Page 57

Chapter 57

Juliette

Carbost, Scotland

This past week had been a whirlwind of unforgettable experiences. And now here we were on land that had been in my father’s family for centuries before it’d been lost upon my granddaddy’s death.

Constantine handed me a piece of paper, adding another surprise to the week. With trembling hands, I held up the paper, my suspicion confirmed—it was the deed to the land and the distillery that still bore the Carmichael name.

Constantine spread his arms wide. “Happy birthday.”

“Happy”—I blinked, still processing how he’d managed all this without my knowledge—“birthday?” Aside from when we went to our separate bedrooms at night, he hadn’t been out of my sight since Monday. How, how, how?

“What’s going on?” Colin asked, joining us with Lennon.

Constantine gestured toward the whitewashed houses in the distance, their coastal charm blending seamlessly with the landscape. The Cuillin Hills provided a breathtaking backdrop to the moment, their rugged peaks a testament to the enduring beauty of the Isle of Skye. “This is all yours and your mother’s now.”

I lowered the deed, still in awe. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Oh, I have a few ideas.” He waggled his eyebrows playfully before wrapping his arm around my waist. “When I was talking to your father over the phone on Tuesday, I asked him what happened to your grandfather’s land and the distillery when he passed, and it got me thinking.”

“ You talked to my father?” Each revelation seemed to outdo the last.

I’d spoken to my parents Monday night at the hospital, filling them in on everything aside from the more frightening details, but when had he spoken to my dad? While I was asleep? I supposed with the time difference that made sense. The little sneak.

“I did.” He leaned in, planting a quick kiss on my lips. “I have a feeling we’re going to get along well. He’s my kind of guy.”

“You mean stubborn?” I laughed, tears of joy welling up.

“That, and he enjoys spoiling you like I plan to continue doing.”

Colin raised his hand. “Spoiling me, too, right?”

A husky laugh escaped Constantine, and he’d tossed out a maybe , to which Colin responded with a quick fist pump, clearly interpreting that as a yes.

“My stubbornness is a good thing, by the way. I promise.” Constantine drew me closer, nuzzling his nose against mine. Beneath his tough exterior was a heart of gold he reserved for those he loved.

I’m one lucky girl.

On Monday, this man had been at death’s door. Now we were together as a family on land that’d been lost to us a decade ago. What was this life?

“So, tell me more about that chat and why I’m holding the deed?” I held the paper between us, pressing it gently against his chest.

He casually glanced down at it. “As it turns out, the McGregors have wealthy Scottish cousins with a lot of pull, and they negotiated a deal on my behalf.”

“You mean a hostile takeover?” Colin chimed in, laughing.

Constantine tilted his head, acknowledging the accuracy of Colin’s jest.

“I can’t believe this. I mean, in a way, I can because this is you we’re talking about.” I sighed, stepping out of his embrace to take in the expansive landscape.

I’d only ever seen these views in photos my dad had shown me from his childhood here. He’d always promised that maybe one day he’d take me for a visit. Well, maybe one day was now, but it was my son’s father bringing me here, and apparently, with my father’s blessing.

“I was thinking we could build a vacation home here,” Constantine suggested as he scanned the land. “And with your father’s help, restore the distillery to its former glory. We’d need to run things your father’s way, of course. His orders.” He shrugged, a playful glint in his eye. “But why not add Scotch to the Legacy Ridge portfolio?”

As Colin and Lennon wandered off to explore, I leaned closer to Constantine, lowering my voice. “Is this your way of steering our son away from following in your footsteps, hoping he’ll follow in my dad’s instead?”

He raked a hand through his hair, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. “Maybe.”

I chuckled softly. “Well, from where I’m standing, those are hero footsteps. Not the worst path to follow.”

Without warning, he scooped me into his arms. I gasped, losing hold of the deed.

“Hey, don’t hurt yourself.”

“Trust me,” he murmured against my lips before gently setting me back down, “I’m as good as new. Better, even.” He motioned for Colin and Lennon to join us, then bent to retrieve the fallen deed.

Colin exchanged a knowing glance with his father before pulling a familiar blue box from his pocket. “One more thing before we go,” Colin announced, his excitement palpable. “Happy birthday, Mom. This sort of brought us together in the first place, so it kind of feels poetic.”

I cupped my mouth, fighting back tears. He was right.

He stole from his father, and this very purchase sent me to his office that day. And now, here we were. Officially full circle, but with a new starting point—as a family.

He opened the box and removed the delicate necklace.

“It’s perfect. Thank you,” I whispered as he fastened it around my neck. My fingers traced the heart-shaped pendant. “I’d love to replace the photo with one of the three of us.”

“Then I guess Dad needs to get me a camera next, so I can take some really nice photos.”

Constantine scoffed. “Your iPhone’s camera is just fine. Don’t press your luck.”

Colin shrugged. “A kid has to try.”

“He’s not wrong,” Lennon said with a laugh, hip-checking Colin.

The two of them exchanged a glance before sprinting toward our rental SUV parked at the edge of the property.

Constantine came before me and intertwined our fingers, his touch warm and reassuring. “Ready for part two of the birthday celebration?”

A drizzle began to fall, and the cool droplets felt good on my flushed skin. “I’m looking forward to it, Mr. Costa.”

“So formal.” He gently touched his nose to mine. “And my last name has also never sounded so damn sexy. I can’t wait for it to be yours and Colin’s.”

* * *

Descending the wooden staircase of the old inn, the soft glow from the wall sconces illuminated each of my steps. A flutter of nerves danced in my stomach as I anticipated meeting Constantine downstairs.

At the base of the steps, Constantine awaited. He looked effortlessly handsome in black slacks and a black button-down shirt, his hair styled just the way I loved it.

His eyes met mine, and a slow smile spread across his face. “You look stunning,” he murmured, closing the distance between us. His eyes journeyed over my outfit in appreciation. Izzy had purchased the ivory-colored dress as a birthday gift this morning. “Breathtaking.”

A blush warmed my cheeks. “You’re not so bad yourself,” I teased, slipping my hand into his.

Colin and Lennon appeared from around the corner, ready to join us. I assumed the others would be meeting us at dinner. “Much better than scrubs, Ma,” Colin teased.

I’d take any compliment I could get from that kid.

Constantine held the door open, and the four of us stepped outside, greeted by the crisp air.

The village of Carbost was incredibly peaceful. The cobblestone streets glistened under the soft light of the streetlamps, the distant sounds of waves adding to the ambiance.

Constantine’s grip on my hand tightened slightly. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Another one? You’ve already outdone yourself,” I replied, my curiosity piqued.

He smiled as a response, continuing to lead the way down the narrow street.

Colin and Lennon walked ahead of us, their fingers intertwined, her head resting on his shoulder. Two young kids in love. She was growing on me more and more each day.

As we turned a corner, the strumming of a guitar filled the air, and the scent of the sea grew stronger. Ahead, there was a courtyard adorned with twinkling lights. A three-person band played a soft melody, and familiar faces—Easton, Gwen, Izzy, and Hudson—stood waiting and smiling.

I leaned into Constantine, taking it all in. From the flickering flames of a nearby fire pit creating dancing shadows, to the silhouette of the mountains beneath the starlit sky.

Constantine released my hand and turned to face me, his eyes full of emotion. He took in a deep breath and undid the first button of his shirt. “There is something else I asked your father when we spoke.” His voice was tinged with nervousness.

Before I could make sense of what he was suggesting, he dropped to one knee, producing a burgundy-colored ring box from his pocket.

My body trembled with anticipation as he looked up at me, his deep, soulful eyes locked on to mine.

“Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me . . . tonight ?” he asked, tears at the corners of his eyes.

Overwhelmed, I reached for his hand, pulling him to stand so we could share whispered words away from our audience.

Once on his feet, he kept the ring box between us and leaned in. “Seventeen years,” he mouthed.

I was on the same blissed-out page of our history, wanting all of this, too. The word he was waiting to hear was still stuck in the haze of my shock, though.

“I promise I’m not asking for it to happen tonight just because if we don’t make love soon, I might die again.” His voice had a disarming playfulness that made me unsure if I wanted to cry or laugh at his remark.

“Will it be legal?”

He tilted his head, one eye closing thoughtfully. “Define legal.” At the light laugh following, I had my answer.

There was more than likely paperwork that had to be filed in advance, and I had no clue about marriage laws for non-citizens, either. But something told me Constantine had already done his homework.

“In the eyes of God, absolutely.” He gestured subtly to the side, drawing my attention to a minister stepping forward. “Colin mentioned you’re Methodist. I worked a little miracle , finding someone to marry us if you say yes.”

Oh, I’d be saying yes all right.

“What are ya waiting on, Mom?” Colin called out, cupping his hands at the sides of his mouth like he was sitting in the stands of a stadium instead of ten feet away.

I chuckled, eyes back on the future groom as he reassured me the details were all covered. As if worried he’d yet to sell me on the best idea I’d ever heard. “We’ll have a proper ceremony with the rest of our family back home at some point. We can also wait to have se?—”

“I’m not waiting until later,” I interjected, pulling him in for a fervent kiss. “Yes, a million times, yes, I am marrying you tonight.”

Cheers erupted around us, followed by Colin’s, “Finally!”

Constantine slid the diamond onto my ring finger, sealing our commitment with another passionate kiss.

“And when did you manage to get this, hmm?” I asked a few minutes later, after all the congratulatory hugs with everyone. “I know you wouldn’t let someone buy it for you.”

“Money really can buy a lot of things.” He gave me a quick shrug, a boyish grin cutting across his lips. “Like opening up in the middle of the night to go behind your back while you were asleep. I got it back in Dublin.”

“Of course you did.” I sighed, my heart so full I might explode. “Sized my finger in my sleep, too?” No way was it already a size 5.

“I’m stealthy.” He winked, then pulled me into his arms and into a beautifully passionate kiss in front of everyone.

“Get. A. Room.” Colin, with the lack of a filter, again.

Constantine’s response vibrated against my lips. “I plan on it later.” He waved Colin away, stealing another moment with me as if we were alone.

“Let me get this straight. You gave me a son for my twenty-first birthday, and now this is for my thirty-eighth?”

“So, what you’re saying is I have my work cut out for me for your next one?” he teased, the music shifting to an upbeat Highland tune. He twirled me gracefully before pulling me close, whispering, “Challenge accepted.”

Laughter bubbled up from within me as I grasped the skirt of my dress, ready to dance to the lively rhythm. Izzy’s choice of attire now made perfect sense—a fellow schemer in all of this—and I loved her all the more for that.

Colin took Lennon and joined us on the makeshift dance floor. Hudson and Izzy swayed together with the skills of Johnny and Baby from Dirty Dancing, and my brother even spun Gwen around out there.

Constantine moved behind me, drawing my back to his chest. His hands found my hips, and I playfully rotated against him, eliciting a husky murmur. “Naughty girl.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I met his gaze. “You can pay me back for it later.”

“Oh, you can count on it,” he promised, capturing my lips in a searing kiss before spinning me around.

This was happiness. Pure, unadulterated happiness.

The past and dangers were behind us, and all that remained was the present moment and the future we would build together. Beginning with the night we’d share as husband and wife after we said our vows.