One More for Christmas(48)

They crested a ridge, and there was just enough light remaining for Samantha to see the view.

Behind her, Ella gasped. “Oh my! Will you look at that.”

Samantha was looking. It was an unspoiled wilderness, and the beauty of it took her breath away.

Right in front of them was the loch, it’s curving shores protected by dense forest. Behind the trees rose craggy peaks, coated with snow. And there, nestled on the shores of the loch was Kinleven Lodge, with its walls of golden stone and turrets that looked like upside-down ice cream cones. Snow clung to the roof and lights glowed from the windows.

An owl swooped in front of them, soaring through the dusky sky toward the safety of the trees, and Samantha felt a lump form in her throat. For a brief moment she forgot about her mother, about that conversation and how much Brodie knew about her. She focused only on how perfect the place was and how much her clients would love it. Already in her mind she was forming a list of people she would immediately contact.

Brodie glanced at her. “Say something. You think it’s too remote?”

“What? No! I’m thinking it’s beautiful.” The word didn’t begin to describe what she was seeing, but the descriptive language that came so easily to her when she was writing copy for the website had vanished.

“It is, although sometimes I forget that when the car is stuck in snow and my fingers are freezing. It’s even more beautiful when the sun is shining.” Brodie stopped the car in front of a set of gates and opened the car door, letting in a waft of icy air. “Just give me a minute.”

While he pushed open the gates, Samantha grabbed her camera and took a few shots.

Brodie climbed back into the vehicle, snow dusting his hair and shoulders. “You must be tired after your journey, so we thought you’d probably like to go straight to your rooms to freshen up, and then we’ll serve a light supper before you go to bed?”

“Sounds good. Thank you.”

He drove carefully along the track that opened up as they approached the lodge.

Samantha couldn’t stop looking at the house. It was even more enchanting than the photos she’d seen. “I love the turrets.”

“Yes. They look charming, but they’re hell when the roof needs fixing.” He paused. “You like it?” There was uncertainty in his voice and she was quick to reassure him.

“I love it.”

And she did. It wasn’t just pretty; it was perfect. Her mind was already preoccupied with detail. Winter hiking. Drinks in front of a log fire. Maybe a poetry evening. She could easily book the place out for the entire winter season. She imagined all the people who were going to have the happiest of Christmases.

Tab clapped her hands. “It looks like a fairy castle!”

“Does it?” Brodie adjusted his glasses, as if seeing the place properly for the first time. “I suppose it does. It was built as a shooting lodge in the mid-eighteenth century by my great, great, great—” He paused and shook his head. “I lose track of how many greats—grandfather who apparently wanted to impress his wife.”

“I’m sure she was more than impressed.”

“She was probably cold. Place must have been drafty in the winter with an icy wind blowing down the glen.” He gave a half smile. “Don’t panic—we’ve made a few upgrades since then. Plenty of heat and hot water. You’ll be cozy and comfortable.”

Samantha wasn’t worried. She knew she’d struck gold. Beyond the house the drive wound its way down to a neatly kept dock, past what looked like a small stable block. “You have horses?”

“At the moment there is just Pepper. He was my sister’s pony. Taught us all to ride. But we’re considering expanding that side of the business. Something else I’d like to talk to you about. Do you think it would be popular?”

Riding around the loch with snow-covered mountains in the distance? “For summer visitors, most definitely.”

He drove up the sweeping drive and stopped outside the front of the house.

On either side of the large doorway stood two Christmas trees, each studded with tiny lights.

Samantha couldn’t remember ever seeing a more welcoming home, and was relieved she hadn’t allowed that one embarrassing phone call to stop her experiencing this magical place.

She stepped out of the car and took a few steps, her feet sinking into the thin layer of snow that must have fallen since the drive had been swept.

The place was extraordinary.

Her niece obviously agreed.

“It’s a fairy palace,” Tab breathed, clambering out of the car, holding tightly to Ella’s hand. “Is there a dragon?”

“I don’t believe so.” Brodie rubbed his hand over his jaw, giving the question serious consideration. “I’m guessing we’d probably know if there was. We’d see droppings. Maybe a few scorched areas around the woodwork. If you see any signs of one, perhaps you would let me know. It could be a fire risk. Maybe a health and safety complication. Probably something we’d need to declare to the authorities.”

Samantha managed not to smile. He claimed not to have any experience, but she could see immediately that he’d be a perfect host.

Tab seemed to think so, too. “I will go on a dragon hunt. Can we build a snowman?”

“Not right now.” Ella scooped her up. “It’s almost bedtime.”