Epilogue
Ruaidri MacKellar opened his eyes to absolute darkness and, for a moment, a cold hand of fear wrapped itself around his heart. But then a warm hand brushed across his chest and a slender leg settled itself atop his thigh.
“S’all right, my love,” Elspeth said, snuggling against him. “Dinnae fear.”
Ruaidri smiled into the darkness and turned toward her, pulling her close. How he loved her, curse words and all. Not a day went by that he did not count his blessings.
Almost three months had passed since he’d returned from Roscraig and much had happened during that time. First, there had been an observance for Father Iain, followed by three more official announcements. Gabriel and Breanna were to be parents in the autumn, and Jacques and Morag were expecting their child around Christmastide. The third announcement was that of a marriage.
One long overdue.
Ruaidri and Elspeth had spoken their vows to each other on the steps of the Templar church in Lorg Coise Dhè. It had been in the month of May, on a day when not a breath of wind stirred, and the blue of the sky was reflected in the smooth surface of the loch. Was there such a thing as the perfect day for a wedding?
Aye, there was.
As for Brochan, he was currently at Roscraig, preparing for his own wedding to Màiri Beth. Odd, Ruaidri thought, how a MacAulay had almost destroyed his life, and a MacAulay had also pulled him back from the precipice. He owed Brochan MacAulay more than he could ever repay.
As for miracles, well, there had, undoubtedly, been another. This time, however, only one person knew of it. As for the sprig, Elspeth kept it in a small wooden box.
“I swear to God I can hear your brain working,” Elspeth said, moving her leg higher up Ruaidri’s thigh till it touched his balls. “I hope they’re all nice thoughts.”
“Very nice thoughts, aye,” he said. “Come here.”
She laughed as he shifted her beneath him and sank into the warmth of her. She her spine and pushed up against him, meeting each of his thrusts with unabashed pleasure. It wasn’t long till she whispered his name and tightened around him. He surrendered to his own pleasure as she took hers.
Later, basking in the aftermath, Ruaidri gave silent thanks again.
Life was good. Full of joy and hope. And sometimes, miracles.
The End
Thank you for reading this fourth book in my Templar series. I hope you enjoyed it! Ruaidri’s story, of course, was never a part of the original series outline, but he became a character that merited his own HEA.
I was happy to give it to him!