Sewing & Mending Cottage (Scottish Loch Romance series Book 1) by De-ann Black

Author:De-ann Black [Black, De-ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2023-02-21T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

Gaven’s dark, all–terrain car was parked outside Penny’s cottage. The night was brisk, but dry, so thinking she’d only be going to his car and then to the castle, she secured the cottage, put her jacket on, picked up her bag and followed him outside. She didn’t wear her warm boots and kept her beige pumps on which she thought would be better for touring the castle. Trudging around the beautiful rooms in the castle wearing furry boots wasn’t necessary.

Gaven drove them off, looking like a man whose evening was going to plan.

The drive was a short one to the castle, and they’d barely exchanged casual pleasantries before he was driving through the entrance. But instead of heading to the front door of the castle, he veered off to the left, taking the narrow and tree arched road that led to the luxury cabins and holiday cottages.

‘I thought we’d start with a look inside one of the cabins,’ Gaven said before she could ask him where they were going.

This area of the estate had taken the brunt of the recent rainstorm, soaking up the downpour, and patches of the ground were still damp.

Solar lamps lit the contours of the road, as did the car’s headlights. Cabins with their windows aglow, and cottages likewise further down the banking near the river, looked like they were situated in a timeless setting. The greenery and trees dotted with lamps looked like a magical forest.

‘The cabins look fairly new,’ Penny remarked.

‘They’re a recent addition to the estate,’ Gaven explained. ‘Originally, I wanted to use the cottages for the artisan breaks, self–catering retreats for writers, artists, creatives seeking a working holiday away from the city, the hubbub, where they could relax and create at their leisure. My idea was that the cottages would be part of the castle’s facilities while being apart from it, if you know what I mean.’

Penny nodded.

‘But the cottages weren’t quite ideal for artisan breaks where more room was required, large windows to let in lots of daylight for artists, writers’ desks with extra space for lounging. The cottages are traditional, and they’re still used for self–catering retreats, but three years ago I decided to have the cabins custom built. The bookings took off and have been very successful. We’ve had writers, artists, and others coming to the retreats.’

‘A few of them have stayed, and opened businesses, like Oliver with his art shop,’ said Penny.

‘Yes, including your new friend and acquaintance, the goldsmith.’

Gaven’s tone was laced with a hint of jealousy, unless she was mistaken, which she doubted.

‘It’s surely been a boost to the local community to have the shops in the main street thriving with new businesses.’

‘It’s been a tremendous boost,’ Gaven agreed. ‘Some of the shops had become shadows of their former selves, and now they’re busy with online sales as well as local trade.’

‘I’m lucky to be able to run my business from my cottage.’

Gaven smiled. ‘While still having time to visit the castle and enjoy an evening excursion to a fairytale forest.

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