Page 38 of The Best of Madeline Grant

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.”

***

Upon learning the news that the babes were due at around the same time, Alex had summoned his sisters, both renowned healers, to assist Caralyn with the births. Shortly after Brenna had arrived with her husband Quade, their sister Jennie, also the baby of the family, had arrived with her entire family in tow. Alex hadn’t waited long before summoning the elders into his solar to tell them the news.