Page 64 of Confessions of a Highland Assassin

“Marry me, Ava Rose,” Boyd whispered with no sign of a jest this time.

Her voice caught in her throat as she stared into his beautiful eyes.

Boyd lowered his head and kissed her with all the pent-up emotions he’d been trying to hold back sending chills through her whole body. She was his already.

“Of course, I’ll marry ye, Boyd Cameron,” Ava whispered against his lips when he finally drew away….

EPILOGUE

On a rare sunny day in the Scottish highlands, the sky was clear and bright. The tiny chapel was packed to the brim with guests as Ava and Boyd stood in front of the altar with its large wooden cross. The stone walls and wooden pews were festooned with wildflowers such as bell heather, Scots bluebells, and bog myrtle.

Boyd had insisted they marry as soon as possible. He was eager to start the rest of his life with Ava as his wife. And who could blame him after all he’d been through.

Skye had assisted Ava with all of the wedding preparations, stating that she would never forgive Boyd for stealing her best friend, even though she knew she was beyond happy for them. And that she might fancy hanging out at the castle with Rory.

The stained-glass windows depicting Catholic saints glistened brightly in the morning light, casting colorful shadows over Ava's pale cream dress. Her long hair was braided down her back, with tiny yellow yarrow flowers woven into the strands.

The only piece of jewelry she wore was a silver bracelet depicting a swan that Boyd had given her as a wedding present. He had found it in some of his mother’s belongings and ascertained from letters that it had been a gift from Malcolm Steward.

Ava looked radiant as she smiled up at Boyd in his neat jacket and clean kilt. Her bouquet of flowers was simple thistles with mountain avens placed in between. But none of these things mattered as they stared into each other’s eyes.

“Do ye, Boyd Cameron, promise tae tak’ this woman as yer lawfully wedded wife? To cherish her in sickness and in health?” the priest asked.

“Aye, from this day and everyone after this. Until time itsel’ ceases tae exist,” Boyd beamed, giving her hands a gentle squeeze.

“And dae ye Ava Rose, tak’ this man tae be yer lawfully wedded husband? For richer or for poorer. In sickness and in health as long as ye both shall live?”

“Aye, for as long as there’s breath in my lungs.”

“I now pronounce ye husband and wife.”

“Dinnae mind if I kiss my bride,” Boyd laughed happily and took her face in his hands, kissing her as passionately as he could in front of the clan that was clapping cheerfully. Ava melted into his arms as he kissed her deeply. She didn’t think she could ever be happier than she was at that moment. The rest of the world ceased to exist in the heat of their embrace. The guests cheered and applauded as they continued the kiss and Ava threw her arms around his neck and drew him in even closer.

Skye was beside herself as tears of joy fell down her cheeks. She was standing beside Rory who laughed at her before winking at Ava and Boyd, provoking Skye to give him a playful punch on the arm for mocking her. “Dinnae ye dare laugh at me. I’m her best friend and as good as a sister tae her. I’m allowed tae cry.”

“An’ I’m his best friend that’s as good as a brother tae him! I’ll laugh at whatever I please!” Rory retorted jokingly.

“I see those two are getting along great,” Ava whispered to Boyd as they approached the two while the rest of the guests filed out of the tiny stone chapel.

“Dinnae ye even dare think about plotting anything, Ava. There’s been enough plots tae last me a lifetime. I want a plot-free life from here on.”

She laughed and squeezed his arm as they stopped in front of their friends.

“I’m so happy for ye, Ava,” Skye kissed her on the cheek before giving her a hug. “Ye deserve all the happiness in the world,” she turned to Boyd and winked. “She’s yer problem now, milaird. Mak’ sure ye keep her out of trouble. It’s a tough job as trouble seems tae follow her wherever she goes,” Skye teased. “But I dinnae think there is anyone more suited for the job than ye.”

Boyd laughed and turned to Rory as he embraced his best friend.

“Dinnae think ye will be getting out of sword practice now that ye have a wife,” he said sternly. “Once the gathering is over, I will be forcing ye back intae yer routine. There’s a castle tae run and battles tae be won as well as siring an heir.”

Skye rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Come away with ye. Leave the happy couple alone. They just got married for heaven’s sake. They dinnae need ye breathing down their neck, ye wee fool. At least let the man have a dram and eat ‘afore ye remind him of duty.”

“Who exactly are ye calling a fool?” Rory asked incredulously as he followed her down the aisle. “I’ll have ken that I’m naebody’s fool!”

They continued to argue and bicker as they walked from the chapel, almost oblivious to anyone around them.

“I dinnae think either of us will have tae dae any plotting where those two are concerned,” Ava said with a knowing look.

Boyd shook his head and laughed as Neil approached them with Sophie by his side. He had his arm looped through hers and was leaning on her for support. He was dressed in a neatly pressed cotton shirt and cream breeches. The color was returning to his cheeks. And although he was still quite thin, he looked much better than when Tavish had taken him captive. “May all yer days be filled with love and laughter,” he kissed Ava on the cheek before embracing Boyd. “Welcome tae the family, brother. I ken I’ve only kent ye for a wee bit but I cannae see anyone else being more suited for our Ava.”