Page 84 of Highland Sky

“We do,” grumbled the new Sutherland chieftain.

“Guid. No’ get the hell out of here,” Tomas bellowed.

“What about our dead? We willna leave them behind,” said the Sutherland.

“I’ve got this,” Storm told Nash and Tomas. He looked up and spoke to the Sutherlands. “We’ll help ye to load yer dead on a cart, and even escort ye back to yer camp to make certain ye bring back what was promised.”

With that, everyone put down their weapons, and the proceedings continued until the dead Sutherlands were loaded, being led away by the Gunns and the Gordons.

Lady Spring stayed back to talk to them.

“Thank ye, for savin’ my life,” Nash told Spring, putting his arm around Kellina.

“How is it that all these clans were here to help us?” asked Kellina.

Storm MacKeefe was still there as well. Tomas, North, Gavin, and Cam stood close by. Jamie and Caitlin watched from behind Kellina.

“I had a feelin’ the Sutherlands were goin’ to cause trouble again,” Spring told them. “We had scouts watchin’ them. This mornin’, they saw the Sutherlands travelin’ toward yer camp, so we followed.”

“And the Gunns?” asked Nash. “How did they hear about it?”

“The Gunns were my old clan before I married Shaw,” Spring told them. “My brathair is married to one of them, and we have a close alliance. They agreed to help out as well.”

“As for the MacKeefes,” said Storm, “there were a few MacKeefes at the market who saw the Sutherlands and Kellina’s encounter with them. When they came back and reported what happened, I kent we needed to come see for ourselves that ye were all right. And I’m glad we were in time.”

“Thank ye,” said Tomas. “We can never repay ye.”

“Thank ye all,” said Kellina. “Especially Nash and his brathair and friends. If they hadna been here, I have no doubt we would have lost many more before the other clans arrived.”

“I’ll always be here to defend ye, Kellina,” Nash told her. “I’ve decided to stay and live with the MacKenzies now, since we’re married. I ken that is what ye want.”

“Nay, it isna,” said Kellina.

“What?” asked Nash. “I’m confused.”

“I canna let ye leave yer brathair and friends, Nash. Ye belong with the MacKeefes, so that is where I will go to live with ye, now that I am yer wife.”

“But Kellina, I ken ye dinna want to leave yer siblin’s.”

“I dinna,” she admitted. “That is why I am askin’ if Caitlin and Jamie can come live at the MacKeefes with us.”

“I would love that,” said Nash, feeling like this problem was solved. “Storm? Would ye agree to lettin’ Kellina’s siblin’s join the MacKeefes as well?”

“Why no’?” asked Storm. “After all, with Gavin and Cam and their new families, our clan is growin’ every day. Aye, they are welcome to join us.”

“And Midnight, too?” asked Jamie, running up with Caitlin, holding tightly to the kitten.

“Midnight?” asked Storm.

“The cat,” Nash answered.

Storm chuckled. “Well, we could use a little help with the rats, just as long as it stays away from Aidan’s squirrel.”

“Then it’s settled,” said Nash. “Kellina, start packin’. We’re leavin’ for the MacKeefes today.”

“What about a weddin’?” asked Spring.

“Lady Spring, ye ken we’re already married,” answered Kellina.