She looks at me questioningly as I pull a pen from my pocket and hand it to her.
— Keira McGregor, do you agree to sign our contract?
She studies me, and the emotion in her eyes mirrors my own.
— I accept your proposal, Mr. McKenzie.
She signs. I fold the document carefully and tuck it back into my inside pocket. No way I’m losing that.
— There you are!
We turn to see Lachlan striding toward us.
— Everyone’s waiting for you at the ceremony, you two stars of the show—he pauses, noticing our expressions, then the ring on Keira’s finger. Oh. I see. You decided to do this in front of a sheep enclosure. Very romantic. Very… you.
— It was symbolic and appropriate, Keira replies with dignity, though her cheeks flush slightly.
— Of course it was, Lachlan says with a smirk. Well, once you’re done making out in front of sheep aristocracy, the humans would like to celebrate too.
He heads back toward the castle, leaving us alone for one more moment.
— Ready? I ask, lacing my fingers through hers.
— More than ever, she says, squeezing my hand.
The signing ceremonyunfolds in an atmosphere of joyful solemnity. The documents are arranged on the ancestral table, and the legal representatives from both families briefly go over the terms of the agreement: the creation of a new joint entity for producing the Archibald & Elspeth whisky, the renovation of the shop according to Keira’s designs, the shared use of the southern plot and the spring…
But I’m only half listening. My attention is fixed on Keira, standing beside me, radiant. The ring on her finger reflects our colors, now united.
When the time comes to sign, my father rises to speak.
— There are moments in the life of a business, of a family, when tradition must yield to innovation, he says, his voice firm, though not without emotion. For too long, the McKenzies and the McGregors allowed an old rivalry to deprive them of extraordinary opportunities. Today, we correct that historical mistake.
He turns to me, then to Keira.
— This partnership would never have come to life without the vision and courage of these two young people. They were able to look beyond our differences to rediscover what unites us.
Polite applause follows his words, then Callum steps forward to speak on behalf of the McGregors.
— The Highlands are shaped by their stories, he says. Some are true, others have been embellished over time. For generations, we carried on division and rivalry. Today, we begin writing a new story—one of unity, mutual respect, and a shared future.
More applause echoes through the room before the pens are presented—two antique pens brought out for the occasion, engraved with the initials A.M. and E.M.
I take the one marked A.M., while Keira picks up the one bearing E.M. Our eyes meet, fully aware of the symbolism in this moment. We are not just Alistair and Keira signing a business agreement—we are also, in a way, Archibald and Elspeth, finishing what they began more than a century ago.
We sign at the same time, then exchange documents to add our signatures where the lawyers indicate. A thunder of applause fills the room, followed by congratulations, embraces, and handshakes.
My father approaches us, his expression unusually relaxed.
— Well done, he says simply, though I hear the pride in his voice. Both businesses—and both families—will be stronger together.
Then, noticing the ring on Keira’s finger, he raises an eyebrow.
— A recent development?
— Very recent, I confirm. Just before the ceremony.
He nods, and I brace myself for a comment about haste or recklessness. But to my surprise, he places a hand on my shoulder and simply says:
