When Highland Lightning Strikes (14 page)

“I’ve come to check on yer lass. How is she?”

“My wife, now.” Angus grinned.

Aileana’s eyes widened.

“Startled ye, did I? She said she could see the glow of the hearth. She’s only been asleep for a few hours.”

“Well. I see ye went to great lengths to keep her awake. Married.” She rolled her eyes, then looked into the room behind him. “Give me a moment to monitor her condition, and I’ll leave ye in peace.”

Angus stepped aside and allowed the healer to enter. She glanced around the room, then smiled at the woman sleeping in his bed before bending to place her hands just over Shona’s head. After a few moments, she trailed her hands just above the rest of Shona’s sleeping form, then straightened and nodded. They moved away from the bed before she spoke.

“She’s much improved. Ye have given her the best of care. In a few weeks, she’ll be as good as new. For now, ye can let her sleep. And get some more sleep yourself,” she admonished as she ran a hand a hair’s breadth above his skin from his face to his chest. “Ye have done well by yer lady and yer clan, but the laird needs his rest, too. Ye’ll have many sleepless nights in oh, about nine months.”

With that, she quirked an eyebrow and smiled, stepped outside and closed the door. Angus’s jaw dropped. He closed his mouth and shook his head. How did she know? And how could that have happened so quickly? But if the healer was correct…by Shona’s own pledge, she would not leave if they had a wean on the way, she was his. His heart swelled at the thought of the family he and Shona would make.

****

A year after their wedding in the kirk at the Lathan’s Aerie, Angus and Shona saw the healer again. She arrived at the MacAnalen village to care for their son, who had developed a wheezing cough, but after only a few minutes with her, the wean slept peacefully in his crib, his color as pink and healthy as he’d been just days ago, before falling ill.

Angus’s friend, the Lathan laird, Toran, exclaimed over the changes in the MacAnalen village as Angus led him around. Lathan men who’d escorted the healer after the great hall collapsed had stayed to help rebuild it. Toran had not been able to remain during the construction, so Angus enjoyed the chance to show him the result of their clans’ combined labors.

“I rued the day the elders dreamed up this idea,” Angus told him, “especially after lightning struck the oak and knocked most of it down. Thanks to Aileana, there are few lasting effects among those who were injured that day. Even Magnus, the man with the crushed leg, is able to walk and to work. He’s no’ as spry as he’d like, but he’s no’ a cripple, either.”

“That’s good to hear,” Toran told him.

“Aye, and with Lathan help, the hall is finished and even sturdier than I’d believed we could build it to be.”

“And Shona’s vision?”

“It’s as good as it ever was, she says, perhaps better.”

“That’s my wife for ye. She canna leave well enough alone. She has to improve whatever she finds.”

“Mine, too. Aileana told me Shona is again with child. She says this time we’ll have a daughter. Shona will be thrilled. It seems, like yer wife’s, her talent passes through the women in the family.”

“So far,” Toran answered with a mysterious quirk of his lips. “Ye must go to her and enjoy yer good news together.”

Angus clapped his friend on the back. “That’s a brilliant idea. Thank ye for coming to our aid yet again.”

“We’re stronger together than apart,” Toran told him. Aileana joined them and took her husband’s hand. With a nod to Angus, he led her to their horses.

“Does Shona ken?” Angus asked the healer.

“Aye.” She smiled, then they mounted up. “Be well.”

Angus waved as they rode off, then hurried to his wife and bairn.

“Yer heir is well,” Shona announced softly when he burst into their croft. She glanced at the crib, then back to her husband. “And sleeping soundly for the first time in nearly a week.” With a hint of a smile, she added, “The healer had more good news.”

Angus grinned and took her hand. “She told me. A daughter?”

“Nay!” Shona yelped, then clapped a hand over her mouth and glanced again at the crib. The bairn didn’t stir. “I wanted to be the one to tell ye,” she whispered hoarsely, clearly irritated.

“It doesna matter how I found out.” He lifted her hand and dropped kisses on her knuckles. “I’m thrilled. Are ye?”

She cupped his face in her hands and studied him with her gorgeous brown eyes. “Of course I am. I can use the help keeping boulders and branches picked up around here.” She grinned, then softened her expression. “I love ye, Angus MacAnalen, my handsome laird.”

“And I ye, my beautiful bride. Forever.”

A word about the author…

Willa Blair is the award-wining author of Amazon and Barnes & Noble bestselling Scottish historical paranormal romance and a contributor to USAToday’s Happy Ever After romance blog.

Her popular Highland Talents series, set in a pivotal point in Scottish history, is filled with men in kilts, psi talents, and plenty of spice. Available in ebook, print, and audiobook formats, her books will soon be joined by more novels of adventure and romance.

www.willablair.com

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