Epilogue
EPILOGUE
“A h, Scotland,” Caitlin exulted, taking a deep breath as they exited the terminal. Holt’s pilot had brought them to Glasgow in time for an early morning landing. The sun peeked through broken clouds, and the air was crisp if slightly tinged with the scent of jet fuel.
“Glad to be back?” Holt nodded to a driver holding a sign with his name on it and handed over their luggage.
After he helped Caitlin into the waiting limo, she smiled. “I am. But happiest to be here with ye. I canna wait to show ye around.”
“I’m sorry we didn’t make it for Hogmanay. You were looking forward to it.”
Caitlin shrugged, knowing how important the time in New York had been to him. “You had too much to do before you could leave, and I didn’t want to go without you. We’ll plan to be here next year.” She grinned and added, “I had enough excitement over the holiday in New York to satisfy me.”
She pointed out some sights as they drove away from the airport’s vicinity, then pulled out her phone. “I almost forgot to text Ian we’re on the way.”
Holt put a hand on her forearm. “Wait. Before you do that, I have a question. I know you planned for this trip to go a certain way…”
Caitlin’s stomach clenched. Was Holt getting cold feet? Why now and not before they flew to Scotland? “What do you mean?”
“Visiting your cousin, touring around.” He held up a hand. “I want to do all of that, but first, I have something else in mind.” He took her hands in his larger ones. “Let’s not wait. I want to marry you— right away. As soon as we can arrange it. Then we’ll travel as you planned, and we’ll enjoy the journey even more.”
“Do ye mean it? I thought ye’d want to meet my family first, to see where I come from.”
“You know I do. But none of that will change how I feel about you. And you did say you wanted a short engagement.” His gaze turned molten. “Let’s make the arrangements as soon as we can.”
Elation made Caitlin’s blood sizzle. “Let’s. Nothing would make me happier.”
Holt lifted her hands and kissed the back of each before they settled into the limo’s plush upholstery to enjoy the scenery. As they drove deeper into the Highlands and familiar landmarks appeared, Caitlin’s excitement mounted. Once they turned into the long drive leading to Cairn Dubh, she told Holt, “We’re here.”
Ian, Lara, and the twins greeted them at the door. Lara hugged her, saying, “I was just headed out to take the twins to school, but I’ll be back before you know it. I made coffee,” she added with a smile for Holt. “But if you’d rather have tea, Caitlin knows where everything is.”
Caitlin gave Lara and the twins another hug and let them go on their way. A few minutes later, she and Holt found themselves settled in the kitchen with Ian and coffee.
“The furnishings from Holt’s estate have been here for over a month,” she said after a restorative sip. “Have you noticed anything…different?” Along with the cursed cabinet, they’d shipped other pieces Caitlin thought might have come from the same household, owing to their similar construction and condition. Ian had taken charge of them until Caitlin could arrive to make appropriate arrangements for them.
“Nothing to report,” Ian told her. “We’ve noticed nothing unusual since they arrived.”
“Nothing more unusual than the usual for Cairn Dubh, ye mean.” Caitlin felt tension ease out of her that she hadn’t realized she carried.
“Aye. Fergus seems unconcerned. The twins would have said something. They’re more attuned to him than the grown-ups.”
“That’s good, aye, that Fergus is calm about it all?” Of course, it was.
“As near as I can tell, aye, it is.” Ian shrugged, then regarded Holt steadily.
Holt nodded.
“So ye ken about our wee beastie.”
“Caitlin has told me a little about your protective ghost.”
That seemed to be what Ian wanted to hear. “You’ve got an itinerary worked out, then?” he asked, clearly ready to change the subject.
Caitlin nodded, then glanced at Holt to make sure he didn’t object. “We’d planned on a few days here to get settled and get over jet lag. Holt has never been to Scotland, so I’ve much to show him. We’ll make our way to Inverness from there where I hope to work out a deal with the Highland Museum to display the pieces and do a story about the curse. I still hope to consult there, if not to become a permanent member of the staff.” She hesitated, then plunged ahead. “Then on to Edinburgh. We’d planned to return here in about a fortnight for the wedding, but Holt…”
“Has other ideas,” Holt interrupted, taking her hand. “I want us to marry as soon as possible.”
Ian grinned. “An eager bridegroom. Aye, well, then, ye’ll need Lara to help ye with that. She should be back soon after half nine.”
“I was going to wait until tonight to spring this on ye,” Caitlin agreed, “but I’ll tell her when she gets back. She and I can work out what needs to be done over tea and scones.”
“Brilliant. I’ll take Holt into the village with me.” He gave Holt a grin. “Trust me, when those two lasses put their heads together, ’tis best to be as far from them as ye can be. Leave them to their lists. They’ll have plenty for us to do, all too soon.”
Holt winked at Caitlin and laughed. “I’ll take you up on that, Ian. I’ve seen Caitlin at work.” At Caitlin’s frown, he added, “She’s a whirlwind of the very best kind.”
“Decided to save yerself, did ye?” Caitlin narrowed her eyes, teasing. “We willna want the two of ye underfoot, as Ian kens fine.” She stood. “Why don’t we get settled while I wait for Lara, then ye two can escape.”
Holt got to his feet and took her hand. “Lay on, MacDuff…”
Caitlin rolled her eyes, gave grinning Ian a wave, and led Holt back to the foyer to pick up their bags, then upstairs to his room. “I’m across the hall,” she told him. “There are two very intelligent, very inquisitive twins in the house who notice everything. I think we should keep our sleeping arrangements this way until the wedding.”
“They’re not here now.”
“Nay, but Ian is. And Lara will be home soon. Get cleaned up. I’m going to unpack while I have the chance.” She tugged her bag from Holt’s hand, pulling him toward her in the process.
Holt leaned in to give her a kiss, then went obediently into his room.
* * *
H ours later, Holt returned from the village with Ian. As he climbed the stairs in search of Caitlin, he could hear Lara telling her husband that she and Caitlin had worked up lists of what had to be done and by whom. Ian’s low rumble became unintelligible as Holt turned a corner in the upstairs hall, and Caitlin’s voice came to him from her room.
“That’s perfect. I’m so happy you can arrange it.”
Holt entered the room as she glanced around with her phone to her ear, saw him and colored.
“I’ll speak to you later. Thank you,” she added and ended the call.
“Who was that? I heard Lara tell Ian that you two have everything organized.”
“Organized, aye. And lots still to be done.” She gestured with the phone. “I’ll be on this for hours until the day.” She glanced at it, then lifted her gaze back to him and smiled.
Holt couldn’t escape the sense that she was hiding something. Her Scottish accent had thickened since she’d returned home, but now, on the phone, she sounded more like she had by the time they left Long Island.
“So, how was your trip to town with Ian?” She tossed her phone on the bed and came into his arms. “What did you do?”
Holt held her for a moment, just soaking in the feeling of Caitlin in his arms, her scent surrounding him, her warmth heating his blood. Then he dipped his head and kissed her.
“Ah, visited the pub, did ye?”
“We had a dram. Medicinal purposes. Ian claimed whiskey is a great cure for jet lag.”
She snorted. “Ian’s blowing sunshine up yer skirt.”
Holt laughed, picturing himself in a kilt, then sobered, realizing Caitlin and her cousins might expect him to wear one to the wedding. That would be among many new experiences he suspected Caitlin had planned for him.
Caitlin leaned back in his arms, her brows drawn together. “Isn’t that your American saying?”
He kissed the crease and nodded. “You got it exactly right.”
Lara’s voice intruded as she called up the stairs. “Anyone hungry? I’ve got lunch.”
“On our way,” Caitlin replied, calling over Holt’s shoulder.
“Not just yet,” he murmured and kissed her again, this time on the mouth. “I can never get enough of this. Of you.”
With a grin, she reached down and poked him in the belly. “You need food on top of that whiskey. Kisses won’t absorb it.”
“Who said I want them to?” He laughed and released her, then took her hand. “Shall we?”
Caitlin stepped close and kissed him back, surprising him, and then led him downstairs.
* * *
T hree mornings later, Caitlin and Holt went to the registrar for the marriage license. Afterwards, Holt met Ian for help finding the clothes and other things he needed for what Ian deemed would be a proper Scottish ceremony and ceilidh to follow it.
Lara and Caitlin went by Caitlin’s flat to gather what she needed from there. She didn’t know whether she’d sell the flat or keep it for a home base between trips. She and Holt hadn’t had a chance to discuss what their living arrangements might be after they completed the tour of Scotland Caitlin wanted to take him on. But that decision would wait. Even if they gave up her flat, they wouldn’t be homeless. Cairn Dubh boasted so many suites, they could live there indefinitely and never be in the way of the family.
After she and Lara finished at the flat, they went to the High street to shop for a dress, flowers, and accessories before picking up the twins from school. Once they were in the car, Amy leaned forward in her seatbelt and rested her elbows on the back of Caitlin’s seat. “Did you get everything?”
Caitlin glanced around and nodded. “We did! It’s all in the boot.”
“I can’t wait to see your dress,” Amy declared. “Will you show me as soon as we get home?”
Alex stared out the side window, expressing supreme masculine disinterest in all things wedding-related. Amy opened her mouth to ask another question, but after a glance in her rear-view mirror, Lara interrupted, “Sit back, young lady. You’ll see everything in good time.”
Amy settled back, but Caitlin could see she was still bristling with questions.
“I don’t suppose anyone in this car would like to be my flower girl?”
“Aye!” Amy pumped her arm in triumph. “I will.” She poked her brother’s ribs. “I’m going to be in the wedding!”
“And Alex, would you like to be in charge of the rings?”
“Isn’t that what weans do? I’m too old.”
“Not always, and it’s a very important job,” Caitlin told him. “The rings are valuable, ye ken. And ye’d be helping your soon-to-be uncle Holt and your da.” Cousin, actually, but she could never keep all the first-, second-, and distant-cousin definitions straight, much less the spouses of cousins. Uncle was easier. Besides, they already called her Auntie Caitlin, ever since their mother married her cousin Ian. Caitlin took care of the twins during their mother’s honeymoon absence.
Alex poked his sister back, then met Caitlin’s gaze with his serious one and nodded. “I guess I could do that, aye.”
She very carefully didn’t look at Lara. Alex would see a grin, even a side-eye glance between them in the rear-view mirror and might change his mind. “Then it’s settled. Everyone has a part to play in the wedding.”
An hour after they got home, a knock sounded at Cairn Dubh’s front door. Lara looked up to Holt from the early dinner she and Caitlin were making. “Can you get that, please? The twins are doing homework. Ian, can you help me here for a moment?”
Holt nodded and left the kitchen where he and Ian had been sitting, watching the women, and offering commentary.
As soon as he left the room, Caitlin and Lara grabbed towels to wipe their hands and gathered up Ian with a look. They arrived in the front foyer just as Holt opened the door, then stiffened.
“I heard there’s a bachelor pub crawl tonight. I didn’t want to miss it.” Doc Coates and Alice Nash stood on the front porch. A limo driver set their luggage behind them, doffed his cap and left.
Holt grinned and pulled his father into a hug. “I can’t believe you’re here. You said you couldn’t get away from your practice. Or your bakery,” he added as he hugged Alice.
“We lied. We couldn’t miss this!” Alice reached for Holt’s hand. “I’m thrilled to be here.”
Holt’s father put an arm around Alice’s shoulders. “We both are.”
Caitlin watched their reunion with tears stinging her eyes, then caught Holt’s gaze. “Surprise!”
Holt stepped back to let the older couple enter the house, then gathered her up in his arms. “It’s the best surprise,” he whispered in Caitlin’s ear. “Thank you.”
The next day, Holt surprised her by coming downstairs wearing the full Scottish ceremonial outfit of kilt in a Black Watch plaid, short jacket and all the accessories. Ian was dressed similarly in one of the family tartans. Caitlin and Lara eyed their men, then glanced at each other and smiled. Ian had worked a miracle convincing Holt to wear a kilt, and the deep Black Watch colors of the rented outfit suited him. He might have chosen something different if there’d been time to have something made, but Caitlin approved. He wore it very well and looked even more handsome than she’d imagined he might in something that, if he wore it the traditional way, must make him uncomfortable. It wasn’t easy, but she pulled her imagination away from the image that thought evoked. Instead, she glanced down at herself. Her simple tea-length dress of cream silk with pearl buttons down the front would stand out beautifully in pictures against his deeper colors.
“You two make a gorgeous couple,” Lara exclaimed.
Caitlin could feel the warmth of a blush heating her face as Holt’s gaze raked over her, approval and desire in his eyes.
“Then let’s not waste it,” Holt said. “Let’s get married.”
Caitlin laughed and took the arm he proffered. “Aye. Let’s!”
The whole family went to the registrar for the official ceremony tying the knot. Caitlin waited on the side wall at the back of the room where she could see everyone. Amy carried a basket toward the front, handing flowers to people sitting along both sides of the center aisle, many their guests, and some waiting for other ceremonies. Normally effusive, she fulfilled her role as flower girl with more solemnity than Caitlin thought she would be able to manage. The flower recipients reacted with smiles and murmured thanks, clearly pleased with Amy’s gift. When she reached the front, she stood in line with her mother and Alice. Alex went next with the wedding rings on a deep rose-pink, silk pillow, looking proud, but also slightly embarrassed every time he noticed a lass near his age watching him. When he reached the front, he stood with his father and Holt, clutching the small pillow with its simple gold bands on top in both hands.
Caitlin met Holt’s smoldering gaze. How would she make it up the aisle at a sedate walk when all she wanted to do was run into his arms? But she had to wait.
Caitlin hadn’t told Holt she had asked Doc Coates to do the honors and give her away. It surprised her that he hadn’t realized his father was missing, since Alice stood beside Lara opposite Holt and Ian, but perhaps Holt thought he was on a quick trip to the men’s room. He was, though not for the usual reason. She loved Holt’s reaction when his father entered the room also dressed in a Black Watch plaid kilt Ian had arranged and took up his position beside her.
Holt’s jaw dropped, and his gaze kept shifting between her and his father. His color was high, and the glow in his eyes shone with love.
She took his father’s arm. He lifted her hand and kissed the back, then gave her a proud smile. They made their way slowly up the aisle to where Holt and Ian stood in front of the registrar.
A glimmer of tears also sheened Jim Coates’ eyes when he kissed her cheek and gave her hand into his son’s keeping. Holt gave his father a one-armed hug, then pulled Caitlin to his side. Still holding her hand, he leaned his mouth next to her ear and whispered, “Perfection.”
The civil ceremony was short, as Caitlin expected, since she’d watched the same registrar marry Ian and Lara nearly a year ago. But the ceremony was new to Holt. She kept her gaze on him rather than the registrar. Holt’s locked on her, as well, as he repeated the required legal declarations, then listened to hers. Alex gave the rings to his father, and Ian provided hers to Holt and Holt’s to her for the exchange.
As Holt slipped the gold ring on her finger, he murmured, “Ye are mine, and I am yours.” He vowed, softly but with fervor, “Forever.”
“Forever,” she repeated the only vow that mattered, slid his ring on his hand. With the possible exception of Holt’s father, if anyone else heard their declaration, they would not understand the significance of that one word. But to Holt, and to her, with his family history, it meant everything.
Once the registrar declared them wed, Holt wasted no time pulling her against him for a searing kiss that raised a cheer from everyone watching, many of whom were waving the flowers Amy had provided. Caitlin kissed him back, blushed, and smiled at their audience as her new father-in-law, Lara, and Alice began taking pictures.
After signing the required marriage schedule and taking a few more pictures inside the ceremony room, they moved outside to a nearby park to take more photos among the trees and flowers, and to give their guests time to reach Cairn Dubh before them.
Finally, Caitlin called a halt, and they headed for the reception. Lara preceded her to the new wing and made her pause out of sight of the great hall’s double-door opening, but Caitlin sneaked peeks around the edge of the doors into the large chamber. It was a beautiful space, filled with sunshine on this early spring afternoon. Rainbows glinted on the white walls from the sun shining through the crystal chandeliers, and the gilt edging glowed on the moldings at the top of the walls and the painted copies of medieval illuminations of fanciful beasts and flowers that covered the ceiling.
The reception area boasted an open bar and a dance floor for the ceilidh to follow the meal. Tables decorated with ribbons and flowers filled the rest of the expansive space. A harpist played, the music as bright and delightful as their surroundings. Servers stood ready to deliver the catered dinner from the secondary kitchen and butler’s pantry off of the great hall, and a photographer stood by to take candid shots of the rest of the evening.
Caitlin smiled as Amy took her seat at the head table. The flower girl had been a highlight of the ceremony. Alex joined her, relief to be done with his part in the wedding evident in his suddenly relaxed posture as he slumped into his seat, pulled the silk pillow from his sporran and tossed it to his sister. Lara frowned at Alex, and he straightened up in his seat, then she turned to Caitlin and shrugged.
Caitlin grinned as Holt and Ian joined them. It was time to get the party started. Lara and Ian made their entrance first, a signal that the bride and groom had truly arrived. Caitlin expected to follow close behind them, but Holt held her back, letting his father and Alice precede them. Once all four had reached the long head table, Holt held up her hand. “Ready?”
“Aye, for hours,” Caitlin told him and pulled him forward with a laugh. That drew attention to them, so they savored their walk up the center aisle as they paused to greet guests who reached out to them along the way.
During the reception, Holt met Caitlin’s friends and withstood friendly ribbing about not being able to find a suitable American girl.
“Only a Highland lass would do,” he boasted, with a smile for his new bride.
“I’ve married a wise man,” Caitlin responded. “But I already knew that.”
After having a few dances and making the rounds of their guests, once they had a moment to themselves, Holt told her, “I have a present for you, my lovely wife.” The other guests were drinking gallons of champagne, whiskey, and gin, talking and laughing so loudly that, combined with the dance music, they created a bubble of privacy around the newlyweds.
Caitlin displayed the emerald on her left hand and smiled. “Ye gave me a beauty already, my handsome husband.”
“Ah, but there’s more. I got a call this morning from my lawyers. I’ve sold my company in California. We’re free to live here or Inverness near the museum or anywhere you like.”
“Holt! Why didn’t you tell me?” She wasn’t sure her heart could stand any more happiness today, but elation filled her again at Holt’s news.
“I just did. It’s what I spent so much time working on the last week we were at the estate and since then. A friend bought into it. He’ll manage the company well. I still have a block of shares, but I’ve given up my controlling interest. I’m starting fresh with you. Aren’t you happy?”
“I’m thrilled. I’m just surprised. Gobsmacked. You built that company from nothing.”
“And sold it for a handsome profit.”
“What will you do?”
“Besides spend hours making love to my gorgeous wife? Anything I want. Eventually, I’ll start another company. But not right away. I plan to enjoy a lengthy honeymoon. If that’s all right with you.”
Caitlin stroked his cheek. “It sounds perfect.” Holt had just given her everything she could have hoped for— and more. In New York, she’d learned that time with him, unfettered by concerns about his business, was precious. Her heart felt full to bursting. She didn’t know whether to laugh or let everyone in the room see her tears of joy.
“Then we’ll live here, at least for now,” Holt told her as he wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “We’ll raise Ridley heirs,” he added with a smile, “of which there will be many, now that you solved the family curse. We’ll find a place you like, a home base to return to between trips. There’s so much of the world I want to show you.”
“And so much more of Scotland I want to show you. But all that will wait. ’Tis our wedding night. I believe we already have plans.”
“Shall we bid goodnight to everyone or just slip away?”
Caitlin glanced around, suddenly eager to leave the party. “The latter, I think. They’re so far in their cups, they won’t notice we’ve gone until morning. Just be patient.”
“About being alone with you? Not a chance.”
Holt stood and took her hand, pulling her up beside him. Caitlin clung to him, not quite willing to accept that all this was true. She was married to Holt Ridley. The massive emerald on her hand tied her to him as surely as the papers they’d signed earlier that day. They would be able to live in Scotland for as long as she wished. He’d even implied he had no problem with her working at the Highland Museum and living near it. He’d given up his company for her. What more could she ask, except that he love her for all of their very long lives together?
A movement made Caitlin glance over Holt’s shoulder in time to see Fergus appear in the doorway that led to the hallway and to the stairs to their bridal chamber. She gave the ghost hound a smile, and instead of simply disappearing, he turned and walked back into the hall behind him. Even Fergus thought it was time for them to leave the party. She was more than ready, and from the smile lighting Holt’s face and the molten look turning his grey eyes black, he was, too.
“I hope you know where we’re going,” he told her as they moved toward the door where Fergus had disappeared. Their friends let them go with smiles and cheers, a few slapping Holt on the back as they went, or taking Caitlin’s hand for a moment to voice their well-wishes.
Once clear of the hall, Holt said, “I still get lost in this wing, much less in the entire house. And when is that ghost going to show himself? I thought you said he liked weddings.”
“I know exactly where I’m taking you, husband. And Fergus was here just moments ago, agreeing with us that it was time to quit the party.”
“Smart dog.”
“Aye, he is. Now that we’ve time, I’ll tell you more about him.”
“Later,” Holt advised as they mounted the stairs to the top floor and the suite of chambers set aside for them.
Fergus awaited them at the door to their bower. “Aye, later.” She gave the ghost a stern look, hoping he’d take the hint. “We’re going to be busy?—”
Fergus stepped aside, but didn’t disappear.
“For hours. Days,” Holt said, pulled her into his arms and kissed her, his lips moving over hers softly at first, then firmly, teasing her, making her blood heat with wanting him.
“Nights,” Caitlin breathed between kisses. She was tempted to tell Holt that Fergus was standing right next to him, studying him as if deciding whether or not he approved, but she decided the friendly ghost might be a distraction for Holt that she didn’t want right now. She reached aside and opened the door, then shrieked with laughter when Holt suddenly picked her up.
Taking the hint, Fergus made himself scarce.
“I must carry you across the threshold,” Holt reminded her. “I don’t want to fail in the first of my husbandly duties.”
“You’re doing a brilliant job of it so far,” Caitlin told him, giddy with excitement, and relieved that Fergus understood to leave them alone.
“I’ve had a lot of practice carrying you. I like it.”
She curled her fingers into his hair, tugging gently. “I wonder if you’ll like the rest of your husbandly duties as well.”
He pushed the door closed with his shoulder and set her on her feet, his gaze molten with promise. “Once I lock this, I’ll be happy to show you. Forever.”
THE END
Don’t miss Book One, Ian Paterson and Lara MacLaren’s romance and mystery (and Fergus!) in WAITING FOR THE LAIRD .
And coming in 2025, look for Book Three, Doc Coates’ and Alice Nash’s later-in-life love story.