Page 59 of Highlands Summer Wedding

The spotlight suddenly swung to Colin, who blinked in its glare, his composure momentarily fractured as he realized everyone was watching. He tugged at the hem of his snug T-shirt that couldn’t hide his rippling muscles. He danced, stiffly at first, until Melissa whooped his name, and he broke into a grin. He extended his hand to Melissa, whisked her from her seat, and twirled her in a circle that left her laughing as our hoots and hollers echoed through the barn rafters.

I threw my arms around Kara. “Kara, this was hilarious. Perfect. How’d you?—”

She raised a finger and pointed as the last stall door opened. There stood Max, grinning. He moonwalked into the center of the floor, already moving to the beat. When he reached me, he unbuttoned his flannel with a theatrical flourish, revealing a white T-shirt with the words HIGHLAND FLING in plaid letters. He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead, then took my hand and pulled me onto the dance floor. I barely had time to laugh before he spun me out, then back in, his palm steadying me at my waist. When he dipped me, the room tilted—and for a second, all I could see was him.

As the final notes faded, our applause filled the barn, mingled with whistles and whoops of appreciation. The performers in their swaying kilts took exaggerated, theatrical bows before gesturing with sweeping arms toward Kara, acknowledging her as the mastermind behind our unexpected entertainment.

“Kara organized all of this, so don’t forget to thank her for this… unique experience,” said Angus.

I squeezed Kara’s arm. “I can’t believe you did all this. I was sitting there feeling guilty that?—”

“Stop.” Kara waved her hand dismissively. “You gave Caitlin exactly what she asked for—wholesome Highland cows. I just added a little… Scottish dessert. Angus helped me convince the partners.”

“Well, thank you. Maybe we should team up—I plan the weddings, and you plan the bachelorette parties?”

“Except I just talked to Shane and guess what?” Max said, gently putting his arm around me. “Are you still interested in being a producer on a three-picture deal set in Scotland?”

I looked at him. Behind me, my sister’s laughter floated through a barn of fairy lights and disco balls and Highland cows somewhere in the background.

I gasped. “Are you serious?”

“Shane said yes… to funding all three films.” Max beamed down at me.

“Shut up,” I said, then kissed him.

CHAPTER 25

We only had a week until the wedding.

Caitlin and Angus were busy with wedding guests arriving—and as her sister and wedding planner, that made me busy as well. Aunts and uncles, cousins, college friends… It was impressive how many people chose to make the trip across the pond for her special day, especially when they both lived in Boston now.

I had made plans for guests to take a Loch Ness cruise captained, of course, by Drew. That was an easy call—the boat launch was right across from the hotel where most of them were staying. I could’ve planned more activities, but ultimately decided to let people pick and choose according to their interests. So in each of their hotel rooms, I left brochures and flyers for the Highland Coo Experience; a whisky distillery on the Isle of Skye; fun pubs to visit both in Drumnadrochit, Portree, and Inverness; the best places to shop in the area; and lots of hikes.

But with all the guests in town, it was difficult for me to find time to talk with Max. Part of me was relieved—I could pretend everything was normal while he worked behind the scenes on the film deal.

Between Caitlin’s wedding chaos and whatever life-altering opportunity Max was orchestrating, I found myself longing for the kind of vacation where silence and stillness were the only items on the itinerary.

Over lunch in a pub in Drumnadrochit, Mom finally addressed the elephant in the room. “I saw inPeople magazinethat you’ve been seeing Max again,” she said, stirring her tea.

I shook malt vinegar over my fish and chips. “People magazine, eh? First you tracked me with my cell phone, now all you have to do is open a magazine.”

“Well? How are things going?” asked Mom, between bites of salad.

“Any wedding bells for you?” said Dad, biting into his cheese toastie.

Mom and I both glared at Dad, who couldn’t help but blurt out whatever thought came into his head.

“We just ran into each other and there was nowhere to stay, so he let me stay in his rental. He’s gone a lot because he’s so busy with the film, and I’ve been busy with the wedding prep…”

Dad didn’t respond right away. “It says you were working on the film.”

“Don’t you need a visa for that?” asked Mom.

“Yes, which is why I just did it for a short time, and for no pay—just helping out a friend.” I sipped my tea and hoped she’d drop it.

“Is that all Max is now? You have quite a history,” Mom said gently.

I patted a napkin to my mouth. “What kind of dress are you wearing? Have you talked to Angus’s mom? Do you want to match?”