And yet her mother was here, back in Scotland where she’d spent her honeymoon, so at some point in her life, presumably she’d believed in romance.
Samantha lifted her chin, refusing to apologize for her reading choices. “We’re fine, thank you.”
“The only thing we seem to be missing is a sexy laird in a kilt ready to sweep us away into the heather. Do you have one available through room service?” A grinning, unrepentant Ella sprang from the bed, the book still in her hand. “Samantha has been conducting some in-depth research on the mating practices of the local population.”
Samantha snatched the book from her sister’s fingers and slapped it facedown next to the bed, even though she’d abandoned all hope of maintaining a professional appearance.
Somehow, tomorrow, she would try and make a fresh start. In the meantime she just wanted this day to be over.
“We have everything, thank you.”
Brodie finally looked at her, and she saw that her sister was right about his blue eyes looking good with the dark framed glasses.
“Right.” He cleared his throat, turned and banged his head on the door frame. “Ouch.” He touched his fingers to his head and pulled a face.
“Are you all right?” Ella reached out, as if to save him from any more disasters.
“Fine. I’m completely fine.” He rubbed his head and gave Ella a rueful smile. “I need to remember to duck my head in these old rooms.” He backed away, stumbled slightly as his shoulder caught the door. “Oops—still fine—I hope you sleep well, Samantha.” His gaze met hers for a brief second and then he turned and bumped his way out of the room.
She knew there was absolutely no chance of her sleeping. None.
“Did you see that?” Ella’s whisper was so loud, she might as well have yelled. “He couldn’t take
his eyes off you. He kept banging into things.”
“He banged into things because he couldn’t get out of the room fast enough. The man was terrified. Between the phone call and now this, he’s probably wondering if it’s safe to sleep in the house with me.”
“He is adorable.” Ella sighed. “And if you don’t want to unwrap the incredible gift that is that man this Christmas, you’re not the woman I know you are.”
Ella
Ella woke to darkness and was disorientated. She reached out blindly, found her phone and checked the time.
Three o’clock in the morning.
She put the phone down, flopped back against the pillows and waited for her mind to wake up properly.
It was almost Christmas, and they were in snowy Scotland.
She waited for the familiar warm feeling to creep through her body, but nothing happened. What was wrong? Where was the tension coming from?
She was here with her family. Michael, Tab, Samantha. And—
Her mother.
She sat up, breathing hard. Her mother. She was the one who had suggested her mother join them. What had she done? Christmas was always so smooth. An indulgence, as sweet as chocolate cake. Adding her mother into the mix could, and probably would, disrupt the balance.
What if she’d ruined Christmas?
Beside her, Michael stirred. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She lay back down and he pulled her against him.
“I know it’s not nothing. Is this about your mother?”
“Yes. It all feels so—wrong. She still hasn’t said anything to me about the fact that I didn’t tell her I was married with a child.”
“Maybe she realizes that is in the past now, and it’s time to move on.”