled eucalyptus which stirred his blood – making it pump faster and harder, making his ears strain to pop.

‘Can you take the pins out and put them back in the same place so Aggie and Blair will have a guide to work from?’ Ella asked. ‘I know Blair took down my measurements, but I think it’ll be easier to work from the actual pins.’

Was it Alex’s imagination or did Ella’s voice sound husky, and had the room somehow shrunk to half its normal size?

Alex cleared his throat and leaned in so he could see the tiny silver slithers better. It took a couple of tries to undo the first because his normally dexterous fingers had grown gawky and uncoordinated. When he finally succeeded, the top of the dress sprung open exposing a creamy triangle of skin.

Alex let out a shaky breath and glanced at the door, praying one of the Blair sisters would return.

When the door didn’t open, he knew he’d have to commit – winners didn’t give up, even if they did suddenly feel like they couldn’t breathe.

He tugged at the collar of his shirt and popped open the top button before carefully undoing the second pin on the dress. The material sprang open, revealing another inch of rosy flesh. Ella’s skin was so smooth, Alex had to stop himself from running a finger over it. Instead, he steeled himself and continued. By the time he reached the fourth pin, he suspected Ella was only wearing underwear beneath the top half of the dress. He tensed.

Did she know – did she care?

‘Are you okay?’ Ella asked as Alex hovered his fingers over the next pin. An energy seemed to hum in the air, and he tried to fill his head with his father’s voice, imagining what he’d say if he were here. Ella was his colleague, a competitor – the person he had to best.

‘Of course,’ Alex croaked as he undid the next pin and the silky material bounced open again, revealing another inch of silky flesh. He tried to take in a steadying breath, but it clogged at the top of his throat, making him want to undo another button on his own shirt so he could breathe.

But he didn’t.

Instead, Alex leaned closer. There weren’t many pins to go until Ella would be able to step out of the costume – he could do this. His eyes skimmed across her exposed back, and he realised her skin had grown rosier while he’d been working. He went to take out the next pin, but his hands were shaking so much that he accidentally touched the tip of his finger to the imprint of her spine. Ella inhaled sharply and goosebumps erupted across the surface of her back.

‘I’m sorry,’ Alex said as Ella’s breath stuttered. He jerked his chin to meet her gaze in the mirror. She was watching him, her mouth slightly parted, her cheeks glowing. Was she as affected by this as him?

Alex swallowed an unwelcome wave of desire, an unexpected need to kiss her. ‘Are you okay?’ he asked, ignoring the unsteadiness in his voice. He never showed his feelings, and he would not show them now.

Ella stared at him looking uncertain. ‘Yes, of course,’ she said, and her body quivered next to his fingertips, proving she was lying.

‘Do you…do you want me to undo all the pins?’ Alex’s voice sounded wrong, and he cleared his throat.

‘Aye.’ Ella let out a gentle gasp when he undid two more, exposing a thin strap of white lace and the edges of two straps.

‘Okay, I think we might almost be there.’ Alex ignored the way his body tightened.

He’d undressed plenty of women in his life, but he’d never been so turned on by something so ordinary. ‘I’ve unpinned the dress as far as your bra strap,’ he said still staring because his eyes refused to budge. ‘Do you want me to find you a T-shirt or something to put on?’ He hovered his hands over the next pin and waited.

‘Oh crappity crap .’ Ella jerked forward. ‘Of course. I forgot I undressed.’ She swallowed. ‘I’ve got something.’ She grabbed the front of the dress and almost tripped over her petticoats in her haste to move. Alex watched her rummage through a bag before she dug out a black T-shirt, jumper and jeans. ‘Can you just undo the pins to my waist?’ She asked as she returned. ‘I’ll be able to step out of the dress and then I can put on these clothes.’

‘Sure,’ Alex said, taking in a long breath. He didn’t speak as he worked on the remaining pins, but he could feel Ella’s body trembling and an insane part of him hoped it was because of him.

‘All done,’ he said roughly when he thought he’d unfastened enough.

‘Please can you turn your back?’ Ella circled a finger.

‘I should probably just go,’ he said gruffly as he turned to face the door. Only instead of leaving, his feet remained stuck to the floor. Alex shut his eyes as he heard the telltale sound of silk dropping to the ground. Then he gripped his hands into tight fists and filled his mind with his father’s face: the angle of his chin, his dark eyes and permanent frown.

As he did, Alex tried to imagine sketching his father sitting behind a desk. But instead of Michael Charming’s sharp jawline, all Alex’s mind would conjure was Ella’s heart-shaped chin.

His eyes sprang open when he heard the sound of a zip.

‘You can turn around…’

When Alex did, she’d already disappeared into the racks of costumes, and he saw the blue Cinderella dress draped on a hanger ready for the McBrides to finish off. ‘I’m just finding my bag,’ she shouted.

Alex stood where he was and listened to her moving. His lips were tingling, and he knew with a certainty he couldn’t explain that if he stayed in this room for a moment longer, he was going to ask Ella if he could kiss her.

‘I need to go, I’ve got somewhere I have to be,’ Alex said roughly, heading towards the door and jerking it open, then following the long corridor.

He heard Ella’s bark of surprise – her shout that she wouldn’t be long. But he couldn’t trust himself. Wouldn’t trust himself to be alone with her.

Ella McNally was dangerous. He was here to paint a picture, to impress his father and to stay focused. And he had to stop anything – especially her – from getting in the way of that…