Page 83 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds
“Maeve, I have one more question for you. Sloan wondered if it was Grant who burned O’s palm. It happened when he tried to touch you. That Grant glared at him and his hand burned immediately because the man touched his mother. He doesn’t think that part was Lia at all. Is that true?”
“It could be. I’m not sure, Maitland. And we’ll never know until he grows up.”
Maitland said, “Do you think our son has something special in his future? I can’t get that out of my mind. I think Connor said it. That Lia only protects those who have something they must accomplish in their future.”
“Nay, husband. I just plan to love our only son with all my heart. The rest I’ll not worry on. We are all here, all hale, and we have many to help us when the next trouble arises. According to Lia, he won’t need her for many years.”
“I’d like to ask her how many.”
“Nay, you will not. I do not wish to know. Oh, and I just remembered something else I forgot to tell you. Something that should comfort you, because it surely did comfort me.”
“What?”
“Sandor and Tora said Grandpapa Alex and Grandmama Maddie were sitting in the cellar, watching over all of them.”
“And you believed them with all your heart?”
“Not at first, but when the smell of our apple orchard washed over me, I never doubted them again.”
“Alex and Maddie were guarding the bairnsandyou, wife.”
Maeve gasped. “They did! I remember something now. Tora said Grandmama Maddie told Alex we were too cold. And this blast of heat came in like someone lit a hearth behind us.”
Maitland kissed his wife’s hand. “You needed help, and you had it.”
“Oh, Maitland. They were so close.”
***
“Diamond, if it happens again, we’re leaving Mull.”
Alasdair chuckled from the staircase, and Dyna shook her head. “I am laird here, Derric. We’re staying.” Then she glanced at her parents entering the hall.
Alasdair said, “Well, I’m headed home to see if Emmalin wishes to return with our bairns.”
Sela asked, “Will all the kidnappings keep her from coming?”
Alasdair snorted. “Emmalin thinks I’ll save them from everything. She won’t worry, but we’ll see. Chief? What about you? You returning?”
Before Derric answered, Alaric flew down the stairs, running into the kitchens and back out again with something to drink and an empty bowl.
“Eli hale?”
Alaric shrugged. “Heaving her insides out again this morn. I promised something to drink, then I have to take my leave.”
“I’ll wager a laddie,” Alasdair called out.
Dyna gave a wee whoop. “Nay, a lass.”
Alaric took the steps two at a time, chuckling.
Tora, Sandor, and Sylvi were busy making toys for their new friends in anticipation of the upcoming holiday. It would take a while to make fabric animals plus a sword for Magni.
“Where’s Logan?” Connor asked.
“He had a meeting with someone. Gwynie went with him. Took her bow too.”
“Pheasant! I’m hoping for a nice plump pheasant,” Dyna shouted.
