Page 31 of Halloween Knight (A Knights Through Time Romance #17)

A few years later…

If someone would have asked Lucy how she pictured her future, living with a medieval knight in a castle certainly wouldn’t have been on the list, yet here she was, happy and content after finally letting go of her past and embracing all that she had found here in medieval England.

Seven months ago, she’d given birth to another son, a healthy boy they’d named Robert Graham Brandon, filling Blackford Castle with life and joy. The Graham was for Callan, the brother William had only known for a short time. William was already talking about swords and horses for their son.

After the villagers heard what had happened when Agnes tried to murder Jason, they finally believed William. Now the villagers came to Blackford to celebrate the holidays, no longer whispering about Lucy being a witch or William a murderer.

When Lucy told her husband she’d like another child, she thought four was a good number, he’d laughed and said mayhap next time they’d have a girl, with silver eyes like hers.

The warmth of the summer sun had Lucy tilting her head back as she walked the battlements, Robert napping in her arms.

Peter was already two and a half, and Jason was almost five. They certainly kept things interesting. The boys were in the courtyard, playing with several kids from the castle, as they vanquished dragons and evil foes.

The tread of footsteps had her turning to see William, a bit of gold glinting in his hair from being out in the sun all summer, striding across the walkway to greet her.

“Hello, husband.” She kissed him on the cheek.

“Thought I’d find you up here.” He touched a finger to Robert’s cheek. “He’s still sleeping?”

“Thank goodness.” Lucy was glad she’d decided on a tunic and hose today.

After Robert woke from his nap, she planned to work in the garden this afternoon.

They’d been eating lots of salads this summer though not without a ton of grumbling from everyone, but when Lucy told them if they wanted tasty treats for dessert, they’d eat the ‘wee green things’ as the men called them, they shut up and shoveled the salads in as fast as they could.

As they stood next to each other looking out over the lands, Lucy decided that since the villagers enjoyed the new traditions like hunting for small treats, and telling ghost stories around the fire at night over Halloween that she wanted to celebrate another favorite holiday.

“William?”

“Aye, love?”

The man stood there, feet wide apart, dressed in a blue tunic and hose, making her heart flip. Lucy thanked her lucky stars every night for such a wonderful man and her beautiful boys.

“I want to celebrate Thanksgiving this year.”

William groaned. “A Thanksgiving feast? You told me that is a tradition from your America. It has nothing to do with England, or Scotland for that matter.”

“I know, but really, it’s just a time to gather with loved ones, share a bountiful meal, and express gratitude for all the blessings we have.” She made that Scottish sound in the back of her throat. It had taken her a year of practice to get it right, much to William’s amusement.

Her husband let one shoulder drop. “Sounds like every meal.” Then he grinned at her. “As you wish. Might there be a new dessert?”

It was her turn to shrug. “We will see.”

Through William and the merchants Lucy met over the years, she’d put out a request for coffee, tea, and citrus, along with squash and tomatoes, figuring they could build a greenhouse and then she could make pizza and other dishes she loved, like pumpkin pie.

As she held Robert in her arms, his tiny fingers wrapped around her own, a deep sense of contentment washed over her.

Lucy couldn’t help but wonder. “What do you think happened to Callan? Do you think he found happiness wherever he landed in time?”

William gazed out at the sea, his expression thoughtful. “I’d like to think he did. Wherever he is, I hope he’s found a life filled with family and peace.”

Lucy nodded, her heart heavy with a mixture of longing and hope. “Yes, I hope so too.”

Later that day, William found her in the garden.

“More green things? ”

“You’ll like this salad. I’m putting meat on top with a creamy pepper dressing. I thought you were taking the boys fishing?”

William drew her into his arms.

“We caught four fish. The boys are helping Cook prepare them for supper tonight.”

He pulled her down onto his lap as they sat on a bench set into the garden wall.

“I confess, I merely wanted a moment alone with my lady.”

He pulled her close and brought his lips to hers. Lucy sank into the kiss, the rest of the world fading away.

William lifted her up, the basket of greens forgotten as he carried her out of the gardens, across the courtyard, through the great hall, and up the stairs to their chamber, where he kicked the door closed behind them, and tossed her on the bed, looking down at her with such love and longing it made her heart constrict.

“I thought I’d lost you the night Callan vanished,” he rasped.

Lucy pulled him down next to her, curling into him, listening to the strong, steady beat of his heart. “Never.”

With a smile, she kissed her husband, letting him know without words how much she loved him.

And somewhere, beyond her sight, Lucy hoped Callan had also found a place to call home, and a good woman to love.

For sometimes you had to travel vast distances and fight with everything you had to find your own happily ever after.