Epilogue
Rafe Two Months Later
Who could have guessed my life would turn upside down and I would love every minute of it? Not me. Iona flipped my boat right side up, though I refused to admit to that for a bloody long time. Iona Buchanan changed my life, reinvigorated me in body and soul, and showed me that relationships don't need to be filled with angst and pain.
The biggest news, to me, is the fact that I finally found out what the American Wives Club is. They're a group of nosy but goodhearted women, and a few blokes, who step in to meddle whenever one of their mates needs a hand in finding his or her true love. A few months ago, I would have scoffed at that idea. Now, I might volunteer to assist the club.
I also learned that Magnus and Piper hadn't been able to track down Hubie for us because their car broke down. Bad luck for a private investigator. But then, everyone experiences bad luck once in a while. Iona and I thanked them for their efforts, of course.
Toby and I are closer than ever. I have to thank Eric Taylor for that. His mild obsession with Iona became the impetus for me meeting her and realizing I'd found the woman of my dreams. Many new things have happened since the day I pounded on Iona's door.
Eric Taylor is dating Rowan Buchanan, and he has relocated to Inverness. Eric found a much better job in geology, one that will ensure he can visit his mum and his girlfriend as often as he likes.
Thane and Rebecca have been married for nearly a month now, and the whisky business is booming.
Courtney has remained in England with Phillip, but now has the option of flying to Scotland whenever she pleases, thanks to her stepfather's wealthy friends.
Ramsay did not date Bonnie for long. After two weeks, he realized he couldn't handle a relationship with a much younger woman. She understood.
Fergus MacRae, the copper, is trying to work up the courage to ask Maeve Buchanan to go picnicking with him. Yes, he has a crush on her.
Those are only the highlights of recent events. Right now, Iona and I are heading back to Dùndubhan for a ceilidh---a Scottish dance. I haven't tried to dance in at least six years, and it was a disaster back then. I had been a rather good dancer up until the lightning strike. Iona claims I use that as an excuse to avoid "hoofing it" since my coordination is not an issue. Maybe that's true. But I'd much rather watch everyone else as they spin around the floor.
Naturally, Ramsay and Thane insisted I must wear a kilt featuring the Buchanan clan tartan. If they thought that would embarrass me, they still have a lot to learn about the lightning sorcerer. I amble around the floor, waiting for the woman I adore to make her appearance. When she finally enters the great hall, the sight of her takes my breath away. Iona wears a kilt fashioned from the Buchanan tartan too, but it's short and shows off her shapely legs.
As Iona approaches me, she rakes her gaze up and down my body. Then she licks her lips. "My, my, Rafe, don't you look handsome---and deliciously lickable."
I wrap my arm around her waist, tugging her close. "And you are a vision of Scottish beauty, darling. If any other blokes try to steal you away, I'll toss them into my lightning simulator. They'll be quite crispy after that."
I dance with Iona for a while, then her brothers take turns.
According to Thane and Ramsay, I am required to at least pretend to dance or else they will toss me into the garderobe. That's a medieval toilet, essentially. No one even knows if the garderobe still exists. It might have been filled in.
But I know they're simply harassing me.
A few minutes later, Iona grows excited as an older couple enters the great hall. She grabs my hand, tugging to make me move. "Come on, Rafe. They're finally here!"
"Who?"
She only grins and drags me over to the older couple. Then she...introduces me to them. "Ma, Da, please meet Rafe Knight, the man I love. Rafe, these two wonderful people are my parents, Elsa and Keith Buchanan."
I shake their hands. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Iona has told me all about you two."
Keith slaps my arm. "We weren't sure if we could accept a Brit in the family, but Iona told us you are the sweetest, kindest, grumpiest, cleverest, most electrifying lightning-struck man she's ever met."
"That's quite a mouthful."
Elsa clasps my hand, holding it between her palms. "We have never seen our daughter so happy. Thank you for that, Rafe."
"You don't sound Scottish."
"I was born in Sweden. But I became an exchange student in Scotland, and that's how I met Keith. We've been together ever since."
Will my relationship with Iona last that long? No one could divine the answer to that question, but I mean to find out--- by staying with her until she can't stand me any longer. But for now, we live in sin while shuttling back and forth between Norwich and Loch Fairbairn, always flying on our mates' private jets. Marriage might be an option, but we're too busy right now to think about that. Aren't we too old? Perhaps not. After years of feeling like an outsider in my own life, I now have everything I need and want. It's a bloody good life.
After the festivities have ended, Iona and I go home to discuss our next adventure. "Would you like to visit my favorite spot for storm chasing?"
"Ooh, aye, where is that?"
"Tornado Alley, in the American Midwest."
She slides her hand down to my groin. "I have a feeling storm chasing with you will lead to plenty of shagging."
"Oh, yes, pet. You can count on that."