Page 14 of Highland Sky

Nash shifted fromone foot to the next, waiting for the wedding to begin. Everyone was gathered around, and all they needed now was the bride. Part of him wished she wouldn’t show up. If not, mayhap he wouldn’t have to go through with this horrible plan after all. He cursed Old Callum for making this part of his punishment. It wasn’t right. It wasn’t fair. No one but him should be able to make these life-changing decisions for him.

“All right, I’m here. Let’s get this over with. I told ye I have things to do!” Kellina stormed across the camp, stopping right next to Nash. She didn’t even look at him, and neither did he care. He only glanced at her long enough to see she’d donned a skirt instead of breeches today. Well, he supposed anything was better than her standing there in her nightclothes. He decided he wouldn’t look at her anymore. After all, he didn’t like the wench and it would be better if his body didn’t betray him again.

The priest opened his book and said the required words. Then, it was time for them to take their vows.

“Do ye, Kellina MacKenzie, take Nash MacKeefe as yer husband?” There was more to it, but Kellina was in a hurry and didn’t wait to hear it.

“Aye, I do. Now move on,” she said curtly.

Nash looked up to see the chieftain nodding to the priest to continue.

“Do ye, Nash MacKeefe, take Kellina MacKenzie as yer –”

“Aye, I do. Let’s go,” he said, returning the favor to his hurried bride.

The priest, looking forlorn, shook his head and closed the book. “Well, then I guess all there is to say, is I pronounce ye married. Ye may kiss the bride.”

“That’s no’ necessary.” Kellina’s words were clipped and she ended them with a sniff. “And neither is me wearin’ a skirt. I’m goin’ to change back into breeches.”

“But Kellina, it’s no’ proper,” protested Caitlin. “Ye should wear a skirt like the rest of the lassies of the clan.”

“Why?” asked Kellina. “My husband wears a skirt, so why do I need to? I like wearin’ breeches.” She turned on her heel to leave, but Nash wasn’t about to let her go.

He grabbed her by the arm to stop her. She looked up with wide, blue eyes as he spoke lowly through his teeth.

“I dinna care how much we hate each other. We’re goin’ to do things the proper way, whether ye like it or not. Wife.”

With that, he pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply. He did it as a warning not to defy him, and perhaps as a punishment to her as well. However, his plan seemed to backfire, as all it did was punish him instead. Her lips were soft and unyielding, and surprisingly sensuous as well. He honestly thought she’d try to bite him, or do something to ward him off, but she didn’t. She let him kiss her, and that was the biggest surprise of all. Nash liked the kiss, and was in no hurry to rush it. Surprisingly, for how busy she claimed to be, she didn’t hurry it either.

Everyone clapped and cheered for them. Nash released her lips, but not her body. Instead, he slipped his arm around her waist, holding her tightly up against him.

He decided it was time to make some sort of speech. “We would like to thank everyone for joinin’ us, even though this was short notice. We’re glad that the MacKeefe Clan and the MacKenzie Clan are now aligned. Are no’ we, Wife?”

She looked up and scowled. He pulled her even closer, bending to whisper in her ear.

“Answer, or I willna ever let ye go,” he threatened, as she started to struggle in his hold. Finally, she realized it was of no use to thwart him.

“Aye. Thank ye,” she said, while trying to pry his fingers off her waist.

“No longer are the MacKeefe and the MacKenzie Clans enemies,” Nash continued. “It is a verra welcome day. Right, Wife?” He looked back over to her once again.

“Quit callin’ me Wife,” she whispered back. “I dinna like it.”

“Answer and smile,” he told her, looking out at the others with a fake smile of his own.

“Aye, we’re aligned,” she ground out, purposely stepping on his foot. Nash now wished she was still barefooted.

“Ow!” he yelped, releasing her, which gave her the opportunity to walk away.

“Meet me by the stables in fifteen minutes,” she ordered.

“The stables? Whatever for?” asked Nash.

“That is where we’ll start.”

“Start?” Of course, Nash wasn’t thinking along the same lines as her right now. After all, he just got married and was wondering about the consummation, and also the celebration. Sadly, she had naught on her mind today but work.

“We need to start thatchin’ the roofs before it rains,” she instructed, giving him a look that said she thought he was daft.