Page 169 of The Best of Us

Juliette

Carbost, Scotland

This past weekhad been a whirlwind of unforgettable experiences. And now here we were on land that had been in my father’s family for centuries before it’d been lost upon my granddaddy’s death.

Constantine handed me a piece of paper, adding another surprise to the week. With trembling hands, I held up the paper, my suspicion confirmed—it was the deed to the land and the distillery that still bore the Carmichael name.

Constantine spread his arms wide. “Happy birthday.”

“Happy”—I blinked, still processing how he’d managed all this without my knowledge—“birthday?” Aside from when we went to our separate bedrooms at night, he hadn’t been out of my sight since Monday.How, how, how?

“What’s going on?” Colin asked, joining us with Lennon.

Constantine gestured toward the whitewashed houses in the distance, their coastal charm blending seamlessly with the landscape. The Cuillin Hills provided a breathtaking backdrop to the moment, their rugged peaks a testament to the enduring beauty of the Isle of Skye. “This is all yours and your mother’s now.”

I lowered the deed, still in awe. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Oh, I have a few ideas.” He waggled his eyebrows playfully before wrapping his arm around my waist. “When I was talking to your father over the phone on Tuesday, I asked him what happened to your grandfather’s land and the distillery when he passed, and it got me thinking.”

“Youtalked to my father?” Each revelation seemed to outdo the last.

I’d spoken to my parents Monday night at the hospital, filling them in on everything aside from the more frightening details, but when hadhespoken to my dad? While I was asleep? I supposed with the time difference that made sense.The little sneak.

“I did.” He leaned in, planting a quick kiss on my lips. “I have a feeling we’re going to get along well. He’s my kind of guy.”

“You mean stubborn?” I laughed, tears of joy welling up.

“That, and he enjoys spoiling you like I plan to continue doing.”

Colin raised his hand. “Spoiling me, too, right?”

A husky laugh escaped Constantine, and he’d tossed out amaybe, to which Colin responded with a quick fist pump, clearly interpreting that as a yes.

“My stubbornness is a good thing, by the way. I promise.” Constantine drew me closer, nuzzling his nose against mine. Beneath his tough exterior was a heart of gold he reserved for those he loved.

I’m one lucky girl.

On Monday, this man had been at death’s door. Now we were together as a family on land that’d been lost to us a decade ago. What was this life?

“So, tell me more about that chat and why I’m holding the deed?” I held the paper between us, pressing it gently against his chest.

He casually glanced down at it. “As it turns out, the McGregors have wealthy Scottish cousins with a lot of pull, and they negotiated a deal on my behalf.”

“You mean a hostile takeover?” Colin chimed in, laughing.

Constantine tilted his head, acknowledging the accuracy of Colin’s jest.

“I can’t believe this. I mean, in a way, I can because this is you we’re talking about.” I sighed, stepping out of his embrace to take in the expansive landscape.

I’d only ever seen these views in photos my dad had shown me from his childhood here. He’d always promised that maybe one day he’d take me for a visit. Well, maybe one day was now, but it was my son’s father bringing me here, and apparently, with my father’s blessing.

“I was thinking we could build a vacation home here,” Constantine suggested as he scanned the land. “And with your father’s help, restore the distillery to its former glory. We’d need to run things your father’s way, of course. His orders.” He shrugged, a playful glint in his eye. “But why not add Scotch to the Legacy Ridge portfolio?”

As Colin and Lennon wandered off to explore, I leaned closer to Constantine, lowering my voice. “Is this your way of steering our son away from following in your footsteps, hoping he’ll follow in my dad’s instead?”

He raked a hand through his hair, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. “Maybe.”

I chuckled softly. “Well, from where I’m standing, those are hero footsteps. Not the worst path to follow.”

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