He's Captured My Soul (Captured Series Book 3) (5 page)

I know everyone is worried about me, especially Alex, but there really is no need. I don’t know how many times I am going to have to tell him, this is what it is like and as for my dad wanting me to delegate more . . . Well the least said about that the better. He started me to manage the hotel and that’s what I intend to do, to the best of my ability.

“Breakfast is ready!” I call through to the living room. Dad has been busy; a full Scottish breakfast awaits us all with nothing missed out, square sausage, black pudding, sliced haggis and potato scones to name a few. But I am not sure how much I will eat; my stomach is in knots, thinking about how today will go at the hotel. I’m also feeling bad that I will be leaving Alex on his own for some of today.

Ethan comes in with Lucy in his arms, giggling away, I reach out and take her from him. He smiles as he lets her go, this means he can eat in peace. I catch Alex’s expression and I know what he’s thinking, but I will pick at breakfast in between feeding Lucy. He shakes his head at me knowing. I sit her in her highchair strapping her in and I sit down beside her with the bowl of baby cereal. Alex pours tea in my cup as he sits beside me.

“Libby, I will feed her,” Ethan tells me as he looks at Alex.

“Don’t be silly, you eat. I am fine with her.” Mum raises her eyebrows, silently questioning me, but I am not going into it again.

I start feeding Lucy, because she’s getting a bit cranky as she can see her food; god this little girl knows how to get exactly what she wants. The first mouthful quiets her down, she does have a healthy appetite, unlike her aunt today. Everyone has started putting food on their plates. “Not a lot for me, Alex,” I tell a very determined looking Alex as he starts putting food on mine.

“So, Alex what are your plans for the afternoon when Libby is working?” Ethan asks.

“Phoning home, don’t think my mom would forgive me if I didn’t wish her a Merry Christmas, then I will prepare dinner before heading back and picking Libby up. That’s about it.”

The atmosphere round the table is light; I interact with Lucy while feeding her but do join in with some conversations. I notice my mum, watching me with a look of concern etched on her beautiful face. Not her too? I do wish they would all stop worrying; I’m only tired not
ill
. Maybe I should just give in, and when I’m in work today make sure everything is covered and up to date and take a few days off just now. If only to stop them all worrying or in Alex’s case nagging me about my work load.

“Right, who is helping me clear up?” my dad asks.

“I will,” I reply.

“You Libby will do no such thing,” Alex says pulling me back toward him as I stand. “You can go and sit down; I will help your dad.”

It’s not worth the hassle of an argument. I leave them all to it and head back into the living room, although judging from the mess maybe I should tidy up a bit in here first. I sit down and close my eyes.

“Libby, sweetheart are you alright?” My mum’s voice startles me.

“Of course.”

“Is there anything you want to tell me?” She sits down beside me.

“Like what?”

“Are you pregnant?” I laugh at her because it’s the silliest thing I’ve heard in weeks. She just frowns at me.

“No, Mum I’m not,” I reply, shaking my head.

“Are you sure? It would explain a lot. Your dad seems to think you are.”

“Mum, I’m up to date with my shot and my next appointment with the doctor to get it is in two weeks. I am just tired.” I sigh as she looks on, still not happy with my answer. “I think I will put Alex out of his misery and try to take a few days off from tomorrow and I suppose Dad will be happy as well.”

“Elizabeth, I understand you have been over doing it, but I don’t think I have ever seen you look this worn out.”

“Thanks, Mum and here was me thinking I was looking great today.”

“Elizabeth, less of the sarcasm. You look great as you always do. So sort out a few days off and relax and enjoy the company of that handsome man of yours, because I know how much he is worried about you, and it would be great if I got to spend some more time with you as well.” She wraps her arms round me, giving me a protective motherly hug.

“Where is Ethan?” I ask as I look at her.

“A certain someone needed changing.”

A few minutes later everyone is back in the living room, Alex takes Lucy from Ethan so we can give Mum and Dad our present from us all.

“I don’t know what to say to you both,” Mum is overwhelmed as she takes the contents from the envelope. Her face is lights up, as bright as the lights on the Christmas tree. “It’s far too much,” she says with my dad in complete agreement with her. A full week away to Venice all they have to do is pick the date they want to go, everything else has been taken care of. It’s one place they’ve never been to, but I know it’s somewhere my mum would love to go.

“Mum, don’t; we aren’t listening, and it’s from Alex as well,” Ethan tells her. “We all wanted to do something special for you to show that we do appreciate everything you both do for us.”

“Kids, you really shouldn't have but it is perfect,” she says as her face glows. Mum and Dad thank us all. Next up it’s presents from my parents for Alex and he seems genuinely impressed with my mother’s taste in Cartier cufflinks, they’ve got him other things as well but it’s those he is most impressed with. That makes my mum’s day, because she really couldn’t think what to get him. Well it’s true what do you get a man who has everything?

“You two,” my dad says to Ethan and me. “Your presents are outside.” Ethan and I look at each in wonder. We head outside; Mum stands in the doorway with Lucy in her arms and now parked in the street are two sparkling new jeeps, very similar to the one Alex bought only a few short weeks ago, a black and a white.

“Mum. Dad.”

“Don’t dare, Libby, just humour us. Ethan, you need something, much more practical now, and Libby your safety is important to us. Alex isn’t going to be able to pick you up all the time and in weather like this, it would give us all peace of mind knowing you weren’t in your convertible driving those country roads. Happy birthday, you two.” We both say thanks and Ethan and Dad take his for a quick drive, I’ve been out in Alex’s a few times, so I leave taking it out for the time being. I do spend a long time admiring it.

As I walk back toward the house, Alex eyes me cautiously, almost with a frown. “Do you like it ?”

“Of course I do. What’s not too like? A bit extravagant, but that’s my dad for you.”

The rest of the morning flies by too quickly for my liking. If it wasn’t Christmas Day, I would phone Kieran and say I was taking the day off. I’ve loved being with them all this morning. I am glad I’m only in for a few hours, because I do feel very guilty about leaving Alex on his own. Even though he’s assured me, his time will be taken up with a phone call home.

After I change into a very nice red dress for work, I say my goodbyes to everyone. Alex was meant to be driving me, but he lets me go in the new car.

“So, what time do you think you will be home for?” he asks, walking me outside.

“I should be home for six at the latest.”

“Okay then.” He holds me in his arms. “This is the best I’ve seen you look in weeks. Spending this morning here has, I don’t know, refreshed you,” he says in a whisper.

“I feel good. Relaxed. I can’t wait to get home to you tonight. I’m going to speak with Kieran and try take the next few days off. It’s too late to try and get away for a few days, but time at home with you, sounds just as appealing.”

“I’m sure Kieran can manage without you and I look forward to spending time with you.”

“I know he can. Look I better go. I will see you tonight,” I say placing a soft kiss on his now cold lips.

THE HOTEL IS ABUZZ WITH
activity, when I pull the car into, what seems like the only parking space. My new car is an absolute dream to drive, but parking will take some getting used to. It is so much bigger, than my wee convertible, which is really easy to park in any tight space. Getting out the car, I walk across the crisp white snow, my eyes go straight to the loch as they always do. It’s stopped snowing now, and the sky is bright with the sun low in the sky. The scenery is breath-taking as I look across the water. The loch sparkles with the mixture of light and all the white snow surrounding it. There’s not even a hint of green showing anywhere, well it has snowed heavy for the last few days. Even if we get no more snow, it will be a while before we see the green of the trees and grass.

I walk toward the entrance, where Fraser is showing some guests inside. He’s not even supposed to be working today. I had given him today off, to spend with his wife and family.

“Fraser. Why are you here?” I ask, as soon as he’s finished speaking with some guests.

“Ah. Merry Christmas, Miss Stewart.”

“And a very Merry Christmas to you. But you haven’t answered my question. Why are you here?”

“Because, my dear Miss Stewart, I couldn’t not be here. Even for a few hours. You know as much as I do, I love it here, just as much as you do. And anyway, my good lady says I was getting in her way.”

“Yes. Fraser, I know you do,” I say. “Well, just make sure you don’t stay all day.”

“Oh, I won’t Miss Stewart. I will be home in time for my turkey dinner.”

I leave Fraser as another car pulls up to the entrance, and make my way inside. The open fire is burning away, heating up the reception as you enter. I smile as I watch two small children running around, singing Christmas songs. They finally come to a stop and sit down at the Christmas tree. The tree is mighty impressive, reaching the ceiling, and sparkles with the twinkling lights. I will miss it when it comes time to take it down. Sally is busy at the desk, as she always is. Always the professional.

“Merry Christmas, Miss Stewart,” she calls when she sees me.

“Merry Christmas to you, Sally. Is Kieran in the office?” I ask.

“Yes, Miss Stewart, he’s just in.”

“Thank you, Sally.” I start walking to the office.

Sally wasn’t wrong about Kieran just being in; I find him in the office, just taking off his jacket.

“Wow! Libby.” Kieran stops as I enter. “Merry Christmas, honey,” he says squeezing me tightly.

“And to you, now can you let go.” I say laughing at him. He lets go but only to hold me at arm’s length and having a good look. “What?” I ask.

“You look well today. Better, not so tired.”

“I do feel it,” I tell him. “But I have a huge favour to ask.”

“Ask away.”

“Okay. Do you think you could cope without me for a few days?”

“Honey. Of course I can. Everything is covered for the next week. Is everything okay?” he asks with concern.

“Yes, I think I could just do with the rest. Maybe stop you, dad and Alex all nagging at me.”

“Oh, sweetie! We only nag you, because we all love you and care,” he says softly. “Libby, you know it’s the right thing to do. And while we are on the subject of holidays, I know you are in New York February for Alex’s brothers wedding. How long will you be away for?”

“We are leaving the week before, I think Alex has some work to take care of. We should be back few days after the wedding. Say the sixteenth or seventeenth.”

“Okay, do you mind if I book the last week in February and first in March off, hoping to get away?” he asks.

“No, of course not. Take it off, you deserve it. Going somewhere nice?” I ask, watching a slow smile spread across his face.

“All in due course, Libby,” is his quick reply. Oh, there’s a story behind this request. I know I will get it from him, eventually. “Now. I think we should be making tracks, Libby. What do you say? Should we get this show on the road?”

“Yes.”

We walk through the hotel, heading in the direction of the kitchen. Soft Christmas music flows throughout. We have loads going on all day for families. There was breakfast with Santa this morning, Kieran tells me that went really well. Before Christmas Lunch Santa is meeting with each child, as he has a special present for each one. There’s no rush in the hotel today, everything is very relaxed and comfortable.

We find Karl and the team in the kitchen, and dare I say it, but he is relaxed too. They are all busy working, but I don’t know how to describe the atmosphere in the kitchen today. It’s getting much easier being in the kitchen, after the incident with Jeff. If I am honest, I always have someone with me, now. It has left its mark on me, and not just physically, mentally as well. Jeff, has still to be sentenced, for his attack on me, but I for one will not attend court. If I never have to see him again, even that will be too soon.

Karl stops working when he sees us. Karl and I have a great working relationship, which I hope will serve the hotel well over the coming years.

“Ah, the ever beautiful Miss Stewart,” says Karl. “Merry Christmas to you both.”

“And to you.”

“Same, same. I think I will leave you two to it. I want to make sure the restaurant is all set,” Kieran says before heading back out of the kitchen.

“Let’s go to my office,” says Karl. I know Karl doesn't like discussing business when there is staff around, especially when he’s talking to me.