Page 29 of Highlands Homecoming

Melissa tightly embraced Colin, then pulled back. “So … you said you had news?”

“Loads to tell you. I think we should sit.”

Melissa led Colin into the cozy den area, where she had a fire going and a warm pot of tea sitting on the coffee table. “Tea or something stronger?”

“At this point, I’d rather keep my wits about me,” said Colin.

Melissa poured them each a cup, and they sipped their tea quietly for a moment.

Melissa took a deep breath and broke the silence. “So … Hello! Welcome! What’s going on?”

“Well, as you can see, Dave’s found out about the house. As you know, the divorce was finalized, but he seems to think he’s created a little loophole.”

“Something about post-dating the papers. Would that hold up?”

“I don’t think so, but it might. I’m so sorry. I was in such a hurry to close the deal, it didn’t occur to me that he might write the wrong date.”

“Who would? I didn’t notice either.”

Just then,Melissa’s phone rang. “Yes? … No, it’s not … Well, he’s not the owner. We’re divorced.”

Colin motioned for Melissa to turn on the speaker phone, so she did. “... to take interior photos for the listing,” said the voice on the other end of the line.

Melissa’s face flushed red. “It’s not for sale,” she said firmly, then hung up.

“How can so many things change so fast?” Melissa got up. “Excuse me, I just need a moment.” She left the room and headed down the hallway to the bathroom to blow her nose.

Melissa returned a few minutes later, red-eyed and frazzled, but she managed a weak grin. “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right?” she said, sniffling and sitting down in a chair across from Colin. “Speaking of hasty decisions, what brings you here?”

“I wanted to see you?” said Colin with a shrug and a look in his eye that said there was much more to his arrival. He beckoned for Melissa to sit beside him, and he tucked her against him when she sat down.

Colin slouchedbeside the crackling fire, his expression serious, while Melissa, lost in thought, fixated on the dancing flames. Embers popped and hissed, sending occasional sparks spiraling into the dimly lit room as the hypnotic play of light and shadow mesmerized the silent pair.

Finally Melissa giggled. First a little, then more. Colin looked over at her, certain she was beginning to lose it, but the giggles turned into full blown laughter until she was in tears.

“What on earth could be so funny?” he asked.

She finally took a deep breath and tried to center herself.

“He wants to buy a condo in Vegas. He’ll only get half the price of Greenhill, so he’ll still need to sell our home. And our home is infested with squirrels.”

“A condo doesn’t need to cost?—”

“Yeah, but the condo he wants and the lifestyle he wants … and I know Samantha only rents. They’ll need to sell that squirrel-infested house come hell or high water, and it’s not going to be easy.”

Melissa grinned. “I think it might be time to pour a wee dram,” she said.

Colin nodded. “We deserve it.”

Melissa went to the cupboard and pulled out a bottle of Talisker Skye and poured two drams, neat, and handed one to Colin.

“Sláinte,” she said, lifting her glass.

“Sláinte,” he said. His eyes, reflecting a gentle warmth, met hers, creating a moment of quiet connection between them.

Melissa felt a warm glow flush across her cheeks as she clinked glasses and took a sip.

“You said you had news,” she said, embarrassed that so much of the afternoon had been about her.