“Congratulations!”a feminine voice said.
“Thanks, Emily,” Suzie said.
“Will your parents be well enough to attend your wedding?”Niall asked.
“I think so,” Suzie said.“Hopefully, it will give them something to look forward to.”
“Would you like the reception here?”Emily asked.“Catering will be easy since everyone will want to help.”
“That would be awesome,” Suzie said, squeezing Niall’s hand again.“Gran’s garden is beautiful.Thoughts on a garden wedding and our reception here?”
“And another in the castle chapel,” Niall said, his bear giving an enthusiastic chuff that echoed through his mind.
Suzie’s smile was once again full of sunshine, happiness, and contentment.“I’d like that.Maybe I’ll finally contact Edwina, and she can come.I’d like you to meet my best friend.”
“Anything for you,” Niall whispered.
Scott groaned.“Okay, now you’re just getting soppy.Enough of that.”
“Ooh, you have a ring,” Emily said, her brown eyes full of nosy interest and enthusiasm.“Let me see.”
Niall watched with pride as the two women discussed the ring.His laird would approve of Suzie, and he knew Suzie had Angus’s blessing.Niall would’ve claimed her anyway because she made him happy, but Angus’s high regard meant a lot.He only hoped Suzie’s family thought he was good enough for their daughter and sister.
An hour later, he and Suzie were in the kitchen with Suzie’s siblings, the large box of tablet he’d brought from Scotland open on the table.
“Do you really change into a bear?”Suzie’s brother asked, his green eyes full of the same curiosity Niall often saw in Suzie.Her brother plucked a piece of tablet from the box and stuffed it inside his mouth.
“Yes.”Niall winked at Suzie.
A laugh trembled her shoulders, but she held in her amusement.
“Can you show us?”Suzie’s youngest sister asked, showing similar interest.
Niall tilted his head.“What happens if you try to shift while still wearing your clothes?”
“Our shirts and trousers rip, and Mum shouts at us because clothing is expensive, you know,” Suzie’s other sister said.
“Yeah,” her brother said.“I had to mow the lawn for a whole month when I did it last time.I forgot,” he added ruefully.
Niall nodded.“Well, I don’t want to destroy my clothes.Also, I think your parents are coming downstairs, and the last thing I want is for them to see my naked backside.”
“Even though your bottom is very sexy, I think it’s best if you remain clothed in these circumstances,” Suzie murmured under the cover of loud laughter.
Niall winked at her, his heart swelling with such love and joy that he never wanted to leave this room.But footsteps from behind had him rising, respect something the laird had drummed into him.A woman—an older version of Suzie limped down the stairs.A tall, slim man with a pale face covered with cuts and bruises followed her.His gait held a slight hitch, and Niall wanted to go to their aid.He didn’t, seeing stiff pride in the older couple.The injuries must’ve been severe for them to still bear cuts and bruises.
“Come and sit by me,” Suzie said, tugging at his elbow.
He acquiesced, leaving the chair at the head of the table for Suzie’s father.
Suzie’s mother appeared as tired as her husband, and it was clear to Niall that Suzie’s parents had needed her.He’d been the idiot.Suzie reached for his hand, and he linked their fingers beneath the table.
“Mum, Dad, this is Niall,” Suzie said, her calm voice holding none of the nerves he felt in the tremor of her hand.She cleared her throat.“Niall asked me to marry him.”
Suzie’s mother gasped, while Niall found himself under the intense scrutiny of Suzie’s father.
“You never mentioned a man,” Suzie’s mother said.
Niall felt Suzie stiffen, but he held his tongue.He was the stranger here, although that would change.
