“Bloody hell. How many times have ye had tae say that?” Now it’s Claire’s turn to grin at Robbie’s question.
“More than I should have to admit.” Lily grabs Claire’s hand, pulling her toward the house. She has a case in the other hand. Maggie trails after them, laughing as she carries a garment bag. I stare after Claire as she disappears into the house.
“Don’t stand there like an idiot. Go find something to do!” Looking down, I find Dia with her arms crossed in front of me. She squeals when I pull her into a hug. I have to dodge her swats when I finally turn her loose. Scooping a bouquet of flowers out of Uncle Iain’s truck, she marches into the house.
“I like them,” Rory says next to my shoulder, making me jump. “Naw only are the women feisty, but those Yanks sure know how tae produce male eye candy. It’s becoming a regular sausage fest around here.”
“Can yer husband dae nothing aboot yer mouth? Yer as bad as Bryce now,” I ask her, scowling.
“Are ye kidding? Why dae ye think he married me?” She makes an obscene jester at me involving her fist and mouth, laughing at the twisted face I make at her. I really didn’t need the visual of my sister giving the preacher a blow job.
“Speaking of sausage, I saw the redhead, male porn star and giant heading with George toward the cliffs. The broody one was still trying tae wrestle a diaper on his baby. Bryce was gaun to help. Also, Rob’s already trying tae put the moves on, what I assume, is Claire’s sister. Mam chased him ootside tae set up more tables for food,” Rory adds.
We watch in silence as he is joined by Grayson helping set up the table Mam borrowed from the church. We’re just far enough away from the bustle of activity to observe unnoticed.
“Whit’s Da daein?” I ask as we watch him sneak out of the house, heading for the cliffs.
“I think he was working on sneaking a bottle or two tae the cliffs tae keep everyone warm. That’s whit it looks like anyway. Oh, look who his accomplice is.” We watch as Rory’s husband, the preacher, slips out behind Da holding a fifth of what promises to be Wolfburn.
About the time they disappear down the path to the cliffs, Jaimee slips outside to follow them. “She’s just interested in the view down there. All that Yank muscle being thrown around, I cannae fault her.”
“I suppose I should go make sure nae one falls into the North Sea before we can even get started.” I sigh before starting toward the path. I make it a step before Rory grabs my hand, pulling me to a stop. She steps in front of me, studying my face.
“Are ye good, Alex? Are ye really and truly good?” she asks, her brows furrowing. I look at her as a slow grin works its way across my face.
“I’m perfect,” I say, hugging her. “I finally have everything I want.” Pushing me back, she studies me for a minute longer before nodding her head. Turning, she stalks off to the house to help with the chaos.
When I get to the cliffs where we’ve set up for the ceremony, everything looks perfect.
“Hey, I wish someone had told me I could wear a skirt to this,” Colin calls out when he sees me. I shake my head, amazed at how that man never fails to bust my balls. It’s like having another brother.
“I think Lily has a short blue one I could have pulled off,” Matt adds. “Might show a little too much of my ass though.”
“Really, Matt? Ye’re better than that,” I answer. I get slapped on the shoulder several times as they pass a bottle to me.
“Your dad knows how to do this right,” Colin says, holding the bottle up in toast to my Da before taking another swig. “I’m starting to like the Scottish hillbilly way of doing things.”
“Rory saw ye, Preacher,” I say, flipping off Colin before turning to her husband. For some reason we never got into the habit of calling him by his actual name. Even my sister calls him Preacher. He flinches first then breaks into a grin.
“It’s fine. Rory has a keen like of drunk sex.”
“Ho!” I yell, joined by Da and George. “Too much!”
“Hey, ye have tae use what ye’re given,” Jaimee announced, stepping out where she’s been hiding next to Marcus.
“Jaimee!” George growls at her. None of us siblings will ever admit to believing our little sister even knows what sex is. “Go greet the other guests as they arrive. Tell everyone they need tae stick tae English as much as possible so our foreign guests can understand them.” Jaimee leaves reluctantly, firing a scowl at George. “Whit a pest,” he grumbles.
“A hot one though.” We all turn to glare at Teddy who’s holding one of the half-full bottles of scotch. Colin snatches it from him before sending him to go help Jaimee. Robert and Grayson finally wander down to join us, bringing another bottle.
“I want tae offer up a toast before the women folk show up and ruin our good time,” George says. He holds up the almost empty bottle of Highland Park. Miraculously, four more bottles are held up. I’m amazed we aren’t already falling down drunk or puking in Matt’s case.
“Tae my wee brother, Alex. Ye saw whit ye wanted and went after it. It looks like ye finally found yer balls in there somewhere. Here’s tae a century of sex with the only woman that will put up with yer shite.” I stand corrected, George appears to already be drunk. The bottles are clinked together as they make one more pass among us.
“We’d better hide these before yer mam catches us. The other guests are arriving.” Da takes the empty bottle out of my hand, dropping it down the hole the men in my family discovered generations ago behind an outcropping of rock. I can’t believe it’s never filled up completely with tossed bottles. Lord knows, my brothers and I did our best.
We move off to greet our extended family and friends as they find seats. When my sisters show up, I know it’s almost time. George locks his giant hand around my arm, pulling me toward the front.
“It’s almost time. Naw regrets?” he asks, looking at me. Robbie’s joined us at the front as everyone finds a place to sit. There are blankets spread around past the chairs where kids sit excitedly waiting.
