Page 50 of Highlands Summer Wedding

Caitlin appeared in the doorway, freezing when she spotted us, her eyes glistening.

“Are you all right?” asked Mom.

Caitlin’s voice wavered as she joined us. “It just means the world, seeing you all together like this. Angus and I first sang here in this room, over there by the fireplace. There was a terrible snowstorm, and everyone was stranded here for Hogmanay. The staff couldn’t make it in, so Angus and Drew, the inn’s owner, stepped in to keep things running.” Caitlin shook her head with a fond smile at the memory. “They cooked breakfast and organized entertainment for all the guests, and somehow we wound up playing an acoustic set.”

“And that was the first time Angus shared a mic since…,” I said quietly, stopping when Caitlin looked eager to change the subject.

Right on cue, Angus strolled in wearing a Fair Isle sweater and jeans, grinning as usual.

“Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery! What a pleasure!” He embraced my parents with the familiarity of old friends before turning to Caitlin. Her face softened as he bent down and kissed her.

Caitlin gestured to the empty chair beside her while filling a glass from the water pitcher. “Perfect timing.”

She straightened the silverware in front of her. “Now, let’s talk about wedding details! Abby’s agreed to be our planner. After handling events with hundreds of guests, our modest gathering of just one hundred should be a breeze for her.”

Dad’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. “And how many of those hundred will be Montgomerys?” His hand instinctively patted his wallet pocket.

Caitlin carefully composed herself. “That’s the thing. There will be the four of us, of course, Aunt Sarah, and Jen and her family. Some friends from high school and college are coming too. Then there’s Melissa, who already lives here, her boyfriend Colin, Colin’s sister Lindsay, and Lindsay’s boyfriend Drew, who is also Angus’s best friend. And I’d love to invite Colin and Lindsay’s dad, Sandy, and his new wife, Margaret.”

“That sounds like a small wedding,” Dad said.

“And then Angus’s friends and family, of course,” said Caitlin, worry shadowing her face.

Mom and Dad exchanged one of those silent married-people looks. I could practically see the math happening behind their eyes—thousands of dollars for a wedding where they’d know almost no one, plus another reception back home for all our relatives who couldn’t make it to Scotland. Their retirement fund was about to take a serious hit.

Before they could say anything, Caitlin leaned forward. “So we were thinking of trying something a little less traditional…”

Angus continued for her. “Most of the people attending the actual wedding here in Scotland will be on my side. My family’s quite keen to host the celebration here, with your blessing of course.”

Dad quickly began to protest, but Caitlin cut him off. “Dad, you and Mom can host a reception back home instead. We’d rather not burden you with hosting duties at the actual wedding. When we have the Boston celebration, the out-of-town guests can stay with you, we’ll do breakfast that morning, and then have the party at the Iron Brew.”

“Oh. That would be lovely,” Mom said, looking over at Dad and nodding to get his agreement.

Dad gave a tight nod, his shoulders visibly relaxing. “Great idea.”

Dad cleared his throat and straightened his posture slightly. “Well, that seems like a reasonable arrangement,” he said, reaching for his glass of water.

“Okay, so now that that’s out of the way. Angus and Caitlin have already chosen the menu.” I slid the menu across the table to my mother, whose eyes lit up as she scanned the offerings.

“Drew has offered an open bar as his wedding gift,” said Angus.

Caitlin’s jaw dropped. “No!”

“Yes!” Angus grinned back. “And we’ll be sure there are taxis available for guests who need them.”

“What about ribbons, table cloths, flowers, and cake?” asked Mom.

“Lindsay will make the cake. Melissa knows a great florist. We were thinking of thistle bouquets,” I replied.

“You want to carry weeds down the aisle?” asked Dad.

“Thistle is an important Scottish flower,” said Caitlin. “It symbolizes resilience, protection, and pride.”

Angus opened his phone to some photos he’d saved from wedding websites. “Something like this. White flowers, thistle, baby’s breath, and some other purple flowers.”

Mom raised an eyebrow. “Purple? I thought you were a blue girl through and through.”

“We’re going with the Scotland Forever tartan colors,” Caitlin explained.