Heart Tamer Read Free Page A

penny-pinching tightwad and Kate had wanted to give her brothers the things other little boys had at their age. It wasn’t their fault their parents had abandoned them. She’d been determined to give Ryan and Reed as normal a childhood as possible to make up for it. She’d worked after school and many evenings doing sewing alterations to pay for the extras Aunt Loretta deemed a frivolous waste.
    “Did you design the gown you’re wearing? I love that vibrant shade of green. What is your label name?” Maisie asked.
    “Kate Couture.” After Aunt Loretta died, Kate and her brothers inherited a hefty amount. Kate had been astounded by how much money her aunt had had in her savings, especially since she’d lived so frugally. Her inheritance had funded a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan and Kate’s investment in a partnership with Evangeline, her best friend from design school. They were part owners of the exclusive bridal boutique, Kate and Evie, in the Upper East Side.
    “Are you friends of the bride or groom?” Kate said, turning the subject away from her.
    “The groom,” Maisie and Don replied in unison. “We’ve known Callum since he was a wee bairn.”
    From the corner of her eye, Kate watched Alec draw a sexy brunette onto the dance floor. She forced herself not to stare at them and concentrated on listening to Maisie as she told her what a great kid Callum had been growing up. Kate smiled politely and hoped she didn’t look as pitiful as she felt, ignored and rejected by Alec.
    She barely noticed when a server removed the appetizer and placed a plate of roast lamb chops, herbed red potatoes with fennel, green peas and baby carrots before her. Alec was dancing with another girl now. Well, at least it was a different girl. Eileen had assured her he didn’t have a girlfriend. Not that it made a difference to her, but it would complicate her plan.
    She had spent a fun Christmas week with her younger brothers, Reed and Ryan, skiing in Vermont before leaving for the wedding. With the peace of mind that they were both doing well in grad school, Kate could get started on her new life goal as soon as possible. All Christmas long, she’d prayed for only one thing for the New Year and if all went well, her fondest wish would come true in Scotland.
    Kate watched Eileen and Callum cut the three-tiered butter cream frosted cake and feed each other to the many toasts and blessings the wedding party bestowed on them. 
    “Just a few hours till midnight now. Have you ever spent Hogmanay in Edinburgh?” Don asked.
    “No, but I hear it’s quite a celebration.” Kate sank her fork into the wedding cake and nearly swooned when she tasted it. Her ardent sweet tooth welcomed the luscious raspberry mousse and plump, fresh raspberries nestled between the layers of fluffy vanilla cake. The best part of the wonderful meal was the cake. It kept her from dousing her growing ire over Alec’s rude dismissal with wine and champagne.
    “Aye, a celebration that lasts into the wee hours of the morning.” Maisie’s eyes flashed with excitement. “In Edinburgh, there are fireworks and much partying around the castle. Every region has different customs, but we always gather together to sing Auld Lang Syne with our arms linked together as the clock strikes midnight.”
    “Sounds wonderful,” Kate said absently, wishing she could summon Maisie’s enthusiasm. The longer the evening progressed without Alec’s presence, the more pessimistic she felt.
    A cool hand touched Kate’s shoulder making her turn so quickly, she dropped her fork.
    “Sorry I startled you, Kate,” Eileen said, laughing softly. “Callum and I wanted to thank you for coming all the way from America to celebrate with us.”
    “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Kate rose from the table and hugged Eileen tightly. She released her and hugged Callum next, pulling back to smile into his twinkling brown eyes.  It was her first time meeting