Page 53 of Waiting for a Forever Love

“Only a Highland lass would do,” he boasted, with a smile for his new bride.

“I’ve married a wise man,” Caitlin responded. “But I already knew that.”

After having a few dances and making the rounds of their guests, once they had a moment to themselves, Holt told her, “I have a present for you, my lovely wife.” The other guests were drinking gallons of champagne, whiskey, and gin, talking and laughing so loudly that, combined with the dance music, they created a bubble of privacy around the newlyweds.

Caitlin displayed the emerald on her left hand and smiled. “Ye gave me a beauty already, my handsome husband.”

“Ah, but there’s more. I got a call this morning from my lawyers. I’ve sold my company in California. We’re free to live here or Inverness near the museum or anywhere you like.”

“Holt! Why didn’t you tell me?” She wasn’t sure her heart could stand any more happiness today, but elation filled her again at Holt’s news.

“I just did. It’s what I spent so much time working on the last week we were at the estate and since then. A friend bought into it. He’ll manage the company well. I still have a block of shares, but I’ve given up my controlling interest. I’m starting fresh with you. Aren’t you happy?”

“I’m thrilled. I’m just surprised. Gobsmacked. You built that company from nothing.”

“And sold it for a handsome profit.”

“What will you do?”

“Besides spend hours making love to my gorgeous wife? Anything I want. Eventually, I’ll start another company. But not right away. I plan to enjoy a lengthy honeymoon. If that’s all right with you.”

Caitlin stroked his cheek. “It sounds perfect.” Holt had just given her everything she could have hoped for— and more. In New York, she’d learned that time with him, unfettered by concerns about his business, was precious. Her heart felt full to bursting. She didn’t know whether to laugh or let everyone in the room see her tears of joy.

“Then we’ll live here, at least for now,” Holt told her as he wiped a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “We’ll raise Ridley heirs,” he added with a smile, “of which there will be many, now that you solved the family curse. We’ll find a place you like, a home base to return to between trips. There’s so much of the world I want to show you.”

“And so much more of Scotland I want to show you. But all that will wait. ’Tis our wedding night. I believe we already have plans.”

“Shall we bid goodnight to everyone or just slip away?”

Caitlin glanced around, suddenly eager to leave the party. “The latter, I think. They’re so far in their cups, they won’t notice we’ve gone until morning. Just be patient.”

“About being alone with you? Not a chance.”

Holt stood and took her hand, pulling her up beside him. Caitlin clung to him, not quite willing to accept that all this was true. She was married to Holt Ridley. The massive emerald on her hand tied her to him as surely as the papers they’d signed earlier that day. They would be able to live in Scotland for as long as she wished. He’d even implied he had no problem with her working at the Highland Museum and living near it. He’d given up his company for her. What more could she ask, except that he love her for all of their very long lives together?

A movement made Caitlin glance over Holt’s shoulder in time to see Fergus appear in the doorway that led to the hallway and to the stairs to their bridal chamber. She gave the ghost hound a smile, and instead of simply disappearing, he turned and walked back into the hall behind him. Even Fergus thought it was time for them to leave the party. She was more than ready, and from the smile lighting Holt’s face and the molten look turning his grey eyes black, he was, too.

“I hope you know where we’re going,” he told her as they moved toward the door where Fergus had disappeared. Their friends let them go with smiles and cheers, a few slapping Holt on the back as they went, or taking Caitlin’s hand for a moment to voice their well-wishes.

Once clear of the hall, Holt said, “I still get lost in this wing, much less in the entire house. And when is that ghost going to show himself? I thought you said he liked weddings.”

“I know exactly where I’m taking you, husband. And Fergus was here just moments ago, agreeing with us that it was time to quit the party.”

“Smart dog.”

“Aye, he is. Now that we’ve time, I’ll tell you more about him.”

“Later,” Holt advised as they mounted the stairs to the top floor and the suite of chambers set aside for them.

Fergus awaited them at the door to their bower. “Aye, later.” She gave the ghost a stern look, hoping he’d take the hint. “We’re going to be busy?—”

Fergus stepped aside, but didn’t disappear.

“For hours. Days,” Holt said, pulled her into his arms and kissed her, his lips moving over hers softly at first, then firmly, teasing her, making her blood heat with wanting him.

“Nights,” Caitlin breathed between kisses. She was tempted to tell Holt that Fergus was standing right next to him, studying him as if deciding whether or not he approved, but she decided the friendly ghost might be a distraction for Holt that she didn’t want right now. She reached aside and opened the door, then shrieked with laughter when Holt suddenly picked her up.

Taking the hint, Fergus made himself scarce.

“I must carry you across the threshold,” Holt reminded her. “I don’t want to fail in the first of my husbandly duties.”

“You’re doing a brilliant job of it so far,” Caitlin told him, giddy with excitement, and relieved that Fergus understood to leave them alone.

“I’ve had a lot of practice carrying you. I like it.”

She curled her fingers into his hair, tugging gently. “I wonder if you’ll like the rest of your husbandly duties as well.”

He pushed the door closed with his shoulder and set her on her feet, his gaze molten with promise. “Once I lock this, I’ll be happy to show you. Forever.”

THE END