“Man this is going to taste so good.”
She unwrapped her burger and lifted it up for a bite before noticing the ring.
“What’s this?”
She looked genuinely puzzled until she looked over at me. Then she broke into a huge smile and the joy radiating from her face melted my heart all over again.
I took her hand in mine, “Jessica May Kearney would you do me the honour of becoming my wife.”
“Yes Mack,” and her voice was so soft I barely heard it; her eyes bright with unshed tears.
I reached over and sealed the promise with a kiss.
Epilogue
The last half of the tour was delayed for three months while Jessie recovered her strength and her broken bones mended. In the mean time we had all shifted up to Jessie’s parents’ house in Matapouri, to rest and organise the wedding. The plan was to get married before we toured Australia and then head back to Scotland.
I had resigned from my job and was now the High Land Boys full time manager. My plan was to set up a recording studio at the farm, when we got home, so we could all be based there. It would also mean I could help out on the farm again and I had been surprised at how much I liked the idea. What had pleased me even more though was Jessie and the boy’s response to it.
Lance, Josh and Robbie had also asked Cam and Jess to join their band. They wanted them as more than backup singers and after seeing how they collaborated together, I had thought it was a great idea too. Also, Cam was as much a part of the family as Jess and no one had wanted to break up what we had. They had been over the moon with the news and had said yes straight away.
So after Australia the plan was to go home to Scotland and hopefully by the time we arrived the studio would be finished, along with the new cottage for the boys.
Jessie and I would have one of the existing cottages. It hadn’t been lived in for a while but Alina was organising the renovations so that it would be ready when we arrived. She had been ecstatic as well, at the news of us returning home. As she had said on the phone, it was like a dream come true and to say thanks to Jessie for making it happen.
They weren’t able to leave the farm to come to the wedding as Mum and Dad were too old to travel. As the next best thing, we were going to organise a blessing when we arrived home. Another celebration which my family could enjoy.
Finally the day of the wedding dawned, bright and clear, and Jessie had never looked more beautiful as she walked towards me on her father’s arm. We had written our own vows and they elicited a tear from most, as are love for each must have been as plain as day.
After the ceremony when everyone had a glass of champagne, Jessie’s dad tapped on his glass to get everyone’s attention.
“Firstly a toast to the happy married couple,” and after we had all clinked glasses Jessie’s dad continued, “And now I would like to let Jessie in on a surprise Mack and I have been working on. There is a special spot up on the hill, above our farm, where a certain wee girl would go, to while away time. Well, I have given that piece of land to Mack as a wedding present and he has hired builders to erect a house. So Jessie, you and Mack will always have a place here to call home.”
I heard Jessie’s yelp of excitement as she through her arms around me.
“Thank you Mack, Dad, this is the best surprise in the world. Now I can go between the two places I know I will love best.”
The end
Sing a Song of Love Page 12