Chapter 20
Alex returns from battle, and Maddie is prepared. Another favorite scene of mine.
Maddie stood just outside the stable, searching the chaos descending on Cameron land as her husband’s warriors brought their horses outside the gates and celebrated their victory.
Her heart burst with happiness when Finlay broke apart from the others and scooped Kyla onto his lap, kissing her for everyone’s entertainment.
She was so happy her daughter had found love, and she hoped it would be a good love like the one she herself had found with Alex.
Her gaze drifted past each of her sons to check on them before finally coming to rest on her husband.
She caught his gaze and relief swept through her, but she knew him well enough to sense something was off.
He rode his horse well, but it struck her that he wasn’t carrying a flag.
Had he given one to his sons because he wanted to give them the honor as lairds…
or because he was weakened from battle? The closer they came, the more she fretted.
Aye, her husband, the wonderful Alexander Grant, was proud of their sons and all they’d accomplished, but his countenance told her two things.
First, he was pleased with the outcome of the battle.
She knew without asking that the tyranny of Buchan and de La Porte had come to an end.
Second, he struggled. He’d not shown his sons how he struggled, but she could see it in his face, in his hands.
At the moment, he fought to stay upright on his horse.
She glanced at Brodie, the man who’d acted as his second many times, to see if he’d noticed.
He nodded to her, mouthing the words, “I’ll get him.”
Alex rode in a direct path toward the stables, followed fast by Robbie and Connor. Jake and Jamie drew the attention away from their sire, running another circle back around the warriors and Finlay, waving the flags and calling the warriors into another invigorating round of celebration.
Brodie had already made his way to the stables, and as soon as he dismounted, Maddie grabbed his elbow and said, “Bring him to the stall at the end.”
She raced to the cupboards, pulling out Cameron plaids, and made a bed in the corner of the stall as fast as she could.
She would not allow her husband to drop in front of his men.
When she finished, she made it back in time to see Robbie standing next to Black Lightning, appearing to clasp his brother’s shoulders while he was actually supporting him.
Brodie stood in front of Alex to catch him when his knees buckled as his feet hit the ground.
They managed to fake a walk with him until he was inside the stables, and then Brodie called all the lads out to give them instructions.
They were each given different directions.
The stables were empty except for Brodie, Robbie, Connor, and Maddie. Alex caught her gaze as soon as he stepped inside. “Wife, I’ve come home to you this time.”
A tear trickled down her cheek as she leaned forward to kiss him. “And I thank the Lord for that. Alex, if you do not mind, I’d like to sleep here in the stables this eve so we can hear what goes on around us.”
He nodded and took a step forward, saying nothing.
The glint in his eye told her that he knew exactly why she’d made the suggestion.
She’d never allow him to be embarrassed in front of his men.
The last experience had been difficult enough for him.
This time, he’d come home from the battle with his pride intact.
She was leading him down the passageway to the spot she’d set up when she heard Connor say something. She spun around as her youngest son pushed Robbie aside and then lifted Alex up to carry him down the rest of the passageway.
“Do not put him down alone, lad,” Brodie said. “He’s too tall. We’ll help you.”
His brothers helped Connor get him onto the plaids on the straw. Alex was able to say, “Many thanks, all,” before he rested his head down on the pillow Maddie had made from the blankets and closed his eyes.
Each of his brothers clasped his shoulder and said, “Well done, Alex.” They turned and left.
Connor knelt next to him and said, “You made us all proud, Papa. Now ‘tis time to rest.” He clasped his father’s hand, then kissed his mother’s cheek and whispered, “If you need aught, come and get me, Mama. He’s just exhausted. He fought hard.”
“I know. Thank you, Connor.”
“We’ll keep everyone away.” He reached up to a top cupboard and pulled another blanket down. “Here’s another one to cover yourself with, Mama. ‘Twill be cool tonight.”
When they’d both gone, Maddie lay down next to her husband, her arm over his shoulder. “Alex?”
“What, love?” He opened his eyes and smiled. “Lass, ‘tis done. How’s our daughter?”
“She’s happy now. Quite bruised and she has a sprained ankle, but she’ll heal. She told me Finlay asked you for her hand in marriage. She wishes to marry him as soon as possible. What say you?”
He reached over to brush a stray hair back from her face. “I will accept. What say you?”
“Finlay is a fine lad, and she loves him. If you’re happy, I’m happy.”
“I told him I’d think on it. Besides, the lad saved my life.”
“He did? Finlay?”
“Aye, I was fighting in Buchan’s great hall and had my back to Buchan. He came at me with his sword. Finlay warned me. That was when I finished the bastard. I’ll talk to them both on the morrow.”
“What about you? Do you have a wound I should know about? Anything I should tell your sisters?”
His hand rested on her cheek. “Nay, I just need sleep. I’m not as strong as I used to be, but please don’t reveal any of my secrets. This spot is perfect. I’ll awaken on the morrow to tell you how much I love you and how proud I am of our children…all of them.”
His eyelids drifted closed again, and Maddie sighed and kissed his forehead. “I will be waiting for that.”
His eyes flew open again and he said, “Och, I forgot to tell you. ‘Tis finished. Both.” He closed his eyes and began a light snore in a matter of minutes.
She lay on her side, watching this man who had brought her such joy over the years, saying a prayer of thanks to the Lord for bringing him home safely.
He’d gained some streaks of gray in his dark hair and some creases around his eyes, but he was still the most handsome man she’d ever met.
Her love for him had only grown stronger over the years.
Then something suddenly occurred to her. She kissed his cheek and said, “I’ll be right back.”
He never moved.
She raced down the passageway of the stables, checking her pockets to make sure she hadn’t lost her treasures while she searched each stall for Black Lightning. She almost passed him, but she heard his soft, breathy nicker as she strode by him.
She stopped and turned to her husband’s dear horse, opening the gate and stepping inside with him. He tossed his head in a greeting and gave her another soft whinny as though he knew Alex was sleeping.
She stepped forward and rubbed his muzzle, rummaging through her pocket for him.
“Did you think I forgot you, my sweet?” She pulled out an apple and held it out for the dear animal.
He took it without hesitation so she stepped to his side and rubbed his withers, a movement that often calmed him.
“Many thanks to you, my friend, for bringing your master home.”
She fixed his dark forelock as she often did, but then laughed when he nudged her arm. “You know I have another, but you must finish chewing the first before you’ll get it.”
When he finished the first, he nudged her again and she pulled the second apple out, holding it in front of his muzzle.
He took it and she leaned in to kiss his forehead.
“You did a fine job of bringing your master home tonight, Black Lightning. It could not have been easy keeping him on your back.”
She gave him a small hug around his shoulders and whispered, “Such a fine job that I promise to return with another treat on the morrow.”
She opened the gate and closed it, blowing him a kiss as she padded back down the passageway.
The Band of Cousins
1284
Highland Lies
Roddy and Rose
Epilogue
Another all-time favorite of readers: the birth of the three lads— and one proud grandfather.
Alexander Grant stood beneath the large hearth in the great hall of his clan’s castle, his hands on his hips as he stared up at the weaponry above the hearth.
His brother Robbie joined him. “Could be a big day, brother.”
“Aye, ’struth, Robbie. Most of all, I pray ’twill be a healthy and happy day for all. Or should I say, a happy sennight. Bairns have minds of their own, as you well know. They’ll be here when they’re ready and not a moment before.”
“Truer words have never been spoken. Papa would be proud.”
A grin crossed Alex’s face as he thought about their beloved sire. He’d been strict with his sons, but they’d always known the man with the gruff bark had the softest heart of all, especially when it came to their mother.
“I like the way Jamie and Jake arranged the weaponry,” Robbie said, his gaze cresting the wide stone hearth.
The mantel was covered with aromatic candles amid dried greens and berries carefully tied with ribbons by Maddie and Celestina.
The various daggers, swords, and knives were mounted on the wall.
The tapestries depicting the castle in the four seasons, which his mother had made so long ago, still decorated the long wall of the hall.
Though their castle had grown in size, with added towers and a third story, they’d kept many things from the original keep.
“Aye, they did a nice job. Papa would be pleased to see some of his finest swords hanging there for all to see. If only Maddie hadn’t insisted I clean the blood from them,” Alex said, a bit of remorse in his tone.
“Your sword belongs above the others. Do you think the laddie destined to lift that mighty sword will be born today?”
Alex grasped his brother’s shoulder. “I can only hope the bairn is healthy and will bring us new joy.”
A woman’s voice echoed behind him. “You do not fool me at all, dear brother. You wish to have another wee lassie to strap to your chest,” Alex’s sister Brenna said.
Alex pulled her close so he could kiss her forehead. “I hope you have a fine day, sister, and may the Lord guide your gifted hands.”
***