Page 12 of Highlands Summer Wedding

“Yeah.”

He sipped his beer, and we sat in silence.

“Why are you here, then, instead of one of the many hotels and inns you’ve taken over in the area?”

“Needed to get away.” The golden hour light sparkled on the water. “It’ll be a great place for wedding photos.”

“She hasn’t even bought a dress yet.”

Max nudged my shoulder with his own. “You’ll help her. You were always great with the wardrobe department.”

I stared out over the water. “I was great with locations, too.”

He looked down at me, eyes locking with mine. “You were great all-around.”

I couldn’t hold his gaze. No way. In fact, I had to get out of here. Immediately. This was dangerous.

“I should go,” I said.

As I stood, he reached for my arm. I looked at him. He didn’t let go. His hand was warm. He’d always been warm when I was cold.

He nodded toward my basket. “You haven’t finished your fries.”

“Chips. It’s a chippy because they call them chips.” I could be very nitpicky when I was irritated.

“Abby… What happened to us?”

“It ended. And so has this conversation.”

I hurriedto my hotel room and closed the door behind me.

Safe inside, I exhaled slowly.

He still smelled like cedar.

CHAPTER 6

Shopping for a wedding dress in the Scottish Highlands can be a challenge. Fortunately for us, Angus knows everyone. Literally everyone. No matter where we went, people waved and said hello, congratulating him, greeting Caitlin, and wondering what to make of me.

When word spread about our castle photo shoot dilemma, the offers came pouring in. “My daughter’s dress might fit,” said the woman at the bakery. “I’ve got mine in storage,” chimed a shop clerk. By evening, Caitlin’s phone screen glowed with a parade of white-frocked brides—most posed before that very same castle—each message offering another gown for our impromptu shoot.

Angus leaned back in his chair, his eyes twinkling. “You know, for what folks spend on a wedding these days, we could borrow a dress, snap some photos, and use the rest for a lifetime supply of?—”

Caitlin’s eyebrows shot up, and Angus immediately raised his palms.

Panic flickered in his eyes. “Not that I’m suggesting?—”

“Oh?” Caitlin tilted her head, her voice honey-sweet. “Do elaborate on your wedding budget theories, dear.”

Angus straightened his posture and cleared his throat theatrically. “I was merely observing how fortunate we are to have a professional wedding planner for our extravagant, no-expense-spared celebration of love!”

“I’ll make it work,” I said with a little more confidence than I felt.

“I know you will,” Caitlin said, squeezing my arm. “But let’s at least get some castle photos while we have the dresses! Wait—who’s going to photograph us?”

I caught the look that passed between my sister and Angus.

“Abby’s background is in film, right?” Angus offered.