Page 74 of A Healer for the Wicked Highlander

Marissa squeezed her arm gently. “We all do. But we still have each other, aye?”

Freya turned to her sisters then, looking at their faces, so full of love and understanding. She reached for them both, pulling them into a tight embrace.

“Aye,” she murmured. “And that’s enough.”

For a moment, they stood there, holding onto each other, letting the weight of the past settle while embracing the promise of tomorrow.

Freya inhaled deeply, steadying herself. When she pulled back, she smiled, wiping the dampness from Abigail’s cheek. “Now, nay more tears. We’ve got a weddin’ to prepare for.”

They continued to fuss over her, adding things, taking them, straightening her gown as Freya’s fingers kept caressing the pearl at her neck. Then suddenly, Freya noticed that Marissa had been unusually quiet for the past several minutes. Her fingers were busy smoothing the folds of Freya’s gown, but her eyes kept darting toward Abigail. There was a nervous energy about her, almost as if she were holding something back.

Freya narrowed her eyes, a teasing smirk tugging at her lips. “Marissa, ye’ve been fidgin’ like a lass with a secret she’s burstin’ to share. Out with it, then.”

Marissa’s hands stilled immediately. “Oh, it’s naythin’.”

Freya arched a brow. “Daenae lie to me face, Marissa. I ken ye too well.” She leaned forward, her grin growing. “Ye’ll nae last the night if ye keep it in.”

Abigail let out a quiet giggle, but Marissa only bit her lip, shifting her weight. “It’s naythin’ that cannae wait,” she admitted, her voice softer now. “It’s yer weddin’, Freya. This is yer moment.”

At that, Freya’s amusement dimmed just slightly and concern crept into her chest. “Marissa, what is it?”

Marissa hesitated for a moment longer, then, seeing the growing worry in Freya’s expression, she finally exhaled and gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s good news, I swear it.”

Freya searched her sister’s face, then let out a breath of relief, shaking her head. “Well, now ye have to tell me, or I’ll nae be able to think about anythin’ else.”

Marissa’s lips curved into a small, secretive smile, but she held her tongue just a little longer, as if savoring the moment. Freya crossed her arms, feigning impatience. “Go on, then, before I drag it out of ye.”

Marissa glanced at Abigail, who grinned and gave a little nod of encouragement. She obviously knew what it was about. Then, finally, she turned back to Freya, eyes shining with something unreadable.

“Alright, alright. But ye must promise nae to faint.”

Freya’s heart gave a little jolt of anticipation. “Now I really need to hear it.”

Marissa hesitated, inhaling deeply. But her eyes shone with pure joy. “Freya, I… published me book.”

Freya blinked, momentarily stunned. “Yer book?” she echoed in disbelief. She couldn’t imagine that it could have done so quickly. But then again, Michael could doanything.

Marissa nodded, her cheeks flushing. “Aye. With the laird’s help. He arranged for it to be copied and bound properly. It’s been printed, Freya. A real book.”

For a moment, Freya could only stare at her sister, the weight of the words settling over her. Then, warmth flooded her chest, pride swelling so fiercely it nearly stole her breath. “Marissa…”

Marissa shifted, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I wanted to tell ye sooner, but the laird thought it’d be a fine surprise. And I suppose I worried, too. That it was foolish, that nay one would care for the scribblings of a lass from the Highlands.”

Freya reached for her hands, squeezing them tight. “Daenae ever say that, Marissa. There is naythin’ foolish about followin’ yer dreams.”

Marissa’s eyes shone even more now. “Ye really think so?”

“I ken so,” Freya said firmly. “I’ve always known ye had a gift with words. And now the world will ken it, too.”

Marissa let out a breath, as if releasing some long-held fear. A small, shy smile curved her lips. “It’s dedicated to ye, ye ken. And Abigail. And Cody. Ye all gave me the courage to put the words to page.”

Freya’s throat tightened, her heart full. She reached forward and pulled Marissa into a tight embrace, holding her close.

“I am so proud of ye,” she whispered.

Marissa clung to her for a moment before pulling back, blinking quickly as if to chase away tears. “Well, there ye go now… ye’ve gone and made me weepy. This is yer day, Freya.”

Freya laughed, dabbing at her own damp eyes. “Aye, well, I think today can be a day for more than one happiness.”