Part 9

At Hector's funeral it was Katrina who comforted Archie and Lexie did the same with Molly. The sphere was awful the following months at Glenbogle.

Archie had to arrange a lot of things after his fathers death. In many facts it was Katrina who helped him. To sort things out of the inheritance, she was there. Lexie didn't like it, it was just like the friendship between her and Archie was going over. Only the times he needed her in the kitchen she saw him and had him some moments for her alone. But she saw that he had troubles. She tried to comfort him but he didn't let her do it. She heard that the estate had financial troubles. The house should be renovated but there was no money for it. Together with Golly Archie tried several things to make the estate lucrative again. It took more than six months before they had their first success. They renovated some cottages and rent them to tourists. Also a part of the estate was reserved as a camping ground and with the summer season in sight, you could find several tourists on it. Lexie started a little shop to sell things to the tourists as her contribute in the whole part.

One day a handsome stranger arrived in her shop. He was holding something in his hands when she walked to him.

"Can I help you " Lexie asked him. When he turned around she looked in very beautiful blue eyes and he gave her a charming laugh.

"Yeah, I was wondering if this marmelade was home-made or not" he said to her still laughing.

"Then I can tell you I made it myself with fruit out of our own gardens " she replied him. "Are you on holidays here to visit the scenery of the Scottish Highlands or do you live here ? " she didn't want to let him go and wanted to talk to him for a while. The stranger appreciated it and looked at the pretty young woman before him very attentive.

" Well, the fact is " he told her putting the marmelade down again, " I'm looking for my lost family overhere. My mother told me I could find them somewhere in this area. By the way my name is Paul Bowman " he put his arm forwards to give her a hand.

" I am Lexie, well my real name is Alexandra MacTavish, but everyone here is calling me Lexie " she gave him also her hand. In the meantime Archie arrived also in the shop and saw her talking to that stranger. He got a wee awful feeling in his stomach of the way she looked with her big blue eyes at that man. He never had that before and couldn't explain why he didn't like the other man on the first sight.

"Lexie, do you have a moment please ?"

" Oh hello Archie, I didn't hear you come "she turned to him.

" Allright then I go " Paul said ready to go away " hmm just one question Lexie : is that your husband or.... " he gave a sign with his head in Archie's way.

" No, not at all ! He's my ... well he's my boss. His name is Archie MacDonald and he's the laird of this all " Lexie told him.

Now Archie turned to him and gave him a hand. " I'm Paul Bowman " he introduced himself and turned again to Lexie saying " Well in that case may I ask you to have a drink tonight in the pub in the village. I would be pleased to meet you there "

" Oh that would be delightful,"Lexie replied, " Sure I shall be there, 8 pm ? Is that allright ?" Paul nodded to her still looking her deep in the eyes before he left the shop.

" Lexie, will you have a look at this list please " Archie laid a list before her to check together. He didn't ask her anything and avoided to talk about the person he just met.

'Why is he always busy with his work ? It's just like I don't exist anymore for him. He will never feel for me something more than sisterly love.' Lexie was thinking at herself and looked at the handsome man before her, who was very different as that Paul and with whom she always feeled so comfortable when he was so close to her.

The next weeks she met Paul several times and leaded him through the area. They picknicked together or were walking through the hills or in the village. Sometimes they were walking hand in hand or were standing very close together when he gave her a kiss and told her how pretty she was. Lexie was reviving and looked dreamy out of her eyes. Paul told her that his mother deceased some months ago and that she brought him up alone, she was never married. She used to live somewhere in this area and his father must still live here, he only didn't give her a name of him. It wasn't easy to find him, maybe he could be deceased also.Paul gave it almost up to look further.

One day Lexie was sitting with Paul at the loch on the estate when Molly was working in the garden behind them. At once Molly looked in their direction on their back. She frightened. That man his attitude, the way he used his hands while he was talking, it was just like Hector in his younger years. That couldn't be possible. She couldn't think of any family of him who should still live here in stead of her own kids.

" Hello mother, are you counting the flowers ? " it was Archie who was standing next to her.

"Oh, hi Arch ! Of course not " she was standing up now. " Can you tell me who that man is overthere next to Lexie ? "

" That's Paul Bowman, her new lover " Archie said looking with narrowed eyes in their direction. " I don't know from where he is. It seems he's looking for his lost family. I don't know more about him. Why mum do you ask this to me ? "

" Oh just like this. I wanted to know with whom she's going on. And you Archie, are you still alone or is there growing more between you and Katrina ? "she asked him with a concerned voice. " You're so busy with your work Archie, life is going on you know "

Archie laughed to her " Well the fact is I invited Katrina for dinner tomorrow and I'm gonna make it myself, so maybe..." he pointed on Molly's nose. " Just wait mother and give me some time " he said before he walked away.

The other day when Lexie arrived in the kitchen she found Archie cleaning vegetables.

"What are we doing ? You're taking my job over ? " Lexie arrived in the kitchen with her shopping bag.

"Hi Lexie, of course not, but I'm preparing a dinner for Katrina and myself for tonight "

"Oh, I see " Lexie said with a withdrawing voice. " Well if you can't find anything just let me know before I leave again. I'm going with Paul for a walk "

" Lexie," Archie turned around to look at her " don't know how facts are between you and Paul, but will you watch out that he doesn't hurt you. Well you know what I mean..."

" Never mind Archie, but I can look after myself, I'm old enough, don't you think so ? " With those words she left the kitchen. Archie was looking sad out of the window and started cutting the vegetables again without looking what he was doing.

" Aww " too late, he cut in his finger.

At that moment Paul arrived at the house and was looking at the painting of Hector at the wall just above the stairs. He was watching it very attentive. Molly was coming downstairs.

"That's my husband, he deceased some months ago at an accident " she told the visitor.

"Oh, I see. I'm sorry for you Mrs. MacDonald " Paul said to her, " But may I have a look at it from close by ? "

" Sure why not " Molly was raising her eyebrows. What did this man wanted ? She didn't trust it at all. Now Lexie arrived out from the kitchen.

" Oh hello Paul, didn't hear you come. Are you admiring the painting Molly made of Hector? It's beautiful isn't it ? "

"Hi Lexie " Paul looked at her from the place where he was standing and looking at the medaillon on the jacquet Hector was wearing on the painting. Everyone could see that he was confused. He was walking downstairs again and gave Lexie a kiss.

" We're going for a walk, Molly " Lexie said " but I'll be back in time for our dinner. Archie's eating something later together with Katrina I just heard " Molly gave her a sign that she knew it and smiled at her. After they left she was very quiet. She went to the library with a cup of tea and went back in time in her thoughts.