Calamity Jena (Invertary 4)

“My bad.” Claire winced. “In future I won’t assume.”

“Good,” Jena said. Then pulled Claire in for another hug.

“Any word on the court case?” Grunt asked.

“It’ll be another few months yet,” Matt said grimly.

The men shared a look that made clear exactly how much they wished they’d dealt with the Frank problem themselves rather than handing it over to the courts. The stupid, dangerous man had eventually figured out the loch didn’t lead to Glasgow. He then abandoned the boat as far away from Invertary as he could and tried to walk over a gorse-filled hill. He’d been chased by a herd of Highland cattle. Lake’s men waited until he’d tired of running from the cows, and then they’d transported him to Fort William’s jail. He was being charged with a whole slew of things, including kidnapping, acts of terrorism and attempted murder. Neither Matt nor Grunt had seen him when he’d been caught, and both of them were still holding a grudge over it. Jena was just pleased it was Frank in jail and not her husband for killing her ex-boyfriend. Last she’d heard, Frank had tried to get the New Jersey mob to help him. They’d disowned him. The strip club he’d “managed” had gone bust. And Candy the stripper was working at McDonald’s. Jena grinned at the thought.

“Can I have everyone’s attention?” Dougal boomed over the noise. The crowd went quiet. “We’re here to christen Matt and Jena’s new home.”

Jena blushed, and Matt threw an arm around her shoulder. “Not the way you mean,” he whispered in her ear.

“As you all know,” Dougal carried on, “we weren’t invited to the shotgun wedding they had in the hospital.” There were good-natured boos. “So we thought we’d turn this into the wedding reception you never had. Even if it is at an ungodly hour of the morning.” The crowd parted to reveal a long table covered in food and drink. There was a banner above it saying “Welcome home, Jena and Matt”.

Jena felt her throat tighten as tears threatened.

“Please join me in raising your glasses to the happy couple.” Glasses, mugs and cups were held high. “Here’s to Matt and Jena. May you have a long and happy life together. And here’s to your new home in Invertary—may it never blow up.” There was laughter.

“To Matt and Jena,” peopled shouted.

“Welcome home, princess,” Matt said as Jena grinned so wide her face began to hurt.

As she looked around her friends and family, she realised she’d found in Scotland the thing she’d longed for most.

She’d found her family.

She was home at last.