Page 23 of Highlands Homecoming

“When does spring arrive?”

“According to the Irish, Imbolc is the first day of spring. That’s the 1st of February. But around here, I’d say don’t put away your parka until at least April,” said Sandy.

“Maybe even May,” said Sydney.

“That’s like Boston. We can have a sixty or seventy degree day in January, then get six inches of snow a few days later,” said Melissa.

Soon Lindsay served the meal and sat down at the table with them to enjoy it, just as Drew breezed into the room.

“How’s my favorite chef?” asked Drew as he greeted Lindsay with a friendly peck on the cheek.

“You’re lucky I’m the chef so I can reheat your dinner!” said Lindsay.

“You sit. I’ll reheat,” said Drew.

“You lovebirds should both sit. I’m capable of running a microwave if Lindsay isn’t offended,” said Melissa.

Lindsay pretended to look appalled but then nodded. “Thanks, Mel.”

“Drew, nice to see you,” said Sandy. “My daughter has made an amazing meal.”

Drew slid into a chair next to Lindsay. “Looks delicious.”

“Thank you,” said Lindsay, passing him oat cakes and salad. “What can I get you to drink?”

“I’ll stick with water because I need to drive back to Drumnadrochit tonight,” said Drew.

“Really? Can’t you stay?” Lindsay asked.

He put his arm around Lindsay. “I suppose I could stick around till morning.”

Melissa got Drew a plate of food, and they shared laughs and lighthearted banter. As the evening wore on, it became clear to everyone that the new MacAlister Inn was destined for success.

Burns Night couldn’t come soon enough.Melissa needed to keep her mind off of all the issues with Dave, and her worries about Colin, and her home, and … she needed to keep busy.

At the inn, the painters were finishing, the woodwork was done, and the HVAC was in. So she surrounded herself with samples of upholstery, curtains, and bedding. The last touches were more local art for the upstairs guest rooms.

Melissa wandered through the galleries in Inverness. There were watercolors of Highland landscapes, oil paintings of the battle of Culloden, Mary Queen of Scots, Highland Coos, sheep, Inverness Castle, photographs of the Fairy Pools, Fairy Glen, the Old Man of Storr, puffins … She finally plunked down her company credit card and bought them all. It felt good to support artists and, in turn, encourage more tourism. Not that Scotland didn’t have tourists. In the summer they’d be overrun, Drew had assured her. But it seemed like a good way to help the local economy. Seeing these sights in the winter was a whole different experience, and Melissa wondered if there was a way to encourage tourism during the colder months. And that led her back to Burns Night—a unique holiday that many foreigners hadn’t even heard of. She’d make it spectacular.

Excited, she returned to the inn and began unloading frames and tartan pillows and little stuffed Highland Coos and sheep. She hauled several loads up the stairs before Sydney found her and insisted on helping. Soon everything was upstairs, and Melissa was humming to herself as she hung paintings, placed pillows on chairs, and laid soft mohair blankets in each of the rooms. She looked around and decided she should consider looking for some antique mirrors to go in some rooms—maybe a collection of hand mirrors hung on the walls. She also thought about adding some vintage books on travel or by Scottish authors, maybe on a desk in each room or next to the fireplace.

Chapter10

Early Monday morning, Colin was dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on the divorce papers. Everything was in order, so he gave them to his assistant to submit. He took a sip of coffee and looked out at the dark clouds over the Charles. Another stormy day lay ahead.

At 8:05, there was a commotion outside his office door. Colin took a deep breath as he anticipated—and confirmed—that it was Melissa’s ex, Dave.

“Hello, David,” said Colin. “Per our unplanned meeting over the weekend, I went ahead and sped things up. You’ll be happy to know that I’ve completed all the documents on both sides of the divorce, and everything’s in order, so?—”

“I had an idea,” said Dave.

Colin set down his cup of coffee. “All right. Have a seat. What can I do for you?” asked Colin.

“As you know, I’ve requested half. That includes that house in Scotland I’ve been hearing about,” said Dave.

Colin took a deep breath.

“The house wasn’t part of—” began Colin.