“I stayed away for four years.”
“After spending a night with her,” Caelen said.
“Well…I ought to be praised for the four years.”
“I commend you on your restraint.” Caelen rolled his eyes.
“I do believe you made a joke.” Lachlan patted him on the back. “Kenny, get down from there.”
Kenny peered over his shoulder then jumped down from the tree. He dragged his feet over to them. He planted his feet widely and hooked a finger on the fold of his askew plaid. Lachlan bent before his son, straightened his plaid, and then fixed his hair. He filled with pride. Not bad for a bastard.
“She’s coming.” Caelen flicked his chin toward the path.
Kenny sighed. “Finally.”
Lachlan agreed. He straightened and faced Rowen. She took his breath away. She reminded him of the icons where the angels are surrounded in a white, glowing light. Aye, that was what she was, his angel brightening up his life. This woman that he never hoped to have in his life would walk this earth and then eternity at his side. He rushed to her and took her hand. She trembled. He squeezed the fine-boned flesh. He was so filled with love. He almost kissed her.
The priest cleared his throat. He led her to the front of the kirk. As she spoke in a clear voice, she held tightly to Lachlan, trying to send all of her love into him. Then he spoke his vows. His voice was thick. He couldn’t swallow back the emotion in his throat. Hell, his eyes began to burn.
Then they were man and wife.
“Finally,” Lachlan said.
“You’ll be my da now,” Kenny said as he squirmed his way between Rowen and Lachlan.
Lachlan tossed him high in the air before settling her giggling son in his arms. “Aye, I am.”
Epilogue
Lachlan had dealt with pain in his life. The worse though seemed to be racking his body, but especially his balls. That was what happened when a four-year-old lad leaped on you and landed on the wrong place.
“The sun is almost up, Da.” Kenny climbed between him and Rowen.
He peeled an eye open. “That is the only thing that shall be getting up.”
“Nay, we are to go fishing.”
Lachlan rose onto his elbows and looked beyond his son to his wife, curled on her side. “I know you are not asleep.”
Rowen did not move, but he saw the slight stiffening of her back. He kept his eyes on her. Finally, she huffed and rolled over. She rested her hands on her burgeoning belly.
“Morn, Ma, we’re going fishing. You cannot come because you are with bairn and bigger than a castle. That’s what Da said.”
“He did? What else did he say?”
Kenny thought about it so Lachlan used this time to get out of bed. “He said that you walk funny like this.” He leaped from the bed and showed her waddle.
“I do not.”
Lachlan didn’t bother to look around. He took a great interest in his plaid, shaking it out and smoothing it, but he knew that she aimed daggers at him. He even felt it buried in his back.
“What else did he say?”
“That he loves you like always.”
Lachlan turned to her and smiled. She shook her head at him and narrowed her eyes. Her lips twitched and a smile spread.
Rowen still took his breath away and as each day passed, he fell more in love with her.
“I know you love him and both of you love me. I don’t want to hear it anymore. Ma, when is it coming out?”
“When the bairn is ready,” she answered.
“Like bread.”
“In a way.”
“This one you cannot put butter on,” Lachlan told him. “Now, go to the hall. I shall meet you there.”
Kenny darted from the chamber. Lachlan went to her side of the bed. He bent over and said, “Let me give my wife a kiss.” He claimed her mouth. “Good morning, wife.”
“Good morning, husband. Ready to begin the day?”
“Aye, my days are certainly worth starting now. Though, my nights are pleasurable as well. You were demanding last night.”
“I was—you were the one with the exploring hands. You know that you need to touch me but once and I cannot control myself.”
“I would not have it any other way. I love you.”
“I love you. In case, I forgot to mention my brother is to come.”
Lachlan groaned and Rowen tittered. “Now that I have a family, I think…”
“You think what?”
“I would not want it any other way.”
*The End*
About the Author
An Air Force brat, Mageela Troche landed in New York City and wanted to leave the same day she arrived. Yet, with her stubbornness, she learned to like the place and the libraries were the main reason. Once she learned to read and write, she decided to be an author and an actress. Once in college, she changed her life plan in the pursuit of money. After all, college loans must be repaid. With life's twists and turns, she returned to writing and focused on the romance genre. Mageela writes in her cramped apartment in the Big Apple. In her free time, she loves watching her lovebird get up to his crazy antics, good books, and hearing from readers. You can find her at http://MageelaTroche.com
Other books by Mageela
The Marriage Alliance
The Laird’s Right
Claiming the Highlander
Sweet Cravings Publishing
www.sweetcravingspublishing.com
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Highland Scandal Page 22