Page 34 of Highlands Homecoming

The dancing was next. Despite his arthritis, Sandy somehow managed to whisk Margaret off her feet. Melissa and Colin soon joined, along with Drew and Lindsay, and Sydney and Elspeth. It reminded Melissa of the square dancing required in elementary school, combined with the country line dancing she’d done at weddings. Breathless, she circled, twirled, and raced down the line and back again while the rest of the crowd joined in.

When it was all over, they gathered and crossed arms—it reminded Melissa of the Girl Scouts’ closing ceremony, where they held hands and passed a hand squeeze around the circle. They sangOld Lang Syne, mostly in Scots. Melissa was grateful to have the lyrics written out on a little card on the table. She hadn’t realized it was originally written by Robert Burns.What a guy!

Afterwards, as friends stood and said their goodbyes, Melissa hugged Lindsay. “That was incredible! This place is going to be such a success!” Then she hugged Elspeth and Sydney. “It was great! Thank you!”

“I think we’re off to a cracking good start. Thank you, Lindsay, for your incredible skills!” said Sydney.

Chapter13

The road was lined with tall trees, their branches reaching up to the sky. In the distance, Greenhill House stood, a dark silhouette against the colorful sky. As they drove closer, Melissa couldn't help but notice the bright green hue that seemed to intensify as they got closer. "Are those the Northern Lights?" she asked in awe.

Colin squinted out the window and confirmed her suspicions. "Yes, it appears so."

Melissa couldn't believe her luck, living in a place where such otherworldly beauty was a regular occurrence. "It's incredible," she remarked.

Colin nodded in agreement, adding, "It's been a while since I've seen them. We'll have to take a walk and admire them when we get to your place."

After parking in the driveway, they walked out toward the loch. The Northern Lights danced above them, swirling in mesmerizing patterns of green, turquoise, and purple.

“It’s just amazing,” said Melissa.

As they stood there, Colin gently put his arm around Melissa's shoulders. She leaned into him, feeling a warm sense of comfort and closeness. They stayed like that for a while, standing by the edge of the loch, watching the lights twirl and dance in hypnotizing patterns above them. The greenish glow reflected off the water, creating a magical atmosphere.

"I can't think of a better ending to such a perfect evening," said Melissa, breaking the silence.

"Aye?" said Colin, a glint in his eye.

Melissa raised an eyebrow in response, curious about what he was thinking.

Colin took a deep breath and turned toward her, his expression serious yet playful. "Well, there’s one thought I’d had …”

“And what would that be?" she asked coyly.

Without hesitation, Colin leaned in and kissed her. Their lips met in a tender yet passionate embrace, and Melissa felt herself swept away by the whirlwind of emotions that flooded through her body. She wrapped her arms around him and melted into his embrace, feeling like she was exactly where she was meant to be.

After what felt like both an eternity and only a few seconds, they pulled away from each other, their faces flushed with excitement and desire. They gazed into each other's eyes for a moment before Colin spoke up again.

"I've been wanting to do that all night," he admitted sheepishly.

Melissa chuckled and gave him another quick kiss. "I'm glad you finally did," she replied.

They stood there a while longer before the wind picked up. Melissa shivered, and Colin put his arm around her. “Let’s get you inside by the fire!”

Inside,Melissa put on a kettle, while Colin started the fire. As she got two mugs out and fixed hot chocolate, she realized how long it had been since they were truly alone. Perhaps this was the first time since she was officially divorced. She certainly hadn’t intended to find someone new so quickly.Well, she hadn’t intended to get a divorce at all.She was amazed to think how long her life had been the same old predictable pattern of work, groceries, dinner, sleep, coffee, work, gym, sleep … and now to break free of these patterns and live a new life.

She knew she was stalling.

She brought the mugs of steaming hot chocolate into the living room where Colin was coaxing the fire. Jingles followed Melissa from the kitchen and sat down on the rug by the hearth.

“This night just gets better and better,” said Melissa.

“That it does,” said Colin as Melissa snuggled next to him.

“Was Burns Night our second date?” asked Colin.

“You know, I think New Year’s—I mean, Hogmanay—probably counted as a date.”

“So we’re into third date territory?”