Page 45 of Deadly Intent
She shook her head and rounded the car. “No, you can’t go, please. Don’t go.” A tear slid down her cheek. She knew she wasn’t saying this in a way for him to understand. She felt like she would faint. Her world was about to be ripped from her again, just like the first time. “Please don’t go.”
Collin pulled her against his chest, kissed her neck, and whispered in her ear. “What did you see?”
“An accident,” she said with a shaky voice.
Quinn felt him nod against her head. “Then I willnae go.” He cupped her cheeks and looked deeply into her eyes. “I willnae go. We’ll just move the wedding here. I’m no’ waiting another day to make you my wife, Quinn Thatcher. We’ll just do it here.”
“Wait, what?” His words were not making sense.
“We’re getting married today,” he answered. “It was a surprise. I wanted your family to witness, and I was going to let you plan a second one in Scotland.”
“We don’t have a license. We need a license.”
“I took care of that,” Cara said, stepping off the porch. “I just slipped it in some of the international paperwork that I had you sign.” She glanced over her shoulder toward their parents. “Daddy called in a few favors too.”
“We planned the decorations and banned the flowers,” Becca said, winding her arms around their other two sisters, Grace and Harper.
“We brought the dress,” Mavis and Angus announced, joining Quinn’s sisters. “And the cake too.”
“I brought the groom and your honeymoon attire,” Ian announced.
“I’m wearing a suit.” Garth grinned.
She’d never felt more loved than in that moment. So many people had cared enough to make this happen. She almost felt like a pansy for standing in the way of seeing all their hard work turned into a reality, but she’d rather be a pansy than left again with another fiancé to bury.
“I’m sorry. He can’t go.”
Her mother walked over to her and took her hands. “It’s okay, dear. We’ll fix everything and make it special.”
“I don’t need anything, Mom. I just need Collin, and that means he can’t go.”
“I know, and you’ll have him.” Her voice softened. “Now run upstairs and tryon your dress. I’ll fix everything.”
Quinn let her mother lead her away and glanced over her shoulder. “You won’t leave?”
“You have my word,” he answered.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Collin wrappedhis arms around Quinn’s waist and kissed her neck as a gentle beach breeze cooled the dancing guests.
“Lady Menzie,” he whispered in her ear.
“Actually, I was thinking Thatcher-Menzie.”
He chuckled. “Of course you were. I donae care what you call yourself as long as you call yourself my wife.”
She turned in his arms and pressed her lips to his. “I can’t believe you pulled all of this off.”
“I’d move the heavens and earth for you.” Collin turned her around to face theimpromptu wedding. “Thank you for being my wife.”
She glanced up at him. “Thank you for including my family, even if it was a little cheesy.”
“Are you ready to find out what I’m wearing beneath my kilt?”
“I already got a glimpse thanks to the wind. I think my mom might have had a mini-stroke, and my sisters are green with envy.” She grabbed his hand and led him back toward the house.
“You’re a vixen.” He chuckled and pulled her toward the house next door.
“Where are we going?” she asked, glancing back at the partiers.
“Our winter home,” he answered and opened the back door, ushering her inside the three-story unfurnished home and straight to the only room with furniture. The bedroom. “I figured you probably donae want Margarete decorating it, so I saved that job for you. You can decorate it however you like.”
“You bought a house…next to my parents.”
“Aye, and as much as I love seeing you in my colors, Lady Menzie, I’d much rather see you wearing nothing but a smile.”
Quinn grinned and slipped her zipper down, letting the dress pool at her feet. She stood naked except for the garter around her leg holding the emeralddagger. “I have a feeling you’ll be making me smile for the rest of my life.”
“Aye. It will be my mission to do just that.”
