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E mma strolled along slowly, marveling at the order of the garden outside the kitchen.

The rows stretched out neatly, twenty or more plants in full glory in each row.

They were all labeled—garlic, onion, leeks, cabbage, celery, spinach, carrots.

The rows were extensive, and held a surprising amount of variety.

“Reilly sends seeds back here with the various travelers he comes across.”

Emma nearly jumped out of her skin. She spun around. “Lady Brianagh! I thought I was alone.”

Bri’s expression was faraway as she gazed at the bounty.

“It’s quite amazing what grows in the soil here.

I was never much of a gardener growing up, but here, we have to grow or raise everything.

And it’s not just us we have to feed,” she went on, bending down to check one of the plants. “It’s an entire clan.”

“This doesn’t seem like enough to feed a clan,” Emma said dubiously. It was a great garden for a family of four, but a family of five hundred or more? She couldn’t see it.

“We’ve cultivated it so these can be grown in the fields adjacent to the castle.

” She added in a whisper, “Though I chose to live in the Middle Ages, I insert a bit of the twenty-first century whenever I can.” She straightened and brushed her hands on her skirt.

“Of course, only when it won’t impact history.

If it’s not elsewhere in Ireland, we don’t trade it. ”

The sun broke free of the clouds, and a ray of sunshine lit up the garden. Emma raised her face to the sun, enjoying the warmth. After a moment, she whispered, “Was it worth it?”

Brianagh didn’t have to ask what she meant. “Absolutely.”

“Even when it’s cold, and war comes to your front door,” Emma pressed. “And when you can’t take a hot shower, or call your cousin, or even pop down to your local supermarket for some ice cream?”

“Aside from the ice cream, which is cruel to bring up in front of me— my lifelong hiatus from it is detrimental to my overall well-being, I’ll have you know—all the other stuff is just filler.

It replaces meaningful relationships with fluff.

Unnecessary fluff. I’d love to call Colin, or James, or my aunt and uncle, but I can’t.

It’s a fact of life that I’ve come to terms with.

” Brianagh leaned down and pulled a couple of leaves from another plant.

“Hot showers mean nothing to me anymore. I love a long soak in the tub—it’s time for me, when I can relax and fully unwind.

I never took that kind of time for myself when I was working all the time.

Celtic Connections is a great accomplishment, but I know it’s in capable hands.

And I don’t miss the stress that comes with corporate America at all. ”

Brianagh looked at peace. There were no dark circles under her eyes from working late, no hunched back from too many hours at a computer. Her hands bore some calluses, but the ring on her left hand shone brightly in the sun. She was completely at ease with herself and her home.

And her choices.

Emma felt an unwelcome, sudden prick of tears.

She hadn’t felt at ease with herself in years—she had worked herself into the ground, only to come up for air and see that there was nothing to show for it.

Her home was four walls in the middle of a city—generic art hung on the neutral-colored walls, neutral-toned wood floors did nothing to warm her toes, and her kitchen consisted of a two-burner stove with a half-size oven, a small broken microwave, and an apartment-sized refrigerator.

Well, it used to, anyway.

“When was the last time you had a long soak in a tub, with nothing but happy thoughts in your mind?” Brianagh asked softly, slowly twirling a stem of basil between her fingers.

Emma watched it spin and fought the tears.

“Maybe when I was a child. But if it happened, I don’t remember it.

” Emma dashed a tear from her cheek. “Some people in life get everything. Success, money, family, love. Then there are others who work really hard, but the only thing they get is another day of hard work without reward.”

“Hmm,” Bri said, her eyes full of compassion. “How would you define those words? Success, money, family, and love?”

“With pretty standard definitions,” Emma replied with a shrug, striving for nonchalance.

“Humor me, then. Let’s start with success,” Bri said, leading her down the rows toward a bench set in the stone wall.

“For some, it means becoming the president of a company or the laird of a clan. For others, it’s raising happy children or saving an injured animal.

And for others more, it means living one more day. ”

They sat down. Emma refused to look at Bri, afraid her tears would overflow the moment she saw the understanding in the woman’s eyes.

“Money,” Bri continued thoughtfully. “Well, in another lifetime, I would’ve said you need money to be successful. And money is important, no doubt. But how much do you need? A lot? A bit? I’ve come to realize that I only need what it will take for me and my family to stay warm with full bellies.”

Emma let out a sigh.

Bri stretched her arms above her head and smiled into the sunshine. “The last two—family and love…well, those are there for the taking.”

Emma’s head snapped up. “That’s where you’re wrong. Love isn’t something you can find—trust me, I looked. In fact, I thought I had it, and look where that landed me.”

Bri frowned. “Not all men are bad, Emma.”

“But love doesn’t happen to everyone. I don’t think I’m cut out for love.

There’s too much you have to give of yourself to see any reward.

And, as my history clearly demonstrates, giving doesn’t get me anything but pain.

” Her voice caught on a sob. “I don’t think there’s anything left of me to give, anyway. ”

Brianagh put her arm around Emma and gave her a squeeze. “I think you have a lot to give, Em. More than a lot. I’m not the only one who believes that.”

Emma gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Oh, Bri, if you’re referring to Aidan, you’re so wrong.

He’s one of the lucky ones—crazy success, ungodly amounts of money, and the love of an amazing family.

” She shook her head, not bothering to check the tears anymore.

“But he doesn’t need me. He sees me as a challenge.

He’s been trying to get back to this life for years, and my life isn’t here…

I could never make his life any better, and eventually he’d get bored.

Or worse, he’d resent me. I won’t risk it. ”

Bri wrapped her other arm around Emma. “Some risks are worth taking. I say this from experience, Emma.” She pulled back and searched her eyes.

“Love is a risk worth taking. True love is more than the lust, more than the overwhelming feelings of joy. It’s in the mundane.

The way he puts food on your plate before serving himself, when he gives his cloak when you’re without.

The way he puts your life above his own, always.

The number of guards he employs to ensure nothing happens to you when he can’t be there to protect you himself.

The way he holds you, as though you’re both the most delicate and strongest creature in the world. …That’s true love, Emma.”

Emma’s eyes filled again as memories flooded her mind.

Aidan covering her body completely, to protect her body from the shattering glass when they were shot at in New York City.

The way he wrapped her in his cloak as they made their way to the MacWilliam castle, the number of guards dedicated specifically to her safety…

Did Aidan love her? Because, damn the man, she certainly loved him. But that wouldn’t be enough.

She wanted to be loved in return, and Aidan MacWilliam, his pretty words and actions aside, did not love her.

A loud cheer sounded from behind them, and Brianagh stood. “Come on. The tournament’s set to begin soon, and we need to get cleaned up. We need to make sure Brigit looks her best as well. I need Monaghan to choose anyone but you.”

Emma choked on a laugh. “I’d be insulted if I didn’t agree with you.”

“Try to look awful, would you?” Bri teased. “Come on. We’ve not much time to uglify you.”

Emma chuckled, then took a deep breath and let it out shakily. Nodding, she took Brianagh’s arm.

“Oh my God.”

An hour later, Brianagh laughed at Emma’s expression. “It’s amazing, isn’t it?”

Emma stared out over the lists, awed. Clan-colored flags hung from a series of long wooden beams that were placed end-to-end on supports, directly through the middle of the enclosure.

The same flags hung in the wooden stands, where people were quickly filling up the seats in their respective areas.

The largest section was decorated with blue-and-gray flags, and hung from what looked like a president’s box above the tallest stand was a large tapestry emblazoned with a shield.

On it, a hawk proudly flew, its wings spread wide, a shield on its chest…

and that shield displayed the letter M, leaves of ivy snaking their way around each line of the letter, with a sword piercing it all.

Just like the napkin at The Colcannon , Emma remembered. She felt a strange sense of worlds colliding as she studied the tapestry.

“We’re heading up there, to the best seats in the house,” Brianagh said excitedly, dragging her up the steps. “This is my favorite part of these things!”