A Highland Christmas (The Shadows Series Book 5)

by Juliette Duncan

  “No, but the fog was terrible, and it still hasn’t lifted.” Grace stood and gave Caitlin a hug. Tall and elegant as always, Grace towered over her short, pudgy sister-in-law. “How are you, Caitlin?”

  “I’m fine, thanks. Good to see you, Grace.” An easy smile played at the corners of Caitlin’s mouth as she took Grace’s hands in hers. There had been a time back in Belfast before Grace met the Lord when she barely acknowledged Caitlin’s existence, but things had changed. God had transformed Grace’s life so much that Lizzy still had to pinch herself occasionally to believe it had really happened.

  Caitlin let go of Grace’s hand. “Can I get everyone a drink before lunch?”

  Gwyneth smiled. “A cup of tea would be lovely, thank you. I’m sure Roger would like one, too.” She glanced at him, but his back was turned and he and Ryan were engrossed in conversation.

  “I’ll make a pot and bring it in.” Caitlin took a step backwards towards the door, her head bobbing.

  “I’ll give you a hand.” Lizzy went to stand.

  “No, stay there. Brianna and Andrew can help.” Caitlin’s mouth twisted into an infectious grin as she motioned for Lizzy to remain where she was.

  Lizzy suppressed a chuckle. It was happening already, and she hadn’t done a thing…

  Brianna’s eyes had widened when she entered the kitchen. A man with the most gorgeous gingery golden hair stood at the sink washing dishes. She began back pedalling when Caitlin gestured for her to come in.

  Jolly as always, and totally unaware of Brianna’s hesitancy, Caitlin drew her into an embrace. “Great to see you, sweetheart. How are you doing?”

  Brianna blinked, momentarily tearing her gaze from the man at the sink to return Caitlin’s hug, but her gaze had a mind of its own and kept darting back to him. Who is this man? And what’s he doing standing at the sink, washing dishes, wearing an apron? She blinked again and answered Caitlin’s question, forcing herself to smile at her sister-in-law. “I’m good, glad to be having a break.”

  Caitlin held Brianna’s gaze, her eyes smiling. “Danny will be pleased you’re here.”

  Brianna sucked in a breath. “Yes, well, he owes me a trip to Spain.”

  Caitlin chuckled. “You never know with Danny; he might just surprise you. Anyway, come and meet Andrew, Rosemary and David’s son.”

  Brianna’s eyes widened again. Of course… Rosemary, the owner of the property and the support person for the female students, had mentioned her son several times while Brianna had been a student at the community. Rosemary had even proudly shown her some family photos, but Brianna had taken little notice at the time. Now she wished she had. Caitlin grabbed her hand and drew her towards the most disturbingly attractive man she’d ever laid eyes on. As Andrew McKinnon turned around, Brianna’s gaze was drawn to his hazel eyes, soft, warm, and dancing with amusement.

  Brianna averted her gaze quickly, but it was too late. He’d seen her reaction. If only the floor would open up and swallow her now.

  “Brianna, is it? Nice to meet you.” Goose bumps ran over her skin as the soft Scottish inflections rolled off Andrew’s tongue.

  She was too surprised at her reaction to do more than nod, but she had to say something. She offered him a small, shy smile. “Yes, nice to meet you, too.” Her throat was tight, her voice shaky.

  Andrew extended his hand. Brianna reluctantly reached out and took it. As their skin touched, her flesh tingled. His hand, firm and strong, was surprisingly tender, like nothing she’d felt before. The nearness of this man overwhelmed her, and she quickly withdrew her hand and stepped back.

  “Did I hear you were going to Spain?” He reached behind his back and undid the apron. As he removed it, Brianna took in his tall, athletic physique and tried to remember what Rosemary had said about him.

  “Ah, ah… yes...” She was stuttering, but couldn’t help herself. “I… was going with a friend, but I cancelled because of the family gathering.”

  “You’d love Spain. You should go one day.” Andrew hung the apron on a hook behind the door.

  With his back turned, Brianna took the opportunity to get Caitlin’s attention. She needed help, but Caitlin just grinned, her eyes glinting.

  “I’m going to say hello to everyone. Can you make a pot of tea, Brianna? I’m sure they’ll want one after their drive.”

  Brianna’s eyes widened. What was Caitlin doing? Surely she wouldn’t leave her here alone with Andrew? Caitlin knew she wasn’t any good with men.

  Caitlin didn’t wait for an answer. She grinned mischievously and bustled from the kitchen.

  Brianna’s heart raced. Caitlin had given her no choice. She’d make the tea and try not to embarrass herself, and then she’d escape. Quickly grabbing the cannister of tea from the shelf beside the window, she heaped spoonsful of the black leaves into the tea pot.

  “You know your way around this kitchen.” Andrew leaned back against the bench with one ankle crossed over the other and his arms folded.

  Brianna swallowed hard. She’d have to tell him she used to be a student here, but as soon as she did, she’d be giving Andrew a glimpse of her past. Only people with problems came to the community, and since his parents owned the place, he’d know that. She took a deep breath. What did it matter? God had healed her deep inside, but it was still hard talking about her past, especially with such a disturbingly handsome man. But it would come out eventually. Rosemary would no doubt say something, so she may as well get it over with.

  She plopped another spoonful of tea into the pot and kept her head down. “I used to be a student here.”

  He angled his head. “Really?”

  Brianna wasn’t sure if her answer had surprised him or not, but the tone of his voice suggested it hadn’t. She nodded. “Yes, a couple of years ago.”

  “You’d know my mum, then.”

  Brianna looked up and smiled. Her heart warmed every time she thought of the kindly Scottish woman who’d taken her under her wing on the day she arrived. “Yes, your mum helped me so much.”

  “She’s a special lady.” Andrew picked up the large kettle whistling on the stove and poured the steaming water into the teapot.

  Brianna was acutely aware of his masculine body and cologne as he stood near her filling the pot. His closeness was both confronting and disturbing. She breathed a sigh of relief when Caitlin returned.

  “They all would like tea. Andrew, would you mind taking the tray in with the cups and saucers? Will you be okay with the pot, Brianna? I’m going to call the girls.”

  “I’ll be fine.” Brianna forced a smile. Caitlin was putting her on the spot, and she knew it. What if she spilled the tea on Lizzy’s mother? And Grace would notice her unease straight away. She’d poured tea hundreds of times before, but never with a man like Andrew McKinnon by my side.

  Lizzy glanced up as Brianna entered the drawing room. Looking uneasy, she carried the tea pot covered with a brightly coloured tea cosy, but Andrew, hot on her heels and wearing a wide grin, appeared to be enjoying himself.

  “Thanks Brianna, Andrew. Just put it on the side board. I can pour.” Lizzy stood, and after they’d placed the tray and pot down, gestured for them to join her. “Andrew, come and meet everyone.” Lizzy made the introductions, and then, after they’d all exchanged pleasantries, she took orders. Andrew joined Ryan and her father in front of the fire, and Brianna helped distribute the cups of tea as Lizzy poured.

  As Lizzy poured the last cup, Caitlin and the girls joined them, and everyone continued chatting while sipping tea and nibbling shortbread, but Lizzy kept an amused eye on Brianna and Andrew. Sparks were flying between them, and it gladdened her heart. It was beyond time Brianna had someone special in her life, but it would challenge her. In Brianna’s entire thirty-four years, she was yet to have a proper relationship with a man. Raped by her cousins at age fifteen, and losing her baby at age sixteen, Brianna had turned to drugs. Jesus had since healed her, but she would need God’s grace and strength to get cl
ose to a man. But from what Lizzy had seen of Andrew McKinnon, she was convinced he was perfect for her. With his mother’s gentle spirit and his own zest for life, Andrew McKinnon could be exactly what Brianna needed. But what if he already had someone special in his life? She’d just have to pray he didn’t.

  After a short while, Lizzy suggested everyone freshen up before lunch. She showed her parents to the upstairs room. Normally her parents stayed in the cottage, but Daniel had thought it would be fun for them all to stay in the big house, so Lizzy had prepared a room for her parents in the east wing, where she, Daniel, and the children would also stay.

  As they climbed the spiral wooden staircase, Lizzy turned her head and smiled at her parents. “I’m glad you were able to make it. The children can’t wait to see you. In fact, they should be here any minute.” She glanced at her watch. Where were they?

  Gwyneth’s expression grew wistful. “It’s a pity your brother couldn’t make it. One of these years we’ll spend Christmas all together.”

  “I haven’t seen Jonathon since he visited briefly last year. He seems to just do his own thing, or at least that’s the impression I got.”

  “He’s so caught up in his world, I don’t think anything else matters to him anymore. Especially family.”

  Lizzy slipped her arm around her mother’s slim waist. “Don’t worry, Mum, you’ve got us.”

  “Yes, but look how far away you live.”

  Lizzy sighed. Her mother was right, they did live a long way apart, and as much as she loved the ruggedness of the Highlands and being involved in the community, she missed being close to her parents. Surprising, really, after all the years when she and her father could barely share a civilised word. But things had changed so much, and her father now didn’t just approve of Daniel, he loved him. “Let’s not think about that now.”

  Lizzy paused at the top of the stairs where the bunch of fresh flowers she’d bought at the local florist the day before sat on a highly polished timber dresser.

  Her mother’s gaze swept over the large room the students used as a lounge area. A bookcase, overflowing with books of all sorts, filled one wall, and an old piano another. Three over-sized couches, covered with lap rugs and brightly coloured cushions, faced a large open-fireplace. A large coffee table sat in the centre. Lizzy had tidied the pile of magazines the students had left behind, and they now sat neatly on one corner of the table. Board games were piled on another, and in the middle, a smaller bunch of fresh flowers.

  “This is very cosy,” Gwyneth said approvingly.

  “I’d forgotten you hadn’t been up here before. I’ll have to give you a tour, or maybe Rosemary can.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Your room’s down this way.” Lizzy motioned to her left and led her parents down a long hallway lit with old-fashioned wall sconces and decorated with oil paintings and tapestries, stopping outside a door on her right which she held open for them to enter. “I hope you’ll be comfortable here.”

  As her mother stepped inside the large guest room, her gaze travelled around the best room in the house. Lizzy had made sure everything was perfect… her parents liked nice things, and so she had gone shopping and bought an expensive, high quality duvet cover, matching pillow cases and new fluffy towels. She’d even contemplated updating the long, slightly faded drapes, but that would have been going too far. “It looks wonderful, doesn’t it, Roger?” Gwyneth slipped her hand into the crook of her husband’s arm and looked at his face.

  Although he gave her a warm smile, he still stood rigidly. “Perfect. Thank you, Elizabeth.”

  Lizzy stifled a chuckle. When would her father give in and shorten her name like everyone else did? “Great. Let me know if you need anything.”

  Gwyneth grabbed Lizzy’s hand, her eyes moistening. “Thank you, dear. It really is good to see you.”

  Lizzy stepped forward and gave her mother a big hug. “And it’s good to see you, Mum. I’m sorry it’s been so long.”

  Soon after, as Lizzy left her parents to freshen up, she checked her watch again and tried to ignore the lump growing in the pit of her stomach. Where are they? Daniel had called when he and Caleb arrived at the airport, but that was hours ago. She blew out a breath and hurried down the steps. God, please keep them safe, wherever they are…

  Chapter 3

  Daniel and Caleb and the children arrived at Inverness Airport half an hour later than planned due to the heavy fog, and were relieved to discover that the plane carrying their siblings from Belfast had also been delayed and had only just landed. They waited in the Arrivals Hall for another half an hour before the group of six emerged.

  Aislin clutched her husband’s hand. Alana held three-year-old Quinn’s hand, and Shawn and Brendan, looking like body guards, brought up the rear. As they wandered out, their eyes scanned the crowd.

  Daniel drew a breath and sent up a quick prayer. God, please bless our time together…

  Each of his siblings had their own unique stories, but none, apart from Aislin and Alana, who’d lived together for most of their lives until Aislin had recently married her long-time boyfriend, Joel, really knew each other. Shawn was a mystery to them all, having travelled the world for most of his adult life, rarely returning to Belfast. It was a miracle he was home and had agreed to join the family for Christmas. It was also a miracle Brendan was out of jail. How would these two in particular cope with staying at a Christian community? Would they feel uncomfortable? Would there be arguments and disagreements? How much of the past would be raked through? What would these four, plus Joel, think about the other four siblings, including himself, who’d given their hearts to the Lord? Would they consider them soft and weak?

  Daniel had asked God to bless their time together and trusted He’d smooth the way, but had he been too ambitious? He released his breath and raised his hand, catching Brendan’s eye. Brendan nodded in acknowledgment, but his expression remained unchanged. Daniel gulped. What had he gotten himself into? Brendan was a hardened criminal who mixed with other hardened criminals, yet when he attended Da’s funeral several years ago, he had a tear in his eye as the coffin was lowered into the ground. There was hope for even the toughest of criminals—no one was beyond God’s saving grace, and didn’t Daniel know that.

  He shifted Clare to his other hip and pushed his way through the crowd. Caleb held James’ hand and followed closely behind. Seven-year-old Dillon raced ahead, darting around groups of people and stopping only when Daniel called out.

  The men shook hands, Daniel and Caleb kissed and hugged the girls, and Quinn clung to his mother, studying everyone with big, round eyes covered by lashes too long for a boy.

  “Welcome to Scotland, everyone. Great to see you all. Thanks for coming.” Daniel spoke too fast, and his chest was tight.

  Caleb clapped Daniel on the back and stood beside him. “It means a lot to both of us that you’ve come. It really is great to see you all.”

  Alana’s eyes misted over. She quickly wiped them with the back of her hand and pulled Quinn tighter.

  Aislin smiled. “We’re all glad to be here, aren’t we?” Clinging to Joel’s arm, she glanced at each of her siblings in turn, urging them to agree.

  Brendan looked down at his shoes before raising his head, his expression softening. “Yeah, I’m glad to be here.”

  “I am too, I think.” Shawn stood with his hands in the pockets of his red bomber jacket. Despite his years of travelling, he hadn’t lost his Irish accent.

  Alana just nodded. Black streaks from tears mixed with mascara ran down her cheeks.

  Daniel gave her an extra hug, but if he made too much of a fuss, he too could end up in tears.

  Caleb rubbed his hands together. “We’d better get moving. The fog’s started to lift, but it’ll still take about two hours to get home.” He headed for the exit and everyone followed.

  Daniel unlocked the twenty-seater community bus, and after he and Caleb stacked the suitcases in the back, they usher
ed everyone into their seats. Clare clung to him, wanting to sit beside him in the front. He probably should have left her at home with Lizzy, but she’d been excited to come. It was a different story now… not surprising, really. Brendan and Shawn would intimidate anyone.

  “It’s okay, Danny. I’ll sit in the back.” Caleb knew what it was like to have a shy daughter. He had two.

  “Thanks, man, appreciate it.”

  Daniel’s hopes for a drive home filled with happy chatter soon flew out the window. Engaging everyone in conversation was hard work, a lot harder than he’d expected. Aislin and Joel chatted on and off with Caleb, as did Shawn, but Brendan and Alana barely said a word. And he had to concentrate on the road.

  At just under the half-way mark, when the crumbly remains of Urquhart Castle and the deep, dark waters of Loch Ness came into view on their left, Daniel rounded a corner and slammed on the brakes. A truck on its side blocked the road. The bus skidded and fish-tailed. Clare screamed. Daniel pressed harder, trying to bring it to a stop. A deathly hush filled the back of the bus. The bus stopped inches from the truck. Daniel blew out a deep breath and reached for Clare, pulling her close, comforting her, and very glad she’d been wearing a seat belt. He turned around and cast his gaze over the rest of his passengers. “Is everyone okay?”

  One by one they either nodded or said quietly that they were, but all their faces were pale. He thanked God silently that no one had been hurt, but then his thoughts turned to the driver of the truck. “Clare, Daddy and Uncle Caleb have to go outside and look at the truck. Can you climb into the back with your aunties?”

  “I want to stay with you, Daddy.” She shot several quick glances into the back but then buried her head in Daniel’s shoulder.

  He gently pried her head up and looked into her eyes, wiping her damp face with his fingers. “I know, sweetheart, but it’s cold outside, and I won’t be long. Will you do it for me?”