Page 113 of A First Sight

All of them.

Alec and Lumen let Soleil and Evanne take a long weekend from school. Cory and Fury promised not to step foot in the New York branch of their business until next week.

Sean rescheduled one of his seminars, and Xander flew in from England. Rome handed off a big showing to another real estate agent, and Paris came back early from a dig somewhere in South America.

Aspen closed her business for a few days to fly out early. Rose hired a couple of extra hands for her ranch so she wouldn’t have to rush back to Colorado. Even the worst workaholics, Austin and Blaze, took the entire weekend off.

Drake’s out-of-country family planned to throw us a party when we arrived in Scotland, so he didn’t have many guests here, just Uncle Ben, Stellan, and Drake’s assistant, Mel.

As for my personal drama it all seemed so long ago. Dale was denied bail this time, sitting in jail while waiting for trial. The prosecutor had refused any talk of a plea deal and said it’s a clear cut case. Dale was looking at a minimum of ten years for assault with a deadly weapon and fraud.

With regards to Dale’s parents, both Mr. and Mrs. Leighton were facing charges for assisting a fugitive, and obstruction of justice. Mrs. Leighton would likely get a plea deal giving her probation with community service, but Mr. Leighton wouldn’t get off so easily. After the arrest, the police were able to connect him to a recent corruption case with local bureaucrats, where Mr. Leighton was paying them to help his import business get past certain roadblocks.

Dale, during interrogation, quickly gave up his gaming friend, the police officer who had told him about Drake’s cabin and its whereabouts. It was also the same friend who had told Dale about Drake's past marriage and its tragedy, leading to the threatening letter. Dale’s friend was fired from the police force and was facing charges of leaking confidential information to a suspect.

Looking back, I believe Dale loved me once, but he would rather destroy me than give me my freedom. He was terrified of rejection, and bullied his way into dominating everyone. Just like his father.

“You’re lovely,” Da said as he came into the room. “A right bonny lass.”

“Thank you.” I went up on my toes to kiss his cheek as well.

“I have something for you.” He pulled a small box from his pocket and held it out.

I opened it to find a simple but beautiful necklace. Silver, with a sapphire the size of a nickel. This was the most exquisite thing I’d ever seen. The metalwork was phenomenal, with tiny etchings of sunflowers around the setting.

“When your mother and I married, before the ceremony, her mother gave this to her. It’s from the Fergusons, your mother’s maternal great-grandmother’s clan. They have handed it down through generations for centuries, and when we found out you were a girl, the first thing she said was how she couldn’t wait to pass it down to you, too.” His eyes glistened with unshed tears. “She’d be so proud of you, lass. So, so proud.”

Tears spilled down my cheeks as I turned to let him put it on me. When I lost my mother’s violin, I thought I’d never have anything of hers again, nothing that could have connected me to her in the same way. Then, Drake got my violin back and had it beautifully restored in Italy. Now, I have this. Not only a connection to her, but to generations of ancestors.

I put my hand over the cool stone and closed my eyes for a moment. I felt my mother’s presence. A quiet breath of peace and love reminded me she watched over me. That she was here with me today, and she loved me.

“Thank you,” I whispered as I turned back around.

Da finished wiping his eyes and handed me a tissue. Thankful that I listened to Carson about what make-up to wear, I dried my eyes and cheeks. Then, with a smile, Da offered me his arm. I took it, ready to start the chapter of what would be a wonderful, beautiful life with Drake, my Scottish hero, the man I loved with all of my heart.

EIGHTY-THREE

DRAKE

My chest tightened,making it hard to breathe, and my heart pounded. I tossed the bag in the backseat and shut the door.

My hands shook. I tried to relax before I slid into the driver’s seat. It didn’t work. I couldn’t get the key into the ignition.

“Drake, love.” Maggie’s hand covered mine, her voice calm. “It’s alright. It’s going to be alright. Breathe.”

I looked at her, seeing nothing but love on her face, and guilt hit me hard. “Shouldn’t I be the one telling you to breathe?”

“Not yet.” She smiled and ran her hand over her swollen belly. “We have time.”

She was right. On our honeymoon flight to Scotland, we talked about starting a family. I thought she’d want to wait awhile, but as with our wedding, she surprised me. During that conversation, I had…well, a panic attack. And it wasn’t the last one. More than once during this pregnancy, I found myself breathing heavily, pulse racing, feeling like I was drowning or having a heart attack.

Because it all led up to this moment.

When Maggie came to me and said it was time to go to the hospital.

The babies were coming.

The thought of being a father to twins didn’t scare me, but this moment…made me terrified.

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