“We spread out, form a line, and sweep the tree line before pushing inward,” Dominic commanded. The men worked in silence, their footsteps making no sounds. They combed through the woods for two hours, but they found no signs of anyone entering or exiting from the far side. Dominic examined the only spot where someone disturbed the land. It was obvious that was where the shooter stood. Dominic saw what an unimpeded line of vision the culprit had, and he chastised himself for ever taking Emelie to a place where there was no cover for them but plenty for an attacker. The men headed back to the keep, and Dominic followed them into the barracks.
“I want the watch doubled on the wall tonight and tomorrow. Whoever tried to shoot my wife likely isn’t done yet. Whether it was bad aim or a warning, someone intended to hurt Lady Emelie. Until I know who that is and they’re dead, I don’t want any stranger within a league of here without me or the laird knowing.” Dominic met each man’s eyes, ensuring they knew how serious he was about guarding his wife. When he had their agreement, he turned back to the keep. He watched Nora hurrying across the bailey, and his heart jumped.
“Nora,” Dominic called out.
“Yer wife is fine. I heard what happened. It’s Lady Laurel. She’s in labor.” Nora lumbered up the stairs, and Dominic rushed ahead to open the door. Emelie hurried toward him and threw her arms around him.
“I have to go upstairs, but I couldn’t go until I knew you were hale. Did you find aught?”
“No. Is Brodie abovestairs with Laurel?”
“Aye. Her water broke in the solar, so he carried her to their chamber. She’s been laboring all day but didn’t tell anyone. Brodie is beside himself.”
“Should I try to get him to come belowstairs?”
Emelie snorted. “Do you think you could? You’re a strong mon, but I don’t think you could carry a thrashing Brodie down the stairs without you both rolling and breaking your necks.”
“I suppose not. I know I’ll thrash him if he thinks to keep me from you when it’s your turn.”
Emelie’s brow furrowed. “You’ll stay with me when I labor?”
“Of course, I will,” Dominic said indignantly, then reconsidered. “Unless you don’t want me to.”
“I’m quite sure I will. As long as you stay up near my head. I don’t think I want you to see all that.”
“I’ll do whatever you want when the time comes, sparrow.”
“I—” Emelie came closer than she ever had to declaring her feelings, but she caught herself. It wasn’t the time nor the place where she wanted to share them. “I need to help Nora and Aggie. Berta will oversee everything for the evening meal.”
“What do you need me to do?”
“Naught, wolf. At least for now. I suppose whatever Brodie would be doing.” Emelie stretched to kiss Dominic. He lifted her off her feet and brought her to his eye level. “Thank you for protecting me today and for going out to search. I know it scared you, even if you won’t admit it. But it scared me too, and not just for the bairn’s sake. It scares me that the arrow came so close to you.”
“I’ll readily admit it. It terrified me. I can’t stomach the idea of losing you or our bairn, Em.” He brushed a quick kiss across her lips before putting her back on her feet. He watched Emelie dash toward the stairs, then climb them before disappearing into the dim passageway. He didn’t know what to do with himself, so he went to Brodie’s solar. He poured himself a healthy dram of whisky, swallowed it all, then poured himself another. He considered looking at the ledgers and seeing if he could get any work done for his brother, but the incident still rattled him too much, and he admitted to himself that he also worried about Laurel. He abandoned the downstairs solar for the upstairs one, where he paced and looked out the window embrasure for hours. When a shrill wail pierced the silence, Dominic breathed easier.
“It’s a lad!” Emelie chirped as she hurried into the solar. She’d heard Dominic pacing hours earlier. She’d poked her nose into the chamber a few times to give him updates. Dominic opened his arms to her, and she flew into them. “You’re an uncle.”
“And you’re an aunt. Again.” Dominic knew Emelie’s older sister Isabella already had children. He gazed into Emelie’s sparkling blue-hazel eyes, and he knew he couldn’t wait another moment. Emotion filled his voice and brought back his brogue. “Emelie, I love ye.”
Emelie’s mouth dropped open in surprise, then her face beamed with the most joyous smile he’d ever seen. “I love you, Dominic.”
“Between feeling our bairn for the first time and hearing our nephew, I just canna keep that to maself anymore. And coming so close to losing ye, I regret nae telling ye sooner. I’ve loved ye since the beginning, Em. I was just too cautious to admit it.”
“I feel exactly the same. I made a mistake once thinking my feelings were more than they were. I wanted to be certain this time. But I have been since the start.” Emelie rubbed the tip of her nose against Dominic’s before they shared the most tender kiss they ever had.
“I love ye, sparrow,” Dominic whispered, relishing the sound of the words. He felt them to his very soul, and they carried more truth than they ever had before.
“I love you, wolf. Will you come meet your nephew? Laurel should be presentable by now.”
“Our. The only thing I look forward to more is meeting our own bairn.”
Emelie led Dominic into the chamber where Brodie sat on the bed with Laurel between his thighs. His brawny arms cradled his wife and their newborn son.
“I’m a da,” Brodie whispered with reverence.
“And I’m an uncle,” Dominic grinned. The happy family of five passed the rest of the evening together as they cooed over the new heir to Clan Campbell.
* * *
