Suzie chortled, catching the lurking humor in her father’s eyes.“He’s my mate, Dad.I love him.”
“Well then,” her mother said with an emphatic nod.“We’d better hustle.We have a wedding to attend.”
Suzie was still grinning when she followed her parents outside into the sunshine.Her mother handed her a bouquet of yellow daisies, then she took her father’s arm.
“Thank you,” she said.“This is beautiful.Amazing.”Her grandmother and mother had worked miracles in the garden, and once a guitar started playing their song, her father led her up a makeshift aisle outlined with pots of yellow daisies.Family and locals sat on both sides on garden benches.Some elders had lap rugs.Ahead, in front of a flower arbor, Niall stood with Scott and the male celebrant.She frowned briefly since they still hadn’t heard from Liam.Suzie hoped he was safe.
Her attention went to Niall, and their gazes connected.She couldn’t wait for the coming evening.Her smile started slowly, but Niall caught it and echoed the curve of lips.Stars, she loved the big man.Her mate.She shuddered inwardly because the anticipation of the coming intimacy and the idea of marking Niall as her forever mate was heady stuff.
The slow march up the aisle took ages.Soft exclamations reached her—compliments for her dress and her hair.Relief at her parents’ state of health.
“I imagined this moment,” her father whispered.“But I didn’t realize how proud I’d feel and how excited I am to watch you embrace the next stage of your life.We’ll miss you when you travel to Scotland.”
Suzie choked up but managed a few words.“You can visit.”
“We can’t afford it, sweetheart.”
Suzie glanced at Niall.“You know the castle where they hold the gathering?”
“Yes.”
“Niall hates to boast, but he owns part of that, and his honey business does well.Niall has money, Dad.Lots of it, and he wants me to be happy.We’ll visit as often as possible but can pay for your flights to Scotland.You’re Niall’s family now, and better, he likes and respects you.Let him help you.”
Her father blinked as they reached Niall before kissing her cheek and placing her hand in Niall’s.
“Dad?”
“I’ll think about it.A castle,” he muttered as he joined her mother.“Wow.”
Suzie grinned at Niall and handed her bouquet to her younger sister.“Hi, handsome.Want to get married?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” Niall said.He kissed her cheek and turned them to face the smiling wedding celebrant.The wedding celebrant’s brown eyes twinkled beneath bushy eyebrows.
“Shall we get this party started?Dear friends and family.I welcome you here to witness the exchange of vows between Suzie and Niall.”
Suzie’s childhood wedding daydreams had been grander than this low-key reality, but the simplicity didn’t matter.Her nearest and dearest were here, and she was marrying the man she loved.Her only regret was Edwina’s absence, but she’d finally spoken to her friend.They’d made plans to catch up online once Suzie returned to Scotland.
The ceremony went amazingly fast, and her heart sang with joy.
“You may now kiss your bride,” the wedding celebrant said.
Niall turned to her, his happiness blazing in his features as his gaze dropped to her lips.It was time for their first kiss as a married couple.And what a kiss.It started slowly and gradually ramped up until her knees weakened, and she had to clutch Niall’s shoulders.When they finally parted, everyone clapped and cheered.
“I love you, Mr.Sinclair.”
“You make me so happy, Mrs.Sinclair,” Niall returned.“You are the light of my life.Shall we celebrate?”
She grinned.“Yes.”
The wedding breakfast at the cafe was full of happiness, good food, and friendship.The party went late into the night until it was time for them to depart.
“Wait,” her youngest sister cried.“You need to throw your bouquet.It’s tradition.”
Suzie shared a laughing glance with Niall.“All right.You organize everyone, and I’ll prepare to throw.”
Her sister snapped orders at her friends, and they ran off to gather the Middlemarch singles.
“I can’t wait to get you on your own,” Niall murmured.
