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“Yes, Ally. You can kiss me.”
Our lips meet, and from the bottom of the stairs, there are claps and cheers. I hear Lewis whoop too, through the tablet, and I think Jamie whistles. But their noises fade into the background because Ally kisses me like he’s never kissed me before, like he’s never going to let me go, like he doesn’t care that we’re in a public place with seven pairs of eyes watching us. I kiss him back the same way, without inhibition, relieved and delighted to be in the arms of my handsome, passionate Highlander again.
When finally our mouths part, I whisper, “I like the outfit, by the way.”
“Aye? I’m glad. You said you wanted to see me in a kilt.”
“I did. And . . . are you a true Scotsman under there?”
He chuckles. “You want to know if I’m wearing anything under this? You’ll just have to take a peek and find out for yourself—although maybe let’s wait until we’re home. I’d rather you didn’t lift it in front of an audience.”
“You tease! Now I’ll have to go back to Bannock with you!”
Laughing, he picks me up and spins me around then presses his lips back to mine. I melt against him, freer and happier than I’ve ever felt.
EPILOGUE
EMILY
The song ends, and everyone applauds, the sound interspersed with laughing and chatter. Panting from all the dancing, I clap too, beaming up at my handsome Highlander, who cuts a fine figure in his kilt. Ally grins back at me, his face glistening with sweat, and tucks an errant curl behind my ear.
“You look so bonny,” he says, not for the first time tonight.
His gaze drifts down, taking in my forest-green chiffon dress and the tartan belt around my waist. That was a surprise for Ally. When he saw I was wearing the McIntyre tartan, he beamed with pride.
“The next dance will be the Gay Gordons,” Neil announces into the microphone.
The accordionist is seated in the corner of the Bannock Hotel’s now completed function room, along with Eileen, the fiddler, and Scott, the drummer. They’re more used to playing at the Pheasant, but they were delighted when Ally and I invited them to play for us on this very special night.
“The dance floor is heaving, which is what we like to see, but I’m sure we could squeeze a few more couples on,” Neil adds. “If you’re sitting down having a breather, why not jump to your feet and join back in?”
At this invitation, Ally and I are forced to step back as David pulls Johnny onto the dance floor.
“The Gay Gordons?” David giggles. “I like the sound of this one!”
It’s been almost four months since David and Johnny met, but they’re still going strong, despite the difficulties of long-distance relationships. It’s also been almost four months since Ally went down on one knee at Gretna Green, and although he assured me there was no rush—that I could take my time—I have now accepted his proposal. I’ve a ring on my finger to prove it, which we picked together in Inverness.
I’d worried it might feel weird to wear an engagement ring again, after what happened with Harry, but when I tried it on in the jeweller’s, it felt so right. The band has a beautiful Celtic knot design and is set with a small diamond. It couldn’t be any more different from the flashy ring Harry surprised me with, but it’s perfect. Whenever I catch sight of it on my hand, I can’t help but smile.
Tonight’s ceilidh serves both as our engagement party and as the opening night of the new function room. I’m delighted with how the place has turned out, just as I’m delighted with how the ceilidh is going. It’s the first event I’ve organised in my new role as the Bannock Hotel’s event planner—a grand-sounding title, but since the hotel is a small business, the reality is I’m mucking in everywhere to keep things running smoothly, especially as Ally doesn’t have much time to help out anymore. I enjoy doing a bit of everything, though, and anyway, organising a ceilidh made a fun change from planning weddings and only weddings. I’m excited about diversifying and putting on different types of event in the future.
As I gaze around the room, it pleases me to see a smile on every face—and there are many, many faces here tonight. I recognise folk I got to know when first I arrived in Bannock: Morag and her grandson, Colin, from the bakery; Maisie and Bryce from the Pheasant; Tom from the Coffee Bothy; and Kyle from the Glen Garve Distillery. But there are also people I’ve got to know over the last few months. The sheer number of bodies, combined with all the energetic dancing, has meant we’ve had to open the windows and the garden doors to let in some blissful cool air.
Just as the band is about to start the next song, another couple squeezes onto the dance floor, this time behind me and Ally.
“This is a cracking party, you two!” Aidan says.
I look over my shoulder. His cheeks are flushed red, almost as red as his kilt. Judging from his merry grin and the cheeky sparkle in his eye, I’m guessing he’s had a drink or two, but who hasn’t?
“I didn’t know ceilidhs were so much fun!” Grace giggles. Standing by Aidan’s side, she looks stunning in a silky caramel dress, her corkscrew curls half up, half down.
Ally gives me a subtle sideways glance. The pair have already shared several dances tonight, which we’ve both noticed. I know Ally’s worried it would make things awkward were Aidan and Grace to hook up. He’s just looking out for me—doesn’t want there to be anything to stop Grace from visiting me—but he’s no idea how long it’s been since Grace slept with someone. Yes, Aidan’s relationships only last a night, but maybe it would be good for Grace if they enjoyed a bit of no-strings-attached sex. If the romance of our engagement party gets them in the mood for doing the dirty, well, why shouldn’t they?
Even so, I lean close to Ally and whisper, “I’ll have a word with Grace and remind her about Aidan’s reputation. All right?”
He nods. “Thanks.”
The band starts up, and Ally wastes no time reaching for my hands. He lifts one over my shoulder and holds the other in front of him.
