Page 64 of Her Forbidden Highlander Husband

Lach gave a nod of approval and then waved him over. “Come with us.”

Liam was happy to follow along with Lach and Cam as the men went up to the solar. He could tell he wasn’t alone in wanting to see his family.

Little children squealed in delight and ran about as Lach entered first. He snatched up Lizzy, making the girl shriek with laughter. “There are so many children about, I can’t tell which are mine,” he declared, holding her sideways. “Are you mine?”

“No!” she laughed and pointed to Cam. “He’s my papa.”

“Ah!” He pitched her into Cam’s waiting arms, causing more laughter. As Gwennie was usually joined at Lizzy’s hip, she was the next to fall prey as Lach hoisted her up in his arms letting her dangle haphazardly. “What of you? Are you mine?”

“No!” she said as Lizzy had. Then she pointed at Liam. “He’s my papa!” she announced loudly.

“Argh!” Lach tossed her to Liam. It was all part of the theatrics, and Lach went on, grabbing up Andrew who declared he was indeed the laird’s.

But the shouts in the room dulled as Liam stared down at the little girl in surprise. “Are you mine?” he asked, less boisterous than Lach had.

“Yes!” she shouted and laughed.

“Aye. You are.” He pressed a kiss to her head and looked over where Ev watched. She came over to hug them. “She called me Papa,” he whispered to her.

“I heard.” She looked up at him. “If you’d rather she didn’t…”

“Nay. I was wondering if one day I might have the courage to ask. But it’s even better when it’s spoken freely. It means something more.” He cleared his throat, which had grown tight. “It’s a great honor.”

It was hard to release Gwennie and Ev to go back to his men after the noon meal, but he managed, knowing his men needed to be in fighting form in case the Stewarts came for revenge.

Liam didn’t like to think any of his men could be harmed because of his actions, but he’d taken down the men who tried to take his family. He had only protected what was his, but he doubted Hugh Stewart would see it that way.

…

Liam’s grin was wider than normal when he came into their chamber later that night. He had to be the happiest person Evelyn had ever known despite the way his early life had been so hard for him.

He seemed grateful for every small pleasure life brought him. His joy and excitement were contagious, and she often felt guilty when she recalled how cold she’d been to him when they first married.

She never expected to come to care for him and was even more surprised to find how much she enjoyed lying with him, his touch and joining together in pleasure. It was thoughts of the joining that generally caused Liam to smile like this.

“What has ye so happy?” she asked as she glanced over at Gwennie, who was already asleep.

Liam bent to kiss Evelyn. “I’ve a beautiful wife who allows me to touch her and a lovely daughter to dote on. Why would I ever be anything other than happy?”

He made it sound so simple. And perhaps it was. Liam didn’t need a large home or a powerful title. He never worked to position himself above others. He was humble and pleasant even as war chief.

“I’ve also been given an order by my laird to provide escort for a delivery of goods to Baehaven Castle.” He winked at her even as a bit of her joy dimmed. He would be leaving them.

He went about hanging his things and getting ready for bed as if this were good news. To leave them.

While she’d be content to spend her days with Kenna and Mari and the children as usual. She would miss having Liam in her bed. And their sweet morning routine of kissing until Gwennie disrupted them by climbing into the bed and demanding a story.

“I’ve asked if I can take ye and Gwennie with me. I want to show her the seals, since I’ve no luck so far in carving one for her. Have you ever seen the ocean?”

“Nay. I’ve not.” Stewart lands didn’t touch the sea and, other than her ill-advised incident, she’d never left her clan lands. She smiled; the joy returned. He was offering them a small adventure.

“If we leave at first light, we can be there late tomorrow night.”

“Very well.” She nodded as he climbed into bed next to her and blew out the lantern.

“We should get our rest. Tomorrow will be a long day.” He placed a single kiss on her lips and settled the covers over her.

She lay there quietly for a few moments, but she found she was too excited to sleep. Her mind was busy thinking of the things she would need to pack in the morning before they left.