Page 28 of The Best of Madeline Grant

“And is this the worst one you have ever experienced?”

“Aye, but it does not matter. I must return, I must.” She pushed against the linens, attempting to lift herself from the soft mattress, but she fell back down against the pillows, too weak to lift herself out of the bed.

“Shhhh. I know. There are people there whom you love, but first you must get better. You cannot return in the condition you are in. When you are ready, we will help you, I promise.”

Chapter Fifteen

I love this small scene of Alex and Maddie learning to communicate after all their years together.

The lads all stood outside the chamber talking, mayhap sensing that Maddie wanted a private word with her husband, but Alex was already inside the room and behind the desk. Maddie walked into the room with Jake, then shut the door before moving in front of Jake, facing Alex. He expected his mother had followed his sire’s cardinal rule—never question him in front of the clan. He would listen to all she had to say behind closed doors.

“Maddie,” Alex said. “I know you wish to clean his wounds…”

His mother held her hand up to his sire, lifting her chin a notch. With a smile on her face, she spoke with a strength Jake recognized, and his sire listened, as he always did. Jake could feel a weakening starting in his legs, so he locked his knees to stay upright.

“Husband, may I take this moment to remind you of what we both went through to bring this lad into this world. I would also wish to remind you of what your dear mother’s first teachings were to your sister, and…” Her breath hitched with emotion, and she stopped speaking for a moment to regain control.

Jake’s sire moved out from behind the desk, his gaze on Maddie. “And?” He brushed a stray lock of hair back from her face, tucking it behind her ear before his thumb rubbed her cheek.

This is when Jake had learned the most from his parents. Their respect for each other amazed him. Alex Grant would stop speaking for only two people—his wife and his king.

“And I’d like to remind you of dear Kyle Maule’s sire, bless his soul.” She leaned toward her husband and he caught her, one hand on her hip and the other on the back of her neck.

Kyle Maule’s father had died from complications from a wound that had never been cleaned.

His sire settled his lips on her forehead, then leaned back and said, “I see no reason why we cannot converse with him while you cleanse his wounds. We shall follow you.” And just like that, Alex Grant changed his plan, giving in to his wife’s tender needs. He explained the new circumstances to the others, and then Maddie pivoted and led them into another chamber used for healing.

Chapter Twenty

When Jake and Aline save her sister and Effie, they find two other lasses. Wee Maeve attaches herself to Alex and becomes bairn number six.

Jake flew out of the tent at the same time his mother came running toward her. “What’s wrong?” they both asked.

Aline reached for the babe, turning her on her side to look at the birthmark on the wee one’s hip. The wee one stared at her, her fingers in her mouth, as she ran her fingers across it.

“Morna?”

Jake knelt down beside her. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Her face had turned so pale he feared she would keel over in front of him.

She turned and stared at him. “Morna. This bairn has a mark just like my sister Morna did. The bairn that was newly born when my mama died. She had a mark here on her hip, in the verra same spot. I have not seen her since Hew stole Maisie and me from our da. She was less than six moons when I left.” Her eyes filled with tears as she stared at Jake.

“That is quite a distinctive mark, Aline,” his mother said softly, glancing over her shoulder. “The chance of finding another with a mark such as that is next to nothing. Who is this child? Where did you find her? Is she about the right age to be your sister?”

“We found three bairns with Effie. One is Effie’s child, but she does not know where the other two came from or why Hew brought them to her. She has cared for them for over a year, I believe.” Aline thought for a moment before she nodded. She finished fastening the bairn’s rag, then turned her over to look into her eyes. “Oh, saints above. Morna? Could it be true?”

“Does the timing fit?” his mother asked. “She appears to be about two and a half summers, mayhap three, but I do not think three. Let me look at her teeth.” She settled her hands on Aline’s shoulders and they peered into the wee one’s mouth.

“Aye. My mama died birthing Morna about two and a half years ago. Maisie and I were taken away two years ago, but he didn’t take Morna. I took care of her after my mama died, fed her milk from a cup. We did not have a wet nurse, so I gave her goat’s milk.”

“Aline, she would not remember you or aught about your home. She has no memories of her life before being here. Oh, praise God, I believe you have found your sister.” She squeezed Aline’s shoulders, tears in her eyes.

“Mayhap he went back for her,” Jake said. “Though I’m not sure why he would do such a thing.”

Effie had come out to join them. “I know why,” she said softly.

All three faces turned to her. “When I gave birth to Una, I threatened to leave once I was healed. He left and returned with your sister and the bairn with the gold curls. He threatened to hurt them both if I left, and of course, I could not. And you may not believe this, but I think he wanted someone for Maisie to play with. He felt bad for her because she was lonely.”

Jake said, “And it gave him another to use against Aline if he needed to.”