Lily grinned down at Harley, who had bumped her furry little bottom onto the sitting room carpet and was watching both of us avidly. “And thank you to you for chasing a fox!”

Then Lily reached behind her and picked up a small box wrapped in shiny gold paper and topped with a red satin bow. “This is for you.”

“Oh no, Lily. There really was no need.”

“Hush! Open it.”

I pulled a playful face at her and tugged at the ribbon and paper.

Both Flynn’s wandered over to see what was happening, but I could tell by the knowing looks he was giving Lily, Flynn senior already knew what was inside.

I eased open the wooden box. It was an old key. “What’s this?”

“It was the key I had for Merry Wood,” said Lily, smiling. “I want you to have it.”

I opened and closed my mouth. “But Flynn gave it to you all those years ago.”

“Yes, he did. But now it’s yours.”

“That’s right,” added Flynn senior, moving across to Lily and slipping his arm around her. “You brought us together again and made Merry Wood a real home. You gave this house its heart back.”

I smiled through watery eyes at Flynn, who gave me a hug and a gentle kiss.

“So that’s why when the time comes, we have arranged for Merry Wood to be inherited by both of you.”

Flynn’s stubbled jaw dropped. “What? No…”

“Oh yes,” insisted his grandfather, making it plain there would be no debate on the matter. “This house deserves to have love inside it.”

Lily made her way over to the drinks cabinet. “Mrs Oates is joining us at three o clock for Christmas Eve drinks and to celebrate the occasion.”

And as the snow continued to drape itself around the glorious statues in the Merry Wood garden, and Flynn and I shared another lingering kiss, I had the distinct feeling that Christmas magic really did exist after all…

Acknowledgments

Thank you as always to my wonderful editor, Jennie Rothwell, at HarperCollins, for her fabulous editorial advice, guidance, and patience! Thank you too to Sarah Khan for her proof-reading expertise.

Thank you also to my amazing agent, Selwa Anthony, and to Linda Anthony. You are both such strong, inspirational, and determined women.

Love always to Lawrence, Daniel, Ethan, and Cooper.

And to my late grandparents, Ina and George Murray, who I love and miss so much.

This book is dedicated to both of you.

Thank you for reading…

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Escape to the beautiful Scottish Highlands with Julie’s heartwarming and feel-good cosy Scottish Escapes romances.

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