Page 51 of Kilgannon #1

“For a moment. If you do not take it out it will get infected and hurt much worse later. What do want to do?” I looked into his eyes, so like his father’s, and so fearful now.

“I want it not to hurt at all.”

I laughed and nodded. “I understand that, silly, but look at your hand. Do you want it to hurt more later?” He shook his head, his eyes huge as he studied his hand.

“Then let’s take it out,” I said, and he nodded.

“I’ll get my sewing basket, and you go and wash your hand.

With soap.” He was waiting on the bench when I returned, though I’d half-expected him to have disappeared, and he gave me his hand, watching my actions with rapt attention.

“I will be as gentle as possible,” I said, watching his eyes and the way the sun caught the copper in his hair.

He nodded. I cleaned the area and then showed him the needle.

“Let’s pretend it’s a great war wound,” I said, and he grinned.

“Aye,” he said, warming to the idea. “And I’mverra brave.”

“You are.” We smiled at each other, but just a few moments later I frowned at him in defeat. “Jamie, you must sit still. I cannot get this out if your hand is moving.”

“It hurts.”

“It will hurt for a longer time if you keep moving your hand.”

His blue eyes were defiant, and I was considering what to do next when Alex’s voice came from behind me.

“Sit still, Jamie,” he said as he climbed over the bench.

“Here, I’ll sit with ye.” He pulled the boy onto his lap.

“This is what ye do,” he said, grimacing and turning his head away.

“Ye give her yer hand and ye bellow.” He let out a terrible noise.

“She’ll like that.” Jamie looked at his father and then at me, his eyes twinkling.

He thrust his hand at me again, and when I started at it with the needle, he did exactly as Alex had said.

I ignored the noise and extracted the splinter.

And looked up from the small hand and into my husband’s eyes.

“Thank you, Alex,” I said dryly. “I’mso glad you were here to assist me.” I handed Jamie the tiny piece of wood.

Alex laughed. “Yer welcome. Jamie, say thank ye to Mary.”

“Thank ye, Mama,” Jamie said, and bounced off, examining his wound. I felt my eyes fill and turned to Alex.

“He called me Mama.”

Alex nodded as he watched his son leave, and then turned to me. “Aye, that’s what he calls ye to me. Ian does the same. He told Angus he couldn’t remember what Sorcha looked like.”

“Oh, Alex, that’s terrible!”

Alex shook his head. “Lass, we canna change that their mother is gone. They have her portrait and the sketches I’ve done to look at.

They ken yer not their real mother, but they want you to mother them.

Sorcha can’ t, and it’s lovely that ye will, Mary Rose.

” He kissed my forehead as I wiped my tears away.

We sat for a moment in silence and then Alex stood.

“And now. …” He reached out a hand to me and I met it with mine.

“Now, Mary Rose, I want to show ye something. Come.”

I put my basket on the bench and let him lead me across the courtyard and through the outer gate.

He stood at the threshold and pointed to the loch and I followed his gaze, thinking he wanted me to admire the view on this glorious day.

The mountains on the far shore were purple, the trees on their sides green with new growth, the light breeze rippling through the branches like water.

The summer sun was shimmering on the loch, sapphire in the way only deep water can be, and in the loch were the four MacGannon brigs.

I blinked and looked again, shielding my eyes.

Four brigs. The Katrine, Gannon ’ s Lady, and the Margaret were moored offshore.

And a fourth was tied to the dock, with a crowd milling from the dock to her decks. I felt Alex watching me.

“Alex? Is it the new ship?” I asked, turning to him with pleasure. “Already? She’s here?”

He nodded, his excitement visible as he led me down the terraces. “Aye, lass, here she is. Calum just brought her in. She’s beautiful, no?” He kissed my ringers.

“What will we name her?”

He gave me a sidelong look. “She has a name already, and one very fitting. Look at her: black sides and snow-white sails and a touch of brass visible now and then. She’s a beauty!”

“Alex,” I said. “You said I could name her.”

He stopped and turned toward me, his voice quiet.

“That I did, I know, but, Mary, when I saw her I thought only one name fitting.” Annoyed, I pulled my hand from his and slanted a glance at him.

He ignored my look and, placing his hand at the small of my back, propelled me forward.

We stood at the end of the dock, looking into the excited faces of the crew and the crowd of MacGannons admiring her. Alex turned to me with a lopsided grin.

“Mary Rose, meet the Mary Rose. ”

I looked at the beautiful ship in front of me, every surface gleaming. “You named the boat after me,” I whispered.

“Aye, lass. When I saw her I thought of ye with yer dark hair and light skin.”

“And a touch of brass visible now and then,” I said, remembering his words.

He grinned at me and nodded. “Aye. But look at her, Mary. Isn’t she a beauty? And I ken she’ll bring us luck.”

“You named her after me,” I said, warming to the idea.

“It’s only fitting, Mary. It’s yer money that built her. She’s yers.”

“Ours, Alex. Our money and our ship.” I looked at the Mary Rose ’ s sleek lines and shining fittings while Alex watched me.

“Mine only in that I was wise enough to marry ye, Mary Rose, and I want the world to ken it. Now, come aboard yer ship.” He showed me every board and detail of the ship, and I was properly impressed.

The crew was giddy with excitement and joined in, explaining the sails and the wonderful new anchor.

Calum, who was to be her captain, was visibly delighted.

By the time I was on land again, I felt as though I’d spent a week on board, but as we walked away along the dock, I turned to look back at her.

The Mary Rose. I turned the name over and over in my mind. The Mary Rose . I was thrilled.