What Happens in the Highlands

By Kelsey McKnight

Match made in heaven or maid of dishonor?

Tight-laced Rose Hensel arrives in Scotland for her best friend’s wedding with a plan—to be the greatest maid of honor ever, let loose for the first time in years, and find out what Scottish guys really wear under their kilts. After meeting the best man, she thinks she found the man who checks all the boxes for a no-strings-attached romp among the heather.

Lachlan Calder-Mackinnon knows how to show a girl a good time. Gourmet dinners in castle ruins, picnics among rolling hills, and a seaside escape create some unforgettable dates. But as the fling begins to morph into something more, an unexpected wedding guest threatens to ruin Rose and Lachlan’s new romance.

With a plane ticket in one hand and her broken heart in the other, Rose prepares to head home to reality. However, she’s about to learn that what happens in the Highlands doesn’t always stay there.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tule Publishing
• Release date: Apr 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781949707861

Book preview

What Happens in the Highlands

Kelsey McKnight

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What Happens in the Highlands

Copyright © 2019 Kelsey McKnight

The Tule Publishing, Inc.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

First Publication by Tule Publishing 2019

Cover design by Deranged Doctor Design

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

ISBN: 978-1-949707-86-1

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Table of Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

The What Happens series

Excerpt from What Happens in the Ruins

More reads by Kelsey McKnight and Sarah Fischer

About the Author

Chapter One

"Rose Hensel, please come to the baggage area. Rose Hensel to the baggage area," a woman’s voice said in a professionally clipped accent over the loudspeaker.

Looking around at the myriad of signs that hung over other people’s heads, I shouldered my heavy carry-on, feeling the straps dig in, and began pushing through the crowd. I had been wandering the terminal for some time, searching for somewhere to get a decent cup of coffee. But my search was in vain. While a seven-hour flight wasn’t terrible to some people, I needed caffeine to survive and airplanes have the weakest brew of them all.

But now that someone was apparently searching for me, I had the renewed strength to continue on with my hike around the busy halls with a more concrete destination. Knowing my luck, I was being called because my bag had never arrived or had been searched by security and all my stuff was strewn all over the cargo hold of the plane and they needed me to identify my hairdryer on the tarmac.

The baggage claim was just as crowded as the rest of the airport with former passengers milling around, dragging luggage and small, cranky children behind them. I peered over the top of the carousels, trying to figure out exactly why I had been summoned and what I was supposed to do now that I was there. It hadn’t been that long since I deplaned and it seemed like overkill for someone to page me over the intercom because I waited twenty minutes to pick up my single, large suitcase.

Rosie! a voice called out, reaching me at once.

I scanned the faces for the familiar one I knew was calling for me. It took less than a minute to find her bright orange curls bouncing around her face. She held a sign that said Rosie Posey in large glitter letters above her head and she jumped in excitement. While Scotland was the stereotypical land of the redheads, Katie Kazakov hardly blended in.

Katie Cat! I yelled in response, dropping my bag to the floor and throwing my arms around her neck as soon as I reached her.

She pulled back, looking me over. I can’t believe you’re finally here!

And I can’t believe you’re getting married! Let me see the rock.

Katie held out her hand, showing me a sizable solitaire. Sean says the diamond’s from his great-grandmother’s ring. Isn’t that romantic?

Totally. But I got paged by... someone and—

Oh, that was me. When I didn’t see you with the rest of the people around the New York City carousel, I kinda freaked a little. But I did get your suitcase already.

I looked around her. She didn’t have any bags other than her own purse. Where is it?

Oh, the driver put it in the car already. She waved a hand then hooked her arm through mine, pulling me towards the door. I hardly had time to grab my carry-on as we passed it.

You have a driver?

Yeah. I’m getting the hang of driving on the other side of the road, but the traffic in Inverness is a little more than I’m used to in Nairn, so Sean had Mattie drive.

Who’s Mattie?

One of the garden guys or something. She looked around at the line of cars then pointed to a sleek black one parked by the sidewalk. Here he is!

Mattie was an older, stooped gentleman in khakis and a faded blue button-down. He had a pleasant, weathered face and smiled as they approached. Miss Kazakov, Miss Hensel.

Thank you for getting my bag, I said as he opened the back door for us. Really, I could have gotten it.

Do no’ think of it, miss.

I shivered a bit when I was engulfed in the warm interior of the car and pulled out the sweater I kept in my carry-on bag, putting it on. Katie, I thought it was supposed to be summer?

"It is summer."

Then why is it so cold?

Because it’s Scotland, she said as if it were the perfect explanation.

I glanced at her thin, long-sleeve shirt and jeans. Not exactly like the June wardrobe we’d wear back in New Jersey. In my yoga pants and T-shirt, I felt particularly undressed for the weather. I knew it wasn’t going to be the balmy temperature I was used to, but it was still a bit of a surprise.

What does Sean do that he has a gardener and driver? I asked in a hushed tone.

Oh, Mattie’s the family caretaker. He’s in charge of making sure I stay out of trouble. Right, Mattie?

Aye, been workin’ for the Calders goin’ on forty years, I expect, he answered from the front seat as he pulled out into the line of traffic. But Miss Kathryn really keeps me on my toes.

I was startled for a moment. For my entire life, she had been nothing but Katie to me. The only time I ever heard her referred to as Kathryn was on the first day of school when teachers would take roll. Only when we were too loud in the middle of the night during sleepovers or made a mess in the yard when we attempted to tie-dye our Backstreet Boys shirts did her parents ever call her Kathryn.

Mattie’s the best, Katie gushed. He’s really been a lifesaver when it came to me learning how to drive here. Sean was going to teach me, but he kept making me so nervous.

Is it really hard to get used to being on the other side? I asked.

Ugh, I’ll give you the full play-by-play on the horrors of left-side driving later. Katie smiled, her excitement bubbling over again. "I can’t believe you’re here. I’m so, so, so happy to see you."

Same. I only wish Savannah could be here.

Me, too. But I can’t really blame her. She’s a midwife, so it’s not like she could just abandon her patients.

I know. It just would have been really nice to see her, but I knew when I decided to get married so fast that some people couldn’t come. I told her I’d send lots of pictures though when you got here, which reminds me... she pulled out her cellphone and snapped a selfie of us together and sent it to our absent sorority sister and college best friend.

"It’s been really quiet without you around. I’ve had to hang out with other people on the weekends since Savannah’s always out delivering babies and putting on classes."

You poor thing.

But you’re going to be a wife, I mused, looking out the windows at the passing city of Inverness.

It looked almost the same as any other in America, at least when it came to the tourists and people that milled around the busy streets. But the old stone buildings and steeple-topped churches told a different story. I could also see the tops of sailboats as we drove and wondered if fishing had been the thing to make the ancient village grow into a thriving city.

"I feel like it was just yesterday that we were going to kindergarten together, dorming together in college, and pledging a sorority... now you’re getting married."

I know, isn’t it crazy? But you’re going to love Sean. He’s super sweet and so considerate and... you’re just going to love him, Rose.

If you love him, I’ll love him. I just wish I could have made it over here before you got engaged and everything.

She shrugged and dragged her fingers through her curls. It’s not like I gave people much time. When I came here for work, I was only supposed to oversee the opening of a few stores, not meet a man and marry him in the span of three months.

"If he could woo you in less time than it takes for me to get a reservation at George’s back home, I’m sure he’s a catch."

Trust me, he is. Something about the accent is just so swoon-worthy, right Mattie?

Mattie glanced at her in the rearview mirror. Oh, aye. Nothin’ like a good touch o’ Scots charm to turn the lass’s heads.

I do love a good accent, I sighed with my hands clasped, summoning my inner southern belle. And I think the Scottish variety might be my favorite.

Then you’re in luck. I have plenty of single men on the guest list. Maybe you’ll fall in love too and never leave.

You’re ridiculous.

Come on, how great would that be? You’d marry one of Sean’s friends or cousins and we’d all live happily ever after and be neighbors and raise our kids together and—

The only kind of romance I’m looking for is the kind that ends in the morning, I murmured, careful to not be overheard by Mattie. I need to find out what a Scotsman wears under his kilt.

Well, I can tell you that!

Hey, Sean’s family now. That doesn’t count. I peered back out the car window, looking to change the subject. How long until we’re at the hotel?

Only a half hour, thankfully. Was your flight okay?

Pretty nice, actually. I splurged on the first-class tickets.

Cash in on all those airline miles?

"Yeah. I haven’t taken a vacation in six years since college. I needed to do something with them."

Six years since college. We’re so old.

No, not that old... well, maybe you are, since you’re about to get married.

She reached out, punching me jokingly on the arm, grimacing dramatically. Hey, I am a glowing goddess of matrimonial bliss and you shall bow down at my altar.

We locked eyes for several moments, the only sound in the car was the faint rumble of street life outside. And then we burst into laughter, the kind that hurt our sides and made us tear up.

God, I was going to miss her.

The little city of Nairn was just as adorable as I hoped. The stone-fronted houses gave it old-world charm that seemed to only be thriving still in the Scottish Highlands. The greys and greens that made up most of the area were inviting in a historic sense and I found myself only too excited to explore as soon as I found some spare time.

And this is where my side of the wedding party will be staying, she said as Mattie stopped the car in front of a series of white buildings. The words The Wild Thistle Hotel were emblazoned over the double, purple doors. It looked like it was an old place, but as I entered the lobby, Katie behind me with my suitcase, I found it was surprisingly modern. There were scrubbed, hardwood floors, contemporary light fixtures, and the walls were painted a light lavender.

Good afternoon, Miss Kazakov, a woman in a sharp suit greeted from behind the small check-in counter. Is this one of your wedding guests?

Katie nodded. Sure is. I already checked her in, so I have her keys with me.

We hope you enjoy your stay, the woman said to me before returning to her computer.

I followed Katie into the elevator and she pressed the number two on the keypad. I leaned against the wall, yawning loudly and stretching my neck from side to side. Ugh, I’m so tired. International jet lag is crazy.

"Well... I don’t want to rush you since you just got off the plane, but Sean’s mom—or mum as they call her, isn’t that the cutest—wants everyone to meet up for dinner downstairs at eight for the welcome party. She’s about as friendly as that math teacher we had in eighth grade, so maybe try to steer clear of her."

I groaned inwardly, noting I only had five hours to rest and acclimate to the time difference. But it was my job as Katie’s best friend to put some concealer on the bags beneath my eyes and slap a smile on my face for the good of the wedding. I just hoped I could squeeze in a little nap before getting all gussied up.

Katie seemed to notice my unintentional frown as we stepped onto my floor and said, I know you’re probably really tired. If you want to not come down I seriously won’t be mad.

I’m not going to ditch my first chance to meet your future husband.

Okay, so here’s your key. I left one with the front desk in case you lose yours.

She pressed an actual key into my hand as she dropped my heavy bag to the floor with a thud. I looked down at the key. I couldn’t remember the last time I went to a hotel and used an actual, metal key.

Oh, I almost forgot, it’s really just a cocktail thing, not like a sit-down dinner. You brought a couple of dresses right?

They might be a little wrinkled, but I’ll have time to iron them.

Thanks, love you! I’ll see you tonight. She grinned and hopped back to the elevator, disappearing inside.

I let out a deep breath and opened the door to my room. It was quaint and clean with dark blue drapes and carpet that was offset by a wood four-poster bed with white, inviting bedding. As I dropped my suitcase heavily next to a small dressing table, I opened one of the windows that framed it and peered outside, letting a rush of cool, Scottish air stream in.

The sky was a bright and clear blue, making the whitewash of the buildings opposite seem to glow. The deep blue waters of the North Sea were beyond the roofs of several buildings. Below, there were cars and people milling the streets, but the old-world feel still sent a chill down my spine. I had never been out of the United States and Scotland seemed like an awesome place to start.

For the next ten days, I would be living it up with my best friend, drinking whisky with the locals, soaking in the history I craved, and attending what was promised to be a fairy-tale wedding. But first, I needed a fucking nap.

I hurried down to the cocktail party only a few minutes late. I didn’t think to set an alarm and slept a bit longer than I anticipated. By the time I naturally woke up, it was after seven, giving me less than an hour to make it look like I wasn’t completely jet-lagged.

I managed a quick shower, leaving my hair piled on top of my head to keep it dry. Then I crossed to the wardrobe where my dress for the evening hung. It was one of my favorites, a deep purple, off-the-shoulder number that nipped in at the waist and had a high-low bottom. Seeing it was still a little wrinkled from traveling, I hung it up in the small bathroom and turned the shower on hot, hoping the steam would flatten out the fabric.

Small lamps on either side of the mirror lit the dressing table and I sat on the stuffed stool to do my makeup. I paired a smoky eye with my favorite deep red lip. My mom always said the burgundy shade made me look like a vampire due to my dark hair and pale skin, but she also still thought permed hair and frosted lipstick was the height of fashion, so I took her tips with a grain of salt.

By eight o’clock, I had rolled my sleep-mussed hair into voluminous curls and my dress was wrinkle-free. And by ten after eight, I had buckled the ankle straps on my open-toed pumps and shoved my room key, driver’s license, passport, phone, and pounds into my matching black clutch. Only slightly late, but I assumed I wouldn’t have been the only person to come in a few minutes after the official beginning.

I heard the party before I saw it. The sound of a gentle piano wafted through the lobby and down the hall and I followed it. The music led me to a nice-sized room where a dozen rectangle tables dotted the floor, draped in pristine white cloths. The low lighting and stone walls made it feel cozy and the small candles scattered about only added to the appeal.

I scanned the room for Katie. There were several faces I recognized—her parents, an aunt, some cousins, an uncle, and a grandfather—but most were strangers. I assumed that they were part of the groom’s side, since by Katie’s explanation the wedding as a whole would be an intimate affair, attended by only the nearest and dearest. And the fact that the majority of the strange men were wearing the kilt.

Rose, you made it! Katie’s mom Gloria engulfed me into a tight hug while her father, Steve, kissed me on the cheek. They had often acted in place of my parents while my own were too busy with their own shit to properly look after me. We’re all so happy you could come.

Like I would miss it.

How was your flight?

It was good. Is Katie here yet? I wanted to meet Sean.

She looked around, her lips pursed. No, not yet. I think she said she wanted to make an entrance.

Of course she did.

Katie was always one for drama. In our middle school’s production of Romeo and Juliet, she had gotten the coveted role of Juliet. In the first performance, unbeknownst to our drama director, Katie had gone to the party store and gotten one of those knives filled with fake blood. So, on the night of the show instead of the clean, final stab that killed our fair maiden, Katie shrieked as she drove the dagger into her stomach again and again, staggering about the stage, dripping fake blood all over the front row of the audience. Needless to say, the drama director wasn’t pleased, but since I was only ‘woman number four’ in the cast, it brightened my experience considerably.

A waitress came past me, carrying a tray filled with champagne flutes. I plucked one as she neared and sipped, the bubbles tickling my nose. Then I found a table to sit at where one of Katie’s young cousins sat, playing with an iPad. My seat allowed me to survey the crowd as I waited for Katie and Sean’s arrival.

Throughout college and the beginning years of my career to date, I had been the picture of dull respectability. I went to sleep early, stuck to a strict study schedule, and graduated with honors before stepping into an internship that later turned into a job. I had been in a sorority, but even those long nights out were kept strictly to Fridays and Saturdays. I had been the designated driver more than once and I never disappeared into the bedroom of a frat brother for a little fun.

My dating life post degree was no different. I’d meet a nice guy, we’d go to dinner and out for coffee, discussing monogamy before having missionary sex with the lights off. I didn’t want to go into my thirties with nothing fun to remember. A no-strings-attached dalliance with a hot Scot seemed to be in order.

Loud applause jarred me from

Reviews for What Happens in the Highlands

[ayoshina-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Falling in love less than a week… yes a week! Not even a full seven days before Rose and Lachlan fell madly in love with each other which prompted the low rating. Seriously why must I be torture by this instant love?! There was barely anything real connection with lead characters and their encounters happened on day six during Rose ten day wedding excursion. The couple was boring and there wasn't any built-up. Moreso, I'm not sure if it was just me or not but I found her best friend Kate utterly annoying. She's so amped for the couple to fall in love, get married and settle down in Scotland with her. Like hold your breaks girl, they don't even know each other's last name and should I mention Rose is only there a little more than a week and you already have their nuptials planned. This series wasn't for me and I had to dropped this like it's hot by chapter 9 at 60%.

[samantha100_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What Happens in the Highlands is a lovely romantic story. It's witty, honest and entertaining. Well written and populated with likeable and realistic characters, this book is fun to read. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through LibraryThing. The opinions expressed in this review are my own

[julesgdside · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Contemporary Highland romance starring a Maid of Honour from New Jersey and a tattooed, bekilted Highlander, a castle, Scottish weather, and lots of other clichés.
The romance was sweet, but the clichés were what "soured" the story for me.

[katkealy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this light romance and it DEFINITELY made me want to visit Scotland more than ever. My best friend and I were planning a trip ages ago, but we never got there. Maybe one of these days we'll do a small group trip, since I can't imagine leaving my boyfriend at home for that trip.

Don't expect any major twists or anything shocking, but if you want a fun light read that won't take long and is a decent romance, this is a good choice. Definitely a good beach or vacation read - especially if you're traveling to Scotland. ;-)

[mjla-2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The thing that I loved the most about What Happens In The Highlands is the descriptions of Scotland. It's almost as if I can see what the characters are seeing. If castles existed the history behind them would be fascinating. It makes me want to live in a castle too!
I'd love to be Rose so I can find my very own Lachland. I've always had a weakness for accents
I didn't give this a five because it felt like it started in the middle of a series. I want to know the story of Katie and Sean and their road to an HEA. Since this book starts around their wedding I feel like we are missing a big chunk of the story. And I would've loved to have it as a duel POV because I want to know the thoughts going through Lachlan's mind not just Rose's
All in all I would definitely recommend this book to any romance lovers. I look forward to seeing more books by this author

[jadavid-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this story. Rose goes to Scotland for her best friend's wedding. She is the maid of honor and is hoping to have a really good time while she is there. Her life in the States is very boring and she is hoping to have a bit of a fling while in Scotland. Her friend is hoping that Rose will fall helplessly in love and move to Scotland to be near her. Rose isn't that spontaneous. She has to think everything through before she makes that kind of decision. Until Lachlan. Lachlan is the best man and they have to spend a lot of time together. He is the perfect candidate for a fling. What if it isn't just a fling? She can't stay in Scotland, can she? Her whole live is in the States and Lachlan's is in Scotland. Everyone knows that long distance relationships don't work. What will they do?