“Slow down.”
She jumped and he barely opened his arms in time to catch her. Twirling her around, he couldn’t help but laugh as she did. Her joyful giggles echoed about the bailey, his own deep chuckles almost smothering hers. Hell, he’d always loved her, as a brother loved his sister, their foster-relationship forever strong.
“You’ve been gone for so long. Six months, you brute.” She peppered his cheeks with kisses. “You should have sent a scout ahead with a message you’d be arriving this night. We were no’ expecting you for another day, and I also almost tripped down the stairs in my hurry to get to you. I’ve missed you so much.”
“So much that you went and wed another man, when I’d dearly hoped it would be me.”
“Liar.” She thumped his chest. “You’re as glad as I am that we’ll never have to speak vows.”
“True.” He hugged her tight. “Where is your husband? I wish to meet Ronan Matheson and thank him profusely for taking you off my hands.”
“Then you’d best put her down afore you do.” A warrior stood at the front door wearing black battle leathers and his claymore strapped to his side, a man who could almost pass for him with how close in looks they appeared. Aye, they were clearly related by blood.
“Welcome to the family, Ronan.” Gently, he set Kyla down and extended his hand to Ronan as he strode toward him.
“I’ve been awaiting this day as much as Kyla has. ’Tis good to finally meet you.” Ronan shook his hand and stared at him. “Well, ’tis no wonder Kyla first mistook me for you.”
“Glad I am to finally meet you too, and for keeping such a watchful eye on Kyla. She can be quite the handful at times.”
“Excuse me, but I’m standing right here.” Kyla slapped him in the chest again. “I want to beat you up so bad.”
“You can do so inside if you wish. Come, let’s all speak further in my solar, to ensure our coming conversation isnae overheard. I have much to tell you all.” He walked across the yard, leaving the whickering of the horses behind. Aye, he needed to inform them of the agreement he’d recently made with the Chief of MacRae, one which involved him soon speaking marriage vows with the man’s eldest daughter, Elizabeth.
He stepped into the great hall, pulled off his riding gloves and stuffed them in his pocket. Hefty barks echoed and two big dogs raced past the roaring fireplace. They skidded across the polished floorboards, their ears alert and drool flying as they bounded toward him. He prepared himself as only he could for Beast and Buster’s welcome home. Lowering to one knee, he prayed he’d survive the coming impact.
They hurtled into him and he fell back, got smothered in hearty licks and giant paws thumping his chest. Now this he’d surely missed. He hauled his dogs closer and reveled in the moment of finally being home again amongst his nearest and dearest, his pets included.
“They’ve missed you almost as much as the rest of us have.” Kyla knelt next to him and gave both the dogs a good tummy rub as they rolled all over him. “Do you recall the day Fiona first discovered these two?”
“I’ll never forget that day.” Five years ago, in one darkened corner of the stables at Loch Alsh, he’d found Fiona sitting with these two pups as they’d tried to nuzzle at their dead mother’s belly. Their death had been all but close as well, only the empath in Fiona had arisen and she’d scooped the newborn critters up, taken them to her chamber and over the weeks ahead had nursed them until they’d grown strong enough to lap milk from a dish and chew meat on their own.
“They’ll live, Coll. They’re really going to live.” Fiona has gushed to him one night in the quietness of her chamber, right next to the warmth of the crackling fire as he’d visited her to check on the pups.
He’d eased down on the thick woolen rug beside her, touched his palm to her cheeks all rosy and red, her excitement brimming forth as she’d played with the two little critters. “’Tis your dedicated touch alone which has seen them live.”
“They know they’re going to survive as well. I can sense their emotions.” She’d wriggled closer to him, popped a kiss on his cheek.
“What was that for?”
A blush. “Um, for helping me with them when needed.”
“Mayhap we should name them now you’re certain they’re going to survive.”
“Aye, they should have names. You choose one and I’ll choose the other. You go first.” She’d handed the eldest of the two puppies to him, one pure black in color while the other, still pure black, held a tip of white on his tail to mark the two apart.