“That’s my third happy announcement. Due almost entirely to Caitlin’s dogged persistence, and nothing could be more appropriate than that term,” he added and favored her with a grin, “Jim Coates and I have discovered— and proven via DNA tests— that he is the father I never knew. And I am the son he never knew he had.” He raised a hand to silence the gasps and clapping that greeted his announcement. “It’s a long story that we’ll share after dinner. After all her hard work, I don’t want to keep Mrs. Smith’s wonderful meal waiting.”
Mrs. Smith and Farrell brought out the soup course, then salad, and so on, until no one could eat another bite. Holt stood and called for the chef. When she appeared, he announced. “Thank you, Mrs. Smith. You’ve outdone yourself. Farrell, too,” Holt added with a nod to the man standing behind Mrs. Smith. “Without both of you, this estate would have fallen to ruin years ago. I’m glad you both are staying on. I trust you will enjoy working with my father and his team for many years.”
The lady in question dimpled and quit the room to applause, Farrell, with a pleased nod, followed her out.
“Let’s adjourn to the front room for dessert and drinks,” Holt invited.
Caitlin was pleased to see Holt’s father move quickly to take Alice’s arm and escort her from the table. Her plan seemed to be working. In the front room, she took Holt aside for a moment. “I love what you’re doing with the estate. Doc Coates will make good use of it. And how wonderful that Farrell and Mrs. Smith will be able to stay on and take care of it. I’m so glad everything has worked out so well.”
“Everything has worked out perfectly,” he told her. “Especially you.” He lifted her hand and ran his thumb over the emerald ring. “I just hope you’re not planning on a long engagement,” he told her with a wicked grin.
“Nay, I’m not. But let’s talk about that later. Our guests are watching us.”
Holt kissed her. “Let them watch,” he said, then wrapped her in his arms and kissed her again.
Caitlin ignored the laughter and clapping, lost in the feel of Holt’s lips on hers. When he broke the kiss, she pulled him down for another, then stepped out of his arms and turned to their guests. And family. “We’re so happy you’re here. Holt will pour whatever you’d like, then we’ll tell all.”
Doc Coates was grinning, but not at her. His gaze was on Alice, who shared a small settee with him. Alice was laughing, then her expression sobered to a quizzical smile as he picked up her hand.
Caitlin glanced at Holt to see if he noticed. His smile told her he had. Well, then, two Christmas miracles, coming right up. With dessert, she thought, as Mrs. Smith wheeled in a cart loaded with bite-sized sweets and slim bottles of dessert wines. Could this evening get any better?
Later, after Caitlin overheard Doc Coates and Alice making a date for the next evening, their guests— and family— departed. Holt took Caitlin in his arms. “What a Christmas for miracles. I feel like the three magi dropped by and each left a wonderful surprise, you being the best of all.”
“Not finding your father?”
“As pleased as I am about that, to borrow another reference from literature, he is…well, not the ghost of my past, but he is my past. Tonight is our present, and you, my lovely Caitlin, are my future.”
EPILOGUE
“Ah, Scotland,” Caitlin exulted, taking a deep breath as they exited the terminal. Holt’s pilot had brought them to Glasgow in time for an early morning landing. The sun peeked through broken clouds, and the air was crisp if slightly tinged with the scent of jet fuel.
“Glad to be back?” Holt nodded to a driver holding a sign with his name on it and handed over their luggage.
After he helped Caitlin into the waiting limo, she smiled. “I am. But happiest to be here with ye. I canna wait to show ye around.”
“I’m sorry we didn’t make it for Hogmanay. You were looking forward to it.”
Caitlin shrugged, knowing how important the time in New York had been to him. “You had too much to do before you could leave, and I didn’t want to go without you. We’ll plan to be here next year.” She grinned and added, “I had enough excitement over the holiday in New York to satisfy me.”
She pointed out some sights as they drove away from the airport’s vicinity, then pulled out her phone. “I almost forgot to text Ian we’re on the way.”
Holt put a hand on her forearm. “Wait. Before you do that, I have a question. I know you planned for this trip to go a certain way…”
Caitlin’s stomach clenched. Was Holt getting cold feet? Why now and not before they flew to Scotland? “What do you mean?”
“Visiting your cousin, touring around.” He held up a hand. “I want to do all of that, but first, I have something else in mind.” He took her hands in his larger ones. “Let’s not wait. I want to marry you— right away. As soon as we can arrange it. Then we’ll travel as you planned, and we’ll enjoy the journey even more.”
“Do ye mean it? I thought ye’d want to meet my family first, to see where I come from.”
“You know I do. But none of that will change how I feel about you. And you did say you wanted a short engagement.” His gaze turned molten. “Let’s make the arrangements as soon as we can.”
Elation made Caitlin’s blood sizzle. “Let’s. Nothing would make me happier.”
Holt lifted her hands and kissed the back of each before they settled into the limo’s plush upholstery to enjoy the scenery. As they drove deeper into the Highlands and familiar landmarks appeared, Caitlin’s excitement mounted. Once they turned into the long drive leading to Cairn Dubh, she told Holt, “We’re here.”
Ian, Lara, and the twins greeted them at the door. Lara hugged her, saying, “I was just headed out to take the twins to school, but I’ll be back before you know it. I made coffee,” she added with a smile for Holt. “But if you’d rather have tea, Caitlin knows where everything is.”
Caitlin gave Lara and the twins another hug and let them go on their way. A few minutes later, she and Holt found themselves settled in the kitchen with Ian and coffee.
