MacKinnon’s Rangers 03.5 - Upon A Winter's Night by Pamela Clare

me before."

    And for a moment, Hildie felt utterly exposed, her answer revealing too much about her to women whose beauty and youth left them unable to understand the woes and loneliness of an aging spinster.

    But to her surprise, they smiled.

    Amalie caught up one of the twins who was crawling too near the hearth. "I think it is very romantic."

    "As do I." Sarah held out the tray of shortbread, offering Hildie another. "But what would you have done if he’d said ‘no’?"

    Hildie was spared having to come up with an answer when there came a hiss, something boiling over onto hot hearthstones. "Supper will be burnt by the time the men return if we don’t pull it from the fire. Here, let me help."

    She stood, set the shawl carefully aside, and went to work.

    CHAPTER 8

    "Then the bull knocked the rod from Farmer Fairley’s hand, and I feared the beast would gore him. But Amalie stepped forward and struck it between the eyes, so she did. It hushed and followed her to the paddock, docile as a lamb."

    Iain laughed along with everyone else, listening to Killy tell the story of Farmer Fairley and his arrival with the bull. Iain’s belly was full, their Christmas Eve feast one of the best he could remember, a few crumbs all that remained of Annie’s shortbread and the three apple pies.

    "I threatened to turn him into a bullock and put him in my stew pot," Amalie said, her cheeks flushed from laughter.

    "I am sorry for the trouble it caused you all," Sarah said, regret on her face.

    " Dinnae fash yourself, lass." Connor reached over, rested a reassuring hand atop hers. "No one was hurt."

    "All has ended well, little sister," Joseph said in a soothing tone, his affection for Sarah clear. "Do not trouble yourself."

    "I thank you for your generosity, Sarah," Iain said. "In truth, I’ve never seen an animal as fine as that one. With the calves he sires and the coin he brings us in stud fees, the farm shall prosper as it never has afore."

    Sarah smiled. "I’m glad."

    Dandling one of his twins upon his knee, Morgan turned to Connor and suggested they get the old scythe and plow repaired by a smithy so they could finish the planting and harvesting with twice the speed.

    And it struck Iain as it never had before. The war was behind them. He and his brothers had, at long last, settled their differences with Wentworth. God willing, only peace lay ahead.

    A sense of relief rolled through him, warm and precious.

    There’d been a time when he’d despaired of living to see a winter’s night such as this one, a time when he’d been certain that he would die in battle with his brothers beside him, the MacKinnon farm abandoned, all trace of their family lost. But now the fighting was done, and his brothers were here with him. They were husbands now and fathers to a new generation of MacKinnons that would grow up on this land, surrounded by plenty and protected by the peace that their fathers had fought so hard to win.

    He let his gaze travel around the room. Annie, holding sleepy Mara in her lap. Iain Cameron playing with Artair and Beatan near the hearth. Amalie, laughing and jesting with Killy about the bull, Lachlan in her arms. Sarah, nursing little William, while Connor sat close beside her. Killy trading glances with the wealthy woman who was about to become his bride. Hildie , looking bemused but happy, too. Morgan, with Connor Joseph on his knee.

    Joseph leaned closer, speaking for Iain’s ears alone. "The Shining Spirit has been good to you, brother."

    Sometimes it seemed to Iain that Joseph could read his mind.

    "Aye, God has blessed us. There was a time when I’d no’ have been able to imagine such a night as tonight. But what of you, brother? When will you take a wife and father children? Is there no Mahican lass who can win your heart?"

    Joseph narrowed his eyes. "You sound like my grannies."

    Iain laughed, then stood, mug of ale in hand.

    The room fell silent.

    He lifted his mug. "Here’s to the