Chapter One
Maddie
The Scottish Highlands, Clan Grant, winter 1299
Maddie Grant made her way over to the hearth, rubbing her hands in front of the fire before grabbing a fur from the back of the closest chair and flopping into it, huddling under the soft pelt.
“Mama?” Kyla asked. “Are you hale? Do you need something? Mayhap some warm broth.” She leaned over the balcony to check on her.
Maddie thought about it and was just about to answer as she was nearly launched into the air, a pair of warm hands around her waist. “Your mother’s fine, Kyla.”
Alex had hefted her before sitting down in his favorite chair and arranging her on his lap.
Maeve hovered nearby. “I’ll get some broth, Mama.”
“Go ahead, Maeve. I’m sure she’ll enjoy it,” Alex said, wrapping his arms around her. “She’s probably just cold. Winter is long and especially frigid this year.”
“Oh, Alex. I’m too big to sit on your lap.” She leaned back into his heat, something he’d always been willing to share with her, and she’d relished it over the years. “And the bairns are just outside. I need to help them with their things.”
“They’ll be fine, wife.” He chuckled, kissing her cheek just as a gaggle of cousins entered, stomping the snow from their boots. “You weigh less now than the day we were married, love.” He kissed her loudly on the lips, making a smacking noise for the lads.
Of that she was certain.
Right on cue, Alick, Els, and Alasdair all shouted various comments.
“Ugh. Kissing. Stop it, Grandda!” At four and ten, they still pretended not to be interested in lasses yet. “Disgusting!” Alick hollered.
Broc and Alaric came in behind the three boys, both saying, “Nae kissing. Nay, Grandda!”
Gracie followed, setting the two wee ones down on the floor, Jamie behind her along with their bairns. Merelda was two and Maryell was just beginning to toddle after turning one year old.
“Gwa?” Maryell headed straight for her beloved grandmother, a line now behind her.
The lads all chattered on about who had thrown the biggest snowball and who had slid down the hill the fastest. Maeve joined them from the kitchens, setting the mug of broth down on a nearby table before helping the bairns get out of their winter things, scarves and boots flying everywhere.
“Maddie? Are you hale?” Alex whispered in her ear.
“I’m fine, Alex.” She wouldn’t tell him the truth yet.
Something was off, but she was uncertain what it was, except that she was frigid.
Even Alex’s heat couldn’t warm her up. She took a sip of the broth, lifting her head to check on her dearest grandbairns, but her head fell back against Alex’s shoulder. “I just need a wee rest.”
“Then take one. They’ll be fine without you.”
Her eyes had already closed.
She didn’t see the group gathering around her.
First it was Maeve, then Kyla and Jamie. “What’s wrong with Mama?” Jamie asked.
“She wanted a wee rest,” Alex said.
Gracie approached and kissed Maddie’s forehead. “I thought so. She has a fever, Jamie. Da, mayhap she should go to bed. I’ll get Aunt Brenna’s potion for her when she awakens.”
Maddie shook her head, the weakest they’d ever seen. “I’m…”
Rarely ill, never still, the group gathered around her, even the bairns going quiet as they gazed upon their beloved grandmother.
Seven-year-old Chrissa said, “Grandmama is ill.”
Maddie shook her head. “…fine.”
Alex nodded after letting out a sigh.
“She’s got the fever, Gracie. She’s definitely not herself.”
Maddie fell into a deep sleep.