Page 20 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
"I will join ye soon," Alexander said as he stood beside the carriage to see his mother and sister off.
He was still acting cool toward Lana, though she couldn't figure out why. She wanted to believe he felt bad about forcing her to marry, but she couldn't help questioning whether he was still angry with her for embarrassing him in front of Daniel.
"I'll miss ye so much!" Olivia whined, squeezing Lana tight to her chest.
"It's only two days." Lana laughed, but saying the words out loud made her stomach drop.
Two days until the wedding. Two days until her life would change forever…
"We should go," Moira urged, pulling Lana out of Olivia's grasp. "There is much to do before the day."
Lana allowed her mother to guide her toward the carriage, feeling numb with nerves. If she thought too much about where they were headed, she might run away to hide in the barn or lose herself in the woods. The barn…
Lana had a sudden thought, and she pulled away from her mother's grip.
"One moment," she said. "I'll be right back."
She turned around and ran before anyone could stop her, ignoring Alexander's shocked cry.
"Ye better nae run away," he called after her. "I'll carry ye there meself if I have to!"
Lana heard Olivia's teasing tone, though she was too far away to make out the words. She was glad her brother had someone to counter his serious demeanor. Olivia was good for him.
And maybe ye'll be good for Daniel.
Lana wasn't sure where this thought came from. It sounded like the words Ciara and Olivia kept saying to her, but for the first time, she wondered if she actually believed them.
Her heart swelled with joy as she heard the mew that told her the kittens were still in the barn. She rushed toward the hay and found them frolicking, her favorite chasing her own tail.
"What do ye think, Mama?" Lana asked, talking to the old tabby who had given birth to the litter. "Will ye let me give one a proper home?"
The mother cat merely blinked at her before dropping her head and closing her eyes.
The kittens were old enough to fend for themselves, and the mother was taking a much-needed rest now that they were grown. Lana's favorite kitten rushed up to her and began pawing at her skirts.
"Would ye like to come with me?" Lana asked.
The kitten jumped, beginning to climb the fabric of her dress.
"I take that as a yes." Lana laughed. She reached down and lifted the kitten to her chest, delighting in the warmth of her fur.
"What are ye doin'? Alexander will kill ye!"
Lana turned to see Olivia in the doorway, her eyes wide. "I'm comin'," she insisted.
She tucked the kitten under her cloak as she followed Olivia back to the carriage. On the way out of the barn, she grabbed a basket, something the kitchen maids used to collect eggs from the hens.
"Stay quiet, little one," Lana whispered as she dropped the cat into the basket and covered it with the cloth.
Luckily, no one was very concerned with what she held in her hands when she returned to the carriage. Instead, she was met by her brother pacing back and forth. She walked over to him with her head bowed, hoping to show him an image of obedience that might curtail any yelling.
"Lana," he said. His tone was gentle, even timid.
She glanced up in surprise and caught Olivia a few paces behind, watching them. "What is it?"
"I want ye to ken…" He swallowed, agonizing over his words. "I do want ye to be happy. I ken this isnae what ye were dreamin' of."
"Nay," Lana said sadly. She swallowed and composed herself. "But I ken ye are tryin' to do what's right for the clan."
