Page 78 of The Highland Heir

“Aye. I believe today will be long enough forus to wait. I would have wed her at the Ross keep, but all of ourfamily is here now.”

Teague pulled Ella close and whispered, “I’mso glad ye didn’t already marry the Sutherland.”

“I couldn’t. I didn’t love him.”

“And ye love him?” Teague nodded inKieran’s direction. “Even after he made ye sick and broke your handwhen ye were a lass?”

“Da, we were practically bairns, and hedidn’t do it on purpose.”

“Aye. I did give him my blessing already, soI guess I can’t go back on it.”

“Would you wish to?” she asked, tilting herhead.

“Nay. No one has ever made you as happy asthis lad. And I expect him to continue doing so.” This was said inKieran’s direction, and he nodded as Ella stepped close enough forhim to tuck her against his side, where she fit perfectly.

Mayhap because she had always belongedthere.

And always would.

Epilogue

Kieran sat in the hall next to his father.His brother was also seated at the high table as they listened toclan disputes together. Brody had taken his place at the right handof the Sinclair laird.

But despite having an older brother to divideRolfe’s attentions, Kieran had never felt closer to his father. Theman still offered apologies at times for the lack of love inKieran’s early years.

Kieran often told him the past was in thepast. Besides, Kieran was not in short supply of love and familyany longer.

“I tell ye, laird, the man has switched mycow,” Innes complained while Archie rolled his eyes.

“’Tis the same cow ye’ve always had. You’relosing your mind ye auld fool.”

The laird leaned toward Kieran.

“What do ye think we should do about this?”he asked. “And before ye answer, know that if they come in hereagain with more complaints of cattle switching, I may very wellpull my dirk. I’ll soon have grandchildren to sit on my knees, andI’ll not want my time wasted with this prattle.”

Rolfe Sinclair was in constant excitement forthe arrival of his grandchildren. Ella and Isla had become fastfriends, more sisters than even Kieran and Brody had becomebrothers. It was a great surprise when they’d shared with eachother they were increasing to find the other was as well. And thelaird couldn’t have been more pleased.

Kieran laughed and leaned closer to give hisopinion on the cow switching while recalling how much had changedsince the last time Innes and Archibald had visited the hall.

At the time, he’d thought of Ella as only afriend. While she was still his very best friend, she was so muchmore. And soon their relationship would change again when shebecame the mother of his child.

“I think we trade Innes his cow for one ofours that we know gives milk so the man can stop his fussing. Theextra milk might put some coin in his pocket while helping hisneighbors as well.”

“Aye. I think it worth the loss of one cowjust to shut the man up.”

Brody leaned over to add his advice. “Mightwe make sure the cow we give him looks nothing like Archibald’s cowso he canna complain again?”

Both Rolfe and Kiernan nodded inagreement.

Rolfe opened his mouth to give his ruling butpaused and smiled when Jenny walked into the room. She cast him asaucy look before heading toward the kitchen.

Kieran and Brody exchanged a smile behindtheir father’s back. Rolfe and Jenny had been spending a good bitof time together, and Brody had told Kieran two mornings past hehad seen Jenny sneaking out of their father’s bedchamber justbefore dawn.

“Ye should marry her, father,” Kieransaid.

“I have asked three times already. She said Imade her wait all these years. She is going to make me wait a bit.”While he seemed piqued, he smiled.

“I believe our father has met his match,”Brody laughed.