Highlands Homecoming (A Highlands Christmas Romance #3)

Chapter 11

S tepping outside the Inverness airport, Colin felt the crisp Highland breeze greet him like an old friend. Quickly catching a taxi, Colin watched the rolling hills and heather-clad moors pass by, each bend in the road stirring memories of his childhood.

And as the MacGregor croft appeared, Colin felt a lump in his throat; he was finally back where he belonged.

Colin paid the driver and rolled his luggage up to the front door. He thought about knocking, but it was really his home as much as his father’s. And he knew with his father’s arthritis, it would be easier if he didn’t have to get up out of his chair. Colin opened the door and was about to shout hello when he saw two people entwined on the couch. The woman quickly shifted away from his father, who straightened his shirt and looked in shocked surprise at his son standing in the doorway.

“Colin!”

“Uh, surprise?” said Colin. He wasn’t sure what else to say. He sat down his bags tentatively.

“Margaret, I’d like you to meet my son, Colin. He lives in the States,” Sandy said pointedly. Colin looked down at his shoes. “Colin, meet Margaret Douglas. She and I …”

“He’s training my dog,” Margaret said quietly, with a sparkle in her eyes.

Colin looked down at the golden retriever sitting on the floor by the fire. “What a good dog,” he said. He slipped off his gloves to pet the dog.

“Wait! Don’t!” yelled Margaret. But it was too late. The dog took Colin’s glove in his mouth and wasn’t going to let go.

Sandy winked at Colin, who was completely perplexed.

“The dog likes gloves,” explained Sandy, amused.

“You haven’t progressed very far in your training, I see,” said Colin. Normally, banter like this with his father was fair game, but with this woman there, he wasn’t sure.

“Yes, well, we’re just getting started. Preliminary …” mumbled Sandy awkwardly as Margaret picked up her purse.

“That’s me off,” said Margaret. “I’ll get the messages and stop back for Bella … in an hour?”

“Sounds good,” said Sandy automatically.

Margaret and Sandy both studied Colin. He had two large bags and had arrived unannounced. “Maybe two hours?” asked Margaret.

“Perfect,” said Sandy, and Margaret was out the door.

Sandy looked at his son.

“So,” he said. “We’ve both had some changes in our lives.”

“Aye,” said Colin.

“Margaret just made tea. The kettle’s still hot,” said Sandy.

“Thanks,” replied Colin as he went into the kitchen and poured himself some Earl Gray.

He returned, sipping the tea as he walked, and his father chuckled. “Walking with your tea. You’ve really become an American.”

“Yeah, well, I think that chapter is closing,” said Colin.

“Oh?”

“I mean, I slammed it shut.”

Sandy studied his son’s face. “Do you want to talk about it?”

Colin sat beside his father and began to talk.

Melissa tidied the living room as she glanced at the antique clock on the wall. It was almost eleven a.m. It had been a few hours since Colin had texted her with a mysterious text: I have news . She had no patience whatsoever, and wondering about his news was making Melissa completely stir-crazy. She’d already scrubbed the kitchen, re-organized the pantry, and put all the books away in the library. She needed to keep busy to keep from bursting at the seams. What could it be? News about the divorce settlement? News about the inn? Something about his father? Could he be sick? Could it be bad news? Bad news?! That hadn’t even occurred to her.

A small gray car turned into her driveway. Her heart raced. Could Colin have decided on an impromptu holiday? What a wonderful surprise! She looked in the mirror and saw that her brown hair was relatively tamed—it wasn’t raining—and her blue eyes sparkled. Brimming with joy, Melissa slipped on her boots and walked out to greet her visitor. But when she got within sight of the driver, her stomach twisted in knots. She would recognize that balding, miserable being anywhere. It was Dave.

Melissa just stared as Dave parked the car and got out, looking around in wonder at the spectacular stone home that was hers. Hers , she stressed as she watched him appraising the brass fixtures, the stone fence, and the grounds.

“What are you doing here?” Melissa pressed her lips together and looked at Dave. She couldn’t believe she’d been married to him, let alone for two whole years.

“I had to fly to see this house you’ve been hiding from me. It looks like it’s worth quite a lot,” said Dave smugly.

“It’s mine,” Melissa asserted, her voice laced with determination.

“It’s ours, dear,” he said. His tone carried an undercurrent of malice that made the words all the more chilling. He’d never been abusive before, and Melissa had never seen him this way. She mustered up all her courage and faced him.

“It was a Mackenzie inheritance, and you’re not a Mackenzie.”

“I’m married to one, darling. And as the man of the house, I’m putting it on the market immediately.”

“No, you’re not,” said Melissa bravely, while frantically wondering what she could do. “We’re officially divorced,” she added, as if that would stop this lunatic.

What could she do? Could she sell the house to Colin? Lindsay? Rent it out as an Airbnb? She remembered ruefully that she’d once talked about putting the home in Jingles’ name. As she looked at the fierce determination in Dave’s eyes, she knew she’d have to do something.

“Can I have a tour?”

“No.”

“I’ll call my lawyer,” said Dave with a smirk on his face.

“You do that,” she said. She went inside and slammed the door shut behind her.

Inside, she looked around at her beautiful house. The first thing she’d ever owned all by herself. It was perfect. Spacious, yet cozy. Old-fashioned, yet modern. Full of stone and wood and Mackenzie history. It meant so much to her. There was no way she’d let Dave get control of it or sell it. She’d gone through too much.

Melissa called Lindsay as she watched Dave scout the grounds.

“Dave’s here,” she whispered.

“What?! Where?”

“Walking around outside my house!”

“No!”

“Yes. He wants to sell it. Have you heard from Colin? I can’t reach him. When I call, there's just a recording.”

Lindsay paused. “That’s strange.”

“Maybe he got a new phone?”

“Is Dave still there? What’s he doing?”

Melissa snuck another look out the window. Dave was walking toward the back yard, peering into the well—the beautiful, historic wishing well that held ancient healing waters and legendary powers. The well that had made her own wishes come true. Her blood boiled thinking of him trying to take this place away from her.

“Walking around like he owns the place. He’s so pompous and awful.”

“You should set Jingles on him,” said Lindsay.

“I don’t want Jingles anywhere near him.”

Melissa drew in her breath as she looked out the front window. Another car was turning into the driveway.

“Someone else is here,” she whispered. “Maybe he got a real estate agent? Or a new lawyer?”

“I can call Drew and have him come over and pretend to be a?—”

Melissa gasped as the car door opened and Colin got out. “It’s Colin!”

“He’s there? At your house?”

“Yep.”

“They’re both there,” said Lindsay. “Egads!”

“Yep.”

“Well, that should be interesting. I’ll bring over some popcorn.”

“Not funny.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” said Lindsay.

Melissa pondered the situation for a moment. “Actually, it is kind of funny.” She never thought her ex-husband and current boyfriend would be in the same place at the same time, not to mention the whole divorce lawyer and client connection.

“What’s happening now?” asked Lindsay.

Melissa peered out the window again. “I think the shit show’s about to begin.”

Melissa stood at the window wondering what to do. Text Colin a quick warning that Dave was there? He must know, right? Maybe it was a coincidence. She cracked open the door just as Colin slammed the car door shut. Dave turned.

Colin’s face lit up as he saw Melissa standing in the doorway, but as she nodded her head toward Dave, his happiness vanished.

Dave walked over toward the front walkway, and Melissa stood her ground, while Colin tried to brace himself for the inevitable.

“What kind of a lawyer do you think you are? What kind of MAN do you think you are? What gives you the right to go stalking after my wife when I hired you to represent me?” said Dave.

Colin held up his hands. “It was all a coincidence that we met. I was in line beside Melissa at the airport on her way here, and we got to chatting. She was on my flight, then she was on my train—we were both traveling to the same town. We became good friends. And now I am here to?—”

“Not to represent me.”

“That’s correct. I’m here to start my life over in the place I belong with the woman I love, if she’ll have me.”

Melissa caught her breath.

“Well, I hope you don’t plan on living here, because I’ve met with an enthusiastic realtor who’s ready to get things in motion.”

“You’ll need the owner’s signature in order to sell it,” said Colin evenly.

“As I mentioned, I post-dated my signature on the divorce papers, so I’m still half-owner,” said Dave.

He went to his car and tried to maneuver around Colin’s. “Get your pathetic excuse for a vehicle out of my way,” he yelled. “I’m out of here!”

Colin and Melissa stood watching as Dave backed away and then nearly crashed into another car as he drove on the wrong side of the road.

“Maybe Darwin will take care of this problem for us?” said Colin, hugging Melissa close.

Melissa tightly embraced Colin, then pulled back. “So … you said you had news?”

“Loads to tell you. I think we should sit.”

Melissa led Colin into the cozy den area, where she had a fire going and a warm pot of tea sitting on the coffee table. “Tea or something stronger?”

“At this point, I’d rather keep my wits about me,” said Colin.

Melissa poured them each a cup, and they sipped their tea quietly for a moment.

Melissa took a deep breath and broke the silence. “So … Hello! Welcome! What’s going on?”

“Well, as you can see, Dave’s found out about the house. As you know, the divorce was finalized, but he seems to think he’s created a little loophole.”

“Something about post-dating the papers. Would that hold up?”

“I don’t think so, but it might. I’m so sorry. I was in such a hurry to close the deal, it didn’t occur to me that he might write the wrong date.”

“Who would? I didn’t notice either.”

Just then, Melissa’s phone rang. “Yes? … No, it’s not … Well, he’s not the owner. We’re divorced.”

Colin motioned for Melissa to turn on the speaker phone, so she did. “... to take interior photos for the listing,” said the voice on the other end of the line.

Melissa’s face flushed red. “It’s not for sale,” she said firmly, then hung up.

“How can so many things change so fast?” Melissa got up. “Excuse me, I just need a moment.” She left the room and headed down the hallway to the bathroom to blow her nose.

Melissa returned a few minutes later, red-eyed and frazzled, but she managed a weak grin. “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right?” she said, sniffling and sitting down in a chair across from Colin. “Speaking of hasty decisions, what brings you here?”

“I wanted to see you?” said Colin with a shrug and a look in his eye that said there was much more to his arrival. He beckoned for Melissa to sit beside him, and he tucked her against him when she sat down.

Colin slouched beside the crackling fire, his expression serious, while Melissa, lost in thought, fixated on the dancing flames. Embers popped and hissed, sending occasional sparks spiraling into the dimly lit room as the hypnotic play of light and shadow mesmerized the silent pair.

Finally Melissa giggled. First a little, then more. Colin looked over at her, certain she was beginning to lose it, but the giggles turned into full blown laughter until she was in tears.

“What on earth could be so funny?” he asked.

She finally took a deep breath and tried to center herself.

“He wants to buy a condo in Vegas. He’ll only get half the price of Greenhill, so he’ll still need to sell our home. And our home is infested with squirrels.”

“A condo doesn’t need to cost?—”

“Yeah, but the condo he wants and the lifestyle he wants … and I know Samantha only rents. They’ll need to sell that squirrel-infested house come hell or high water, and it’s not going to be easy.”

Melissa grinned. “I think it might be time to pour a wee dram,” she said.

Colin nodded. “We deserve it.”

Melissa went to the cupboard and pulled out a bottle of Talisker Skye and poured two drams, neat, and handed one to Colin.

“ Sláinte ,” she said, lifting her glass.

“ Sláinte ,” he said. His eyes, reflecting a gentle warmth, met hers, creating a moment of quiet connection between them.

Melissa felt a warm glow flush across her cheeks as she clinked glasses and took a sip.

“You said you had news,” she said, embarrassed that so much of the afternoon had been about her.

“Aye. I do. I’m … coming to Scotland,” he said with a chuckle.

“Great! Can’t wait to see you!” Melissa laughed. “How long are you staying?” she asked, sipping her dram, her tone more serious now.

He stared into the fire, unsure what to stay. “As long as you stay,” he said, finally looking up into her blue-green eyes.

Melissa was stunned. Now the tears returned, but this time they really were tears of joy. But was it really real? “But what about your job?”

“I quit.”

Melissa’s eyes widened. “You quit? Just like that?”

“Maybe with a little help and inspiration from my last client, but yes, I quit. And it was my decision. My boss was more than willing to work with me, but I realized I’m just not living the life I want to lead, so I decided to make a change.” A determined furrow settled on Colin’s brow.

“What about your friends, condo, furniture, your car …”

“I’ll rent out the condo, and the rest is not important. I need to be here,” he said. “With the people I love,” he added.

“And if I didn’t live here …?”

“I’d be searching for you. There’s been something missing for a long time. My spark. The zest of life. It sounds rubbish, but it’s true, Melissa. You’ve reminded me how to enjoy life, and I want to do that … with you.”

Melissa drew in her breath as Colin reached out to gently caress her cheek.

“I know we’ve only been seeing each other for a few months. And you had no idea I was going to live here. It’ll take some time to process everything. But … let’s at least start dating. Can we do that?”

Melissa threw her arms around Colin. He held her close and gently kissed her neck, cheek, and finally her lips.

“Fancy a treat?” asked Sandy as he held a treat out for Bella, the beautiful golden retriever with an unhealthy fascination with gloves.

Bella tilted her head to the side, gazing intently at the treat.

Sandy set the treat down. Just as before, Bella bent her head down, let the glove go for a nanosecond, then wolfed down the treat. But this time, Sandy snagged the glove and quickly stuffed it into his pocket. Bella looked at him, bewildered.

“Where’d that glove go, Bella?” he said with a chuckle. “I think it’s time we go outside and try the whistle.”

Steadying himself with his cane, Sandy slowly made his way across the living room to the front door. He slipped on his jacket, stepped into his boots, and opened the front door. Bella dashed out as if she’d never had any training at all. He chuckled. One step at a time.