She pauses.
“I couldn’t stand watching it anymore. So I created the circumstances. But you two did all the real work. You chose each other. Freely.”
Finn stays silent for a long moment.
Then finally mutters softly:
“You’re completely out of control.”
“I know,” Maggie replies with a smile. “But I was right, wasn’t I?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” he grumbles.
“The best things sometimes require creative methods,” she declares solemnly.
Finnand I walk back to the cottage beneath a clear night sky.
The moon hangs nearly full overhead.
Stars scatter across the Highlands.
Ragnar and Courage follow behind us side by side.
“You think she’s going to do it again?” Finn asks.
“Obviously.”
“With the twins?”
“Without a doubt.”
“Poor Cameron and Connor. They have no idea what’s coming.”
“Honestly,” I add thoughtfully, “I wouldn’t rule out other McGregor cousins becoming future targets too.”
Finn glances sideways at me.
“Exactly how many cousins do you have?”
I laugh.
“A lot. Enough to keep Maggie busy for years.”
Finn takes my hand, and we walk quietly for a while.
“I never thought Glenfield would become home,” he admits softly.
“And now?” I ask.
“Now I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
We stop outside the cottage.
He turns toward me.
“I love you, Mary McGregor.”
“I love you, Finn McLeod.”
