Page 64 of My Highland Fling
“Yes.”And the beyond held so much charm and appeal.She brimmed full of love and awe at his total acceptance.“Make love to me again.I want to experiment with the power of the mark.”
And so they loved long into the night, and it was amazing.
Chapter 29
Epilogue
Severalmonthslater.
Gabrielle waddled into the café to meet Ramsay for lunch since he was filling in for Emily on his day off from the restaurant.Sun shone from overhead, and after a week of rain, the bright light was a welcome change.
“Hi, Tomasine,” Gabrielle said as she pushed through the front door of the café.
Tomasine waved.“Ramsay is doing a last-minute order.He won’t be long.I’ve reserved a table for you.It’s over in that far corner.”
“Thanks.”
“You look as if you need a cold drink.”
“A mind reader,” Gabrielle said.“Could I have a ginger beer?”
“I’ll bring one over.”
Gabrielle wove through the tables, stopping to chat with neighbors, friends, and two older women on the Feline Council.
“When is your due date?”Agnes Paisley asked.She’d styled her salt-and-pepper hair in an elegant chignon while an unexpected hint of mint wafted from her person.
“A week ago,” Gabrielle said drily.She scanned the surrounding people and went with tact.“The doctor says it’s normal with a first baby, but I’m ready to see my feet again.”
Agnes cackled.“Even though it has been years, I recall that feeling well.You take care of yourself and make sure your man waits on you hand and foot.”
“He does,” Gabrielle said, and despite her swollen ankles and enormous belly, a lightness suffused her.These days, she recognized it as happiness.She hadn’t heard a word from her parents or older brothers, and most people here had never heard of Konstavia.That suited her perfectly.
While the Middlemarch community didn’t have a blood tie to her, they treated her like family.It was eye-opening that a clan of felines would accept her and unstintingly offer their support while her family considered her a possession.Each day, she gave silent thanks for picking the pub with the kilt-wearing doorman—that she’d gone with her gut and hooked up with Ramsay.Her instincts had led her straight to love and happiness.
“Gabrielle, over here,” a familiar voice called.
Gabrielle adjusted her direction.“Tilly, you look busy.”
Tilly had charge of several under-fives and was conducting a tea party with actual food and drinks.Dolls, teddy bears, and two toy trucks sat beside the girls and boys.The tots were shouting over the top of each other, and if Gabrielle wasn’t mistaken, an argument was brewing.
“Now, now.Enough of that,” Tilly said.
One girl giggled at Tilly’s wagging finger, and soon the risk of disagreements had blown over.Tilly honestly had a knack for people.Gabrielle had watched her maneuver the Middlemarch men when it suited her too, but she did it with humor and kindness.
“Hi, Gabrielle,” one little cherub called.
Gabrielle waved.
“You have a fat tummy,” a little boy piped up.
Gabrielle laughed.“I do.”
“Hey, kitten,” a familiar voice whispered in her ear.“I like your big belly.”
She leaned into his warmth.
“It’s not polite to tell people they’re fat, young man,” Tilly said sternly.Her eyes twinkled with silent laughter as she instructed him to apologize.
