“So, how was your trip to town with Ian?” She tossed her phone on the bed and came into his arms. “What did you do?”
Holt held her for a moment, just soaking in the feeling of Caitlin in his arms, her scent surrounding him, her warmth heating his blood. Then he dipped his head and kissed her.
“Ah, visited the pub, did ye?”
“We had a dram. Medicinal purposes. Ian claimed whiskey is a great cure for jet lag.”
She snorted. “Ian’s blowing sunshine up yer skirt.”
Holt laughed, picturing himself in a kilt, then sobered, realizing Caitlin and her cousins might expect him to wear one to the wedding. That would be among many new experiences he suspected Caitlin had planned for him.
Caitlin leaned back in his arms, her brows drawn together. “Isn’t that your American saying?”
He kissed the crease and nodded. “You got it exactly right.”
Lara’s voice intruded as she called up the stairs. “Anyone hungry? I’ve got lunch.”
“On our way,” Caitlin replied, calling over Holt’s shoulder.
“Not just yet,” he murmured and kissed her again, this time on the mouth. “I can never get enough of this. Of you.”
With a grin, she reached down and poked him in the belly. “You need food on top of that whiskey. Kisses won’t absorb it.”
“Who said I want them to?” He laughed and released her, then took her hand. “Shall we?”
Caitlin stepped close and kissed him back, surprising him, and then led him downstairs.
* * *
Three mornings later, Caitlin and Holt went to the registrar for the marriage license. Afterwards, Holt met Ian for help finding the clothes and other things he needed for what Ian deemed would be a proper Scottish ceremony andceilidhto follow it.
Lara and Caitlin went by Caitlin’s flat to gather what she needed from there. She didn’t know whether she’d sell the flat or keep it for a home base between trips. She and Holt hadn’t had a chance to discuss what their living arrangements might be after they completed the tour of Scotland Caitlin wanted to take him on. But that decision would wait. Even if they gave up her flat, they wouldn’t be homeless. Cairn Dubh boasted so many suites, they could live there indefinitely and never be in the way of the family.
After she and Lara finished at the flat, they went to the High street to shop for a dress, flowers, and accessories before picking up the twins from school. Once they were in the car, Amy leaned forward in her seatbelt and rested her elbows on the back of Caitlin’s seat. “Did you get everything?”
Caitlin glanced around and nodded. “We did! It’s all in the boot.”
“I can’t wait to see your dress,” Amy declared. “Will you show me as soon as we get home?”
Alex stared out the side window, expressing supreme masculine disinterest in all things wedding-related. Amy opened her mouth to ask another question, but after a glance in her rear-view mirror, Lara interrupted, “Sit back, young lady. You’ll see everything in good time.”
Amy settled back, but Caitlin could see she was still bristling with questions.
“I don’t suppose anyone in this car would like to be my flower girl?”
“Aye!” Amy pumped her arm in triumph. “I will.” She poked her brother’s ribs. “I’m going to be in the wedding!”
“And Alex, would you like to be in charge of the rings?”
“Isn’t that whatweansdo? I’m too old.”
“Not always, and it’s a very important job,” Caitlin told him. “The rings are valuable, ye ken. And ye’d be helping your soon-to-be uncle Holt and your da.” Cousin, actually, but she could never keep all the first-, second-, and distant-cousin definitions straight, much less the spouses of cousins. Uncle was easier. Besides, they already called herAuntie Caitlin,ever since their mother married her cousin Ian. Caitlin took care of the twins during their mother’s honeymoon absence.
Alex poked his sister back, then met Caitlin’s gaze with his serious one and nodded. “I guess I could do that, aye.”
She very carefully didn’t look at Lara. Alex would see a grin, even a side-eye glance between them in the rear-view mirror and might change his mind. “Then it’s settled. Everyone has a part to play in the wedding.”
An hour after they got home, a knock sounded at Cairn Dubh’s front door. Lara looked up to Holt from the early dinner she and Caitlin were making. “Can you get that, please? The twins are doing homework. Ian, can you help me here for a moment?”
