Free Highland Fling by Krystal Brookes Page B

relax. She knew he thought she was asleep when she heard him whisper softly to her.
    “I love you, Fiona Campbell.” He kissed the top of her head. Fiona had to force herself to keep her eyes closed and to continue breathing. Despite the declaration being unexpected, Fiona felt a warmth radiate through her. It came from the knowledge that she loved him too and that he would never hurt her.
    That certainly put a different complexion on things. She couldn’t put off the decision about how she was going to move forward from here. She had a very big choice to make.

Chapter 9

    Brodie had been disappointed that Fiona had refused to stay at the Big House for Sunday dinner. She had promised she would come back after dinner and they could spend the night together again, hopefully uninterrupted. Fiona had reminded Brodie that it was he who had pushed for her to make it up with her dad and encouraged her to spend more time with him.
    Dinner was steak pie, roast potatoes, and vegetables and Fiona, John and Bella sat round the table discussing the wedding.
    “Why do you two not get married?” Fiona asked suddenly. John and Bella looked at each other and then at Fiona.
    “Er, well, we...”
    “You obviously love each other. It seems crazy.”
    “Well, you see, we didn’t want to upset you,” managed her dad.
    “Oh!” Fiona scowled at this news. Then she straightened her shoulders and spoke. “I’m sorry. I’ve been such a brat to both of you for years. You shouldn’t put off your own happiness for me. I love you both and I think you should have the chance to be happy. You only live once. You could get married in weeks. Why don’t you start organising it tomorrow? I’ll come up from Glasgow for it.”
    Her father and prospective stepmother looked at each other and John shrugged. “I’d love to marry you, Bella. Will you marry me?”
    “Of course,” said Bella, wiping a stray tear from her eye.
    “Then my work here is done,” said Fiona, putting down her knife and fork and getting up to leave.
    “Where are you going?”
    “Brodie’s.”
    “Fee, there was something you said a few minutes ago that I think you should take heed of yourself.”
    Fiona stopped and stared at her dad, wondering what he meant.
    “You said you only live once. And that’s true. Brodie might not wait around forever and he obviously cares about you.”
    “I know, Dad. I’m working on it. Before I go, I’ll explain my plan.”
    She sat back down and told Bella and her father what she hoped to do about her future.

    ~* * *~

    The week flew by far too fast for Fiona’s liking. She split her time between Brodie’s apartment in the Big House and the croft. She also helped Bella organise the wedding in six weeks’ time.
    One morning after breakfast, Fiona was alone in the main kitchen of the Big House while Brodie had nipped out to deal with a small delivery emergency. The Laird walked into the kitchen and smiled at her.
    “Fiona, it’s lovely to see you.”
    “It’s nice to see you too.” Fiona responded to his warm smile. It was a mirror image of Brodie’s smile.  Her lover looked like a young version of his dad, though the Laird was slightly shorter and wider than his son.
    “I’m glad I bumped into you. I wanted to ask about something.”

    ~* * *~

    The night before she was due to return to Glasgow, Fiona lay once again in Brodie’s arms. They had made love three times and Fiona was sated but unhappy as she committed to memory the contours of his stomach.
    “Brodie, I think we should at least try a long distance relationship.”
    “And what happens when we want to move things on? When we want to live together or marry?”
    “Some bridges don’t need to be crossed until you get to them.”
    “Hmm, I’m not convinced but I don’t want to give you up. I’ve had a great time this last fortnight.”
    “Then don’t give me up. Give long-distance a try. I’ll be up for my dad’s wedding in six weeks and you could maybe