Page 80 of Chasing a Highland Dream

What I could do to bring this house to life.

Harris opened the back door and they stepped into a fenced garden. The edges were skirted with fir trees that formed a copse behind the property and birdsong filled the air.

‘It’s the perfect garden for birdwatching,’ Harris said as he placed his arm round her shoulder. ‘I think I’ll put a bird table over there.’ He pointed to the left rear corner of the garden. ‘And I think maybe a patio here so we… so I can sit and enjoy the sun in the summer.’

She knew he had corrected himself so as not to put pressure on her and she appreciated it. But she did love the place. It felt homely and fresh, like a blank canvas. Ideas buzzed around her head, and she let herself get excited a little.

‘Could I maybe be your first official client for your interior design business?’ he asked with a kiss to her head.

‘Of course. It’s funny you should ask that because I’ve already envisaged what could be done here. It will make you a beautiful home.’

He nodded and turned to her. ‘Look, I’m not going to pressure you, and I know you love Inverness and your job but just know, if you decided you might like to come here to be with me at any point, you’d be welcomed with open arms.’

She tiptoed to kiss him and once again hope sprang up from within her. Could this be it? She certainly hoped so.

Once they had looked around the rest of the house, they climbed back on the bike and headed north along the coast road to Broadford. The sea was to their right and sporadic houses were dotted along the road on the left with spectacular views over the Inner Sound. Bella could see why people were drawn to this small but beautiful island. They passed through a couple of pretty little hamlets and eventually Harris pulled into the car park of a smart looking stone building with a sign that read:

Pabay View Retirement Home

Once they were off the motorbike, Harris said, ‘You see the isle off in the distance in the Sound?’ Bella nodded. ‘That’s Pabay. It’s an uninhabited wee place now so it’s a bit of a nature reserve. There are all sorts of birds over there as well as otters, seals and rabbits. There are also the remains of a chapel from the thirteenth century over there.’

Bella glanced up at the building and then out across to the island. ‘It’s a lovely location.’

‘Aye, they have all sorts going on too. Sing-along nights, quiz nights, movie clubs, there’s a heated pool where they do gentle exercise classes. But they also go on bus trips across to the mainland and to the other islands. There’s a couple of different types of accommodation too. The little self-contained units are good because they have a wee enclosed patch of garden and residents in those units are allowed one pet. My mum can’t wait. She says it’s like a holiday resort compared to Sunnyside.’ He laughed.

‘Wow, no wonder she’s excited.’

‘It’s peaceful here too. None of the hustle and bustle of the city. Just views, nature and miles of open sky.’

‘Sounds perfect,’ Bella replied. She could definitely see the attraction for her granny and Maeve. But she had lots to think about. Could she realistically follow a man she had recently fallen for all the way to a Hebridean island to start a new life?

It was tempting.

34

Bella’s dad had messaged while they were out to say ‘the stubborn old boot’ was coming home on Monday and was desperate to see her wee dog.

They agreed that Harris wouldn’t stay the night when they returned from Skye. He said he had something important to do the following morning, so he’d be better staying at home, and Bella wanted to visit her granny, and of course, collect Beau. But she couldn’t help regretting the arrangement a little. She had loved waking up with him.

‘Thank you for coming with me today. And for trusting me to take you across on the bike.’

‘I think it’s I who should be thanking you. It was fun. And Glentorrin is such a lovely place.’

‘I agree. And you heard what the baker said. She sees Glentorrin ladies’ nights in your future.’

She reached up and kissed his neck, inhaling his scent. She smoothed her hands down his chest as she gazed deep into his eyes. ‘Hmm, I heard that too.’

Bella made her way up to the castle to collect Beau. Mirren was finishing off some home baking for the shop.

‘I hear you and that handsome sergeant are an item,’ Mirren said as Bella sat drinking tea and sampling Mirren’s work – of course, someone had to taste test it before it went on sale in the café.

‘Aye, Harris is wonderful.’

‘It’s going to be difficult when he leaves.’

Bella gave a deep sigh. ‘I know. We have less than two months together before he goes to Skye. And now my granny is saying she wants to go too to be with her best friend.’

‘Oh, bless her.’