Malcolm frowned. “Only four.”
Joy rolled her eyes at Holly. “He doesn’t consider thisthe future compared to his time period.”
“Well, Malcolm, exactly how many years ahead of us are you, anyw—Oh, look.” Holly pointed behind them.
Joy turned around. It appeared Milly Bryden was getting married in style.
“It’s farmer Campbell’s sleigh! It’s beautiful!” Holly floated out to the street as the brown sleigh covered in white bunting was pulled into the church drive by two matched drafthorses.
Malcolm leaned into her. “Good thing they didn’t clear the streets well or those blades would be ruined.”
Joy snapped her head around. “Try not to be a scrooge.”
He raised both his eyebrows in surprise. “I’m not a scrooge.”
“Then enjoy the happiness here. Let it fill your heart and seep into your bones.” At his perplexed expression, she turned back to watch Holly. Had the man forgottenhow to be happy? Her irritation dissolved at that sad thought.
“It’s Milly!” Holly floated back to them as the old farmer pulled the sleigh to a stop in front of the church doors.
The few people left milling about there immediately approached the sleigh. Milly’s father stepped down first then helped his daughter out.
Holly’s smile was wider than the street. “She’s so lovely. I’ve never seenher hair down. She always wears it up, like you. I can’t do that. Mine is too thick. It gives me a headache.” Holly looked back at her for a moment. “Is your hair thick?”
She shook her head, and Holly was back to watching the scene.
The scent of bayberry alerted her to Malcolm leaning in again. He whispered in her ear. “Dinna ye let yers down on occasion?”
She was sure the delightful shiverthat raced across her skin was noticeable to him, but she refused to turn her head. “No, I don’t. Since when do you have a Scottish accent?”
“We all have the brogue, lass. We just decide when ta use it.”
She gave him a scowl. “You don’t need to be using it on me. We need to concentrate on our mission.”
His lips quirked up. “I dinna ken I disturbed yer concentratin’.”
She wanted to throw herhands up and stalk away, but Holly was nearby. Instead, she settled for ignoring him and drifting toward Holly.
Maybe the happiness of the occasion was starting to seep in with Malcolm, but if his Scottish accent was a result of that, she’d rather he remained dour. It was bad enough she was interested in him and dreamed about sex with him. She didn’t need to have him using that accent on her.
“Tell me she’s marrying Luca.” Holly’s hopeful expression was too hard to resist.
“Yes, she is, thanks to you introducing them.”
“Now, that was only because Coco told me they were soulmates.” Holly gazed past her and squinted at Malcolm, who had floated over. “And I never told them I knew that. All I did was make sure they met.” Holly crossed her arms to punctuate her statement.
“I’m glad tohear it.”
Joy ignored him. “I had no doubts.”
“Can we go inside now?” Holly drifted toward the church. “I’d love to see her walk down the aisle. Did Luca ever stop growing? He made me feel like an elf when he came into the store to buy Milly an ornament the other day.”
Joy didn’t answer immediately. It wasn’t time for Holly to see herself yet. She wasn’t ready for her own future.
“You’ve alreadyseen the bride. Do you have to see the groom?” Malcolm’s negative attitude was back to dour.
She should be careful what she wished for. “I think we can hang in the back and watch the bride meet the groom. After all, we have plenty of time.” She looked at Malcolm. “Besides, what’s better than a wedding?”
At the look of sorrow on his face at her words, she wished she could take them back. Shesoftened her tone. “If you want to wait for us out here, that’s fine. I realize this isn’t a man’s favorite event.”
