Meet Me in Scotland by Patience Griffin Page B

childbirth yourself.”
    â€œHe’s a strapping lad,” Coll said proudly.
    All of Claire’s emotions burbled out. “We’re going to have a baby, too.”
    â€œOh, that’s wonderful news,” Amy exclaimed. “When are you due?”
    Claire felt stupid, but she stood her ground. “Well, Dominic will have to deposit some sperm first.”
    Coll, who’d just brought his mug to his lips, choked on his tea.
    Amy laughed. “I’m sure that’ll be no problem for Dominic.”
    Coll came to Amy and kissed her head. “If you’re sure it’s all right, then?” He looked at the doorway, as if he were being called off to war.
    Amy turned to Claire and Emma to explain. “Coll wants to make sure the shipment came in correctly at the pub today.” She turned back to her husband. “You go. I’ll be fine. Claire and Emma will sit with me until I get tired.”
    â€œAye,” Claire said. “We’ve nowhere to be.”
    Emma’s eyes called her a liar. Okay, maybe they should be helping Dominic with the dinner hour, but visiting the new baby during
his
dinner hour seemed much more important.
    With one more glance back, Coll eased through the doorway and left.
    A surge of jealousy overcame Claire. It rankled thatAmy got to have a baby in her early twenties. Claire would be thirty-one on her next birthday. It wasn’t fair. At this rate, Amy would be a grandmother before Claire’s first bairn was born.
    The baby let go of the breast and Amy repositioned him on her shoulder.
    â€œHere, let me,” Claire said.
    â€œThanks, if you don’t mind. I could use a quick trip to the loo.”
    â€œNot at all.” She eased the baby from Amy’s arms and held him close, swaying, gently patting his back.
    Emma looked embarrassed as Amy refastened her nursing bra, but had the sense to help Amy from the bed.
    â€œThanks,” Amy said. “I’m a little sore. And stiff.” She hobbled off to the bathroom.
    Emma turned on Claire. “I don’t like that look in your eye.”
    â€œWhat look?” Claire gazed down at baby William and placed a kiss on his precious forehead. He smelled great. He felt perfect in her arms, too. Amy was a lucky duck. If something happened to Coll, Amy would have a bairn to remember him by. Just like Mama had had her when Papa had died.
    Amy returned from the loo and offered to make tea, but Emma insisted on waiting on her instead. Which was good, because Claire had no intention of putting down the sweet babe.
    â€œI hope my auntie can come and see the wee one before the end of the week. Her neighbor said she’d give her a ride from Fairge, but her neighbor has been under the weather.”
    Emma brought a cup of steaming-hot tea to Amy. “I hope her neighbor doesn’t have anything contagious.”
    â€œI think we’re safe. I believe it’s gout,” Amy said.
    Claire cooed and hummed to baby William as his mama recounted every detail of the labor and delivery for them. Claire only half listened—that Amy MacTavish surely did love to talk.
    â€œSo we named him William after my da,” Amy finished. “Of course, the Gabriel part is after our doc.”
    â€œWhat was that?” Emma perked up like a dog who’d heard
squirrel
.
    â€œWilliam Gabriel MacTavish,” Amy said. “Have you not been listening?” She smiled at Emma good-naturedly.
    Claire wondered what was wrong with Emma. She suddenly looked like the walls had closed in. Was Emma holding her breath?
    â€œAre you okay?” Claire asked.
    â€œYes, well, I’m just surprised,” Emma finally said. “About naming the baby after Gabriel.”
    â€œDoc MacGregor was incredible. So gentle. So understanding. He was wonderful to me. But more importantly, he kept Coll from passing out.” Amy laughed, but then yawned. “We’re so lucky to have him here