Chapter 33
One month later
The Macinnes sisters sat on a bench in the garden that had once been Heathers pride and joy, their hands clasped to one another.
“You will see that the garden is tended well,” Heather said tears clouding her eyes.
“I will make certain of it,” Patience said, sniffling back tears.
Tears rolled down Emma’s cheeks. “I cannot wait until this bairn is born so I will stop crying so much.”
“What does Hunter have planned for the Clan McLaud now that he is chieftain?” Heather asked.
“We have talked, but he has made no decision yet. In time, he will know what to do.”
“But you will not leave Macinnes land, will you?” Emma said, though she and Heather already knew the answer.
Patience shook her head. “Never, and Hunter is well aware of that.” She squeezed her sisters’ hands.“It is odd. I will miss not having you both here, but I look forward to life with my husband.”
Heather smiled. “We will always be there for one another, always love one another, but it is time we start our own lives.”
“And we have three fantastic husbands to do that with,” Emma said.
Patience shook her head. “I still do not know about the Dragon. He can be a handful to deal with at times.”
Emma and Heather burst out laughing.
* * *
It had taken time and much work to recover from the battle.
Haidar’s warriors had fought to the bitter end until not one of them was left.
Greer’s warriors quickly surrendered to Hunter their new chieftain.
The damage the village had suffered during battle was quickly repaired and the dead, friend and foe alike, were buried.
The time finally came for Heather to bid her family good-bye once again, but this time it was a much happier farewell.
She had hugged and kissed her da and made him promise to come visit her.
She made Maura promise to look after her da, though Heather had no doubt she would.
The woman truly loved him. She had cheered along with everyone when Una and Ewan announced they would wed.
And she shed tears of joy when she watched not only Una and Ewan exchange marriage vows in a simple ceremony, but Ross and Saundra as well.
Rhys had insisted they wed before his departure so that he knew Saundra was safe and well cared for.
She had assured her sister Emma for the hundredth time that she would be there for the birth of her bairn and wished her a safe trip, she and Rogan taking their leave shortly after her and Rhys.
Heather gave a final wave to all as she rode off tucked in front of her husband on his stallion and Finn curled comfortably asleep on her lap.
“Tell me what I can do to make this parting easier for you,” Rhys said, kissing her brow.
“You have already made it easier.”
“How have I done that?”
“You let loose the Dragon to love me.”
He leaned his head down and whispered before kissing her, “The Dragon has always loved you and he always will.”
THE END