Nari said, “Nay, you didn’t know what a ruse was. Connor had to tell you.”
“I did know. And I helped save all those lasses because I heard about the ruse. I should be special, too.”
Steenie moved to stand between the two and said, “I’m special because I found Paddy the Pony and he took me to Grant land to find Braden to save my mother from those bad men. And we saved other lasses, too.”
“Aye, but I’m the most special,” Thorn said.
“Nay, me,” Nari added.
Paddy reared and started making strange noises.
Loki threw his hands in the air, indicating he didn’t know what to do. “Is there anyone here who can control a wee pony?”
Alex said, “I can, if you’d like.” He dismounted and assisted Maddie down.
“Nay!” Brodie said. “Steenie has tender feelings for the wee beast.”
Alex just quirked his brow at his brother as he made his way past the group, toward the keep. “You all enjoy yourselves. I’m looking for an ale and one of my sister’s meat pies.”
Sela wasn’t sure what to do—sometimes it still overwhelmed her to be part of such a large and loving family—so she edged closer to Connor, who wrapped his arm around her shoulders and tugged her close. She noticed he was grinning from ear to ear at Loki’s troubles.
The lads bickered, the pony fussed, and the rest of them stood around the outside giggling at the antics. Sela’s heart dropped into her belly when Claray ran over to stand in front of the wild pony.
“Connor, the pony might hurt her,” she said, pushing on his shoulder to urge him to intervene.
But she didn’t need to worry. To the amazement and surprise of the rest of the group, Paddy leaned down to Claray and nuzzled the wee hand she held out to him. She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him just above his nose.
Steenie hurried over to them and stared at his pet in shock. Then he broke out into a grin and turned to the group.
“Paddy said he’ll do whatever Claray wants.”
Claray giggled as Paddy dipped his head toward her. “Mama, may I have a pony, too?”
***
Two days later, Connor stood in the Cameron courtyard in his leine and the finest red, green, and black Grant plaid he owned. His sire stood with him, along with his brothers, Jamie and Jake, all four dressed identically.
Jamie clasped his shoulder and said, “I have to admit, I didn’t think I’d ever see it, Connor.”
“You’ve chosen a fine woman,” Jake added.
Connor glanced at his father, pleased to be looking down at him just a bit. “You, Papa? Did you believe it would happen?”
“I never doubted it for a moment. When a Grant lad finds the one, he doesn’t change his mind. ’Tis for life.”
“Mount up, Grants,” came the call from Logan Ramsay. “These blue Ramsay plaids sure are the finest ones here, are they not?” He grinned and mounted his horse.
Jamie wasn’t the only one who’d doubted this day would come. Connor had wished for it with all his heart, but he’d worried naught would come of it. It was still winter, but it wasn’t snowing, and the sun had managed to peek out a few times.
The actual wedding would take place inside the beautiful abbey, although the elders had insisted on including a fine procession in celebration of the end of the Channel of Dubh. There’d been no more sign of Dubh activity anywhere since Hord had met his fiery end.
The portcullis lifted and the procession began. Connor looked over the land between the Cameron gates and the abbey, and a lump formed in his throat at the throngs of people who’d come to see the couples wed.
The group was led by Aedan Cameron, his brother Ruari, and Drew Menzie.
Will and Maggie followed, holding hands as they made their way to the abbey. Behind them came the rest of the Band and their wives:
David and Anna
Daniel and Constance
Braden and Cairstine
Roddy and Rose
Gavin and Merewen
Gregor and Connor came last, their brides waiting to join them inside the abbey, although both lasses were positioned to watch the processional.
Flanking the group came another very distinguished group:
Micheil Ramsay and Diana Drummond rode their horses next to their sons.
Logan Ramsay rode next to Gavin, and Brodie and Robbie Grant also rode next to their sons.
Gregor was flanked by Quade Ramsay and Chieftain Torrian.
Alexander Grant held back, riding next to Connor, and Jamie and Jake had fallen in beside their sire.
Halfway across the field, the procession slowed as a wee horseman joined them.
Steenie darted across the field riding Paddy the pony, who put quite a show on for the group. Two falcons and an owl followed him, swooping through the air in what looked like a dance. Two other ponies followed, carrying Thorn and Nari, both beaming with pride to be part of the big event.
The throng of guests, proudly wearing their plaids, parted for the procession and cheered their clansmen.
When they reached the abbey, men came out to hold Connor’s and Gregor’s horses, while they dismounted and headed into the abbey, their immediate family members following. Other guests were allowed in until the seats were filled.
All was quiet.
The abbey was full, decorated with ribbons and dried flowers. Connor and Gregor stood together at the back of the church. Father MacGregor was already behind the altar. Connor glanced at his cousin, wondering if Gregor was nervous, too. His hands were so damp, he felt the need to wipe them on his plaid.
Gregor quirked his brow at him. “’Tis finally here, Connor.”
Two processions of lasses entered the church, one side led by Steenie and Thorn, the other side led by Loki’s adopted son, Kenzie, and Nari.
The lasses sang hymns as they met in the middle and proceeded down the center aisle of the church, each carrying a bouquet of flowers. Connor couldn’t believe how many they’d gathered. As soon as they began to walk, many of the guests started to cry. The audience slowly rose to their feet.
The procession consisted of many of the lasses who’d been rescued from the Channel, dressed all in white, marching and singing. Looking at them, Connor couldn’t be prouder of the work the Band had done. Their group might have disbanded, but their work had changed lives.
The last lass member of the processional was Claray, who gave everyone a big smile, giggled, and whispered, “Greetings, Papa,” before she strode down the aisle. She carried a large basket of flowers.
At the end of the procession, Sela came from one side of the chapel and Linet from the other.
Linet wore a pink gown adorned with an array of embroidered flowers, sewn carefully by her sister. Her dark hair flowed down her back, woven with ribbons and flowers carefully placed by Gregor’s Aunt Avelina.
She looked lovely, but as soon as Sela entered the chapel, Connor noticed no one else. She wore an ice blue gown, the exact shade of her eyes. She stepped out with her head held tall, shoulders squared, and a beaming smile. Connor could barely keep himself from gasping. The gown was unadorned but sleek, flowing a distance behind her. Her white hair was bound in two braids along the side in the Norse fashion, then pulled back to join the rest of the hair freely flowing down her back. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. But today she was no Ice Queen. Her smile lit up the abbey.
She joined him and took his hand, then leaned over and whispered in his ear, “Now do you remember me?”
***
Two nights later, Connor and Sela stood under the night sky in his aunt and uncle’s favorite spot on the hill behind the abbey. They’d had two days of celebrations for two weddings, and while they’d enjoyed themselves, they were both exhausted and looking for some quiet time. Sela took his hand and squeezed as they stared up at the stars. It was a cloudless night, perfect for stargazing.
She hadn’t mentioned the spirit she’d seen on her last night in the abbey,
but she did remember that the spirit had mentioned visiting Connor. This had to be the best place to broach the subject. “Connor, do you believe in spirits and faeries?”
He spun his head to stare at her so quickly that she thought it may have hurt his neck. “Why do you ask that question?” His gaze narrowed.
“I didn’t tell you before, but I dreamed of a woman the night before I returned to you. She was a beautiful woman in a white dress.”
“With a blue band around her waist and pearls around her neck?”
Her mouth fell open. “So you do know her?”
He grabbed both of her hands. “Aye, I first saw her with Roddy at Sona Abbey. I made him promise not to tell another soul. It was in the middle of a thunderstorm. What did she say to you?”
“She said she was the protector of bairns and told me my purpose was to be a mother.”
“I saw her just before you returned. It was only a moment, but she said I deserved happiness and her work was done.” Connor stared up at the stars above, as if seeking clarity. Then he kissed her cheek and said, “She also said I’d be a wonderful father. I hope she’s correct.”
“Mayhap she was the one guiding you and your cousins to follow the Channel. To save all the lads and lassies you did.”
Connor sighed, wrapping his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “My sire believes in faeries and spirits. My grandmother did, too. Why should I not? Aunt Avelina is connected to the other realm in some way, or so Papa tells me. Says he saw the heavens above respond to her. Still swears he’s never seen anything like it. ’Tis why he doesn’t question Paddy the pony.”
A star shot across the sky, leaving a trail of light behind it.
Sela pointed. “Look. What do you suppose that means?”
Aunt Jennie and Uncle Aedan crested the hill just in time to hear the end of their conversation. “’Tis said a star like that is a bairn finding its way to the womb,” Jennie said.
“A bairn?” Connor asked.
“A tale of the stars. One of many,” Aedan said. “Believe whatever you choose.”
They talked a bit more before they decided to head back to the keep as a group.
They’d almost made it back to the keep when Sela realized she’d dropped a linen square and went back to retrieve it, Connor following her. She picked it up off the ground and glanced up at the stars one more time.
“Connor, do you think we’ll have a bairn together? The spirit said we will.”
A billowing shadow of the spirit they’d seen crossed in front of them, her smile luminous. “Your aunt was correct, Connor. That shooting star was your first-born finding its way to its mama. Congratulations!”
***
Nine months later…
Connor paced the great hall in the middle of the night, his sire and brothers chuckling while his mother and sister grinned. “This is taking too long,” he declared, looking at them all as if they could do something to hurry up the process.
The door he’d been watching abovestairs finally opened, and Aunt Jennie stepped out of the chamber. “Connor, do you wish to do as your sire and sit at her side? The bairn is almost here.”
“Aye!” he shouted loud enough to wake the entire clan. He bolted up the stairs, taking them three at a time, ignoring the teases and taunts of his brothers, both of whom had already preceded him into fatherhood.
Aunt Jennie opened the door for him and he bolted inside. His wife’s face was as red as a ripe apple. Whatever pain had her in its grip must have eased, briefly, for she let her breath out with a whoosh and leaned back against the pillow.
“Connor, if your bairn does not get out soon, I’m going to reach up, find a leg and pull it out.” She gritted her teeth and glared at him.
He’d heard about this, about wives yelling at their husbands before they delivered a bairn, so he ignored her comment.
He sat on the stool next to her and asked, “What can I do to help you?”
“Why are you here? Men do not attend these things,” she said, grasping his hand tightly while he mopped her brow.
“True, but my sire was at each of our births. I’d prefer to stay if you’ll allow it,” he said.
Aunt Jennie, fussing with her supplies, said, “Every single one. My brother would not be moved, and my nephew is even bigger. I’ll not be pushing him out.”
Sela met his gaze and held it. “Aye, I would like you to stay. My first time was not the best. It would comfort me to have you here.” She reached up to cup his face, but then her eyes widened with pain. His dear wife leaned forward and pushed, hooking her hands around her knees as she let out a fierce growl.
Aunt Jennie checked her progress, Aunt Caralyn behind her. “I can see the bairn’s head, and ’tis quite fair, I think.” Aunt Caralyn peeked and said, “Aye, a wee Norse bairn. We’ve not seen many of those.”
Connor asked, “Do you think ’tis a lassie?”
Aunt Jennie smiled at him. “You’ve three nephews now, Connor. I’m surprised you don’t wish to have a lad first, like your brothers and sister, but I hope ’twill be a wee lassie for your sake. She’d have a time teasing all the laddies, would she not?”
Sela leaned back and whispered, “I care not whether ’tis a lad or a lassie, I just wish for the babe to be born. Please, Aunt Jennie.”
“I think the babe may come with your next push,” Aunt Caralyn said, patting her knee.
Connor kissed his wife’s forehead. How happy their new life was together. The two of them, along with Claray, lived in their own cottage inside the bailey. Sela fussed over every detail to make it warm and cozy. They’d spent quite a bit of time learning how to fish in their loch, Claray laughing as she chased about the flopping fish. The wee lassie had become a favorite in the clan with her red curls and sweet giggle.
Sela let out another growl and leaned forward, pushing so hard Connor wished he could help her. A loud shout erupted from her lips as their bairn burst into the world, slipping into Aunt Jennie’s capable hands.
Aunt Caralyn had linen ready to clean the squalling bairn up while Aunt Jennie finished with her tasks, both of them talking in soothing tones to the new life they held in their hands.
Connor forced himself to avert his eyes from the babe to attend to his wife. He squeezed her hand and kissed her forehead. “You did a fine job with our wee one, Sela. I love you.”
“What is it?” Sela asked, peering at their new bairn in awe.
Aunt Jennie held the bairn up for them to see.
“Congratulations to both of you. ’tis the wee lassie you wished for, Connor, and she has the white hair you hoped for, too. Have you a name yet?”
Connor smiled, his heart brimming with happiness, and kissed his wife again. “I’d like to call her Dyna, after your mother.”
Sela burst into tears and hugged him. Then she turned to Aunt Jennie and said, “Aye, Dyna.”
~THE END~
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Connor’s story!
Is it the end of the Grants and Ramsays?
Absolutely not. It is the end of The Band of Cousins because, though I am putting the finishing touches on a Christmas novella tied to the Band, the Channel of Dubh has finally been destroyed! There are still many tales to tell of the remaining Grants and Ramsays: Jennet, Kenzie, Brigid, Elyse, Elizabeth, Steenie, Riley, Brin…and so many more. My present plan is to package them a little differently. Some will be stand-alone novels, others will be presented as trilogies or duets. One that will definitely come to fruition is a trilogy about the healers in the group—Jennet, Brigid, and maybe Elyse.
We’ll see! I go where my muse goes.
Happy reading!
As always, reviews would be greatly appreciated. Sign up for my newsletter on my website at www.keiramontclair.com. I send newsletters out with each new release.
Another way to receive notices about my new releases is to follow me on BookBub. Click on the tab in the upper right-hand side of my profile page. You can also wri
te a review on BookBub.
Keira Montclair
www.keiramontclair.com
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NOVELS BY KEIRA MONTCLAIR
THE BAND OF COUSINS
HIGHLAND VENGEANCE
HIGHLAND ABDUCTION
HIGHLAND RETRIBUTION
HIGHLAND LIES
HIGHLAND FORTITUDE
HIGHLAND RESILIENCE
HIGHLAND DEVOTION
HIGHLAND BRAWN
THE CLAN GRANT SERIES
#1-RESCUED BY A HIGHLANDER-Alex and Maddie
#2-HEALING A HIGHLANDER’S HEART-Brenna and Quade
#3-LOVE LETTERS FROM LARGS-Brodie and Celestina
#4-JOURNEY TO THE HIGHLANDS-Robbie and Caralyn
#5-HIGHLAND SPARKS-Logan and Gwyneth
#6-MY DESPERATE HIGHLANDER-Micheil and Diana
#7-THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE HIGHLANDS-Jennie and Aedan
#8- HIGHLAND HARMONY-Avelina and Drew
THE HIGHLAND CLAN
LOKI-Book One
TORRIAN-Book Two
LILY-Book Three
JAKE-Book Four
ASHLYN-Book Five
MOLLY-Book Six
JAMIE AND GRACIE- Book Seven
SORCHA-Book Eight
KYLA-Book Nine
BETHIA-Book Ten
LOKI’S CHRISTMAS STORY-Book Eleven
THE SOULMATE CHRONICLES
#1-TRUSTING A HIGHLANDER
THE SUMMERHILL SERIES- CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
#1-ONE SUMMERHILL DAY
#2-A FRESH START FOR TWO
#3-THREE REASONS TO LOVE
STAND-ALONE NOVEL
FALLING FOR THE CHIEFTAIN-Book Three in Enchanted Falls Trilogy
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Keira Montclair is the pen name of an author who lives in Florida with her husband. She loves to write fast-paced, emotional romance, especially with children as secondary characters in her stories.
Highland Brawn (The Band of Cousins Book 8) Page 21