Finding Hope at the Loch (Loch Lannick Book 7)

by Hannah Ellis

  They lingered after the food, drinking yet more champagne and exchanging stories, laughing more the merrier they got.

  “I think it’s brilliant that you own a bookshop,” Nick remarked, leaning back and draping an arm across the back of Lexie’s chair. “That must be a great job.”

  “It is,” Tara agreed, then glanced at James with a frown. “I keep worrying about the place.”

  “Since the shop opened, there’s always been one of us there,” James explained. “It’s the first time we’ve left anyone else in charge.”

  Tara rolled her eyes. “And somehow James thought it would be a good idea to ask my mother to look after things. Most of the time she struggles to look after herself, so I’ve no idea how she’ll manage the bookshop.”

  “She’ll be great,” James said. “It’ll probably do her good to have something to focus on.”

  “We’d intended to close the shop while we were away,” Tara said. “But James randomly asked my mum if she could open up for us. He didn’t even discuss it with me first.”

  James chuckled. “Because it only came to me when we were having dinner with her and I didn’t stop to think before I suggested it. I’m still surprised by how keen she was.”

  “Haven’t you been in touch with her since you left?” Lexie asked.

  Tara shook her head. “James thinks it’ll seem as though I don’t trust her if I message her.”

  “So your business could have been run into the ground by now for all you know?” Nick said teasingly.

  Lexie gave him a friendly slap on the leg.

  “He’s right,” Tara said in a panic. “I’m going to message her and check.”

  “I’m sure it’s fine,” Nick said. “I was only winding you up.”

  “You don’t know my mum, though,” Tara said. “There’s a good chance you’re right.”

  James looked on as she tapped away at her phone. “The worst that can happen is she has a meltdown and closes up. Which is what we were planning on doing anyway.”

  “Thanks!” Tara said. “Now you’ve reminded me that my mum’s prone to meltdowns, and we might have caused her to have another when we’re not there to look after her!”

  Lexie couldn’t decide whether Tara was genuinely worried or not. It didn’t seem as though James was concerned.

  “Everything will be fine,” he said as Tara set the phone aside again. “You’re worrying about nothing.”

  “I hope so,” she replied, then took a sip of champagne.

  James was telling them about his second business in web design when Tara got a message from her mum to say everything was fine. She seemed to relax after that. It was quite reassuring to Lexie that Tara also had other things on her mind on her wedding day.

  “How did you decide to get married here?” Lexie asked.

  Tara looked at James, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “It’ll sound ridiculous, but I read a book where a couple ran away to Gretna Green to get married and it just sounded so romantic. It was at the same time we decided to get married quickly and it inspired me.”

  “Was it a historical romance novel, by any chance?” Lexie asked, giving Nick a sidelong glance.

  “Yes.” Tara put a hand to her chest. “I’m a sucker for them.”

  “Nick’s quite partial too,” Lexie said. “For the historical elements, of course.”

  His cheeks turned red at her teasing. “I don’t generally read historical romance. I only mentioned that I had read some, but often they get the facts wrong and it’s distracting.”

  “Don’t worry,” Tara said. “We’re not going to judge you on your reading tastes. I always say people should read what they enjoy and don’t worry about what other people think. James reads historical romance too,” she added.

  He shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

  “Don’t start being a literary snob,” Tara chastised. “Historical romance is a great genre.”

  “If you like that kind of thing,” he said. “I only read a few books because we’re friends with the author and it would have been rude not to.”

  “I don’t think Emily expected you to read her books,” Tara said.

  “I own a bookshop,” he replied. “I have to read widely.”

  Tara raised her eyebrows. “So out of a sense of duty and professional interest you binge-read the entire series over the course of a weekend and bit my head off any time I interrupted you? But you’ll claim you didn’t really enjoy them?”

  Now it was James’s turn to look sheepish. “They’re quite good books,” he admitted. “The historical aspects are fascinating.”

  “You’re friends with authors?” Lexie asked, amused by James’s bashfulness.

  “A few,” Tara said. “Sometimes we have authors come to the shop to do readings or signings. Emily’s also a friend of a friend.”

  “Would we have heard of her?” Nick asked.

  Tara curled her lip. “Probably not. Her name’s Emily Winters. She wrote a couple of women’s fiction books and some historical romance. She’s very good, but not particularly well-known.”

  Nick sat forward, resting his forearms on the table. “The Oxford Castle series?”

  “Yes!” Tara’s eyes lit up.

  “You’re friends with Emily Winters?” Nick said in disbelief.

  “You’ve heard of her?” Tara asked.

  “I love her!” Nick shook his head. “I mean I love her books. She’s clearly done her research. Her knowledge of the time period and of Oxford Castle and Prison is impressive.”

  “I can’t believe you’ve read her books,” Tara said.

  “A woman at work was telling me about them,” Nick said. “She lent me the first book and I got hooked.”

  “They’re the books that James couldn’t put down,” Tara said.

  James nodded. “Because of the fascinating historical facts.”

  “Yeah, right!” Tara laughed at him. “Admit you’re a sucker for romance!”

  “He’s giving you half a bookshop as a wedding present,” Lexie said. “I don’t think he can deny being a romantic.”

  Tara beamed. “He was reading the books and I asked him what he wanted for dinner. I swear to you he actually growled at me.”

  Nick screwed his nose up. “I can absolutely understand getting irritated when someone interrupts you reading, but I struggle to get annoyed with anyone who’s offering me food.”

  “Normally I’d agree. But let me explain.” James leaned on the table opposite Nick as though he was about to say something important. “I was about halfway through book two,” he said in a deadly serious tone. “Daisy had been out delivering the clean washing in the morning. She got back to find little Jenny all alone. And then the thing happens. And we’ve no idea where you-know-who is. And you don’t even know if a certain person is dead or alive.”

  Lexie interrupted him with a burst of laughter. “You don’t have to speak in code for me,” she said. “I’m probably never going to read it.”

  “You have to read it,” Nick said. “It’s brilliant.”

  “Because of all the historical facts.” James quirked an eyebrow at Lexie before turning to Nick again. “So you can see why I got annoyed with the question about dinner?”

  “Aye,” Nick said seriously. “How could you care about dinner with all that Daisy was going through?”

  “The ending, though,” James said, his features morphing to admiration.

  Nick nodded. “It’s a bloody good ending.”

  “Presumably the ending is so good because it’s full of fascinating historical facts?” Lexie said, smirking.

  “Absolutely!” James replied.

  “And I suppose the historical facts all lived happily ever after?” she asked.

  “They did,” he said. “Thank goodness.”

  Nick finished his beer in a long gulp. “I can’t believe you know Emily Winters.”

  “You’ll have to come and visit us sometime,” Tara said. “I’ll introduce you
.”

  Nick shook his head. “I’d be starstruck.”

  “You wouldn’t be starstruck around Emily,” James said. “I guarantee it. She’s very down to earth. Quite reserved really.”

  “She’s getting married soon too,” Tara said. “That should be a good do.”

  “I’d really like to visit you sometime,” Lexie said. “I’ve never been to Devon, and I really want to come and see your bookshop.”

  “You should definitely come,” Tara said enthusiastically. “We’re probably going to visit you on Skye too.”

  James took a swig of his drink, then glanced around the restaurant. “Shall we move back to the bar? It’s a bit more chilled out there.”

  They all agreed, taking their drinks with them as they left the restaurant.

  “We might need to leave,” Nick said, taking Lexie’s elbow and speaking quietly as they walked over to the bar. “I’m quite drunk.”

  “You seem fine.”

  “I’m definitely drunk.”

  “Let’s have one more drink. I’m having a good time.”

  “I almost touched his hair,” Nick said, pulling on her arm to stop her walking any further.

  “What?”

  “When James was talking to me, I was wondering if his hair is as soft as it looks. I almost stroked his hair!”

  Lexie put her hand to her mouth as she laughed. “Yeah okay, you might be drunk.”

  “Can we go?”

  “Aye. Just try not to grope him when we say goodbye.”

  “I’m not that drunk! I only want to know what his hair feels like.”

  Lexie could hardly keep a straight face as she told Tara and James they were going to call it a night.

  “I was just about to suggest ordering shots,” Tara said. “Are you sure I can’t tempt you?”

  “Probably not a great idea,” Nick said.

  Tara gave Lexie a big hug and made her promise to keep in touch. They exchanged details, then hugged each other again before saying goodnight.

  “Stop laughing at me,” Nick said, when they walked into the hotel room.

  “You make me laugh,” she said. “Did you really want to touch his hair?”

  “No.” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “It was just an excuse to leave so I finally get you to myself.”

  “I don’t think it was an excuse.” Lexie couldn’t stop giggling. “I think you really wanted to touch his hair. I was kind of tempted too. I wonder what shampoo they use.”

  Lexie felt giddy from the alcohol but soon calmed down when Nick kissed her deeply. “Nick?” she whispered against his lips.

  “Yeah?”

  “You’re going to have to help me take my dress off. I can’t reach the zip.” She turned away from him, then sighed when he kissed her neck and her shoulder.

  “I suppose I can help you with that,” he agreed happily.

  Chapter Thirty

  When Lexie woke she felt wonderfully peaceful. Reaching across the bed, she searched for Nick before realising he wasn’t there. As she came further out of sleep she registered his low tones and sat up to find him slouched on the couch, dressed only in a pair of boxer shorts and chatting into his phone.

  His smile gave her butterflies as he ended the call and came to sit beside her.

  “Good morning, wife!” he said, trailing his fingers over her bare shoulder.

  “Good morning, husband.” She leaned in and kissed him. “Who was on the phone?” she asked as she pulled away again.

  “My mum. She’s in panic mode.”

  “Why?” Lexie immediately imagined Aileen being upset about them eloping. Nick had insisted his parents were fine with it but maybe they weren’t really. She and Nick were supposed to be visiting them on the way home and staying for a night, but Lexie didn’t think she could face it if there was going to be an awkward atmosphere.

  “She wanted to have a little celebration for us this afternoon.”

  “That’s fine,” Lexie said. “You already told me she was inviting Jonathan and Sandy over.”

  “Apparently she also decided to invite my grandparents … and then my aunt and uncle and cousins.”

  “Oh.” Lexie smiled. “That’ll be nice.”

  Nick nodded slowly. “Then she invited a few friends and the neighbours …”

  “So now we have to make sure we get there on time?” Lexie asked, still not sure why Aileen would be panicking.

  “I don’t think she’s too concerned about that. As long as we turn up at some point!” He reached for her hand. “She feels bad that she didn’t invite your parents or any of your family.”

  “That doesn’t matter,” Lexie said.

  “We could still invite them,” Nick suggested. “It’s last minute but maybe––”

  “No.” Lexie shook her head. “My parents won’t be able to leave the pub, and Dad wouldn’t want to even if he could.”

  “I’m sorry,” he said, pushing her hair from her face. “I really think Mum intended to make it a small celebration – she just got carried away.”

  “That’s sweet of her,” Lexie said. “It’ll be fun. And it’ll be good to meet your extended family.”

  “My uncle’s quite odd,” he said with a grin. “And my grandparents can be a little quirky, but it should be fun. And we’ll probably get gifts.”

  “Totally worth an afternoon with quirky relatives then.” She shifted closer and ran a hand over Nick’s hair. “When do we need to leave?”

  “We’re not in too much of a rush,” he said, brushing his lips across hers in a way that made her heart flutter. “I ordered breakfast to the room.”

  Lexie pulled away from him. “I should get dressed then.”

  “It’ll be a while yet,” he said, pushing her gently back onto the bed and moving on top of her.

  They arrived at Nick’s parents’ house in the middle of the afternoon. A white van with the logo of a local cafe was parked outside.

  “Hi!” Aileen called to them when they stepped inside. She was in the big kitchen at the end of the hall, looking slightly flustered. Nick set off towards her, then got side-tracked by someone calling to him from the living room.

  “You didn’t need to go to so much trouble,” Lexie said when she reached Aileen.

  “I know!” She hugged Lexie. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to have a really small celebration, but things got a bit out of hand.”

  “It’s fine,” Lexie said.

  “Really? Because I know you didn’t want a big fuss. And it’s not that I don’t respect that … I’m just so excited for the two of you, that’s all.”

  “This is lovely,” Lexie said, looking around as the caterers set up tiered plates with selections of sandwiches and cakes.

  “I thought a bit of afternoon tea would be nice. I’m glad you like it.”

  “There she is!” Phil’s voice boomed as he walked into the kitchen. “My latest daughter-in-law. Congratulations!”

  “Thank you,” she said as he enveloped her in a tight embrace.

  He lowered his voice. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to endure an afternoon of small talk with a load of our relatives, but there’s plenty of wine and I promise to keep you topped up.”

  “I’m sure they’re all lovely,” Lexie said.

  “Just watch out for Aileen’s brother,” Phil said out of the corner of his mouth.

  Aileen gave him a playful slap on the arm. “Don’t bad-mouth poor Christopher.”

  “He’s got terrible breath and no concept of personal space,” Phil told Lexie quietly. “Otherwise he’s a nice enough guy.”

  “Nick!” Aileen called, holding her arms out when he walked in. “Come and give your mother a hug. I can’t believe you’re married. My baby’s all grown up.”

  Nick fake-gagged as Aileen squeezed him. “Do you need some help in here?”

  “No. Go and introduce Lexie to your grandparents. Everyone else should be arriving soon. People can help themselves to food w
henever they’re hungry. We’ll keep it informal.”

  “Come on,” Nick said, taking Lexie’s hand and leading her into the living room where a bunch of old people were waiting to meet her.

  The afternoon went surprisingly fast. Lexie had fun meeting Nick’s relatives and hearing stories about Nick as a child. Everyone wanted to hear about the wedding at Gretna Green, and Lexie enjoyed telling them all about it. With some encouragement from Nick’s grandma, Lexie changed into her wedding dress to show them. They coaxed Nick into his wedding outfit too and went out into the garden so people could take photos of them all dressed up.

  “Will anyone mind if I slip away for a little while at some point?” Lexie asked Nick after his dad handed them both a glass of champagne. “I want to call my mum.”

  “Yeah, just go up to my room and call her. It’s fine.”

  Lexie was about to go when she noticed Phil was passing champagne around to everyone. She presumed he was intending to make a speech.

  “I’ll go later,” she said, as Phil tapped the side of his glass to get everyone’s attention.

  Nick took her hand. “I feel as though this might be embarrassing.”

  It turned out not to be embarrassing for Nick. The short speech focused mostly on Lexie and how thrilled they were to have her as part of the family. It was touching, and Lexie wiped away a few happy tears as he raised a glass to them.

  Nick didn’t put up too much of a fuss when he was jeered into making a speech too. He looked relaxed and confident as he stood in front of his family and thanked them for coming, then thanked Lexie for making him the happiest man in the world. She beamed at him amid more tears.

  When the speeches were over, Lexie took the opportunity to slip away. She called her mum from Nick’s old bedroom, finally feeling emotionally stable enough to have a proper chat with her and tell her about the wedding and the surprise celebration that Aileen and Phil had organised. After ending the call to her mum, she immediately called Leana. She was working in the pub but said it wasn’t busy and chatted for a few minutes, firing questions at Lexie about the wedding. Lexie promised to fill her in properly when she got home.