“When Mother sits down, we’ll tell you.” He scooted her chair toward the table.
Hamish nodded his greeting and scooped a forkful of haggis. “It’s good to see you up and dressed, lass. Your cheeks gain color every day.”
“I’m trying.” She’d never manage the breakfast Maggie placed before her, but she joined hands for grace. “Now, why do you all look so serious?”
“We received a letter from a solicitor in Inverness,” Kieran said. “Someone called Gavin Gunn claims the Greenfield area belongs to him. He sent a copy of the same deed Da mentioned, without the handwritten agreement. We’re driving to Fort William to our solicitor later. If Janet is free for lunch, you can ride along.” His warm hands kneaded the knots in her neck.
“Sounds like a great idea. But who is Gavin Gunn?” At least something besides her caused the hush this time, and she longed for a talk with Janet.
“We don’t know. I’ll call for a late morning appointment when the office opens.” In spite of the new concern, the brightness of Kieran’s eyes mirrored the sky outside, free of rain for the first time in a week. He patted her knee, making her glad she came downstairs.
“Maggie, do you want to come? Agnes would love to see you.” The little food she ate to satisfy them already formed a lump in her stomach.
“No, dear, I have mounds of reservation requests for the Heather Hill Inn. Bridget can’t manage everything without me. You have fun.” Maggie pushed back her chair and reached for the men’s plates. “Keep your plate, Bonny.”
“Not hungry. Maybe lunch will spark my appetite.” She handed over her plate, turned from the wrinkled brow and grim turn of Maggie’s lips, and sighed in relief. She could bare her heart to Janet in safety.
The inn Maggie and Hamish started after they turned the farm over to Kieran had been a dream of Maggie’s for years. Inherited from her MacKenzie ancestors, the lovely old Dickens-era house in Beauly enjoyed increasing popularity as one of the loveliest bed-and-breakfast establishments in the Highlands. Her sacrifice to leave seasonal preparations to Eleanor’s daughter Bridget did not come without cost.
“I’ll come with you, love.” Kieran stood and pulled out her chair.
The hand he settled in the middle of her back on their way upstairs drew her into an embrace when he closed the door to their room. “It will be good to have you along. We can go shopping when we’re finished. Today’s sunshine might put the pink back in your cheeks.”
The scent of his cologne and nearness of his lips invited her closer. She gazed up at his rugged, handsome face. “I don’t need new clothes, but we can walk around if I have the energy after lunch.”
“We’ll have time alone while Da places orders for Angus.” His lips brushed hers. Poor man, so eager to see her mood improve.
“It’s my first time out other than to the doctor. Let’s wait and see if I have the energy.”
“Of course. What’s wrong, hen? You’re too quiet.” His forehead rested on hers and their eyes met while her emotions roiled and churned.
“I … I think Janet can help. I’ll call her.” She disentangled herself from his arms and walked to the nightstand for her cell phone. “I’ll be fine.”
“Come down when you're ready.” His frown revealed how much he longed for the wife he knew. Her sadness left him at a loss.
Janet suggested The Stables Restaurant in the center of town. Time with Kieran’s lifelong friend and her best friend in Scotland always lifted her spirits and provided insight into his mind. And it offered a chance to find out the latest on the wedding plans.
If only Hamish and Kieran would receive good news from the attorney.
***
Fort William, lovely town of sparkling water and mountain beauty, edged the shores of Loch Linnhe and Loch Eil in the shadow of Ben Nevis, the places she and Kieran first met and fell in love. Bonny gazed up the hill toward the fairytale cottage provided for her during the nine months she taught at FWCC.
Poignant memories of arriving alone after the cancer deaths of both parents and a broken engagement nipped at her like midges. Here, she came back to life, in part due to the friendship and patience of Janet, her mother Agnes, and Graeme.
Bonny hopped out when Hamish pulled to a stop in Janet’s driveway and leaned in Kieran’s lowered window for a kiss.
“Enjoy yourself, love. No hurry, but save enough energy for me.”
“Call when you finish at the lawyer … uh, solicitor’s. We’ll plan where to meet.”
Janet waited at the open door and waved. “Such adorable newlyweds. Hello Kieran, Hamish. I’ll take good care of her. I promise.”
“We’ll always be newlyweds.” Kieran waved while Hamish backed out and headed down the street.
Her friend’s warm hug started the deluge of emotions again. “Are you certain you want to go out? I can make lunch here.”
Bonny wiped her face, pasted on a smile, and headed for Janet’s little blue car. “You said The Stables, and I’ll hold you to it. Girlfriend time and your wedding plans are all I need. What’s the latest?”
“We do things simply.” She unlocked the car doors. “Kieran told Graeme we’ll be your first event at the chapel, even before your opening service. Graeme only has his sister and her husband, with their kids at school in London. My lot will be the majority of guests. Of course, we’ll invite faculty members from FWCC, old friends from Faith Chapel, and Kieran’s parents, about fifty or sixty in all. I plan to wear my sister Shelagh’s wedding dress. And there you have it.” Janet’s joyful smile was a delight after watching her suffer for over a year.
“What about flowers and a reception?”
“White roses and purple heather. We’ll clear away the chairs and hold the reception in the chapel. You’ll be my matron of honor, of course.”
“Not one of your sisters? If I had family, I’d want them in my wedding. My feelings won’t be hurt.”
“You and Kieran are our best friends. I’m closer to you than to my sisters, with them all in Glasgow. Please say yes.”
Fingers of warmth wrapped around Bonny’s heart. “Yes, but let us host your reception in the house. Since Kieran enlarged the living room for church fellowships, we have more than enough room.”
“I’d be crazy to turn down such a generous offer. Thank you.”
They parked down the street and walked, giggling like teenagers about the men they loved. Janet held open the heavy door of the stylish restaurant. The waiter showed them to a comfortable booth with artistic renderings of Highland cattle on the walls.
“Still water,” Bonny said to the waiter. The term brought back memories of her first restaurant experience in Scotland when asked her preference for still or sparkling. In America, they assumed plain water.
“Kieran wants a ceilidh next month. You can see what a perfect place the new living room would be for your reception. I need help anyway,” Bonny confessed. “I have no idea how to plan one.”
“You can count on Mom and me. How do you feel?” Janet’s eyebrows narrowed with concern. “You’re too thin.”
She sucked in a deep breath, determined not to cry. “I … I have nightmares and can’t eat. Janet, I grieved my infertility a long time ago, but renewed hope revived the pain. The hardest part is Kieran’s disappointment.”