Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Don’t eat that!”
Varrick and Argus turned to see Argus’s son, Bowden, soon-to-be six years, trying to brush a plant, the root attached, out of Varrick’s daughter’s hand.
Varrick shook his head at the lass who just turned five years. “What were you told about eating plants, Wilona?”
“Silverweed,” she said as if that explained it and took a bite of the root, then handed it to Bowden. “It’s tasty.”
Argus shook his head. “My son will do anything your daughter tells him to.”
“He sees his da doing anything his mum tells him to,” Varrick said with a laugh.
Argus grinned. “Love does that to you and glad I am that Berta loves me and we have a good life together.”
“You don’t regret not claiming your right to be Lord of Clan MacSymon?”
“Never. You were meant to lead, I was not. Besides, my home is here and here is where I am happy. However, I am grateful that you sent Corwin to lead the clan until Lord David’s son, Chad, is older and wise enough to do so.”
Varrick nodded. “Aye. They are getting along well, and Corwin teaches him wisely. He will make a good leader one day. And I am glad Corwin found himself a wife while there. He is happy and it is good we have another clan that pays allegiance to us.”
“DA!”
Varrick turned and smiled, seeing his son, Tarrant, three years, running toward him. He hurried to scoop him up when his wife, round with child, rushed forward seeing their son about to take a tumble.
Argus laughed. “He runs ahead of himself all the time.”
“That he does,” Varrick said with a laugh as he hugged his son.
“I am off to enjoy some of the honey cakes Berta has made,” Argus said with a smile and a wink to Varrick.
“Honey cakes!” Bowden and Wilona screeched.
“Me! Me!” Tarrant said, stretching his small arms out to Argus.
“Not too many,” Varrick ordered as he handed his son to Argus.
“Did I hear honey cakes?” Rhodes asked, suddenly joining them.
“You eat too many and leave none for us,” Wilona accused.
“It is you who stuffs your face,” Bowden said, blowing his cheeks full.
“Berta made enough for all,” Argus said, walking off with the children, who continued to bicker.
Varrick slipped his arm around his wife and drew her close to rest his hand on her rounded stomach. “Feeling better?”
“Much. A nap was all I needed. This one makes me tired too often,” she said.
Twin lads.
“Good Lord!” Fia said upon hearing the news.
“What’s wrong? Are you in pain? Is it the bairn?” Varrick asked anxiously, always concerned when his wife was with child, though she would reassure him again and again that all would go well, and it did. Only this time she did not know if she carried a lad or lass as she had known with the other three.
She rested her hand on his, her eyes turning wide, though she smiled. “Twin lads.”
Varrick grinned from ear to ear, but his joy faded quickly. “Two will not be easy for you to deliver.”
Fia smiled. “All will go well. No need to worry.”
“You will rest and not tire yourself,” he ordered. “Cara has learned much about healing from you and does well in assisting you. She can see to things while you rest.”
“Aye, she does, but in these past seven years the clan has truly come to trust me and rely on me, and I want to be there for them when needed.”
“I will see that they understand,” Varrick commanded.
Fia chuckled and rested her head on her husband’s chest. “Always in command, always the legendary Highlander.”
“Nay, wife,” Varrick said, tucking her closer, “always your husband who will forever love you.”
Fia lifted her head and they kissed, forever sealing their love.
THE END