Page 70 of A Highland Family Affair

Kerr’s brow crumpled. ‘Is everything okay?’

‘You’re not having second thoughts, are you?’ Bella asked and Skye elbowed her. ‘Because if you are, I have Harris’s car. We can be out of here in seconds.’

‘Bella,’ Skye whispered angrily.

‘What? I’m just saying.’

Olivia smiled as she gazed out over the loch. The sun was glinting on the surface of the calm water, and it looked like someone had scattered diamonds across it. A gentle, warm breeze ruffled her long waves around her shoulders and caused the flower petals to wave as if beckoning her inside. It really was the perfect spring day.

‘No second thoughts. No doubts,’ she said. ‘I just wanted to take in the view and remind myself how lucky I am that this is the wedding I’m getting, instead of all the pomp and ceremony.’

Kerr sighed. ‘There’s just one thing missing. Well, when I say thing, I mean person.’

Olivia turned to him. ‘Mum?’ She frowned. ‘Or rather Mum and Dad?’

Kerr cringed. ‘Okay, three people missing.’

Olivia tilted her head, a little confused. ‘Three?’

Kerr coughed loudly and someone appeared from around the other side of the chapel, wearing a hydrangea-blue trouser suit with a MacLeod tartan pocket square and tie. A buttonhole that matched the bouquets was pinned to her lapel.

‘Harper!’ Olivia squealed and ran towards her friend, whose arms were open. ‘Oh, my goodness! How? You said you couldn’t… I don’t… What about Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week? I… And again how?’

Harper hugged her before holding her at arm’s length and nodding towards Kerr. ‘Thank your brother. He made it happen. Apparently he can be very persuasive when he wants to be. Nina didn’t stand a chance.’

Olivia turned to look at Kerr, who stood there with Bella and Skye, huge grins on all their faces. A familiar lump of emotion took up residence in her throat again and she tried to speak but only managed to mouth the words, ‘Thank you.’

‘You look amazing, by the way,’ Harper said, she too a little misty-eyed. ‘MacLeod’s a lucky guy.’

‘Harper, you look beautiful. I love the suit. It looks familiar.’

Harper laughed. ‘Can’t get anything past you, huh? It’s a Nina special. It was from the fashion show here at the castle. She insisted on getting it altered to fit me when she said I could come over. She knew it was perfect for the colour scheme you’d chosen. She’s really sorry she can’t be here herself, but I’ve promised a million photos.’

‘I can’t believe you’re here,’ Olivia said, shaking her head. Her heart skipped and suddenly everything was slotting into place.

‘Neither can I, but here I am. Ready to go get married?’

Olivia nodded. ‘You betcha!’ She linked arms with Kerr and the three bridesmaids, each with their own individual style, took their positions in front of her.

The church doors opened, and Debussy’s ‘Clair de Lune’ floated from inside the chapel. A calm serenity washed over Olivia as it always did when she heard this music. The delicate piano piece had such an uplifting effect, and she couldn’t help smiling.

‘Ready, sis?’ Kerr asked with a pat to her hand.

‘Ready,’ Olivia replied.

Will stood by the door holding the order-of-service booklets, looking handsome in his navy-blue suit and MacLeod tartan tie to honour his soon-to-be Uncle Brodie. He truly was the image of his father. Kerr had been delighted when Brodie had suggested including him as an usher and the look of pride on the boy’s face was clearly evident in his smile and bright eyes. ‘You look beautiful, Aunt Olivia,’ he whispered. It was the first time he had addressed her as such, and her heart filled with love on hearing it.

Beside Will sat Wilf, Marley and Sir Lancelot, all sporting matching tartan dickie bows around their necks in lieu of their usual collars – the benefit of getting wed in your own chapel, Olivia thought, knowing full well dogs would not have been allowed at the cathedral.

They began their walk down the aisle with all eyes on them, but now, Olivia couldn’t see anyone else. All she could see was Brodie, waiting for her. The sweet fragrance of the flowers on the window ledges and stands at the front of the chapel wafted through the air and Olivia heard mumbles of ‘so beautiful’ and ‘stunning’ as she passed each pew.

Olivia was shocked when she realised Bishop Latham was standing there at the front of the church before the altar ready to preside over the ceremony and her heart tripped over itself. Brodie sure knew how to pull strings. Just in front of the bishop was Brodie, balanced precariously on one crutch, with his dad beside him. He looked so ridiculously handsome in his kilt. The added accessory of the bulky black Velcro boot didn’t even detract from his beauty. He fixed his gaze on Olivia, and she fixed hers on him. The love in his eyes made her heart melt, and her smile broadened.

When she arrived beside him, he shook his head, his eyes watery. ‘You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever, ever seen,’ he whispered. ‘I can’t quite believe you’re mine.’

‘All yours,’ she replied. ‘And you look wonderful.’

‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ the bishop began…