Page 18 of The Best of Madeline Grant

All of a sudden, Jennie said, “Caralyn, I need your help. Alex. Outside.” Alex looked at her as if he wanted to argue, but he took one look at the blood on her hands and left the room.

She and Caralyn worked and worked, though Maddie never moved. A few hours later, she finally had things back in order. They had changed the bed and cleaned Maddie up, so Jennie stepped out to see Alex.

Her brother gave her a look of worry that shot straight to her heart, but she had to be honest with him. “Alex, I am sorry, but I don’t think Maddie will be able to have another bairn. There was a problem with what came out after. My apologies.”

His face was gray. “But Maddie will be all right? I don’t care about more bairns, Jennie. We have five. ‘Tis plenty, but my Madeline?”

“I think she will be in good shape in a moon or so. ‘Twas much more difficult for her, and she is weak, but with time, she should come back hearty. You must allow her to stay abed for a while. She can nurse the bairn, but that is all. Someone else must mind the other bairns.”

“We can handle that. We are a family. The whole clan will band together to help. My thanks.” He gave his new daughter to Alice and hugged Jennie. “May I see her?”

“Aye, but allow her to sleep when she needs it.”

Alex hurried into the room, and Jennie moved over to peer at her new niece in Alice’s arms. “She is quite a beauty. She looks just like Maddie.”

Caralyn came up behind her. “Thank goodness you came when you did, Jennie. This could have been disastrous.”

“Nay, you are a wonderful healer, Caralyn. You kept her going until I could get here.”

Caralyn hugged Jennie, then stepped back, holding her at arms’ length. “I have much to learn, and I work hard, but I do not have the gift you do, Jennie. You are the gifted healer.”

Alice nodded. “Aye, I hope you will continue to heal. ‘Tis your nature, lass.”

Jennie thought for a moment before declaring, “It is my nature. I agree with you. I hope that the wailing will end so I can return to my life’s work.” Working on Maddie had settled a few things in her mind. Seeing her niece delivered and the lookof gratitude on her brother’s face convinced her that she was indeed in the right vocation.

Alice winked at her as they all gazed at the newest Clan Grant member. “Wait until a laddie tries to get near this one."

Yuletide Angels

This is a novella added to the end of Clan Grant, so the timeline is off from the rest of the series. Alex and Maddie have three bairns and find out they’re about to have a fourth. One of my favorite stories.

Chapter Three

Maddie makes a secret promise to Logan.

The following morn, the bedchamber door flew open, and the twins bounded inside, climbing up onto the large bed.

“Mama, Papa,” the dark-haired Jake said, his voice so full of excitement that Maddie immediately knew it had been precipitated by Logan Ramsay.

“What is it, lads?” Alex asked, climbing out of bed and donning his tunic and plaid.

Jamie, his blond curls a mess, looked up at his sire quite seriously. “Papa, do you not get cold sleeping with naught on?”

“Nay. Finish what you came to say, Jake.” Alex was deft at redirecting the attention of the lads.

“Uncle Logan wishes to take us sliding down the small hill. He checked last eve and said there’s enough snow on that hill, and he found a contraption at the carpenter’s that we could use. Said he told the carpenter how to perfect it and that it would be ready this morn. Can we try? Please?”

Jamie added, “He’s done it on Ramsay land with Torrian and Lily. He promises we’ll not be hurt. He said he’ll keep a keen eye on us.”

Alex looked at Maddie for an answer, but Maddie had no idea what the contraption would look like or what the dangers of such a thing could be. “Alex, I’m not sure.”

“Let us see what Logan intends,” Alex said. Then, turning to the boys, he said, “Go ahead, but you must wear your trews and tunics and woolen socks. No plaid, or you might catch on a tree. We’ll be out to check on you in a few moments.”

The two boys hooted and raced out the door. “Are you sure it will be safe?” Maddie asked, worrying over everything that was initiated by Logan. “You know how he can be,” she whispered, as if he would hear their discussion through the walls.

“’Tis exactly why I told them trews and tunics. I don’t trust his plans, but I do trust our carpenter. I’ll make sure our laddies are safe. I’ve heard of other contraptions that are quite entertaining.” He leaned over the bed and lifted her up, giving her a quick cuddle. “I have sweet memories, lass of mine.”

“Alex, I’m far from a lass.” She tugged at her night rail in a sad effort to keep it in place, having donned it a short time ago.