“Codie,” she said, feeling tears prick her eyes.
“I’m sure he’s been waitin’ there every mornin’ since I left,” Elijah said quietly. “He would have refused to move until someone promised him we’d be back today.”
“Oh, that poor boy.”
As they rode through the gates, Codie let out a whoop of joy and came running. Elijah brought Thunder to a halt and dismounted quickly then helped Iris down just as Codie reached them.
“Lady Iris!” The boy threw himself at her with such force he nearly knocked her over. “Ye came back! Ye really came back!”
“Of course, I came back, sweetheart.” She dropped to her knees, pulling him into a fierce embrace. “I never wanted to leave ye, and me heart broke to do it.”
“Everyone leaves,” Codie said, his voice muffled against her shoulder. “Maither left. Miss Lydia left. And ye left too, and I thought... I thought ye werenae comin’ back either.”
“Oh, Codie.” Iris pulled back to look at his tear-streaked face. “I’m so sorry ye were frightened. But I promise ye, I wasnae leavin’ ye. I was just takin’ me sister home safely.”
“But ye were gone for so long! And Faither left too, and I thought maybe neither of ye wanted me anymore.”
“Never.” Elijah crouched down beside them, his large hand settling on his son’s shoulder. “We both came back, just like I promised. And we’re nae going anywhere again.”
“Promise?” Codie looked between them with desperate hope. “Promise ye’ll both stay?”
“I promise,” Iris said firmly. “I promise I’ll never leave ye, Codie. Ye’re me son now, and I take care of what’s mine.”
“Really? I’m really yer son?”
“Really and truly.” She cupped his face in her hands. “Ye’re stuck with me now, lad. For better or worse.”
A brilliant smile broke across his face, transforming him from frightened child to joyful boy in an instant. “I’ve always wanted a maither. A real one who stays.”
“Well, now ye have one.” She pulled him close again, looking up to meet Elijah’s gaze over Codie’s head. Her husband was watching them with such open emotion on his face it made her chest ache. “We both have what we wanted, it seems.”
“Aye.” Elijah’s voice was rough. “We do.”
Henry appeared from the stable, grinning broadly. “Well, well. Look who finally decided to come home. And ye brought yer wife back with ye. I’m impressed, me laird.”
“Shut up, Henry,” Elijah said, but there was no heat in it.
“I’m just sayin’, it was about time ye pulled yer head out of yer arse and went after her.” Henry’s grin widened. “Welcome home, me lady. The castle’s been dreary without ye.”
“It’s good to be home.” Iris stood, keeping one hand on Codie’s shoulder. “Though I’m surprised ye all survived without me for three days.”
“Barely,” Henry said dramatically. “The Laird was insufferable, young Codie wouldnae eat properly, and the servants were all whisperin’ about curses and bad omens.”
“I wasnae insufferable,” Elijah protested.
“Ye almost threw a chair at me.”
“Ye deserved it.”
“See? Insufferable.” Henry winked at Iris. “But ye’re back now, so hopefully things will return to normal. Or whatever passes for normal around here.”
“Come on,” Elijah said, taking Iris’s free hand. “Let’s get inside. Ye must be exhausted from travelin’.”
They made their way into the castle, Codie pressed close to Iris’ side as if afraid she might disappear if he let go. Servants called out greetings, clearly relieved to see their lady returned. Aliana appeared with fresh bread and cheese, a maid from the kitchens promised a proper feast for supper, and everywhere Iris looked, she saw welcome and relief.
This was home. Not the cold castle where she’d grown up, always feeling like an outsider. Not the convent where Lydia had fled. But here, in this stone fortress in the Highlands with a complicated husband and a frightened son and servants who actually seemed to care whether she was there or not.
“Lady Iris?” Codie’s voice was small as they climbed the stairs toward the family chambers. “Can I stay with ye today? Just to make sure ye’re really here?”
