A Highlander's Second Chance: Highland Temptations Read online

  He was always there when she needed him.

  The church steeple rose up ahead of them, reminding her of the day they were married in that very place. “Six months,” she sighed, leaning against his arm.

  “Happy months?” he asked with a grin, catching her out of the corner of his eye.

  “What do you think, husband?” she asked. “Have I not struck you as a happy wife?”

  “Ye have, at that. But it is good for a man to hear it at times.”

  “You have made me a very happy woman, Clyde McMannis.” She reached up to kiss his cheek.

  “Now, now.” Drew caught sight of them as they drew nearer the church. “None of that out here. Ye put older couples to shame, ye do.”

  “Och, and ye who have been wed hardly more than a year and one half.” Clyde smirked.

  “There is much less chance for that sort of behavior when one hears feet running through the house at all times.” He winced, but there was no hiding the grin he could not seem to rid himself of. His daughter was a healthy, lovely little thing, and he was a proud father if ever Ailsa had ever seen one.

  They were soon joined by Rufus and Davina, who held Fiona by one hand. The stubborn little thing refused to be carried the minute she’d learned to walk. Ailsa was of the opinion that Rufus was in for quite a time with his willful daughter.

  Owen, meanwhile, ran circles around young Liam. It was clear he worshipped the older boy and wished to be just like him. Moira could not have been bothered. At the tender age of six years, she was already very protective of the new baby in the house and wanted nothing but to help tend to her.

  It was a large, loud, joyful gathering which would soon make its way into the church for the baptism. “Now, ye must behave yourselves,” Drew warned Owen before they climbed the stairs. “Remember what we spoke about before leaving the house this morning.”

  “Aye, Uncle Drew,” the boy sighed, scuffing the ground with the toe of his shoe. He caught Ailsa’s eye, and she winked. This brought a smile back to him.

  “I suppose we had best go inside,” Anne suggested, leading the way with the baby held against her shoulder. Ailsa linked arms with her husband, the two of them bringing up the rear.

  “They are a fine bunch,” she murmured as they climbed the stairs. “We are fortunate to have them.”

  “Aye, we are at that,” her husband agreed. “’Twas nothing short of providence, Drew asking me to accompany him and Rufus when it was time to take back the family land.”

  “I agree. And providence led you to me, as well.” She smiled, recalling how angry she’d been when she’d learned of his impending arrival. “Though it did not seem that way at the time, I admit.”

  “As do I,” he agreed, chuckling. They stopped at the top of the stairs, just shy of entering through the tall doors. “I hope ye never regret it, Ailsa McMannis.”

  That did sound so nice, especially when it came from him.

  “I am certain I will not.” She grinned. “Though I suppose it is a bit late to be worried about regrets now.”

  “What do ye mean?” he asked, confused…until she placed a hand over her belly, and understanding dawned in his eyes.

  “I hope you are pleased,” she whispered, suddenly trembling. They had discussed a family before then, but never seriously. Both had decided that whatever was meant to be would be, and in the meantime, they would build their life together.

  “Ye hope?” he asked. Then he threw back his head and laughed. “Ye dinna know it, lass?”

  “So you are?” she asked just before he gathered her up in a hug.

  “Och, Ailsa, ye have made me the happiest man. I never imagined…” He pulled back, looking down at her, his eyes shining with emotion.

  “I know,” she murmured, taking his dear face in her hands. He need not say it aloud for her to understand the fullness of what this meant to him. “I know.”

  “I do love ye,” he choked out, overcome.

  “And I love you. And all of them,” she added, nodding toward the door.

  “I suppose we had better join them.” He took her hand, pressing the gold band more firmly against her finger. “Soon enough, it will be our turn, with our bairn.”

  Theirs. And their family would surround them.

  And that sounded like heaven to her.

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  Copyright © 2018 by Aileen Adams

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