The Skye Collection, page 90
The week since she fell into Archie’s arms had been amazing. Caitlin knew, regardless of how fast it was happening, that she had completely fallen for him. Of course, she hadn’t told him yet. She didn’t want to appear anything like Barmy Budge, but in a way, she felt guilty for not believing Lyle when he said he’d fallen fast. She’d now done the exact same thing, even though she’d had no clue it was actually possible.
Watching Archie’s interactions with Sophie and Grace made her heart sing. Sophie was on his shoulders and Grace’s arm was linked through his as they walked around the stalls. Jules had a fundraising stand for the museum’s children’s area and Reid had painted mini Glentorrin pictures to sell. Archie had bought three already.
Kenneth was on the plant stall this year and Grace was, of course, first in the queue for that one. She had saved her pocket money for the day and had bought a plant based solely on its name – Cosmos. The flowers were bright pink and had the appearance of daisies. Grace had said they made her think of Archie because of the name. It was lovely to see Archie’s influence shining through. It was wonderful, too, how Sophie and Grace had taken to the new development. To see them you’d be forgiven for thinking things had always been this way.
As the sun shone down on them and Caitlin and Archie walked hand in hand, she remembered the previous year’s games and how she’d been jokily lusting after one of the contenders. How time had changed. This year she only had eyes for Archie, even when the same caber tosser took to the field, all kilted and muscled. Every so often, Archie would glance down at her, lift her hand to his lips and kiss her skin softly. He made her insides turn to jelly and she couldn’t help wondering when they were going to take the next step.
Later that evening, the talent contest in the new village hall wowed everyone as always, and when it was Grace and Evin’s turn, they took to the stage in their baggy jogging bottoms, bright T-shirts and baseball caps, and struck a pose. The opening bars to Bell Biv DeVoe’s ‘Poison’ began and Caitlin was immediately transported back to 1990. Where on earth had they found this song? She turned to see Ruby miming the lyrics and doing a more sedate version of the dance, and she laughed. Ah, okay, that explains it.
Ruby turned to face her and beamed. It was clear she was proud of her protégés. Evin would have looked right at home spinning on his head on a cardboard sheet in a street in the USA, complete with a boombox, and Grace added some quirky tap moves to the street dance piece. Caitlin too was almost bursting with pride.
Archie leaned down and whispered, ‘Wowsers, Cait, Grace is a star! And who’d have thought Evin could dance like that?’
‘I know! Brilliant, eh?’
Sophie stood between them waving her hands and trying to copy Grace. It was so blooming cute.
The whole audience clapped along as they watched the routine and at the end of the performance, Grace did the splits and Evin stood behind her in a hip-hop pose, arms folded across his chest. The applause was raucous, and everyone cheered and whistled. The smiles on Grace and Evin’s faces spoke volumes and the ones on Ruby, Mitch, Reid and Jules were just as wide.
When it came time for the announcements, it was evident there was a clear winner. And when Grace and Evin had collected their trophy, they joined their parents and were immediately engulfed in a group hug.
‘In your face, last-year me!’ Evin shouted with a fist bump to the air as the group of adults cheered and applauded once again. He had missed out on winning the previous year by a hair’s breadth when he performed tricks with Chewie, but he’d more than made up for it this time.
‘We’re so proud of you!’ Archie told Grace as he picked her up and spun her around. Caitlin loved the way he was with her daughter. It was a special relationship indeed and Grace seemed to revel in his presence. The way she looked at him with such adoration made Caitlin’s heart sing.
After the talent show came the ceilidh and by the end of the evening, Caitlin’s face hurt from laughing and her arms were aching from being swung around by Archie, Mitch, Reid and Dexter.
The slow dance at the end of the event was a welcome relief for Caitlin’s poor feet and as she slipped her arms around Archie’s neck and gazed up into those dark eyes of his, she couldn’t believe her luck. Not so long back, she was ready to give up on love, but not any more. Who’d have thought she’d end up falling for the boy next door but one?
‘We’ve had an offer we can’t refuse,’ Archie whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine.
‘Oh? What might that be?’
‘Jules has invited the girls and the dogs for a sleepover. Evin says they’re planning on making a den in the house, and they’re going to eat junk food and play games. If you’re okay with that.’ Archie smiled and rubbed his nose down the length of hers.
‘I’m definitely okay with that. What did Sophie say?’
‘Let’s see, how did it go? Oh yes, I was subjected to, “Please, Daddy, pleeeeeease can we? Pleeeease.” So, I don’t know, but I think she might want to go.’ He laughed.
‘That’s it then. We get some alone time.’ Her heart skipped with anticipation, and she suddenly became worried about being naked in front of him. She wasn’t twenty any more.
As if sensing her concern, he said, ‘Hey, we don’t have to do anything you’re not ready for. I’m just happy to spend time with you without either a dog or a child squeezing in between us.’
She felt warmth rising in her face. ‘I’m just… I haven’t… not for a very long time. So, I’m a wee bit out of practice.’
He pulled the side of his lip between his teeth and raised his eyebrows. ‘Well, if that’s your only fear, I say practice makes perfect.’
Her panties almost burst into flames at that sexy smile, and she replied, ‘Is it time to go yet?’
Back at Archie’s house, he pulled Caitlin inside the front door and slammed it behind him, leaving the last of the revellers behind and closing them into a world where only they existed. In a split second, she was in his arms, and he stole her breath with a kiss she was sure had propelled her into outer space. His hands were scrunched in her hair as he backed her against the wall, his desire evident as he pressed himself against her.
Suddenly he pulled away, his chest heaving. ‘Do you think Sophie will be okay?’ he breathed. ‘I mean, I know she’s safe with Reid and Jules but… Do you think I’m a bad parent for wanting to get you alone with no interruptions?’
She gazed up at him and smiled. ‘If you’re a bad parent, so am I, because all I’ve been able to think about today is when I can be alone with you. But she’ll be absolutely fine. Jules won’t let her out of her sight. And Grace is there too. They’ll have a whale of a time.’ She hoped she’d reassured him enough because she was about to spontaneously combust from need.
‘You’re right. You’re right.’ His mouth took hers again and he moaned as his hand slipped lower down her back. ‘I want to take you to bed. Is that okay?’ he whispered as he fixed his eyes on her.
‘More than okay,’ she replied breathlessly, and, needing no further encouragement, he picked her up and carried her up the stairs to his bedroom, managing to navigate their ascent while still kissing her.
Once inside his room, Caitlin’s feet touched the floor and she watched as he stepped back slowly and removed his clothes. She chewed on her lip as each part of his sculpted body was revealed to her: those biceps she had admired before, his toned stomach, narrow hips and a smattering of dark hair across his chest. He really was gorgeous. And what made things even better, he was all hers.
Why had she not seen his beauty before? Not just his physical beauty – which she now realised she must have been in a haze not to see – but his soul, his heart, his mind. Everything about him was perfect for her. If only she’d realised years ago.
Once his clothing was relinquished to the floor, she cast off her own. She’d expected to feel self-conscious, embarrassed, but with the way he was devouring her with his gaze, she felt like the most beautiful woman in the world.
He stepped closer again and tenderly reached out to stroke her cheek. ‘I love you, Caitlin Fraser.’
Her breath caught in her throat and her eyes welled with tears. He had been the first to utter the words she’d felt for a while now, so she had no qualms in saying it back. ‘I love you, too, Archie Sutherland.’
Lying there in Archie’s arms, breathing heavily with a hammering heart, Caitlin listened to the thud, thud, thud, coming from his chest as she rested her hand between his pecs.
‘Wow,’ he said. ‘I have no words.’ He kissed the top of her head as he traced his fingers down her side to her hip and back up to her arm.
This is what bliss truly feels like, she thought as she replayed over in her mind the way he had held her, and moved over her, the adoration in his eyes.
‘Hmm,’ was all she managed. She wanted to stay there, relishing the memories until she could live them for real all over again.
Archie manoeuvred and faced her. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy,’ he whispered.
She smiled, feeling the exact same way. ‘I’d have to agree. Why didn’t we find each other sooner?’ she asked.
‘I think it’s all about timing. This is the right time for us. I know it might sound stupid, but I feel I have something to offer you now that perhaps I was too insecure and awkward to offer before. I was quite self-centred, maybe stuck in my ways too.’ Caitlin completely disagreed with that observation but allowed him to carry on without interruption. ‘Having Sophie in my life has changed me so much already. I appreciate things now that I didn’t before. It’s like she’s opened my eyes somehow and I’m so grateful. I’ve always found you so attractive. And I’ve always thought you were an amazing mum. But having the opportunity to get to know the real you has been…’ He shook his head. ‘I meant it when I said I love you. I hope that doesn’t freak you out because I know it’s fast. I mean, I know you said it too, but I don’t want you to feel pressured into—’
She stopped his words with a passionate kiss and when she pulled away, she said, ‘Archie, I meant it too. I feel like everything has fallen into place now. I think you’re right. It’s about the timing. I’ll be completely honest, I always really liked you as a person, but lately I’ve seen you through fresh eyes. And I don’t just mean the physical you… which I have to say I like very, very much,’ she said with a rush of blood to her cheeks. ‘I see you. And I love everything about you. Your kindness, your self-deprecation, the way you’re so patient with Grace and Sophie, the way you make me laugh…’ She sighed. ‘I think we have a real chance of happiness here.’
He smiled and cleared his throat before huffing the air from his lungs. ‘Wow… what did I do to deserve so much love in such a short space of time?’
She kissed him tenderly. ‘You were just you.’
He laid her back in the bed and worshipped her once more.
Archie and Caitlin walked through Glentorrin, hand in hand, towards Jules and Reid’s place to collect their kids and dogs, and this garnered smiles from the locals.
Morag waved from the doorway of the shop. ‘Och, you two are a vision of happiness,’ she called out. ‘You make such a lovely couple.’
‘Thanks, Morag,’ Archie replied with a smile at Caitlin.
They arrived at Jules and Reid’s and were greeted with hugs from Sophie and Grace.
‘Have you been good?’ Caitlin asked.
‘They have!’ Jules answered for them. ‘They’ve been a pleasure to have around.’
‘We’ve had fun haven’t we, Sophie?’ Grace said with her arm around the shoulder of the little girl.
Sophie jumped up and down on the spot. ‘It’s been fun! We played with the dogs, and we made cupcakes.’
‘Wow, you have been busy! Could you both go and get your things together and the dogs’ things too please? We’re going to Portree for fish and chips,’ Caitlin told them.
‘Yay!’ both girls cried in unison as they headed off with Evin to collect their belongings.
‘Thanks for having them, both of you. It meant a lot to have some alone time,’ Archie said with a glint in his eyes.
‘It’s no bother,’ Reid replied. ‘We know what it’s like trying to steal moments.’ He slipped his arm around Jules’ shoulder. ‘We’ll happily take them again for you.’
Archie grinned. ‘How about now?’ He laughed out loud, and the others joined in. ‘Seriously though, let us return the favour some time, okay?’
‘Thanks, Archie. We’ll take you up on that offer, I’m sure.’
29
After collecting their fish and chips, Caitlin, Archie, Grace, Sophie, and the dogs walked down the hill to Quay Street in Portree, with its pretty, multicoloured houses overlooking the water. The light breeze coming off the sea caused the boats in the bay to bob up and down and created a clinking sound as ropes and masts collided gently. It was a quiet, lilting, almost musical sound. They found a bench to sit on and eat their food. Bowie and Cleo had their own little wrappers of batter bits and little scraps of fish, so they all sat happily enjoying their feast in the evening sunlight.
As they enjoyed the view and munched on their evening meal, Sophie said, ‘I really, really miss my mummy. And I know I can’t go to Devon to see her but… I really, really like my new family.’ It was a comment that came out of the blue, but Caitlin and Archie shared a glance, and she could see the glassiness of tears in his eyes.
Archie bent to kiss Sophie’s head. ‘I’m so happy to hear that, Sophie.’ There was a slight waver to his voice and Caitlin reached over to squeeze his shoulder.
Sophie lifted her chin and squinted up at him in the evening sunlight. ‘Daddy, your voice has gone all funny.’ She giggled.
Archie laughed. ‘I think it must be the fish,’ he said with an even more pronounced, purposeful wobble and a funny face, which made Sophie giggle even more.
‘You’re so silly, Daddy,’ she said with a shake of her head and Caitlin’s heart melted.
Evidently, Archie’s heart had melted too as he looked away towards the boats and Caitlin saw a sneaky raise of his hand to swipe at his eyes.
After they had finished their food, they went back to the car and Archie drove them home towards Glentorrin. The sun was setting behind the silhouetted mountains as they travelled and the hazy golden glow that was cast created a magical end to a wonderful Sunday.
Once back in Glentorrin, Archie carried a very sleepy Sophie up to bed and Grace followed too. She had promised Sophie that she would sleep over, so with Caitlin’s permission, Archie had set up the spare bed in his third bedroom so she could be there first thing in the morning. It was the last chance she would get for a while as school was due to start again on Tuesday. She had borrowed a book on the constellations from Archie’s massive book collection and had faked a yawn.
‘I’m soooo tired,’ Grace had said with a smile as she headed to her room for the night.
Once alone again, Archie and Caitlin snuggled up on the sofa. ‘Thank you for a wonderful weekend,’ he said with a kiss to her forehead.
She cuddled into his side. ‘It’s been so lovely, hasn’t it?’
‘It has. It doesn’t have to end here though, you know… You could stay over too.’
She gazed up at him. ‘Oh… I don’t know… what about the girls?’
He shrugged. ‘I get the feeling they’re absolutely fine with everything. Don’t you? And it seems silly you going home. I know you have stuff to do for the bakery, but you get up early anyway, so…’ His expression was filled with hope. ‘Do I have to do a Sophie?’ He stuck out his bottom lip. ‘I will you know. I’ll do it.’
Caitlin started laughing as he pulled her down until she was flat on her back on the sofa.
‘Pleeeeeeease, Cait, pleeeeeease stay over, pleeeeease,’ he said in between blowing raspberries on her neck. She tried her best not to squeal and wake the girls. ‘Pleeeeeeease,’ he repeated.
‘Okay! Okay! I’ll stay!’ she replied as she tried to calm her breathing and hold back loud guffaws of laughter.
Archie sat upright. ‘Bloody hell, it really does work.’
Caitlin couldn’t help the smile that remained etched on her face every time she thought of Archie, which, of course, was frequently. She met up with Ruby, Jules, and Morag after work on Monday in the garden of Glentorrin House as it was Ruby’s turn to host.
‘Are we allowed to say we told you so yet?’ Ruby asked as she poured the Prosecco.
‘Nope,’ Caitlin replied with a giggle.
‘You two make the most adorable couple. Even Dex said so,’ Jules told her.
‘Well, that’s very sweet of him,’ Caitlin said, raising her glass to her absent friend. ‘So, what are the kids doing tonight?’ Grace was, once again, around at Evin’s house. He seemed to be helping her to get over Cora’s absence, along with Sophie, of course.
‘Well, Archie and Mitch have gone around to look at the big tree at the bottom of the garden. There’s talk about a tree house now.’ Jules rolled her eyes. ‘So, my guess is the kids will be drawing up plans of what they want in it.’ She laughed. ‘Sophie apparently wants the roof to open up so they can look at the stars.’
‘Oh, bless the wee bairn. She’s a real character that one,’ Morag said.
‘So, is it love then?’ Ruby asked with a smile and a tilt of her head.
Caitlin’s cheeks flushed. ‘Oh god, do I really have to answer that?’
‘Now that you’ve turned cerise, I think we know the answer, but a confirmation would be good,’ Jules said, nodding to the others, and of course, they agreed.
Caitlin sighed. ‘Actually… it is.’ Her friends clapped their hands and squealed in delight. ‘I’m crazy about him. We’ve actually used the words too,’ she said with a wide smile.
‘Oh, I hear wedding bells on the horizon,’ Morag said excitedly.
