Ever since he had married Madeline MacDonald, her brother’s heart had softened. Once she had given him twin boys, his heart had softened even more. His exterior was still a laird’s hardened countenance, but he had one weakness and she intended to use it.
When the twins were born, he had hoped for a lass. Alex so loved his wife that he had wanted a lassie with blonde curls, just like Madeline’s. He loved his lads with all his heart, but he still longed for a wee lass to settle on his lap, and hoped for one with Maddie’s present carry.
He wanted a lass just like Lily. Wee Lily with her long yellow curls and infectious giggle would bring Alex Grant to his knees.
Or so Brenna hoped.
“Alex, I must leave to check on wee Lily. I will return promptly, I promise.” She glanced at her brother before heading to the stairs. His forehead furrowed, but he nodded, indicating that she would have time to retrieve Lily before he acted.
A few moments later, she descended the steps with Lily in her arms, the wee lass bubbling with excitement to be allowed back in the great hall, especially to meet someone new.
“Lady Brenna, who is the really big lad? I think he is bigger than my da, and I thought my da was the biggest ever. What is his name? Is he one of your brothers? What are their names? Do you love both your brothers? Who is the biggest? Can I talk to them?” She waved to the group below stairs.
When Brenna set her down in at the bottom of the stairs, she charged over to her father as fast as her wee legs could carry her.Brenna was so proud to see her nearly running—not quite a full run yet, but she was so much improved.
“Papa! I am so happy to be here. See how fast I am now!”
Quade stood up and caught his daughter before lifting her in the air and planting a big kiss on her cheek. “Lily, use your proper manners.” He set her back down. “You must curtsy to Laird Grant and greet him.”
The plan had worked. Brenna watched as her big brother stood, clearly charmed by the wee lass. Her heart swelled because her instinct had been correct. A smile had broken out across Alex’s face counter to his will.
Lily stood in front of him, attempted a curtsy but stumbled. “Good day to you, Laird Grant.” Her father helped her straighten and her mop of curls tipped back as she stared up at Alex.
“My, he is big. Why is he bigger than you, Da?” Her innocent grin seemed to hit Alex right between the eyes.
Quade sat and picked Lily up, lifting her into his lap. “Sit, Laird Grant. My daughter is a bit talkative now that she has more energy. I have never seen her this way. I must confess that I owe her good health to your sister. She is the only healer who has been able to determine Lily’s problem.”
“And I am all better, Laird Grant. Watch me.”
Lily jumped off her father’s lap and turned to look at him. “Watch how fast I am. Papa, I will run to the other end of the hall and back.”
She took off, only stopping once before she came to the other end. “Papa, see? Am I no’ the fastest ever? Watch me, Laird Grant! I am the fastest.”
They all followed Lily as her little legs churned back toward them, her arms swirling furiously.
“See, Laird Grant?” She stopped in front of Alex. He stared at her wide-eyed and nodded his head.
“Watch me again. Lady Brenna,” she tapped her knee, “watch how fast I am.” As soon as she was sure she had everyone’s attention, she sailed off in the opposite direction once more.
Brenna and Quade both started to laugh, trying to keep quiet about it.
Alex looked at them both in turn. “Brenna?”
“Aye, Alex?”
Four pairs of eyes followed Lily’s journey back and forth in the hall, all of the watchers smiling except for Alex.
“Why does the wean run so slow? The lads are much faster than she is and they are quite a bit younger…And why are you two laughing?”
Brenna and Quade glanced at each other and broke into louder laughter. When she was able, Brenna finally answered her brother. “Because she does no’ ken she is slow.”
Brodie whispered, “I was going to say the same thing, Alex, but I did no’ want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Why does the lass think she is fast when she is so slow, Brenna?”
“Because this is the fastest she has ever run.” Quade’s shoulders shrugged as he offered his explanation. “She is the fastest ever in her terms.”
Alex stared at him with wide eyes.
“Aye, she could barely walk before your sister arrived. She had been frail for almost three summers. She rarely made it off her pallet, much less out of her chamber. She was too weak.” Quade’s face stretched into an indulgent smile as his daughter ran back toward them. Brenna couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He was so taken with his daughter.
