Skies Over Caledonia: A Small Town Marriage of Convenience Romance (The Highlands Series Book 4)

Epilogue

September was a busy month for the farm. Georgie and I had to cultivate the fields, so they were ready for barley. On top of that, the glamping pods were constructed, but we had a ton of interior design decisions to make. Allegra had already created a social media presence and website for the business, and we had followers watching the progress of the build. She was doing all this on top of her plans to open an art gallery in the village. There was an empty building up for sale just off Castle Street. She’d already ordered signage and was creating social media for that too. She was calling the gallery Skies Over Caledonia in ode to the farm and our field, Caledonia Sky.

Between all of that and the farm, we grabbed what time we could together in the late evenings. Hopefully things would quieten down a bit for us, but I realized that we’d also just have to bloody make time.

And I had grand plans to make time for my wife.

The last thing, however, I ever wanted to hear again was Allegra upset on the phone. But that morning as I drove my tractor and combine through the fields, my phone rang.

“There are police officers here,” Allegra had told me as I stopped the growl of the tractor to answer her call. Usually my phone was switched off when I was at work, but ever since the accident, I’d attached my phone to a holder on the cab so I could see it if it rang.

At her frantic tone, I’d left the tractor in the middle of the field and ran to the Defender.

By the time I pulled up to the farmhouse, I was out of breath and my gut knotted.

The car parked next to my wife’s new Wrangler was unmarked.

I marched into the farmhouse, coming to an abrupt stop at the sight of the two individuals who rose from the couch. Allegra stood up from the armchair and immediately crossed the room to press her body into my side. Seeking comfort.

“These officers are from the NCA. The National Crime Agency.” Allegra looked up at me, dark eyes filled with concern. “I wanted to wait for you before they told me why they’re here.”

Nodding grimly, I reached out to shake the officers’ hands. “Jared McCulloch, Allegra’s husband.”

“I’m Banes. This is my partner, Dobbs.” The female officer gestured to the tall male at her side.

“How can we help you?”

Banes turned her attention to Allegra. “Are you aware of the arrest of an American attorney general, Andrew Gray? He’s a US politician.”

My wife stiffened against me, and I slid my arm around her waist.

“I heard.”

“Do you know Andrew Gray?”

“What is this about?”

Dobbs spoke now. “We’re working in conjunction with the FBI and Europol in the child sex trafficking case against Gray.”

“Okay …”

“We believe you were in a car accident a few weeks ago, Mrs. McCulloch.”

What the fuck? “What does that have to do with anything?”

“In the raid against Gray, we found correspondence and transactions to a contact that was involved in the trafficking ring. Gray paid this man to kill you.” Banes pulled out her phone and held up the screen. “Do you recognize this man?”

Allegra turned chalk white. “That’s the guy who followed me in Inverness.”

Shit. My blood turned cold.

“You were followed?” The officer frowned.

“We thought it was just paparazzi at the time.”

“No. This is Simon Sutcliffe. A known London-based criminal and contact of Gray’s.”

At my wife’s shudder, I tightened my embrace. The thought of someone targeting her like this … Why?

I must have said the word out loud because Banes continued, “We discovered a laptop in the floorboards of one of Gray’s bedrooms. It belonged to Gray’s deceased stepson Ashton. On that laptop were saved emails between you and Ashton, where Ashton confided that Gray was sexually abusing him.”

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Fury and concern and more fury coursed through me as I pressed a hard kiss to Allegra’s temple.

“Yes, Ashton confided that to me when we were kids.” Tears brightened Allegra’s eyes. “Are you saying that Andrew Gray discovered this recently and tried to kill me?”

“The circumstances of Gray discovering this is supposition without a confession from Gray. We do know his home was under renovation this year, and it could be he discovered the laptop during the reno. But we have solid evidence that he put a hit out on you, yes. There’s correspondence and transactions between him and Sutcliffe regarding the contract. His last correspondence was regarding the car accident you were in. Sutcliffe was behind it, had realized you were still alive, and was asking Gray for more money to try again. It seemed they were being cautious about making sure your death looked like an accident.”

Was this even real bloody life? My heart thudded in fear. “Is my wife safe now?”

Banes nodded. “Allegra is safe. However, we would like you to make an official statement in the case we’re gathering against Gray.”

“Not if it’s dangerous.” No fucking way would I let her be put in danger again.

Allegra placed a placating hand on my chest, and my worry heightened. Christ, she was going to do this. My stomach dropped. I didn’t know if I could handle her swinging her arse out there like that. This trafficking ring was serious shit with serious people who had probably murdered many innocents to keep it going and hidden.

My wife looked at the officers. “Do you think Gray is going away for a long time, no matter what?”

Banes and Dobbs shared a look. “We have a good case against him.”

“Then you don’t need me.”

Banes frowned. “This man tried to have you killed.”

“Yes, he did. But he’s going to prison for a long time for causing a hell of a lot more terror and pain than what I felt when I went over that hillside. I’m not being a coward or taking the easy way out.” Allegra slipped her fingers through mine. “But my family has been through so much in the last ten years, and if I put my name on that witness list, we’ll be splashed across the world news again. I’m sure you realize who my father is and that the media has a special interest in my family. If my name gets out there, then Ashton’s story will be splashed across the news on a much bigger scale than it might otherwise. He didn’t ask for that. Without his permission to do that, I don’t think I can.”

Allegra swiped at the tears gliding down her cheeks and I kissed her temple again, letting her know I supported her, no matter what. “He will get justice without my statement. Gray will never see the outside of a cell without my statement. And my family can finally try to move on from all the shit that’s been thrown at them for the last few years. It’s not the noble choice, but it’s the one I’m willing to make for them.”

The male officer scowled in irritation, but Banes sighed heavily in acceptance. She plucked a card from her jacket pocket and held it out to Allegra. “If you change your mind, call me.”

“Thank you. And thank you for letting us know about the crash.”

“Will he be arrested?” I growled, thinking of the scum who pushed my wife off a fucking cliff and had planned to come for her again.

Banes responded emotionlessly, “Sutcliffe was killed in a police raid four days ago.”

Good.

“And you’re sure she’s safe?”

“We’re positive no one else was involved.”

I nodded, satisfied as much as I could be by that news.

As soon as the officers got in their car and drove off, I pulled Allegra into my arms and held her so tight, I was probably crushing her.

“This fucking world,” I muttered against her ear.

She ran a soothing hand down my back. “But we’re here and we’re alive. That world isn’t our world.”

I nodded and brushed my lips over hers. “Are you okay?”

“Surprisingly, yes. I don’t think I’ll ever stop feeling guilty about Ashton, but I feel more at peace knowing that the man who hurt him can’t hurt anybody else. I mean”—she shook her head in amazement—“I can’t believe Gray tried to have me killed. Wait until I tell Sloane she’s not a special unicorn anymore. We’ve both had hits put out on us.”

“It’s not funny.”

Allegra offered a sympathetic smile, amazing me with how well she was taking this. “I’m sorry. I just … I need to joke about it or I might crumple up into a ball.”

My hands tightened on her arms.

“I’ll be okay. We’ll be okay,” she reassured me. “This is good. We know now for sure what happened, and we know the people responsible can never hurt me again.”

I blew out a shaky breath. “I know … I just … nothing can happen to you, Allegra. It would fucking end me.”

She caressed my cheek, her fingers scratching over my short beard. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m your wife for life, Jared McCulloch. Not just for eighteen months.”

At her teasing, I swung her up into my arms, making her squeal with laughter. The sound warmed me to my very bones. It pleased me beyond measure that I could make her happy after something as fucked up as the NCA visit.

“What are you doing?” she cried, giggling as I carried her upstairs.

“Being a very, very bad farmer.” I pushed into the bedroom. “I have a tractor sitting in the middle of a field waiting for me … but first I need to?—”

“Plough your wife!” Allegra cut me off, shaking in my arms with amusement at her own joke.

I gave a bark of laughter as I fell onto the bed with her, careful to keep my weight from crushing her. She spread her legs for me, wrapping them around my back as I grinned down at her. “How long have you been waiting to say that?”

“I’ve been waiting for months to use that line!”

We kissed through our laughter until need overtook everything.

Months ago, the thought of abandoning duties on the farm, even temporarily, filled me with a fear of failure. Now, as important as this place was to me, I knew taking time for my wife when she needed me wasn’t going to cause a disaster for the farm.

I could be both.

I could be what the land needed me to be.

And I could be what Allegra needed me to be.

I also knew if it came down to a choice, I would choose the woman in my arms a million fucking times over. And I knew my granddad would understand. Once upon a time, he’d loved a woman as much as I loved mine.

ALLEGRA

“Jared, we have a gazillion decisions to make,” I grumbled as I followed him through the woods. “We don’t have time for this.”

My husband reached back for me, and I held his hand as we descended. It was a little slippery and muddy from last night’s rain. Now, however, the sunshine beamed through the trees.

“This might be the last time the loch looks this good this year. Autumn is almost here.”

I frowned. “And it’ll look beautiful in autumn too. We could look at it then when we’ve decided on kitchen cabinets and countertops and flooring and furniture and a million other things we need to decide if we want these pods up and running by New Year’s Eve.”

“Will you just hush, woman, and follow me?”

I made a sound of indignation. “Hush? I’ll hush you, Jared McCulloch. Hushing me …” I muttered under my breath.

Jared’s shoulders shook with laughter, but he didn’t stop dragging me down toward the inland loch behind Caledonia Sky.

Then, as we reached the flat, I glanced up and saw the building poised over the loch that hadn’t been there the last time I was here.

“What the—ah!” I tripped over a rock, but Jared turned at my cry, catching me before I face-planted. “Shit. Thanks.” He helped me straighten, searching my face, a gleam of mischief in his eyes. “What is that?” I pointed past him.

Jared grinned and stepped away to let me have a good look.

A modern, small building similar to the pods (except rectangular, not arched), sat on a new deck that had been built out onto the loch. Two walls of the building that met at a corner were made entirely of glass facing out over the water.

“You built another rental? Why didn’t you tell me?” I smacked his arm with a playful huff.

Instead of answering, Jared took my hand. “Come with me.”

Curious as to why he was being so mysterious, I let him lead me around the loch and to the back of the building. There was a small window on this side and an entrance door. Jared smiled before he led me inside.

My breath caught as I looked up at the light spilling through the huge skylight above. There was nothing in the rectangular open room, but a door that was slightly ajar. I could see the glimpse of a small restroom behind it. Otherwise, it was just one big room with so much light and that view out over the loch. It felt like we were floating. One of the walls was actually a sliding door that led onto a side deck.

Then I realized it wasn’t an empty room.

An easel and stool were set up near the glass wall.

Oh my God.

Jared squeezed my hand. “I had the guys build you a studio. You said it was the perfect place for one, right?”

Disbelief and gratitude and love—immense love—filled me as I gazed up at my husband in wonder. “You remembered that?”

“Couldn’t get it out of my head as soon as you said it. Knew this was meant to be for you.” He grinned at the marvel on my face and tugged my hand. “Come on.” Staring around at the beautiful space, already imagining it filled with all the materials I needed to make my art, I followed him out through the sliding door to stand on the deck. Sunlight spilled over the green loch, and birds sang in the trees.

It was perfect.

A slice of utter heaven.

Yesterday, my visa was granted. I was now officially a resident of the United Kingdom. I thought that my week couldn’t possibly get any better.

And despite all the shit that had happened in the last few months, I honestly couldn’t believe how perfect my life felt right now.

I said as much.

“Good.” Jared shrugged. “You deserve perfect.”

“I do?” I grinned.

He didn’t smile, though. In fact, he took a shuddering breath before speaking again. “That’s why I want a do-over.”

Confused, my brows drew together. “A do-over? For what?”

Jared pulled something out of his pocket and lowered to one knee.

My breath whooshed right out of me. “Oh my God.”

He snapped open a blue velvet ring box and revealed the most perfect engagement ring. The band was gold but matte instead of shiny, and it looked handcrafted. In the center of the band was a cluster of pearls in differing sizes and small diamonds encrusted in the gold beads that separated them.

“Jared …” I gaped at the ring.

“Every time I think about that wedding ceremony, I can’t stand it,” Jared admitted. “I can’t stand that’s the way you and I got married. Because we deserve so much more than that.”

I nodded, understanding.

“This time I want to marry you and have you know that you are marrying a man who will love you for the rest of his life.”

Tears slipped free as I kept nodding in agreement.

“Allegra Emma Howard McCulloch, will you marry me again?”

“Yes,” I sobbed happily. “Yes, of course, yes!” I lowered myself so I could kiss the living daylights out of him. “Why are you so perfect?” I laughed through my tears and his kisses. “You’re making it really hard to live up to.”

Jared chuckled against my lips. “You’ve got it twisted, baby. I’m just trying to live up to you.”

“And he says more perfect things.” I pushed him playfully, my gaze dropping to the ring. “It’s so beautiful, Jared.”

“I had an artist make it for you. I sent her pictures of the kind of jewelry you wear and she came up with this.”

I cupped his handsome face in my hands. “See? Perfect.”

“Let’s see it on, then.”

Grinning tearfully, I bobbed my hand in excitement so much, Jared had to hold it still so he could slide the ring down beside my wedding band. It looked beautiful. So beautiful I immediately jumped him.

Jared made a sound of surprise against my lips seconds before his back hit the deck. His laughter rose up over the loch as I peppered his face with kisses before swallowing the sound against my lips.

Straddling him, I kissed him hungrily as I reached between us for the zipper on his jeans. Jared grunted against my mouth as I slipped my hand inside his boxers to grasp him.

“Fuck, here?” His cheeks were flushed with excitement.

I nodded, suddenly desperate to have him inside me. “I want to christen my deck with your dick.”

He laughed, grabbing my ass. “Fuck, I love you.”

“I love you more.”

“Not possible.” Jared pulled my hand up and rubbed his thumb over my engagement ring. “Tha gaol agom ort, Allegra McCulloch.”

“Tha gaol agom ort.” I brushed my lips over his and pressed our hands down on the deck beside his head. “Let me show you just how much.”

And so there on the loch behind Caledonia Sky, we undressed to the witnesses of nature and made love on the land that had given us both so much. It was our home, yes. But a home we’d found in each other.

Looking back, I don’t think I was desperate to stay in Scotland just for Scotland. I think somehow my soul knew that the missing piece of me was here. In Jared. So I’d done whatever it took to stay. To find it. To find him.

I’d do it again. I’d climb any mountain, travel any road, cross any ocean, and bend any law to stay by Jared McCulloch’s side for the rest of my life.

After all, it was where I belonged.

***