Page 22 of Highlands Homecoming

Melissa and Sandy nodded.

“Here’s the drinks menu. I think it’ll evolve into a Scotch, mixed drinks, and wine list. But for now …”

“No worries at all!” said Melissa. “We’re just honored to be among the first to try the menu. And I hope you and Elspeth will be joining us?”

“Elspeth is in Fort William shopping for the rooms upstairs,” said Sydney. “But I’ll join if you’ll have me?”

“Of course!”

Sydney sat down, and they munched on oatcakes.

“So, Mr. MacGregor, you’re Melissa’s …?”

“Oh, no. We’re no relation, although he’s like my adopted father. He’s Lindsay’s father,” said Melissa.

“And Colin’s,” added Sandy.

Lindsay brought out salads and set them down.

“We’ll start with a pomegranate and quinoa edamame salad with a light lemon-pomegranate vinaigrette.”

“That looks incredible,” said Melissa.

“Thank you,” said Lindsay. “And what can I bring you to drink? We have whisky, red and white wine, and the like, but I’d love for you to try some of our specialty mixed drinks.”

“Don’t tell me my brother, Angus, shared his top-secret recipes?” asked Sydney.

“Aye, your brother has a fantastic talent for mixology …” said Lindsay. “ … and secrets. So, these are my own inventions.”

“Grand. What are the choices?” asked Sydney.

“We have an Auld Fashioned—our spin on a classic bourbon Old Fashioned, but made with Scotch whisky, bitters, and sugar. We have a Talisker Negroni, with Talisker, Campari, and Antica Formula. And we have our Bobby Burns, which is Scotch whisky, sweet vermouth, and Benedictine.”

“Well, seeing as I need to know more about him, I’ll try the Bobby Burns,” said Melissa.

“I’ll stick with a Talisker Skye, neat,” said Sandy.

“I’ll try the Auld Fashioned,” said Sydney.

“Lovely,” said Lindsay, and she turned toward the bar.

“It’s strange to have a friend waiting on me. I feel like we’re playing restaurant,” said Melissa.

“Aye, she and Colin used to love to play restaurant as bairns,” said Sandy.

They ate their salads, and soon it was time for the mains.

“We have Balmoral chicken, which is chicken stuffed with haggis and wrapped in bacon; a roasted partridge with elderberry sauce; the Haggis supper with neeps and tatties; or venison with whisky sauce.”

“What if we had all four and shared?” asked Melissa.

“Yes, I had thought about a sampler plate, since it’s a tasting event. What do you think, Sydney?” replied Lindsay

“Absolutely! Let’s do that with the dessert round as well,” Sydney said.

They sipped their drinks and watched the sun set over the river. It was a beautiful evening. “It almost feels like spring,” said Melissa.

“Aye. Almost is the keyword there. We’re nay out of the woods yet,” said Sandy.