He wanted her.
Sienna.
The woman in red.
He grinned and closed the distance with long, ground-eating strides.The dress had caught his eye, but when their gazes locked, nothing else mattered.
“Hi,” he said when he reached them, his voice soft and wondering.
“Hi,” she whispered.
“Are they gonna stare at each other all night?”Kitto asked, his tone more fond than impatient.
Sienna blinked, suddenly aware they had an audience.Saber and Emily stood nearby, wearing identical grins, and several other guests had turned to watch.
“Forgive me.”Liam didn’t look sorry at all.“I didn’t notice anyone but her.”He nodded toward Sienna.“You all look great, truly—buther…” He trailed off, his expression saying what words couldn’t.
“It’s the dress,” Emily said to Saber, sounding smug.“It’s magical.”
“True, kitten.Dance?For old time’s sake?”Saber extended his arm.
“Nothing I’d like better,” Emily replied, and together they drifted toward the dance floor, hands entwined.
Liam smiled at Sienna, then turned to her brother.“First things first—let me introduce Kitto to my friends.I want everyone to meet the artist who’s taken Middlemarch by storm.”
He led them toward a group of young shifters that included Scott.The introductions flowed, and Liam felt a flicker of pride as Kitto straightened under their welcome and the eager questions about his artwork and market stall.
Once Kitto was deep in animated conversation, Liam turned back to Sienna.“May I have this dance, Ms.Teague?”
“I’m not—I haven’t danced much,” she admitted, biting her bottom lip and brushing a finger against the edge of her red lipstick.The subtle gesture caught his attention.
“Neither have I.We can figure it out together,” he said.“Besides, I’d rather talk than dance.Want to find a quiet corner?”
He took her hand and led her onto the dance floor.The marquee buzzed with conversation, warm air carrying the scent of decorative flowers, sizzling sausage rolls from the nearby barbecues, and the faint sweetness of spilled wine.A band played cover songs from the corner stage, their melodies weaving through the hum of the crowd.When she melted into his arms, tension drained from her body, and he guided them to a quieter spot near the edge.They swayed together, bodies close, her warmth pressing against him as the music threaded through the crowded marquee.
“I’ve missed you,” he murmured.
“Every day,” she said when they drew apart.“More than I thought possible.”
They drifted in comfortable silence, simply enjoying being close again.Then Sienna spoke.
“You said in your letter that the mountains taught you things.”
“Yeah…I was so caught up in trying to have the perfect job, the perfect life, I didn’t see what mattered.”His hand pressed against her back.“It wasn’t the work at the station that made me happy.It was hearing from you, knowing you were here.”
“Liam—”
“Let me finish.”His voice was gentle but sure.“It wasn’t safety or familiarity that pulled me back here.It wasyou.Starting over in a new country?That takes guts.The way you handle everything…it makes me want to improve myself.”
Tears pricked her eyes.“I feel the same way.I didn’t dare say it out loud, afraid you’d think it was guilt or gratitude.But it’s not.It’s more than that.”
He stopped dancing right there on the floor and kissed her.It was sweet and passionate and full of promise, and when they broke apart, several couples nearby were smiling.
“I have something to tell you about Mama and Papa.”
“They’ve decided about New Zealand?”
“Yes.They’re staying in Scotland.Turns out they really love it there.Niall and Suzie have become like family, and Papa is even teaming up with Niall on some pottery designs.Mama helps with the castle, and I’ve never seen Jago and Calan so happy.They enjoy helping on the estate and do a little pottery on the side.”
