‘It does seem intense,’ Jamie agreed. ‘And I didn’t realise?—’
‘It’s okay, I understand.’ Alicia reached for the book and when Jamie passed it back, she pulled it to her chest. ‘You didn’t realise how messed up I am.’
‘Well, no. I didn’t…’
‘Right. Maybe I should sleep in the spare room tonight. Do you have a spare room?’
Jamie smiled.What the hell?Why was he smiling?
‘Leesh. I meant no, that’s not what I was thinking. And I didn’t realise how much you were trying to work it all out yourself. I’ve never for one second thought of you as messed up. You’re a human being with complex emotions who’s been through a shift and a half at the mill. You own this book, which in itself tells me that I found gold dust in you.How many folk who go through trauma take the decision to heal themselves? Plus, you’ve brought your healing book on holiday. That’s commitment. At the risk of sounding like a horny old fucker, your approach to all this is kind of a turn on.’
Alicia had to stop herself from stumbling backwards. Who was this man? How had she lucked out on so many levels? Here she was, laid bare in front of him and all he did was accept and admire her and even find it a turn on. Who needed a prince when you had Jamie Butler?
‘Oh, Jamie. You have no idea how much that means. I’m sorry for getting it wrong. I guess I’m… Well it’s all a bit of a work in progress.’
‘Of course it is. Come here.’ Jamie opened his arms. Alicia let herself be encased in his solidity. Stability. She was glad he understood that healing didn’t happen overnight.
But she really did need to read that book and make sure that healing happened at all.
The following morning, Jamie, having taken the day off work, suggested they walk around Kinshore where he would show Alicia some landmarks. From the car, the village looked adorable and she was keen to see more as well as the surrounding landscape. But as she stepped over the threshold of the cottage, ice cut through her. Someone was staring at her from across the street.
‘What?’ Jamie followed Alicia’s eyeline, then waved at the person. ‘Oh, that’s old Bert. He’s a friend of my dad’s.’
‘How’s the whisky?’ Bert called.
‘Aye, braw thanks, Bert. How’s your hip?’
‘Och, no so braw but I liveto fight another day.’
‘Take care, Bert.’ Jamie waved as the old man toddled off down the sidewalk.
Alicia relaxed. Her instincts hadn’t caught up with the fact that she wasn’t in LA now and there were no paparazzi. This was a sleepy little Scottish village where people like harmless old Bert wandered around saying good morning to everyone.
‘You good to go?’ Jamie asked.
‘Sure am. Can’t wait to explore Kinshore.’
‘Cool. Be warned though. People round here like a blether. You won’t get about two feet without someone wanting to have a chat about the price of shortbread.’
‘Sounds perfect. I’ve often thought of investing in shortbread, so it will be good to get an insight into the market.’ Alicia took the hand Jamie was offering and they stepped into the street. The chilled air wrapped around them, but his hold was reassuring.
It only took a few minutes from the cottage to the main village, even with the thin dusting of snow from the previous night slowing their walking speed. The air was crisp and most people they passed were bundled up in hats and scarves, their breath visible in the chilly morning light. The village with its snow dappled rooftops and warmly lit morning windows exuded a serene winter charm.
Kinshore’s main street was as delightful as Alicia had imagined. They strolled past a grocery store with an eye-catching window display of Christmas puddings, a bakery where the yeasty aroma of fresh bread and cakes wafted out to the street, and a coffee shop showcasing a dazzling array of festive cupcakes. The entire scene was worlds away from LA. Back home, a trip to the store meant a drive through congested streets with none of the cosy charm surrounding her now. Adding to the village’s allure was the friendlinessof the locals. Kinshore was one giant hug. Alicia quickly lost count of the number of people Jamie greeted with a cheerful good morning. Everyone was kind and welcoming, and it was clear they held him in the highest regard.
‘Hope this one is looking after you,’ a friend of Jamie’s mother remarked outside the grocery store. ‘I knew he wouldn’t stay single for long.’
‘Everyone loves the Butler boys, you’re one lucky lady,’ remarked Gladys McGlinchy as they passed the florist’s.
‘Jamie makes the rest of us look ugly.’ said his friend, Aiden, coming out of the coffee shop.
Jamie took it all in his stride, remaining humble and brushing off the compliments as if they were fluff on his sleeve, but Alicia knew they were true. And what was wonderful was that nobody said anything untoward about her or hinted at her reputation. Aiden, she could tell, recognised her but was gentleman enough not to comment. She could cope with being recognised when she had Jamie’s hand in her own, especially when he squeezed it tighter as if to sayI’m thinking of you.
‘So, now you’ve seen the village, let’s go get the car and I’ll drive you to a few of the scenes to paint.’ Jamie swung his arm around Alicia. ‘There’s the beach, the lighthouse, the standing stones. After that, I’ve booked us a table for lunch at the distillery café.’
At the beach, Alicia snapped some photos of the waves churning in with an untamed energy, the wild spray casting salty droplets onto her lips.
‘I still can’t believe you surf here,’ she remarked, dipping her finger into the chilly water at the shoreline. The coldness contrasted sharply with the thrill of imagining Jamie conquering these formidable waves.
