“According to you,” he teased.
She tipped her head and gazed up at him and he touched her nose with the tip of his finger, much the same way he’d done many times before.
“I love you, sis,” Zeke said, unshed tears in his eyes.
“I love you, too,” Sara said, not bothering to hide her tears.
Zeke glanced at Brenna and saw that she too was crying. He pulled her in to include her in their hug, as all three attempted to get themselves under control.
“Welcome to the family, Brenna,” Sara said. “We’re all connected now. You, me, Zeke, Logan, Helene and Dougall. We’re family. We may not have the luxury of seeing each other more than twice a year, but we’ve got a bond now that can’t be broken.
“We’ll be back to see my nephew when he’s born,” Zeke said, releasing Sara and Brenna.
Sara wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “It’s going to be your niece, big brother. So, you can come back to seeherwhenshe’sborn.” In typical Sara fashion, she poked him in the belly.
Brenna giggled as she watched brother and sister interact. She wished she and Dougall had more time together growing up. She was certain they’d have been equally as close. Still, she’d miss Dougall and Helene and was happy to know she’d be able to see them again.
Logan returned home as they were saying their goodbyes. He hugged Brenna. “Ye ken ye were always like me little sister,” he said.
“Aye. Ye were me friend as well,” Brenna said.
“And I always will be.” He kissed her cheek and then clasped arms with Zeke. “Take care of her,” he said.
“And you take care of my sister,” Zeke replied. Logan nodded in agreement. “Alright, we should go then. Are you ready, Brenna?”
“Aye. Good bye for now,” she said, opening the door.
“Oh, wait! One more thing,” Sara said. “Brenna, have Zeke take you to my apartment. You can help yourself to my clothes. I won’t be needing them anymore.”
“What about your landlord?” Zeke asked. “Should I tell him to rent the apartment?”
“No. I’ve paid the rent for six months. Let’s just hold on to it for now.”
“Alright then. I love you, sis.” Zeke waved goodbye, afraid he’d break down if he said another word. He walked away with Brenna by his side, and didn’t look back.
Chapter 22
Their last goodbyes were said the following morning as Dougall and Helene stood in the doorway of their home and Zeke and Brenna prepared to leave.
“Brenna, take care of yerself. I hope to see ye again soon,” Helene said.
Brenna’s eyes filled with tears once again. She was sad to be leaving her brother and Helene, but happy to be going on this grand adventure with Zeke. “I’ll miss ye both so much.”
“And we’ll miss ye,” Dougall said, taking Brenna’s hands in his. “Take good care of yerself. I know we’ll see each other again.” He turned to Zeke. “I ken ye’ll take good care of me sister.”
“I will. You have my word.” Zeke said. He put out his hand to shake, but Dougall pulled him into a bear hug, slapping him on the back and then quickly letting him go. He gave Brenna a much gentler hug and held her close much longer.
“I love ye, brother,” Brenna said. “I know I’ll see ye again.”
They waved as they walked down the path to their horses. Dougall and Helene stood and watched them as they rode off to the castle, where they were met by a large crowd of MacKenzies and MacBaynes, both adults and children, who were there to give them a proper send off on their journey. Zeke was quite surprised to see them all. It touched his heart that these people who he’d only known for such a short time, had all come out to say their goodbyes.
Mary made her way through the crowd to their horses, where she handed them a basket of food for their journey. The aroma of freshly baked bread reached Zeke’s nose. He peeked under the cloth covering the food and took a deep breath of the delicious scent. “Thank you, Mary. It smells delicious.”
“’Tis me pleasure, laddie. I wish ye both much happiness in yer new life together.”
“As do we all,” Robert MacKenzie said.
“Thank you all for your kindess,” Brenna said. “We’ll always remember ye.”
