“Miran?” Jamie pulled her out of her daze. “Did ye hear me, lass?”
“I-I’m sorry, Jamie, nay.”
“Go with God, lass. Remember, I love ye.”
She smiled and threw her arms about him, genuinely loving her cousin. How could she no’? “I will pray for ye and Helen. Tell her I am happy for her and will miss her.”
“Wait!”
Miran and Jamie both turned to find Helen rushing toward them.
“Helen? I thought ye were no feeling well,” Miran said, surprised to see her up and looking so well.
“Aye,” Helen said as she reached them, shivering from the cold air. “I couldna let ye go without saying goodbye. What kind of friend would I be if I did?”
Miran, grateful her cousin had the strength to see her off, wrapped her arms around her. “I will miss ye.”
“And I will miss ye.” Helen pulled back and smiled at her. “Come with me.”
The two women walked a few feet away from the throng where they could speak privately.
“I wanted to discuss a couple important things, Miran. First, I beg ye to be kinder to Kai.”
Miran understood—the man had saved Helen’s life—and the two of them shared a close kinship. She lowered her head, staring at the ground. “Aye.”
“Nay,” Helen tsked. “Doona be ashamed. Ye and the captain have always struggled to get along. Do ye remember how Laird Alex and Lady Keely began?”
Miran raised her head then. “Keely and Alex had always been in love.”
Helen smiled. “There is little difference between love and hate where a lass and handsome warrior are concerned.”
“I doona love him,” she insisted. But even if she did…
Helen, though only a few seasons older than herself, had an old soul, she seemed wise beyond her years when it came to matters of the heart. “After observing ye—knowing what I know, I ask ye to take the time to get to know the captain while ye travel together. Ye may find common ground, even grow to respect him. He is loyal and sensible, and will make ye laugh.”
“Aye.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise,” Miran said reluctantly.
“As for Cadha…”
“She has been helpful.”
“Good. I chose her specifically for ye. She will watch over ye, like an old auntie.”
Miran nodded. She owed her cousin-in-law so much. “Ye are an angel.”
“And soon to be a mother.” Happiness lit Helen’s beautiful eyes.
Miran rested her palm over Helen’s still flat stomach. “May our future laird grow stronger each day with God’s blessings.”
“Miran!” Kai called. “We must go.”
The women embraced again, then Miran walked away, tears wet her eyes. She hated farewells for good reason.
Kai lifted her into the saddle of her mare at the head of twenty-three horses and a large cart filled with their tents and supplies. She twisted in the saddle, waving to Jamie, Helen, and the other people who had gathered outside to see them off.
