Sealed with a Christmas Kiss by Rachael Lucas Read Free Book Online Page A

the music down on the approach to Morag and Ted’s stable yard. She’d driven the long way home, raising her
spirits with music, and had blasted herself half deaf with a CD full of songs from her university days. She pulled the car up outside the whitewashed cottage.
    ‘You’re up and about early this morning, love.’ Ted looked up from the table, peering at her from over his glasses. Kate had let herself in, as had become her habit over the
last year or so. Ted and his wife Morag were about the same age as Kate’s parents – in fact, they’d discovered that Ted had worked alongside Kate’s late father years ago,
before his early death in an road accident. Morag had introduced herself to Kate on her first day on the island, and had proved herself a staunch friend and ally. She’d also seen, with the
shrewd eye of experience, that Roddy was in danger of losing Kate through indecision and crossed wires, and she’d been extremely glad to see the two of them get together.
    ‘I can’t begin to explain. Wedding disasters.’ Kate rolled her eyes at Ted, turning as Morag entered the room, a saddle in her arms. She plonked it down on the kitchen table,
covering Ted’s paper with a scattering of mud and horsehair. He muttered to himself, pulling the paper out sideways, but gave his wife a fond smile.
    ‘Well, I want to hear all about it. Was the weekend not a success?’ Morag, always keen for a bit of gossip, set the kettle on the Aga to warm up, and found a tin of biscuits.
    ‘Not exactly . . . ’
    ‘So that’s that.’ Kate concluded her tale. ‘And if you ask me, we’ve probably bitten off more than we can chew with this wedding plan, but I
can’t say that to Roddy.’ She sighed.
    ‘Ach, I think you’ll find you just struck it unlucky with those two. Most weddings are lovely, happy occasions.’ Morag gave Kate a sly sideways glance, pushing the biscuit tin
her way. She swirled the teapot before pouring out a huge mug of English Breakfast and passing it across the table.
    Ted cleared his throat. ‘Well, I’m sure you two will be finding out soon enough, eh Kate?’
    Morag looked appraisingly at Kate, to whom the sports supplement of Ted’s paper had suddenly become fascinating. She stared hard at it for a few moments. Morag reached across and turned it
round to face the right way.
    ‘If you’re going to read it, dear, you’ll find it’s easier when it’s not upside down.’
    Ted stood up, removing his reading glasses, and picked up his cup of tea. ‘I’m going to leave you girls to your chat. I want to listen to the news programme.’
    ‘So.’ Morag leaned forward across the table, hands folded, an expectant expression on her face.
    ‘I need to get going, really. No chance of winding down for the Christmas holidays round here. I want to have a look at the new website designs Susan’s come up with.’ Kate
stood up, jingling her car keys against her thigh. Morag was regarding her with a look she recognized. She’d worn that same look last year while listening to Kate protest that she had no
interest whatsoever in her new boss, the handsome Laird.
    ‘All I wondered was whether we might be hearing wedding bells soon enough, and you’re away like a startled faun. Is there something you’re not telling me?’
    ‘No chance.’ Kate’s voice was decisive. ‘We’re fine just as we are.’ The subject hadn’t ever come up, in any case. She recoiled at the memory of her ex,
Ian, declaring at her best friend’s wedding that he’d no intention of ever marrying her. She’d been glad to be shot of him, quite frankly, but it was a bit humiliating being the
dumpee and not the dumper.
    ‘Indeed you are.’ Morag smiled, and the subject was closed. Giving her a quick kiss goodbye, Kate left the warmth of Stable Cottage and stepped out into a biting cold wind.
    ‘Hey, sweetheart.’ Roddy leaned backwards in his chair, offering his face up for a kiss, as she arrived back at Duntarvie