Reid nodded and Simon gave him a little nudge in the direction of his brothers. Simon watched the meeting carefully but within moments, Reid was laughing and acting silly as only a child can do. My family, Simon thought, and the word filled him with contentment. He put his arm around Ilsabeth when she leaned up against him.
“Ye are looking verra pleased with yourself,” she said.
“I am. I have a beautiful woman and will soon claim her as mine. She loves me and makes my eyes roll back in my head when we make love. I have my home, the fields and livestock are better than they were so we willnae starve this winter, and I am about to marry into a verra large family who stays together. Oh, and I have a fine new son.” He nodded toward Reid, who was obviously in a face-making contest with Ruari, and then touched her stomach. “And a child on the way. Brothers returned to the lands made for us, and a wee daughter and"–he glanced toward where Elen was looking for him–"I ken I have forgotten something but I wonder what it is.”
“Si–mon!”
Ilsabeth laughed as Simon grinned at her and then caught Elen up in his arms.
Highland Protector Page 28