“Apart from get the sacred stone back and bring peace to the Highlands so we dinnae need to worry about being attacked. Other than that, you did nothing at all.”
“Are you two coming?” Fingal shouted, lifting Thomas into his arms and kissing his forehead. “The laird of the MacIntyres gets here on time after a week’s journey and yet you manage to be late. Come on, everyone’s waiting.”
“I’m surprised he didn’t tell you it’ll have to be different after you’re laird,” Lindsey said.
“I know. This morning he said it was because my baldric was twisted. I dinnae ken he’s any happier than when he’s cursing me for not taking this laird thing seriously enough.”
“He’s just worried for your people.”
“Aye, I ken. He wants the clan to like me.”
“They already do. Come on, before he has a heart attack.”
Tavish slipped his hand into Lindsey’s and together they walked through the village. At the entrance of the chapel they stopped. Fingal had already taken Thomas inside.
The porch was held up by two tall columns of stone. Onto each Celtic symbols swirled and shifted like real things, coalescing in the lintel where an intricate S symbol had been carved. “You got it finished in time then,” Tavish said. “I wasnae sure ye would.”
“You think a little thing like being pregnant would stop me finishing that?” she replied. “Shame on you.”
“The apprentices helped, didn’t they?”
“Maybe a little bit but that S is all me.”
“I can tell. It looks perfect.”
They walked inside to find the place packed. The MacIntyres were over to the left, their laird talking to the laird of Clan Sinclair, the two of them laughing together. Beside them, Merida looking as well as any bairn, her parents glowing with life as they doted over her.
Billy, Jock, and Matthew nodded to Tavish as Quinn moved to stand before the altar. He held up a hand. “If you wouldnae mind looking this way.” The place gradually fell silent.
“Today we all come together to rededicate this chapel as a place of worship and peace.”
Tavish glanced past Quinn at the alcove underneath the window. There were the dried bluebells Lindsey had gathered what seemed like a lifetime ago.
In the middle of the circle of flowers was the carving she’d done for him, the one that told him what he already knew, she was the right woman for him, the only woman for him in fact.
He tuned back into Quinn’s speech in time to hear the dedication. “This church is named for Princess Margaret, may she rest in peace. The sacred stone resides here in the center of the altar as God’s love resides in the center of all our hearts this day. God’s love will protect the chapel of Princess Margaret, the village of Tavistock, the clan of Sinclair and…”
Thomas suddenly crashed into his leg. He swooped the bairn into his arms, laughing as he did so. “And the future.”
Everyone cheered and Thomas waved, not sure why they were all cheering him but loving the attention.
As the crowd filed outside the chapel, Tavish and Lindsey waited. The laird of the MacIntyres solemnly shook both their hands as he passed before leaving them alone with Quinn and Thomas.
“This one will be trouble,” Quinn said, setting Thomas back on his feet. “You’ll have your work cut out with him.”
“You mean you will,” Tavish replied. “If you’re going to tutor him, you better get used to that energy.”
“Want to play?” Thomas asked, tugging at Quinn’s hand and trying to pull him outside. “I can roll twice backward without getting dizzy.”
“Come on,” Lindsey said, “Show me that tree you like climbing.” She walked outside with him. Tavish watched them go, unable to stop smiling.
“It is good to see you happy,” Quinn said. “Is she well?”
“Aye,” Tavish replied. “Though she wonders about her mother sometimes.”
“No doubt she does. Has she any doubts about staying?”
“No, nothing like that. She just wishes she could find out if her mom uncovered the locket.”
