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She crawls onto my lap and loops her arms around my neck. "You aremo chridhefor me too. I love you more than I ever thought I could love any man. You're everything my husband never was."
"Glad I could outdo a slimy, cheating ersehole."
"There's no comparison. You are a wonderful man."
"You're a wonderful woman, Kate. You helped me get through the hardest time in my life and taught me how to accept help." I fold my arms around her and look straight into her eyes. I don't think about what I mean to say, but just say it. "Will you marry me,mo chridhe?"
She grins. "Yes, absolutely."
"Didnae plan this, so I donnae have a ring."
"Let's go pick one out together."
"Aye. That's a brilliant plan." I stand up, carrying her with me, and set the lass on her feet. "Let's go right now."
We jump on the Harley and drive straight to the nearest jewelry store.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Kate
I gaze down at my hand for the hundredth time today, entranced by the glittering diamond ring on my finger. Callum wanted to buy me a huge, expensive boulder of an engagement ring, but I assured him that's not necessary. A bigger stone doesn't mean he loves me more. The tasteful rock on my finger is all I need.
Wow, I'm getting married again. I swore I would never do that, but Callum knew how to get under my skin and force me to reexamine my life choices. Celibacy? What a dumb-ass idea. Now I not only have my own family, but also a passel of MacTaggarts who treat me like I've always been a part of their clan.
The day after we got engaged, I call my parents to share the news. This means I'll be staying in Scotland permanently. I worry they'll be hurt by that decision, but Mom and Dad assure me they want whatever makes me happy. Callum joins in the call, and we turn it into a video chat so they can "meet" my fiancé. He informs my parents that they and my brother and sister, and their families, can fly to Scotland anytime they like—for free, thanks to the private jets owned by several of his cousins.
When we share the news with Greer and Alistair, they're thrilled too. My sister will be my maid of honor, but we ask Jack and Autumn to serve as best man and bridesmaid, and they agree without hesitation. Jack hugs his brother so hard that I think Callum probably can't breathe.
My family is happy. His family is happy. All that's left is for me to get moving on what I've been procrastinating about doing.
I meet with Evan MacTaggart.
Callum comes with me when we drive to Inverness to meet Evan at the apartment where Callum had stayed during his therapy. Evan and his wife, Keely, live in Utah most of the time. But they keep this apartment for when they come here to check on his company, Evanescent Security Technologies Limited, and for any family members who need a place to crash.
Evan is a striking man. Not only is he tall and muscular like most MacTaggart men, but he has blond hair and blue eyes so pale that they seem almost silver. He invites us to sit down on the sofa while he takes the armchair.
I open my new briefcase, which Callum bought for me as an engagement gift, and bring out a folder. I offer it to Evan. "This is my proposal, which includes a business plan."
He waves it away. "I don't need that, Kate. We're family, and I trust you. This will be a personal investment, not anything connected to my company." He hands me an envelope. "I hope this will be enough for startup capital, but I'm not an expert on clinics like yours."
I set my folder on the coffee table and take his envelope, pulling out the check hidden inside it. My jaw drops. Literally. My mouth is hanging wide open. "This is—Did you accidentally add zeroes at the end?"
"No. I'm investing five million pounds in your venture. Do whatever you feel is appropriate with the money, or if you want help, I'm always available by video chat or in person to advise you." He winks. "I have a fast jet."
"You haven't even read my business plan."
"Callum told me you're clever and determined, as well as a brilliant physical therapist slash psychotherapist. That's all the endorsement I need."
I stare down at the check and all those zeroes. Five million pounds. That must be almost seven million dollars. Maybe I'm only getting this money because of my relationship with Callum, but I kind of doubt that. A man doesn't become a billionaire by throwing away millions of dollars to make his cousin's fiancée happy. He must honestly believe I can create a profitable venture.
We talk with Evan some more about the logistics of setting up a new business. He does literally own half the village, and he offers to let me lease a vacant property that sounds like the perfect place, but I've only seen pictures of it that Evan shows me on his phone. So he gives me the keys to the building and tells me to check it out and let him know what I think.
Callum was not kidding when he told me going overboard is in the MacTaggarts' DNA. They do everything big—and with incredible generosity.
We have not forgotten about Hugh. He's still at Dùndubhan, but we've given him some time and space to adjust to the idea of me and Callum getting engaged. I feel bad for Hugh, and I suspect he's having trouble adjusting to the situation not only because of me but also because he finally realized he wants more than sex. He needs a solid relationship with a woman who appreciates him, not just his title and his body.
Though Callum and I have kept our distance lately, we decide it's time to check on Hugh. The day after we met with Evan, we drive out to Dùndubhan. Only two cars sit in the driveway, but that could be deceptive. The MacTaggarts who have kept Hugh company tend to all pile into one or two cars, kind of like a can of Scottish sardines.
