Page 44 of Highlander’s Evil Twin

“Nah, just tired all the time.”

“Any chance of a pregnancy? I remember you felt so tired before.”

“No. I am not pregnant. I did wonder, but no.”

“I think some good home food, some herbs, and a lot of love will make you feel better. We will keep an eye on you this week.”

“Okay mother, thank you,” Heather said.

Her mother hugged her close. “My precious daughter, I missed you so much.”

“How is everything here?” Heather looked out of the window, noticing her father talking to Hiram about something that was happening on the land.

“You know your father, full of ideas and plans. He just doesn’t want to admit he’s getting older, and that he needs to slow down some.” Her mother rolled her eyes.

“Aye, Father is very stubborn when he wants to be. I know he doesn’t think I learned it from him...but I did.” Heather and her mother shared a laugh.

“Can I tempt you to stay longer, love?” her mother asked.

“Sadly, no. Just a week as we need to be back for Maggie’s wedding. She is Hiram’s sister. You remember her, right?” Heather asked her mother.

“Oh yes, she was a sweet girl. I hope the wedding goes well. Perhaps I will persuade your father to bring me over to see you in a month or two. I need a holiday and what could be better than seeing my lovely daughter and grandson?”

The evening passed by in a contented blur. Heather was still tired, but she felt better than she had. She felt more relaxed here than she had for a long time and realized just how much she had endured in the last year or so. It wasn’t unreasonable to think that she was exhausted. She had married Hiram, lived in fear for months of Connor, become pregnant, and Connor had tried to rape and kill her. She had witnessed Hiram murdering him, had come to find out that Hiram had punished the men who had tried to abuse her when she was younger, and she had given birth. No wonder she was exhausted. So, perhaps this break was what she needed. Some quiet family time in her old home surrounded by people who loved her. It was comforting to have her mother close to her and to also see the developing bond between her parents and the baby. It had been her dream for Alistair to grow up knowing that he was loved by one and all, and it was important to her that he knew his roots. Although, he was far too young to understand what was going on or to remember this place. But he seemed happy here and she was sure he could feel the love.

As night fell and a kind of hush settled on her childhood home, Heather lay in the darkness, listening to the quiet breathing of a husband, marveling at his ability to be able to sleep at any moment. She still felt exhausted, but at least a little more content. Her mother had begged and pleaded for them to take Alistair in with them overnight so that they could give her some much-needed rest and she had agreed, reluctantly. He was sleeping most of the night now, and after a generous feed, his little eyes had grown heavy and she could see waves of tiredness claiming him. Her mother had promised to at least wake her if he did not settle. Gradually, as the moon shone through the bedroom window, she felt its reassuring glow and at last, felt herself begin to drift asleep.

25

“The time has gone too fast; it feels like you only just arrived.” Her mother hugged Heather as they prepared to leave.

“I know, but hopefully you will be over to see us soon.”

“Hiram is here. Have you got everything?” Her father hugged her and gave Alistair a little kiss.

Heather nodded. “I had best take the little boy with me, though.” She reached out her hands to take him from her mother, who for a moment seemed reluctant to let him go, but handed him back.

“You have had plenty of rest and look so much better.”

Heather nodded. “It was just what I needed. I go back to the doctor soon and then maybe I’ll get to find out what it was. Possibly a virus.”

Hiram wrapped his arms around Heather and his son. “You have no idea how much I missed you both. I’ve been rattling around that great big castle on my own.”

“On your own, but with Maggie and about twenty servants.” Heather laughed. “You can see how he is prone to exaggeration, Mother.”

They said their goodbyes and went out to the carriage. She suddenly felt emotional but elated at the same time. Seeing her parents had been exactly what was needed. She felt refreshed, healthier, and very happy to see her husband. Whilst there was still a reluctance to some degree about returning to the castle where so many experiences had been tainted throughout the year, now that she was feeling better, she knew that it was time to make the place her own. Soon, Maggie would be getting married and she would be leaving. Hiram had promised that they could have a nanny on hand to help look after Alistair and for any other children that might come along. She wondered if she should start redecorating some of the rooms so that they felt more like her own.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Hiram said when she mentioned it to him. “It is your home and we have to decide how we are going to proceed with the running of it.”

“I was thinking about that,” Heather said. “Perhaps we can organize more social events so that the castle becomes the hub of the community.”

“Hmm. It’s an idea.”

“You don’t like it?” Disheartened, she looked at him.

“I didn’t say that,” he said in a measured way. “I said it is an idea. It is something we should consider. But first, Maggie’s wedding.”

“Have you heard anything from your mother?”