Page 29 of The Best of Madeline Grant

Effie nodded. “I heard him say that under his breath once.”

“It fits,” his mother said.

“It was only in the last few moons that he talked of these new ambitions, new ways to become wealthy. I do not think those were his original plans.” Effie smiled at Aline. “Mayhap this worked out for the best.”

Aline’s tears finally burst free as she clutched the wee one to her chest. “Maisie and Morna and I shall be together again.”

She turned to his mother and asked her a question, her face showing how concerned she was. “Will you help me with her? And Effie? I have never raised a bairn before. I only saw Maisie for limited times, and I need to learn how to care for Maisie, too. Please help me with them?”

His mother leaned over to kiss her cheek. “Aline, of course I will help you. We all will.”

Jake stood, helping Aline to her feet as she held Morna.

His mother patted her arm. “I know circumstances were not the best, but I think she’ll be fine. I’m sure Effie took good care of them, they just were not allowed out around others or outside.” Maddie fussed with the bairn’s red curls. “She has hair like yours, a bit lighter, but still red. Aye, with the love of our clan, she will blossom.”

“I cannot believe I have my two sisters back. Are you sure you shall take us all in?” She glanced at his mother, then at Jake.

“Of course.” Jake wrapped his arm around her shoulder, just as Maisie came running toward them.

“Aline, why did you scream? Did you change the wee one’s raggies? Were they smelly?”

“Aye, I have changed her. Maisie, this is our sister Morna.”

“It is? I did not know we had another sister. Morna is my sister?” Maisie played with the wee one’s feet sticking out of her gown. “But I thought her name was Ina.”

“Nay, this is Morna.” Aline nodded. “There are three of us now.” She tipped Morna down so Maisie could see her better.

Maisie leaned over and kissed Morna’s cheek. “I love you, wee sister.”

Morna smiled and reached for Maisie.

Jake could tell how much this meant to Aline. He could not imagine losing a sibling and finding them again. How difficult this entire situation was for her.

His mother ushered them toward the tent. “Let’s bring her back inside where the wind isn’t blowing so. She’ll be warmer.” As soon as they ducked inside the tent, they all stopped in their tracks.

“Greetings, wife.”

Jake looked past his mother’s shoulder. His sire sat on a tree stump at the edge of the tent. The wee yellow-haired girl was cuddled on his lap, her thumb in her mouth. Jake said, “Papa?”

“I know it looks odd, but she will not leave me.” His father gave them all an innocent look that told him he wasn’t ready to set the lass down yet.

His mother strode over and kissed his father’s cheek. “She knows when she sees the best father ever. I think we should keep her, Alex.” She turned to Effie. “Would you mind, Effie? We have not had a bairn in a long time. Alex is quite good with lassies.”

Effie smiled. “Not at all. I will be busy with Una. If you must know, the four of them did exhaust me, though I tried my best.”

“You did a fine job, especially under the circumstances. We all thank you for what you did for these lassies.”

Effie breathed a sigh of relief. “You are welcome to keep her as yours. You will be wonderful parents for her.”

His sire didn’t say a word, but quirked a brow at his wife. He was always amazed to see how his mother always understood his sire, sometimes with just a glance. His father wouldn’t agree to this unless he was willing. Adopting a wee lass was a large commitment.

“You know we’ll not have another, and Eliza is ten and four now. Would you not like another daughter? I do not think anyone will claim her if what Effie says is true.” He watched his mother work her magic with his sire. Everyone knew how the huge laird loved to have wee bairns on his lap, especially lassies. His cousin Lily had spent more time on his lap than anyone, though mayhap not as much as Eliza, their youngest.

His father glanced down at the head of golden curls, her eyes now closed. “What is her name?”

“Maeve,” Maisie said. “Call her Maeve. That’s what we called her and it sounds almost like my name.” She tipped her head back to see what Maddie thought of her choice.

His mother said, “Maeve it is. I think it’s a fine choice. Alex, you’ll be a wonderful sire to her. She needs you in her life.”