“Yes. It’s lovely, indeed.” Happiness filled her heart, but a small shadow cast darkness across the moment. This new child was yet another tie to this place.
Someone else she’d have to leave if—when—danger followed her to her new home.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Just because the father is no longer out here doesn’t mean they can just forget about us,” Bryce complained as Cam made another path across the stones. He could almost feel the floor wearing away beneath his feet. Even the dog had given up and lay in the corner fast asleep.
“Aye,” Cam agreed, knowing the parents were busy with more important things than informing the men left out in the corridor what was going on.
Just then the door opened, and Mari stepped out carrying a bundle. Her eyes were wet with tears, but a smile stretched her beautiful face. “All is well. It’s a boy. Cameron Lachlan MacKinlay.”
She gazed down at the child adoringly as Cam came closer to see him.
“Cameron? They named the babe after me?” He couldn’t describe the pride and surprise at this news.
“Yes. You see, he’s rather large.” She shifted the babe’s weight and held him out so Cam could hold him. The child was large, but in his arms the bairn felt tiny.
He laughed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, wee Cameron.” The babe made a sound, not an unhappy one at first, but soon the lad was voicing his displeasure in a loud cry.
“Let’s get you back to your mother and father.” Mari took the babe and slipped back into the room. She was back a few moments later, and they shared a smile.
Cam reached for her. “What ye did for Lach was appreciated. How did he fare?”
“Very well. No swooning. Though for a moment it was a near thing.”
“Let’s get you something to eat before you swoon,” he said, leading her toward the stairs.
“I don’t even know what time it is.”
“Late afternoon,” he answered, just as her stomach growled. She hadn’t eaten since the day before. “Once you’re fed, we’ll lie down for a bit. You must be exhausted.”
She nodded. “I am tired. The excitement kept me from realizing it. But now…” She yawned.
He understood. Being in battle was similar. The rush of action kept him from realizing how tired his body was. Once the danger abated, though, fatigue set in.
His fearless warrior had stood by her sister all night, and now it was his turn to care for her.
“You did well. Now you need your rest.”
They had a quick meal of bannocks and ale, then he led her upstairs, steadying her on the steps when she stumbled. He helped her disrobe and did the same before tucking them both into bed for a few hours of much-needed sleep.
“It was an amazing thing to be part of,” she said quietly.
“I find it terrifying,” he said, causing her to laugh. The smile fell from his lips as he looked past that initial feeling. It was true he didn’t want to be the one waiting outside the door listening to Mari scream as she brought their child into the world.
But it was the thought of their child that made the fear seem almost acceptable.
He’d never considered wanting children. In fact, he’d made it his goal not to become a father. It wasn’t fair. He’d grown up without his parents, and he didn’t want to leave a child without a father. Still, a selfish part of him wanted to hold his own babe in his arms and rock him or her to sleep. A hefty lad, or an angel of a lass who looked like her mother.
“But I do hope our union is blessed with a child,” he confessed, unable to keep the thought to himself. He wanted to see her expression and hoped she would want it as much as he, even though they’d not spoken of children before.
She turned to face him, and his heart dropped. She twisted her fingers nervously in the blanket. Of course she’d be worried.
After witnessing the birth of wee Cameron, it was no wonder she’d not want to consider such a thing right now. Especially not with a man of his size, who was more likely to sire large bairns.
When she finally spoke, he realized she had a different fear.
“You don’t worry having a family would make things more difficult if Ridley returns?”
“I’m not worried about Ridley. He’ll never take ye from me.” He pulled her into his arms to comfort her. Or possibly himself.
She nodded unconvincingly against his shoulder and closed her eyes.
It was clear she didn’t believe him. The thought that Ridley might come to MacKinlay lands demanding she be returned for trial was a distinct possibility, but he’d not let her face execution in a city he’d never been to by people that weren’t their kin.
She hadn’t voiced her fears in some time. He should have known she’d not forgotten or dismissed the danger lurking from her past. But it had been far easier to be happy and ignore it for as long as they could.
“We have time. It’s not something we need to decide today,” he said.
He’d promised to keep her safe, and he would die upholding that vow. But waiting around for the English to come back was a mistake. He needed to do something now to protect her.
He would speak to Lach about finding a way to clear her name. Cam knew the laws would not be in her favor, but surely there was someone smarter than he who could find a way. Then they would be free to look forward to a future, possibly with children of their own.
Cam drifted off, thinking of such things, and woke still thinking about them.
It was dark. Letting Mari sleep, he slipped out of her warm embrace and dressed. In the hall he found Lach in a chair holding a sleeping twin in each arm. He’d heard the new babe crying
