“I know Ian doesn’t like to have outsiders visit the castle, but what if we opened it up to everyone? We could charge a small fee to see some of the castle and its grounds since it’s never open to the public. Do something really special for a weekend before Christmas. We’ve already decorated everything.”
Julia took a deep breath. “Guthrie wanted to do something like that to help make money after the theft of the pack’s investments, but Ian said no. He had fits just having the human film crew here for the production of that Highland movie, though the MacNeill clan needed the money. Even so, he wouldn’t agree to opening up the castle to the public. But if we were using the funds for some worthy cause, maybe Ian would agree.”
This was going to be the best Christmas ever, Calla thought. If they could pull it off.
***
Later that afternoon, Ian called Guthrie into his office. “Have a seat, why don’t you?” Ian said.
Guthrie sat down and wondered what this was all about. He wasn’t used to his brother calling him into his office continually like this, unless he really needed to discuss something in private that was of the utmost importance.
Ian looked eager to share some bit of good news. Had someone found a way to put Baird off for good? That’s the news Guthrie would love to hear.
“Julia asked me to allow a Christmas bazaar to help fund college tuition for the kids in the clan.”
Guthrie couldn’t believe she’d asked.
“She wants to open the castle to the public for a special Christmas viewing, since we’re going all out decorating and celebrating the holiday this year,” Ian continued, as if this was an everyday occurrence and he had no problem with it.
“You said nay, aye?” Guthrie said.
Ian cleared his throat and leaned back in his chair. “You know how I hate opening the castle up to outsiders.”
“Aye. Which is why you said nay, right?” Guthrie asked, folding his arms slightly defensively, since all his ideas about doing something like that after they lost money in a scam investing scheme had met with Ian’s strong disapproval. Guthrie thought it was a great concept, but how did Julia sway Ian this time?
“After Calla sat in on your class, during which you were teaching kids how to be responsible with money and savings, she came up with the idea and shared it with Julia. She said if it hadn’t been for what you were teaching our children, she wouldn’t have thought of it.”
Guthrie was surprised to hear Calla would say that, since she hadn’t arrived in time to hear his lecture!
“Many of the adults would be eager to participate,” Ian continued. “If Cearnach still wants to, he can sell some of his sgian dubhs—since the hand-carved handles are so popular. Duncan could teach swordsmanship, at a price. Some of the men might be willing to set up archery competitions for a small entry fee to participants. We could have Ethan and his brothers give hayrides, like riding in Santa’s sleigh or some such thing.”
Guthrie smiled. “You are serious?”
“Aye, Brother. Just agree to it because I’m not in the habit of groveling, and then you can be in charge of it all.”
Guthrie couldn’t believe this was his brother, his pack leader, speaking. Aye, he was all for it. But since Calla had suggested it, shouldn’t it be her show to run? She was great at setting up parties. And he didn’t want her to think he had taken over something that was her idea. “Me? I thought Calla—”
“Nay, she will help coordinate some of the activities for the children, and Cearnach, being second in charge, can help to manage some, but you will be responsible overall for everything to do with the money—how it will be spent, advertising the affair, collecting money, and setting it aside for the tuition fund.” Ian waited, then smirked. “Don’t look so shocked, Guthrie.”
“Is that all?”
“Aye.” Ian frowned. “You will do it, won’t you?”
Guthrie smiled. “Of course, just like I wanted to before, except I’d never considered quite this grand an affair. I’ll keep you informed about the expenses and the like.”
Aye, Julia had influenced Ian to do many things he had never allowed before, but Guthrie couldn’t wrap his mind around this. Especially since Calla had proposed it and given him the credit after she had spoken to his class! He suspected this was her way of getting him back for having her talk to the class in place of his lecture.
After their meeting, Guthrie went to look for Calla and soon found her in the kitchen sneaking a scone. She nearly dropped it when she heard him approach.
“Hungry?” he asked.
Her face flushed beautifully.
He lifted the remaining one off the platter and took a bite. “As long as Cook doesn’t catch us in here, we’re fine.”
She smiled, looking a little guilty. “I’m used to grabbing a bite to eat on my own schedule.”
“Most of us sneak one a time or two. So, you liked my class on saving money, eh?”
Her eyes widened fractionally.
“Ian said you proposed having a festival of sorts to Julia.”
“Aye, but she has to have Ian approve it, and he doesn’t ever open the castle to the public.”
“He did this time.”
“Are you serious?” she asked.
“Most assuredly, and I’m in charge of finances for the affair. So, shall we set up a plan for expenditures? We need to figure out the amount it would take to recoup our losses, then how much will serve as a profit.”
They heard someone coming, and Guthrie grabbed Calla’s hand. “Let’s make plans in the garden room.”
“Wait. We need paper or my laptop first. Don’t we?”
He smiled. “Aye.” This early, he couldn’t get away with kissing her in the garden room, or more of what had happened last night.
In the garden room, he and Calla brainstormed fast and furiously all the events they could have. Periodically, Guthrie stopped to call a pack member to see if he or she could be in charge of one activity or another. After a few hours, they’d made all the plans and contacted everyone to carry them out.
“That worked well,” Guthrie said, satisfied that they had been able to work out Calla’s grand schemes in a cost-effective way. Though he knew it would take some effort to make the event run smoothly, the pack members worked well together and he knew they could do it. If it was a success this year, they might be able to do it again next year, and they’d be able to plan it even better. He grabbed a bottle of wine. “Want some to celebrate?”