He was hurt now. Stubborn, but he’d move on eventually with or without Jack.
“I want you to have a future worth living, Rhys,” she said quietly, looking up at his beloved face. “I want you to be able to love freely. Openly. I want to know you are truly happy.”
He shook his head again, every line in his body set. “Are we no’ friends any longer? The verra best of them?”
A tear splashed hot on her cheek. “We always will be. Always. I love you, Rhys. I always will.”
“Then why push me away?”
“Sometimes we need to sacrifice for the welfare of others. I only want what’s best for you.”
“Scarlett’s correct, brother.” Laird’s burr was weighted with emotion, his eyes suspiciously wet, but he nodded in agreement. “Ye hae a chance for the life ye deserve here. A better life. I’m sure Hugh and Claire will be happy to guide ye through it, aye?”
The couple nodded in unison, their joy at the possibility of retaining a slice of the friendship that had grown amongst them obvious.
Rhys looked down at Scarlett, his fingertips gentle along the line of her cheek. Then he turned to Laird, meeting his gaze steadily for a long while. Hermione turned in Laird’s arms and reached for him. Rhys took her and hugged her tightly. Still holding her, he squatted down next to the baby ensconced in her car seat.
“I dinnae ken if I can leave my fair lassies.”
“But ye will,” Laird said softly.
Rhys slowly nodded. “Aye, but no’ wi’oot knowing my wee niece’s name first.”
Scarlett smiled up at Laird. “Halli. For Tyrone’s sacrifice. Halli Emily Claire Hepburn. And she’ll know about all of you. I promise.”
Pleasure illuminated Claire and Emmy. Hugh seemed pleased, yet saddened, having known the name but not its origin. Rhys nodded and kissed the baby. He hugged Hermione one last time, then hugged his brother hard before handing the toddler over to him. Hermione clutched the magic wand he’d bought her in one fist, staring at him solemnly.
He turned to Scarlett and she threw her arms around him. “I will miss you so much.” She sniffed back her tears and withdrew. Miss couldn’t begin to encompass the truth.
Catching his hand, she pressed the gold disk she’d dug out of the deepest recesses of her purse into his palm. “I once told Donell I was willing to leave my future mostly to fate. Your condition can be to make this adventure mostly permanent.” She pinned her stern gaze on Donell. “You will send him home if he ever needs you to. Won’t you?”
Donell pulled out a handkerchief and blew his nose noisily. “Aye, I’ll watch over him for ye, lass.”
Scarlett nodded, refusing to show her heartbreak to the others. This would be the hardest part about leaving, but it was for the best.
“Take this, too.” She thrust her purse at Rhys. “I won’t be needing it.”
“I doubt I will either, dearest Scar.”
His teasing brought a reluctant smile to her lips. One last quip to send her on her way.
“Money,” she told him. “There’s tons of cash in there. Withdraw more, as much as you can as quick as you can. You know my PIN number. The moment my mother figures out I’m ‘missing’ again, it’ll be no good.”
Rhys took the bag. “Dinnae frown so, lass. Let me remember ye wi’ yer bonny smile on yer lips.”
Scarlett forced one into place.
“Will we see ye again, Donell?” Connor asked.
“If needs be,” Donell responded with a mischievous grin. “Ready then?”
Everyone nodded in agreement, though emotion was thick in the air. Scarlett lifted Halli from the car seat and cuddled her. The reassuring weight of Laird’s arm fell across her shoulder and he pulled her close.
A flash of white and Dunskirk…their Dunskirk—stood before them.
They had time for one more swift farewell before another flash carried Emmy and Connor away with Donell.
Laird and Scarlett stayed there for a few moments. Reminiscing about all they’d seen and done. What they learned about what was most important in life.
Inside, Laird’s family awaited them. Brothers, sisters. There would always be an ache in Scarlett’s heart, filling the void of Rhys’s absence. However, with friends, family, Laird’s love and the joys of motherhood, the life she was meant to live would be beyond fulfilling.
Laird’s lips grazed her temple and happiness settled like a comforting blanket over Scarlett.
Everything was just as it was meant to be.
This time forever.
Forever, with her laird to hold.
Epilogue
Donell traced a finger across the title on the cover of the book in his lap. Conversations Among Men. Opening it, he read Hugh’s dedication for the hundredth time.
Savor each day, whenever it may be,
knowing it is the perfect time and place for you.
He sat back with a broad grin folding his face into deep creases. He liked to think he’d taught Hugh that. Taught them all. They’d all learned much about what was most important.
Now, everything was as it should be.
In Inverness in 2013, Hugh and Rhys painted the walls of the nursery while Claire looked on with pleasure. At least they’d chosen a suitable color.
Rhys hadn’t yet forgiven Jack for his duplicity. Fortunately, Donell knew how that turned out.
At Duart Castle in 1896, Connor lifted Emmy off her feet and spun her around with delight. They’d just found out she was pregnant. Of course, Donell had known all along.
Way back in 1519 at Dunskirk, Scarlett and Laird snuggled together on the settee in front of a roaring fire. Their hale and healthy children nearby. Halli asleep in her wooden cradle. Hermione waving her wand at one of the Harry Potter volumes whispering spells.
What a handful she would be.
Donell should know.
And
