Epilogue

“Ah, 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 can’t wait to show ye around.”

“I’m sorry we didn’t make it for Hogmanay. You were looking forward to it.”

Caitlin shrugged. “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 kissed her hands, and they settled back 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 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, our wee beastie 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 Fergus.”

“Caitlin has told me a little about him.”

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, then on to Edinburgh. 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.” She hesitated, then plunged ahead. “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 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.

****

Hours later, Holt returned 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 to be done.” She gestured with the phone. “I'll be on this for hours until the day.” She glanced away, 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 now that 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.

****

Three mornings later, Caitlin and Holt went to the registrar for the marriage license, then Ian took Holt to find what he needed for the simple ceremony while Lara and Caitlin shopped for a dress, flowers, and accessories, then picked 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.”

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. The rings are valuable, ye ken. Ye’d be helping your soon-to-be uncle Holt and your da.”

Alex poked his sister back, then met Caitlin’s gaze with his serious one and nodded. “I could do that, aye.”

She very carefully didn’t look at Lara. A grin, even a side-eye glance between them, and Alex 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 Coats and Alice 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 others enter the house and gathered her up in his arms. “It’s the best surprise,” he whispered in Caitlin’s ear. “Thank you.”

The next day, the whole family went to the registrar for the official ceremony tying the knot. Caitlin hadn’t told Holt she had asked Doc Coats to do the honors and give her away. She loved Holt’s reaction as they approached him.

His gaze kept shifting between her and his father. Holt’s color was high, and the glow in his eyes shone with love as he watched them. A glimmer of tears also sheened his father’s eyes when he kissed her cheek and gave her hand into his son’s keeping. Once Holt gave his father a one-armed hug and pulled Caitlin to his side, he leaned his mouth next to her ear and whispered, “Perfection.”

Ian and Lara held the reception at Cairn Dubh. 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.”

When 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 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 anywhere you like.”

“Holt! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“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 am. 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.”

“Then we’ll live here, at least for now. Raise Ridley heirs, 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 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 he disappeared back into the hall. 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, he was, too.

“I hope you know where we’re going,” he told her as they moved toward the door where Fergus had disappeared. “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’re here, 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.

“Aye, later. We’re going to be busy—”

“For hours. Days.”

“Nights.” Caitlin opened the door, then shrieked with laughter when Holt suddenly picked her up.

“I must carry you across the threshold,” he reminded her. “One of my husbandly duties.”

“You’re doing a brilliant job of it.”

“I’ve had a lot of practice carrying you. I like it.”

“I wonder how you’ll manage the rest.”

He pushed the door closed with his shoulder and set her on her feet. “Once I lock this, I’ll be happy to show you.”