Page 86 of Highland Sky

Chapter Twenty-Four

Three days later, Nash was back at the MacKeefe camp with Kellina, ready for the marriage ceremony to begin. It felt better than ever.

“The MacKeefes really have a beautiful camp,” Kellina told him, looking around at the way Caitlin had helped the other women of the clan decorate the area with arches woven with wildflowers.

“No’ nearly as beautiful as my wife.” Nash gathered her into his arms and kissed her, never wanting to let her go.

“Nay, ye canna do that until after the weddin’,” said Caitlin, prying them apart. “It’s bad luck. Ye arena supposed to even see her ahead of time.”

“No’ see her? We’re in the same camp,” said Nash. “It’s no’ like we’re at Hermitage Castle. I’d have to walk around blindfolded no’ to see her.”

“Now, that sounds interestin’,” said Kellina with a giggle. “I’m sure it can be arranged.”

“Never mind.” Nash let go of her. “I see the priest, and everyone is waitin’. Let’s do this, Kellina. I canna wait any longer.”

“I agree,” she said, as they headed over to the crowd for the wedding ceremony to begin.

Kellina stood underthe arch made of flowers, gripping a bouquet of heather in her hands. She didn’t feel this nervous the first time they got married, but right now her hands were shaking and so were the flowers.

All of the MacKeefes stood around them, and even Lady Spring and her husband, Shaw Gordon, attended the wedding today. This was a special day for Kellina because, this time, she wasn’t being forced to marry Nash against her will. Even though they were really already married, this time, she wanted to be the bride of Nash MacKeefe more than anything in the world.

When the priest was about to have them repeat the vows, Kellina stopped him.

“Kellina? What is it, lass?” asked Nash.

“I wrote my own vows and would like to say them,” she announced.

“Really?” Nash looked over to the priest who nodded in agreement.

“Go on,” said the priest.

“Nash MacKeefe,” she started, feeling choked with emotion. She cleared her throat and started again. “I, Kellina MacKenzie take Nash MacKeefe for my husband. I would be honored to be his bride. I will stay at his side on the ground or even on the roof, in the air.” That got a chuckle out of the bystanders. “In sickness and in health, I will stay with and care for him. I’ll hand him leggetts and hammers without throwin’ them, I promise. And I will never make a jest about him bein’ sure-footed as a goat again. I’ll love ye forever, Nash MacKeefe, and will be the best wife I can possibly be.”

“That was beautiful, lass,” Nash said with a smile, holding on to her hands. He looked so handsome in his white tunic with billowing sleeves, and his green and purple plaid. Kellina wore a skirt of the MacKeefe colors today as well, feeling proud and pretty. She truly felt as if she belonged here after all.

“It’s yer turn to say yer vows now,” said North, under his breath.

“What?” Nash turned and whispered to North. “Ye ken I dinna have any.”

“Then make somethin’ up,” said North. “Be sure-footed like a goat, just like Kellina said.” He chuckled, enjoying this way too much.

“It’s all right, Nash,” Kellina told him, seeing the helpless look on Nash’s face. “I didna mean to put ye in such a position. Ye dinna have to make up yer own vows.”

“Nay. Nay, it’s fine,” he told her, shooting a daggered look at his brother before beginning. He cleared his throat and talked.

“I, Nash MacKeefe, take Kellina MacKenzie as my bride. To have her and hold her, on the ground or on roofs, I promise to always keep her safe.” That got a few laughs as well. “In spring or summer, or even autumn or winter. In guid times and bad, or in times that are neither, I will be by her side always, I swear. In the east or the west . . . the south or the –”

“God’s eyes, that’s enough Nash,” growled North.

Nash turned and whispered to his brother. “Well, ye were the one who told me to make somethin’ up.”

“I didna say to write a book,” North said in a hoarse whisper, but loud enough for everyone to hear and laugh again.

“All right, all right,” said Nash, taking a deep breath, smiling at Kellina. “In sickness and health, till death do us part.”

“That kind of sounded like the vows the priest reads, didna it?” she heard Cam saying to Gavin.

“Then, I pronounce ye two married,” said the priest happily. “Ye can kiss the bride, Nash.”