Chapter 16
When Maisie arrived at the castle garden, Heather was already there wearing a pretty blue, silky, medieval-style gown. Maisie wasn’t late, but she hadn’t wanted Heather to have to wait for her even for a moment.
“Your gown is amazing.” Maisie loved the long sleeves and all the handiwork in the form of embroidery on the front of the gown and around the neck and sleeves. Really pretty.
“Aye, Edeen does lovely work.” Heather was rubbing her belly as she sat down on a garden bench to rest.
Maisie got her camera set up, and Enrick hurried to join them. He was wearing his kilt and looked handsome while he was posing with his mate. Maisie took photos, some of them kissing, holding each other, and some of just Heather. They were a beautiful couple, and she loved that they wanted her to take these pictures. She felt honored.
After they finished up, Maisie said, “I’ll share these with you tomorrow at your shop. How about before you open? That’ll give me time to find the best ones and do a little touch-up.”
“That sounds great. Come a couple of hours before we open,” Heather said.
“I can’t wait to see them,” Enrick said.
“Well, I was honored to do them. Thanks. I’m going to see Colleen and Grant and show them their photos. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Maisie said.
“We’ll see you then,” Heather said.
Maisie met with Colleen and Grant inside the castle, and she had tea with them in the library while she showed them the photos.
“Oh, these are all beautiful,” Colleen said.
“I agree,” Grant said. “It’s hard to pick from all of them.”
But they finally did and ordered the ones they loved the best. Then Maisie pulled up their animal photos in case they wanted to order any of them, which worked great. She’d taken them for Robert’s clinic, but they loved the animal photos also.
“Photos of the dogs are going in the kennel and on our Irish wolfhound website. Some of the images of the Scottish fold cats will go in the kennel too since they slip in there to visit with the dogs all the time and sleep with them. Of course, some of the prize Highland cow photos will be added to the library walls,” Colleen said, Grant agreeing with her.
After marking down the ones they wanted, Maisie said, “Okay, I’ll order them and give them to you at the open house.”
“That sounds great,” Grant said.
Smiling, Colleen nodded.
Then Maisie left and returned to Robert’s house.
“Are you all done?” Robert asked, opening the door for her immediately, smiling appreciably, pulling her into the house at the same time and kissed her.
“Yep.” Maisie wrapped him in her arms with a warm embrace and continued the kiss. “We need to tell Anne and Edeen that we’re mated. We need to decide what to do about housing arrangements. I mean, yes, I’m staying with you here no matter what, but with the guy who killed Gus on the loose? I’m not sure about leaving Anne with only William to guard her because if he has to leave for any reason, then she’ll be alone.”
Robert agreed. “William and another wolf from our pack can stay with her to make sure there’s always someone there. We won’t leave her on her own, given the situation.”
“I want William’s brother to join them then.”
Robert laughed. “You feel sorry for him because his brother got to stay with Anne and he didn’t.”
“I do. I think the brothers would like to be together.”
“Okay, I’ll call Lachlan and tell him to send Edward over.”
“But first, we should call my parents and then tell our sisters, or Lachlan will know why we have to have another guard there,” she said.
“Okay, we’ll tell your parents first.” Robert sighed. “Maybe I should have met them and talked to them about a mating beforehand.”
“No way. This was between us. We’re wolves. We know when we find the right one for us. We don’t need anyone else telling us who we should mate,” she said.
“Let’s do it then.” Still, Robert seemed a little nervous about it.
She gave him a hug. “They’ll love you.” Then she called her mom and dad and put them on speakerphone. “Robert and I have some news, but we want to share it with you both before we called our sisters. We’re both on speakerphone.”
“You’re going to mate each other,” her mother said.
Maisie smiled. “We’re mated.”
There was silence for a moment, and then her dad said, “Finally, one of our girls is mated.”
“We haven’t met him yet,” her mother said, her voice a little surprised.
“He is wonderful.”
Her mother sighed. “Sorry. I was just a little taken aback that it had happened so suddenly. I’m sure he is just right for you. You wouldn’t settle for less.”
“We are delighted,” her dad said.
Maisie was thrilled they were supportive. She knew her mother would feel even more comfortable about it once she met Robert. He was the kindest, sexiest, most loving wolf Maisie had ever dated.
“Aye, we sure are,” her mother said. “You’re mated.” She sounded like she still couldn’t believe it. Not that they were courting, but they were forever mated.
“You will love him,” Maisie said.
“I will do everything in my power to prove to Maisie how much I love and cherish her,” Robert finally said.
“I know you will,” her mother said. “She would never mate someone like the guys she has dated in the past.”
“I’ve told Robert about them, Mom,” Maisie said.
“They weren’t good for her,” her mom said.
“No, they weren’t,” Robert said, “and I’m not anything like them. She comes first, and I would never keep her from her family. She told me you were worried about moving to this area until you were sure your daughters would set down roots permanently here. Between Maisie’s photography work, my vet practice, and the inn’s income, we’ll keep their business going no matter what. We’ll want you to be close by also.”
Maisie was so glad, and she knew she had fallen in love with the right wolf. She hugged and kissed him, tears filling her eyes.
“Well, it’s decided then.” Her father sounded pleased. “We were just waiting to learn if the girls would actually stay and give the inn their all or eventually sell and return to Glasgow. When can we visit?”
“We have an open house at my place on Saturday, as well as a viewing of the vet clinic before it opens,” Robert said. “We’ll be having a lovely celebration. You can stay with us while you visit. It’s just down the road from the inn and next door to the MacQuarries’ Farraige Castle.”
“Or we can stay with Anne, if you’re not using your room at the inn any further,” her father said to Maisie.
Maisie would like them to get to know Robert better, and if her parents stayed with them, they would.
“Okay, well, we have a son finally.” Her mother was cheerful.
“And another daughter,” Robert said. “My sister is eager to meet you also. And so is her mate, Lachlan MacQuarrie.”
“The MacQuarries. They had that movie filmed at their castle, didn’t they?” her mother said.
“They sure did, and they were featured in it. The wolves in it were wolf shifters,” Maisie said.
“Wow, okay, great,” her mother said. “So we’re part of a famous wolf family then.”
Robert laughed. “Yeah, you could say that.”
“Okay, we will be there for your open house, and then?” her father asked.
“You can have dinner with Anne and us, and then you can decide which place you want to stay at,” Robert said.
“That sounds like a good plan,” her mother said. “We’re so glad you found a good wolf to marry, Maisie.”
“Yeah, me especially,” Robert said. “Maisie is sure that for me.”
“Oh, oh, marriage! When are you getting married?” her mother asked.
“We haven’t discussed it yet, Mom.” Maisie glanced at Robert to see what he thought of the matter.
“My sister will be having her wedding up at the castle, but we can have ours here at the house or the inn.” Maisie knew Robert didn’t mind where it was held.
“Or the castle?” Her mother sounded hopeful.
They laughed.
“I’m sure that they would be honored to have it there,” Robert said. “Their chef is providing the food for the open house. I’m sure he would do the same for our wedding. Speaking of which, Edeen and Lachlan’s wedding is in a week. You’ll have to come with us, since you’re family now too,” Robert said.
With everything planned, they said goodbye.
Robert breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, it seems they’re okay with me mating you.”
“Yes, of course. They can’t say anything but.” Maisie laughed.
He laughed too. “Yeah. We’re mated for life, so that’s true.”
“Alright, next up: we have to tell the rest of the family. Why don’t we call our sisters on a conference call, and since Lachlan is your brother-in-law, we’ll have him on too. We’ll call Lachlan’s brothers afterward.” Maisie couldn’t believe that mating the wolf meant gaining a whole bunch of family in one fell swoop.
“That works for me.”
She called their sisters and Lachlan. “Robert and I are—”
“Mated!” Edeen and Anne screamed at the same time.
Maisie and Robert laughed.
“Aye, so we’re going to ask Lachlan if he can arrange for Edward to join William to watch over you, Anne,” Maisie said.
“Yes! William will be glad, I’m sure, and I’m so happy for the both of you,” Anne said.
Lachlan agreed. “I know Edward will be, and congratulations, you two.”
“Me too. Welcome to the family, both of you,” Edeen said. “I’m so excited to have two more sisters. Now you’ll be part of the wolf pack.”
“Absolutely,” Maisie said.
“I’m so happy to have a brother. I guess several—Grant, Enrick, and you too, Lachlan,” Anne said.
“Exactly. This calls for a celebration,” Edeen said. “But also, if you don’t think it’s too late for you to be part of the wedding party, I would love to have both you and Anne as my bridesmaids, Maisie. Lana Cameron is also going to be one. Colleen and Heather were supposed to but can’t because of being so close to delivery.”
“Oh, we would love to.” Maisie was just thrilled. “What would we wear?”
“I already have gowns made. You’ll be beautiful in them.”
“Aye, we would be delighted to take part in your wedding,” Anne said.
“We called Mom and Dad to tell them first, so they’re coming to visit and maybe they’ll be staying in my room at the inn,” Maisie said.
“Oh, oh, I guess you’ll be staying with Robert from now on. It’s just sinking in,” Anne said.
“Yeah, Anne. Like a mated couple,” Maisie said, beaming. Not that the notion had completely sunk in with her yet either.
“What about Conan?” Anne asked.
“We’ll have to have him stay with us sometimes and you can have him sometimes, unless you want to keep him there for company, especially after William and Edward are no longer needed to guard you.”
“We’ll see how it all works out. What about the wedding?” Anne said.
Maisie realized it was all kind of overwhelming. She was just so happy about the mating. For wolves, that’s all they needed to say I do. “You, Mom, Edeen, and I need to plan that.”
“I’m ready,” Anne replied.
“Me too,” Edeen said.
“We’ll have to tell the rest of the pack,” Robert said.
“Call Colleen, Grant, Enrick, and Heather, and then they can share it with the rest of the pack,” Edeen said. “But I can tell you right now that everyone suspects this was where this was headed from the day you and Maisie were stuck on Eilean Tioram.”
Robert smiled, and Maisie chuckled.
“Alright and then we’ll all have a special celebration,” Maisie said.
“But if you invite your new brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, do it quickly,” Edeen said. “I keep thinking Colleen and Heather will have those babies at any moment.”
Maisie laughed. “Yes.” She wasn’t used to being around women who were due to have babies any day. “Maybe we could meet at Heather’s pie shop after it closes for the night to have a special family dinner celebration.”
“Absolutely. I’m sure Heather would be thrilled. Her brothers will be there to do all the cooking and serving too, and they can join us,” Edeen said.
“Okay, then we’ll see if we can have it tomorrow night before the open house the next day.” Maisie squeezed Robert’s hand.
“I think that will work great,” Robert said.
“Well, congratulations, you two.” Edeen sounded as delighted as Anne.
“Congratulations,” Anne said. “I’m thrilled for you and for us. We went from just the two of us and our parents to a huge extended family and a wolf pack.”
“The same for me when I mated Lachlan. It had only been Robert and me for so long,” Edeen said.
Lachlan said, “Everyone will be thrilled to hear it.”
“After Robert and I call our parents about the dinner for tomorrow, Anne,” Maisie said, “Robert and I will come over and pack up my stuff.”
“We’ll see you soon then,” Anne said, and they ended the call.
Then Maisie called Heather to clear having the dinner at her place. Heather was ecstatic. “Can you let all the family know about it? I still need to call my parents,” Maisie asked.
“Aye, I sure will.”
Then Maisie called her parents back and invited them to the dinner. They said they’d pack up immediately and be there tomorrow.
Maisie ordered the pictures for printing for Colleen and Lachlan. Maisie needed to show Edeen her pet photos too. Then Maisie and Robert headed over to the inn.
When they arrived at the inn, Anne gave them each a hug. “I can’t believe you left today to have lunch with Robert and mated him. I mean, I can. If I’d been in your shoes, I would have too, but I’m still getting used to the idea.”
“Believe me, I am too. Not about being mated to Robert, but it seems strange to be moving to his place now.”
“I bet. Other than clothes, what else do you want to take, and I’ll start packing things up for you?” Anne grabbed a box.
“I don’t need anything from the kitchen. We purchased all of it for the inn, and it needs to stay here for you and our guests.” Maisie shrugged. “The same with the living room. Really, just my clothes and personal items need to go with me. The bedding and everything stays. I’m happy with Robert’s bedding.” She was more than happy since he was sharing the bed with her.
“Okay, well, you know if there’s anything you change your mind about, you can have it,” Anne said.
“Thanks.” Maisie began pulling all her clothes from the dresser drawers while Anne removed Maisie’s clothes from the closet and put them all on the bed to pack.
Robert opened a drawer to start packing Maisie’s clothes and paused at her colorful lace underwear. Anne glanced at him and laughed. “I think he likes your undergarments.”
Maisie turned to see what Robert was doing, and his face was red. She laughed. “You’re so cute, you know.”
He grabbed a handful of her bras and panties and smiled. “I can’t wait to see you in these.”
Maisie knew she wouldn’t be wearing them for long once he saw her in them.
They finished packing all her clothes, and then she packed up her stuff from the bathroom.
William and Edward carried the boxes out to Robert’s car, and when they returned to the inn, they all had a glass of wine and clinked them together. “Cheers!”
Edward looked thrilled to join his brother there at the inn to look after Anne.
“I’ll be back in the morning to help with the inn.” Maisie didn’t want her sister to believe she was abandoning her now.
“Nay, the brothers are going to help me. You two need the time together, especially before the open house and all. Then after that, you can help again.” Anne winked at her.
“Are you sure? I hadn’t planned to leave it all up to you to do.”
“Mom and Dad will be here, and we have the celebration dinner tomorrow night, the open house the next day. Yeah, I’ll be good. Both William and Edward have been a real help. They won’t let me do it all alone.”
The brothers smiled.
“I always help out when anyone needs some assistance,” Edward said. “William’s just like me.”
“Yeah, I agree,” William said.
“Okay, well, thanks for all the assistance. We’re going home to have dinner and then go for our mated wolf run.”
Anne smiled. “That will be me someday.”
“Me too,” Edward said, William agreeing.
Maisie embraced her sister, and Robert hugged her after that, and they said good night to everyone.
When Maisie and Robert returned to Robert’s, well, her place now too, they carried in all the boxes and set them against one wall in the bedroom.
“Why don’t I start dinner and you can begin unpacking? Then I’ll come in and help you put the rest away,” Robert said.
“Sure, that works.” She started to put her personal items in the bathroom first, wanting to get everything sorted right away. Neither she nor Anne liked clutter, and Robert seemed to be the same way as tidy as his place was. Besides, being able to see her clothes hanging in the closet or folded in her drawers made it much easier to choose from rather than trying to sort through cardboard boxes to find anything. Then she noticed a box that said: Unpack first.
It was in Robert’s handwriting, and she opened the box to find all her undergarments and nightwear. She laughed.