Page 128 of A Highland Bride Disciplined

Scarlett’s heart jumped. She looked at Kian in disbelief, who had already straightened, chest swelling with pride.

“Da,” Elise repeated, delighted with herself, and patted her father’s jaw with sticky fingers.

“Of course,” Scarlett muttered, her voice sharp though her lips twitched. “Unfair, that is. Plain unfair. I’ve carried her, fed her, sang her to sleep, and her first word isda?”

Kian grinned, wicked as a fox. “Cannae blame the lass. I’ve made her laugh more. I deserve this. That’s just plain fact.”

Scarlett rolled her eyes, though the warmth in her chest belied the scowl. “I’ll nae hear the end of it now, will I?”

“Never,” he agreed cheerfully.

Scarlett sighed dramatically, shifting Elise in her arms, then looked back at her husband. His smile softened, losing the edge of jest, and she felt her throat tighten once more with something fierce and tender all at once.

Kian leaned in, brushing his lips over hers. It was simple. Steady.

Scarlett kissed him back, letting Elise’s little hand press between their cheeks, the bairn’s giggle tangled in their breath.

The letter from McTavish lay open on the table. The fire crackled low. And for the first time in too many days, Scarlett let herself truly believe their family was whole.