“Well, I’m certain she hasnae forgotten ye, if that’s what yer afraid of.” Maggie hadn’t seen Lena herself, since she had been about sixteen years old, but she remembered her clearly. She had always admired her older, more sophisticated cousin. She didn’t get to see her verra often, since Maggie’s family lived in another town where they ran a small teashop. She was looking forward to seeing Lena again and meeting her little cousins. She understood how Angus felt, because she was nervous and excited about Lena’s arrival herself. “Yer going to wear a hole inthe floor with all that pacing. Why dinnae ye come sit for a wee bit,” Maggie suggested.
“Aye. Perhaps I should.” Angus had hardly made it to the chair when cries came from the battlements and he shot through the door and out into the courtyard.
“They’ve arrived,” Cailin shouted to Angus from his position at the gate. “They’ll be here in a few moments.”
Cailin and Cormac appeared to be as excited as Angus was. Of course, they would be thrilled—their much-loved wives were coming home. Robert came running outside as well. He headed straight to the gate and Angus followed. Dylan joined Maggie as they all waited expectantly, listening to the sounds of the horses and wagons as they drew closer. The approaching party was shouting greetings, and Maggie watched as Cormac and Cailin took off running, to greet their wives when they spied them amongst the group. The commotion got louder as horses began to come through the gates. Lena and Ewan were among the first to arrive and Maggie watched Angus, knowing he couldn’t contain himself a second longer. As Lena stopped in front of him, he reached up and lifted her down from the saddle, hugging her tightly and crying with joy. Lena held on to her father just as tightly and shed her own tears. Ewan remained seated atop his horse, looking a little misty eyed himself. Two large highlanders were holding the little redheads, Rowan and Ranald, who were wrapped in furs to warm them on their journey. The men dismounted and set the boys down. Their feet no sooner hit the ground than they were circling Angus and Lena.
“Grandda! Grandda!” They tugged on his kilt and Angus finally let Lena go, so he could pick up one grandson in each arm. They threw their arms around his neck and each kissed a cheek. “Don’t cry, Grandda,” Rowan said, gently wiping the tears from Angus’ cheek.
“I’m only crying because I’m so happy to finally hold ye in me arms,” Angus said, kissing each boy on the forehead.
“Da, it’s so good to see ye again,” Lena said. “I’ve missed ye so much.” Ewan had dismounted and joined her now and they both enfolded Angus and the boys in a warm embrace.
“Maggie,” Angus called. “Come see yer cousin.”
Lena threw her arms around Maggie and then held her away from herself, so she could take a good look. “Ye’ve grown into a beautiful woman, Maggie.”
“Thank ye, cousin. It’s been such a long time, but I’d know ye anywhere.” They both laughed and hugged each other again. Maggie then turned to Angus, who still held his grandsons. “And who have we here?” she asked.
“’Tis me,” Ranald said.
“And me,” Rowan chimed in.
“Is that so, now?” Maggie chucked them both under the chin. “Well, I’m yer cousin, Maggie and I’m verra happy to make yer acquaintance.” They obviously didn’t want to leave their Grandda, so Maggie gave them each a kiss on the cheek, instead of trying to hold them.
“There’s quite the family resemblance,” Dylan observed. “You all have the same red hair and green eyes.”
Across the courtyard, Maggie observed Cailin and Cormac each keeping a firm hold on their wives, who looked overjoyed to be home and in their husband’s arms once again. Robert was kissing Irene and then bent to kiss and hug each of their children. Maggie brushed a tear from her cheek and leaned into Dylan for support.
“They’re a very special group of people, wouldn’t you say?” Dylan asked.
“Aye. Verra special indeed. ’Tis good to see people who love each other so much and who feel so much joy at being reunited. I only wish Auntie Edna were here. She should be here, too. She’dlove to see Lena again and meet her grandbabes.” Maggie felt a bit heartbroken that Edna hadn’t been able to make this journey with Angus.
“Maybe she’ll be able to come sometime soon,” Dylan suggested. Maggie knew he was trying to make her feel better. He was so sweet and thoughtful that way. “Maybe when we go back to Glendaloch, she can take some time away from the inn to come visit.”
“You mean you’re really going to come back to Glendaloch with me,” Maggie said, excited to hear this news.
“Of course, was there ever any question?” Dylan appeared surprised at Maggie’s words. “We’re going to be married, why wouldn’t I be coming with you?”
“I don’t know. I just thought… we’d never talked about it and… well, I wasn’t sure you wanted to leave your cousin behind.”
“As long as we can come back and visit every once in a while, I don’t mind at all. You’re my life now, Maggie. I can’t imagine spending a moment of it without you.”
Overjoyed and relieved, Maggie threw herself into Dylan’s arms. “I love you so much,” she said.
“And I love you,” Dylan answered. “We’ll make a good life in Glendaloch.” He had a serious expression on his face now. “I have one question though.”
Maggie wasn’t sure what that question could be. “What is it?”
“Can I bring Chester?” Dylan asked.
“I wouldn’t think of leaving him,” Maggie answered.
Dylan looked deeply into her eyes. “You know, all these years, I’ve thought I was incapable of loving someone and now, I know that I’d only been waiting for you.”
Epilogue
Maggie and Dylan approached the bridge at mid-afternoon and were pleased to see the fog was already there waiting for them. Dylan called to Chester, making sure that he stayed right by their side as they rode into the grey mass in front of them. As usual, they could see and hear nothing except for the small lightning strikes of color that flashed around them. Within moments, they found themselves in the clear. Maggie checked to make certain they were all accounted for and then smiled as she spotted Edna waiting for them.
