One More for Christmas

“It’s hard to judge someone unless you can look them in the eyes while they’re talking. And then your assistant Charlotte said you were on the phone for me, and—”

“We don’t have to relive that part.”

“You’re still embarrassed? Don’t be. That accidental phone call proved to me that you were the right person to advise us even before I met you. You weren’t applying a filter to yourself.”

“Please don’t remind me.” Wild Samantha.

The car bumped over a rut in the track and with a soft curse, he pulled to the side of the road and stopped.

“Would it help if I told you that compared to my life experience, that phone call was nothing?” He killed the engine and rubbed his fingers over his forehead. “What if I told you that embarrassment has been my life partner?”

“Brodie—”

“I was the kid who was never picked for sports. Last one standing on the field. Had to be allocated by a teacher. I was the nerd. The geek. Call it whatever you like. My attempts to try and be cool and fit in didn’t work, because that wasn’t where I fitted. And this was before technology was big, so I couldn’t even impress anyone by fixing their laptop or their printer.” His humor and honesty were disarming. “Helping my dad round the estate, I was more of a liability than an asset. If we chopped down a tree, I’d almost kill us. All I wanted to do was get back indoors and play with numbers, because numbers made sense to me. That’s when I discovered that you have to play to your strengths.” He watched as a bird fluttered across the snow, searching for food. “I learned then that it’s better to excel at being who you really are than fail at being what you’re not. I started helping everyone with their maths homework. And then my father brought home a computer. That was it for me. My degree was in maths, but I became interested in computer science and data analytics. Before that I always felt like a misfit in everyone else’s world, and suddenly this was my world and I was the king.”

She was silent for a moment and then gave a half smile. “You can fix my printer?”

He laughed. “Maybe. Although I sometimes think those damn things seem built to break.”

“You obviously love what you do. Was it difficult giving it up to move home?”

“I haven’t given it up.” He removed his glasses and rubbed his fingers over his eyes. “I moved myself up here, and currently I’m working freelance. It means I can do what I love, while still trying to sort out this mess.”

“So you have an office somewhere on the estate?”

“Yes.” He let his hand drop. “I need you, Samantha. Forget embarrassment. I need you because if you can’t help me, I don’t know who can. I have the knowledge to predict that financially we’re screwed, but no skills with which to fix it.” He slid his glasses back on and she noticed that his hand shook a little. “I’m waiting for you to tell me I’m deluded and that this is never going to work. Maybe I’m as deluded as my sister, because I’ve been hoping for a miracle.”

“It’s Christmas, Brodie.” Samantha leaned back in her seat, relaxed for the first time in weeks. “Miracles happen at Christmas. And I can immediately put your mind at rest about this place. It has huge commercial appeal, and once you’ve shown me everything there is to see, we’ll sit down and talk through the options and produce a plan that everyone in your family will be able to live with.”

“And if you hate something, you’ll tell me?”

“Yes.” She hesitated. “I’m sorry about your dad... I really am. And I’m sorry this is a tough time for you.”

“It’s life, isn’t it? Reminds me of this road. Full of holes and ruts and places where you can blow out a tire.” He swung the car back onto the track and carried on driving.

“Kinleven is stunning. The landscape is beautiful. You have a winner here, Brodie, and I’m excited about the reindeer. Tell me more about them. How did they come about?”

“My father introduced them to the estate about thirty years ago.” He slowed down as he negotiated an icy patch on the track. “It wasn’t easy at first, but he talked to various people, and fortunately our local vet had knowledge and was interested. They adapt well to the Scottish climate. Kirstie and I grew up with them. Can’t remember a time when we didn’t have the herd. Kirstie trained as a vet nurse, but all she really wanted to do was work here on the estate, so she came back a few years ago. She’s out on the hills whenever she gets the chance.”

“Helping out in the lodge must be tough for her.”

“Yes, that’s one of the problems.” He glanced at her. “She’d rather be outdoors. But this is a family business. We all have to do what’s needed.”

“Who is looking after the reindeer while Kirstie is working in the lodge?”

“We have James, who retired from a big city job and moved up here for a different lifestyle after his wife died, and several local volunteers who come up to the estate to help.”

“And people come and visit?”

“Not generally. My father used to give talks in local schools, and he’d take a couple of the reindeer along—the better behaved ones. But nothing formal. Taking the reindeer out is pretty time-consuming.”

“But you could hold an event right here in this beautiful place. Their home.” Samantha stared out the window at the snow heaped at the side of the track. It gleamed and dazzled in the sunlight. “Imagine traveling along this track in a sleigh pulled by reindeer.”

“I don’t have to imagine it. I’ve done it. Confession?” He gave her a brief, conspiratorial smile. “It’s not as romantic as it looks, at least not for the person in charge. Reindeer are animals. They can be damn stubborn. They don’t always seem to understand that they’re making someone’s dream come true however much you try and reason with them.”

Samantha laughed. “I can imagine. I’m a city girl. Not much experience with animals. Certainly wouldn’t know how to negotiate with a reindeer.”

“You’ve always lived in cities?”