Tapping his pipe against the stone wall, Shamus smiled. “I was talking tae yer mam.”
Kaiden’s expression softened. “Do ye think she would have been happy with Ferra?”
“Aye,” he responded with a smile. “She would have, as I am and as ye are. All she wanted tae see was ye to find yer happiness, lad.”
Kaiden crossed his arms over his chest. “Thanks tae ye. Did ye know that Ferra was going tae be the one?”
“Nay,” Shamus admitted. “’Twas a gamble I was willing tae take tae get mah son back.”
Kaiden reached over and clasped his shoulder. “Then I owe ye mah life, Da, and this happiness I have found with Ferra.”
Shamus touched Kaiden’s hand, his heart swelling with both pride and happiness for his son. “Then I have done mah job as a da.”
Kaiden cleared his throat, dropping his hand. “Will ye come back inside?”
He waved a hand at him. “In a moment. Go back tae yer wife before she comes out here as well.”
Kaiden chuckled and walked back inside, leaving Shamus to his peace. He stuck the pipe in his mouth and lit it, puffing the sweet packing as he did so. All his life, he had wanted to watch his son grow into a fine warrior and ultimately into a laird that would bring their clan to the next generation. That was what Kaiden was doing with his wife, and the lovely family she had.
He would be excited to see the future.
“Thank ye, love,” he whispered once more, pressing his fingers to his lips and holding it up to the sky.
Shamus could have sworn the stars winked back.
