Which, really, should be a national holiday as far as I was concerned.
The hedges rustled and I raised a finger.
“Don’t even think about it, Clyde.”
Clyde shoved his head out, and if a highland coo could pout, he did.
“Listen, if you want to surprise people you can’t rustle the branches. I’m sure you’ll do better next time.”
Clyde threw his head back and bellowed, and I jumped, laughing at myself, before I rounded the final curve to MacAlpine Castle. The expansive garden was filled with people, and several were not wearing shirts.
“Faelan!” Lia waved me over to where the women of the Order all clustered in a group with a whole pack of dogs at their feet, all of them sitting obediently for Hilda who brandished cheese.
“Well, now, the view isn’t too bad, is it?” I asked Agnes, who I’d caught staring at Graham. Admittedly, it would be hard to take my eyes off him if I wasn’t besotted with another man. Tattoos snaked up his muscular arms, and a dragon writhed down his side, the tail curling low at his washboard abs.
“What? What view?” Agnes snapped to attention and turned to me, a pretty pink flush at her cheeks.
“Ladies.” I beamed at Graham as he approached, swinging a sturdy-looking wooden sword in his hands. He stood, all muscles and masculinity, heated eyes on Agnes who looked everywhere but at him. “How’s it going then?”
“Och, just fine, Graham. Lovely to see you out from behind the bar. That’s a nice tattoo, isn’t it then? Is that a dragon from …” I leaned closer to look at it more carefully.
“Falkor,” Agnes said, a catch in her voice. “FromThe Neverending Story.”
“A symbol of resilience.” Graham looked at me, but I had a feeling his words were for Agnes. “Of hope and understanding one’s own worth.”
“It’s a great tattoo,” I said, filling the silence that fell after his words. “The artist is brilliant too.”
“Who is brilliant?” An arm swung around my shoulders and I turned to smile up at Luch. My mouth dropped open. “Are you making time with my woman, Graham?”
“Obviously.” Graham grinned and winked at me, but I was too busy gawking at Luch to be charmed.
The man wore a kilt and a sturdy pair of boots, and seeing him like that made me want to drag him into the trees and …
Luch brushed a finger down my cheek, his eyes heating at my look.
“No time for that, darling. I’m up next.”
“Are you?” I said, woefully, and Luch laughed. Grabbing me close, he dipped me for a heady kiss, and everyone around us cheered.
“Hold it, hold it, yes, that’s it, perfect.” When I came up for air, I found a delighted Sophie with a camera in hand. “Now Agnes and Graham. Och, go on, don’t give me that look. Just get together and look normal. It’s for my socials.”
“Since when are you an influencer—” Agnes’s words were cut off when Graham stalked closer, wrapped an arm around her waist and dipped her low, before claiming her mouth in a steamy kiss.
Her hand came up to his chest and … lingered … instead of pushing him away.
Everyone cheered, just as they had when Luch had kissed me, and when Graham pulled Agnes back up, he held her close for a moment, whispering something in her ear.
When he pulled back, her face was crimson, and he had a steely look of determination in his eyes.
“All right, mate, let’s do this,” Graham said, and then he stomped off to the field. I gaped as Luch followed, and they both stopped by a set of cabers, each heavier than the last.
Luch squatted and the women drew around me as he lifted the huge trunk, balancing it in his arms.
“I’d let him carry my tree any day,” Hilda sighed, and we all hooted with laughter.
“Back off, woman, this one’s mine.”
It warmed me to say it, and I almost did a wee dance in place, so gleeful was I that I’d finally found a place I belonged.And the incredibly handsome, strong man, who loved me to bits didn’t hurt either.
