Page 79 of Bride Takes a Charmer

“That is all I want too, for you to be happy. I have loved you for so long that I cannot recall a time when I did not.”

He grinned. “I love ye with all my heart.”

“I am ready, Shaw…”

He took hold of her hand and couldn’t cease his grin. With the pad of his thumb, he stroked it over the top of her hand and was content to linger there for the rest of the night. “Ready for what?”

“I am ready to have more children.”

He chuckled but then sobered. “Aye, I would like nothing better than to hold my bairn, a wee one that ye shall give me. But och, ye need to heal first, love, and then we can get started on it. Honestly, I cannot wait to be with ye again.”

She shoved his arm in jest. “I do not mean right now but aye, when I am healed. We shall have a bairn… I cannot wait either and hope to give Niahm’s son a lifelong comrade.”

“Our children will be blessed with their friends and family. We shall see to it.” Shaw lay his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes. Contentment came to him with the dreams of their future, a new beginning filled with happiness, friends, family, love, and solace.

Epilogue

Castle Moy, Eilean Nan Clach

Inverness, Highlands Scotland

Autumn 1261

Shaw stood besidethe entrance to the main hall and watched his wife settle into a chair by the hearth. Around her, the children listened intently as she told them a story about a mountain and a squirrel. He smiled to himself because he’d heard her tell the tale countless times. Still, the children listened as if they heard it for the first time.

He had just returned from going over the soldiers’ training regimen and ensuring duties were tended to by the watch. Seeing Sorsha surrounded by their kin, reminded him of his grandmother. How Mamo would have loved to be there, to hold Gillian and Luthor. Likewise, his father’s namesake, Samuel, who waddled around with his unsure steps. The wee lad was remarkable in his appearance with his light hair and Walen’s face.

When Luthor spotted him, he sprinted from beside his mother and hurried toward him. “Papa, can I go and train with the lads this day? Ye promised…”

His pleading look wore Shaw down and he nodded. “Aye, go and find Trey. He will put ye in with a group of fledglings. Listen well and learn. For God’s sake, do not get yourself injured. Your mama will never forgive me.”

Luthor’s grin widened on his face. “I will not get hurt, Papa.” Then he ran through the hall’s entrance to the outside before Shaw could change his mind.

“There you are,” Sorsha said and rose from her seat.

Gillian took hold of Samuel’s wee hand and guided him back to Niahm who sat at the trestle table speaking with Edra and Aela. Sorsha’s gaze lingered on Samuel for a moment before it shifted to him. Shaw grinned, for he knew well what she was thinking…that perhaps by early next summer, they might have a wee son of their own. That night, he planned to give the news of their expected bairn to the clan.

Gillian crossed the hall to get to Kathleen, a lass who Sorsha employed as a nurse for their daughter. She picked up a stuffed doll that Enid had made for her and sat next to the chair Sorsha vacated. She and Kathleen whispered and giggled together. It brought him such happiness to see the lass playing and being carefree. She had changed much since she arrived at the Mackintosh fief.

Clovis entered with Enid holding onto his arm. His gate watchman had recently married the lass and they were still in wedded bliss. Shaw chuckled to himself because he too, even after all this time, was still in wedded bliss himself. He was thoroughly contented with being married to Sorsha.

“Laird,” Clovis said as he approached. “The king’s man, his chamberlain, Edmund, is at the gate and wishes to be bid entry. Should we allow him inside the gate?”

“Edmund is here?” Shaw felt the pull of his brows as he wondered why Alexander’s man traveled from Edinburgh to see him. “Of course, allow him entry.”

Clovis left Enid with her mother and rushed out of the keep.

Shaw approached Edra and stopped next to the table. “Mistress, will ye have Cook prepare a good meal for we have guests? I should like to have a wee celebration this night.”

“Of course, Laird. I shall see to it at once.” Edra and Enid left the hall.

Aela sat with Kathleen and Gillian by the hearth.

Sorsha walked toward him with a slight hitch to her gait. Sometimes, when she walked on her leg a little too much, she limped.

“Sit ye down, wife, because I can tell ye are hurting.”

She walked in a slow gait until she reached him. “Just a little.”