Page 41 of Highland Sky

“Then let the boy stay,” said North. “He’s no’ causin’ any trouble.”

“I agree,” said Spring. “Shaw has a son about yer age that I think ye’ll like to meet,” Spring told Jamie.

“Yay!” cried Jamie, jumping up and down in the wagon.

“Brathair, if ye are comin’ with us, then ye’ll stay still and silent,” warned Kellina. “If no’, I swear I’ll leave ye on the roadside all alone to be eaten by the wild beasties that come out at night.”

“I’ll be quiet, Kellina. I promise I will.” Jamie quickly sat back down, holding on to the side of the wagon as Kellina sped away. Spring quickly followed on horseback.

“Wild beasties?” North said to his brother with a chuckle. “Such an imagination.”

“Aye, that’s what she said.” Nash shook his head.

“I’m no’ sure Kellina is goin’ to make a guid mathair with talk like that,” said North.

“Dinna worry about that,” Nash answered. “If I canna convince her to make love to me soon, then there is no chance in hell that we’re ever even havin’ children.”

*

It wasn’t longbefore they rode over the drawbridge and into the courtyard of Edinvale Castle. Light rain had just started to fall. Kellina looked up to the battlements, seeing clansmen manning the walls. It was a large place, and very impressive. She was only used to living in a small camp in thatched cottages. Seeing a castle so close up was exciting and overwhelming and also just what she needed.

Shaw Gordon must have money, she decided, looking up to his clan’s pennons fluttering from the top of the turrets. Long banners hung from the stone walls, depicting the chieftain’s coat of arms on the clan’s plaid of blue and green. A stag’s head with ten tines stared back at her.

Their arrival drew the interest of the clan, as they started appearing from everywhere to see who approached. The clip-clop of the horses’ hooves on the cobbled stones echoed as they made their way forward, finally stopping in the middle of the inner bailey.

“Spring! Ye’re back,” a man shouted. Kellina turned around to see a Highlander hurrying toward them with a bundle cradled in the crook of his arm. Spring jumped off the horse and ran to him, burying herself in his embrace. They hugged and kissed each other, making it obvious that this man was Spring’s husband. It was sweet, but it rather hurt Kellina’s heart to see such interaction between them. She longed for a relationship this strong, but she and Nash would never have what these two did.

“Come on, Caitlin,” Kellina told her sister, dismounting the wagon and hurrying over to Spring. Spring was kissing the man now, and it seemed so passionate that she almost felt embarrassed just to watch them. The two of them were obviously in love. Kellina was about to make her presence known when the man handed Spring the bundle. Spring held it in two arms, using a rocking motion. This caused Kellina’s mouth to drop open in surprise.

“Y-ye have a baby,” she said in amazement, not expecting this at all.

“Aye,” Spring answered. “Kellina MacKenzie, this is my husband, Shaw, and our baby boy, Blair.”

The baby couldn’t have been more than a few months old. It surprised Kellina. Her heart went out to Spring. The woman had left her new baby to come to the MacKenzie camp, just to talk to her. It had been a true sacrifice on Spring’s part, and a dangerous trip for her as well.

“Spring, who are all these people and why are they here?” asked Shaw, seeming very cautious.

“I am Nash MacKeefe, and this is my brathair, North,” said Nash, walking up and extending his arm. They shook hands and greeted each other.

“Ah, MacKeefes. Welcome,” said Shaw. “I am friends with yer chieftain, Storm. I also love Old Callum’s Mountain Magic.”

“Did someone say Mountain Magic?” Another man came running over. “Where? And who are these lovely lassies?” He smiled at Kellina and her sister. “I am the laird’s brathair, Leod.”

“Stop the flirtin’, Leod,” warned Shaw. “They’re too young for ye.”

“I’m seven and ten today,” said Caitlin, her face glowing, as she looked at the handsome man that was nearly ten years older than her. Leod was a big man with blond hair and striking blue eyes. His brother, Shaw, was equally as good-looking, but he had dark hair and hazel eyes instead.

“Her name is Caitlin, and I’m Kellina. We’re sisters,” Kellina explained.

“And I’m their brathair, Jamie.” The young boy ran up excitedly, making sure to be introduced. “Can I see yer castle? I’ve never been inside a castle before.”

“Jamie, stop it,” scolded Kellina. “It’s no’ proper to act that way.”

Shaw laughed. “I’m sure he’s just excited. Yes, Jamie, I’ll make sure ye get to no’ only see the castle, but walk the battlements as well.”

“Really? All the way up there? That seems so high.” Jamie’s eyes turned upward. He had a look of excitement, caution, and anxiety all mixed into one.

“If ye think it looks high from here, just wait until ye’re up there lookin’ downward,” said Leod with a chuckle.