Page 65 of The Highland Heir

So much for too soon. It was done. He hadasked. It was what she had hoped for the entire journey to Kildary.She would not need to be alone with a broken heart that would nevermend. She could have a happy life with her husband and a family ofher own.

She nodded, and then around the lump thatsuddenly grew in her throat she squeaked, “Aye.”

He leaned down to kiss her then, though shenoticed he didn’t need to lean quite so far as Kieran had.

And if the kiss didn’t inspire a sizzle ofheat up her spine or a fluttering in her stomach, she decided notto notice.

She would be happy.

*

The field where the Sinclairs planned to wagewar was silent.

For a moment, no one moved or spoke. As ifall of them were solidified in ice. Finally, Aiden—or rather Brody,for he bore the marks Rolfe remembered of his son—turned to hisbrothers and spoke.

“Can this be?”

The Campbell laird looked between the men andthen nodded.

“I believe it is true, Aiden. The man looksjust like you. And you have marks just where he said ye would.You’ve found your family.”

Slowly, Brody got down from his horse andstepped forward, pulling Rolfe into an awkward hug. More surprisingwas that Kieran’s father hugged him back. Not some soft pat, but ahearty embrace.

Kieran had not known his father knew how todo such a thing, for he’d never once ever offered Kieran a hug.Even as a boy, he’d never seen such emotion.

As if that weren’t enough of a shock, Rolfelaughed. Laughed! While at the same time wiping tears from hiseyes.

Who was this man who’d inhabited his father’sbody?

“Does this mean you will not try to take mywife from me?” Brody asked.

Once again, Rolfe broke out in laughter.

“Nay. For the MacKenzie lass has married myheir, as contracted. No agreement has been broken.”

Kieran gasped as if he’d been kicked in thegut.

This man. This stranger, who looked like ayounger version of his sire, was the rightful heir.

In the space of a few moments, Kieran hadlost his bride, his birthright, and any reason for his father toneed him for anything.

The Campbell laird chuckled.

“What started as war has turned into a timefor celebration. Let’s return to the castle for a properfeast.”

“I have so many questions,” Brody said,seemingly stunned.

“As do I. But let’s go to the castle, wherewe can learn the answers over a tankard of ale.”

Teague looked over to Kieran, but Rolfedidn’t spare a glance in Kieran’s direction. Why would he? He’dfound his beloved son.

Kieran rode woodenly on the outside of theirgroup. In the bailey, he had to focus on his movements whilegetting down from Ridire so he wouldn’t fall on his arse.

“Your retainers can sit below.” The Campbelllaird gestured toward the great hall. “The lairds will sit at thehigh table in a place of honor,” he spoke to Rolfe and theMacKenzie laird, who still seemed a bit confused about what hadcome to be.

Kieran stood there, wondering if his fathereven remembered him.

“This is Kieran, the laird’s other son,”Teague said.