Page 54 of Highlander’s Sweet Poison

“All of it,” Jillian said sharply as she looked up from the bowl she was setting on the table. “She needs to drink all of it.”

The cottage was eerily quiet as no one hesitated to pour the liquid Jillian concocted down the throats of their children. When it was done, Jillian blew out her breath.

“Christy’s cough will no doubt still linger,” Jillian said as she stared down at her. “But I can help with that.”

“How long?” one of the mother’s demanded. “How long until the antidote works?”

Just then, Christy took a deep breath and opened her eyes. “Momma?”

A collective sigh of relief went through the tense group, and Annella burst into tears and gathered Christy to her chest, rocking her back and forth. Davy climbed up on the bed and kissed his sister on the forehead.

“It will still take time for the symptoms to subside. According to the books that I have read, they may need to rest for several days, but there should be no long-term effects. For now, just make certain that they eat and drink plenty of fluids. Keep them dry, but the fever should break soon.”

Graeme looked at Annella. “There is something that I need to do.”

Pain flashed in her eyes, but she looked down and kissed her children. Rising, Graeme crossed the floor to Jillian. “There is some business that I must attend, but Tearloch will make sure that ye have everything that ye need. Would ye like to get some sleep?”

“In a little bit. I just want to watch the children wake up,” Jillian said with a tired smile. “Will I see ye tonight?”

“Aye, my love.”

Her eyes widened at that, but he just smiled and pulled back. He had every intention of seeing her tonight and telling her just how much he loved her.

Standing, he turned to Creighton. “There’s been a challenge for my lairdship. Care to witness it?”

The Armstrong laird blinked and shrugged. “I suppose while I am here, I might as well be useful.”

The children were awake, and Jillian was starting to feel increasingly uncomfortable in the small cottage. Everyone was crying, for joy mostly, but they also kept wanting to hug her.

Too much touching.

As if they knew how she felt, Alexina and Kylie swept her out of the cottage for some fresh air. “That was amazing,” Kylie said when they were out. “Jillian, ye are amazing. Ye just saved their lives!”

“I got lucky,” Jillian admitted. “I know everyday applications for common problems, but this was an emergency. I just happened to have read the right book.”

“Ye still saved their lives,” Kylie said stubbornly. “And ye can be as humble as ye wish, but to me, ye are a hero, Jillian.”

“Oh, I need a distraction,” Jillian said as she ran her hands over her dress. Now that it was over, she felt like she could run for miles. The energy was making her nervous. “Alexina, did I spy yer husband kissing ye earlier?”

A faint blush stained her cheeks. “Aye. After we were attacked, he was beside himself. We, um, made love, and then we just talked. It was wonderful. I am sorry for what happened to us, but at the same time, I am finally starting to get to know my husband.”

Jillian hugged her friend. “That is wonderful. I do believe that Tearloch is a good man, Alexina.”

She just sighed, and Jillian chuckled. She knew all about the thrill of falling in love with a husband.

Next to them, Kylie shook her head and laughed. “Honestly, ye two are crazy. Ye just saved children, and now ye are lollygagging over yer husbands? And ye, Jillian, are ye not even a little nervous about the challenge?”

“What challenge?” Jillian laughed as she turned to her new friend.

“The challenge against yer husband.”

Jillian froze. “Challenge? What challenge? Alexina?”

“I dinnae know. Tearloch didnae say. How did ye hear about it?”

“I heard Graeme talking about it this morning to Duffie.” Kylie looked uncertain now. “Should I not have told ye?”

“Nay! Tell me everything!”