Page 79 of Highland Spy

“He was the one who suggested the idea to me,” said King Robert. “So what part of the prize do ye want for yerself?”

“Well, let me think.” Caleb’s pine marten had followed him out into the courtyard. He picked Slink up and petted it as he looked first at Storm and then over to Clement. It was an odd position to be in, but Caleb knew how to answer.

“I’d like the prize money to go to Clement and his clan,” said Caleb, getting a smile from Clement but a frown from Storm. “And I’d like the land to go to the MacKeefes and the crown and brooch, as well as the title of bein’ winner of the Leader of the Lairds to go to our reignin’ champion, Storm MacKeefe.” Everyone was smiling now, and the crowd started to cheer and call out his name. That made Caleb feel proud and happy.

“That’s a selfless act, Caleb,” said the king. “But ye didna choose anythin’ for yerself.”

“I dinna need anythin’, Yer Majesty, because I have everythin’ I will ever want. Ye see, Bridget has agreed to become my wife.”

The crowd cheered again.

“We’re so happy for you two,” Wren called out.

“Then let me at least throw ye a weddin’ that ye will never forget at my castle,” said the king.

“I dinna think that is necessary, but thank ye,” said Caleb. “That is, unless Bridget wants a grand weddin’. But I would be happy to be married in the Highlands where I feel most at home. I am but a simple man, Sire.”

“A simpleton is more like it,” he heard Logan mumble, sending a chuckle up from the crowd.

“I agree with Caleb,” Bridget spoke up. “I like it in the Highlands and a simple weddin’ with the MacKeefe Clan is all I need.”

“Then so be it,” said the king. “But because I respect ye, I am goin’ to send the money I would have spent on yer weddin’ to the MacKeefe Clan to pay for the expenses that incurred because of the bad weather and havin’ to feed all those extra people.”

“Thank ye, Sire,” Storm spoke up, looking very happy now.

“My King, if I may be so bold, I would ask ye for one small request on Caleb’s behalf,” Bridget said next.

“What is yer request, my dear?” said the king.

“I ask that Caleb gets mentioned in the Highland Chronicles, for his noble choices and also for savin’ my life.”

“Sorley, did ye hear that?” asked the king.

“Aye, Yer Majesty,” called out Sorley from the back of a wagon. Sim stuck his head up as well, traveling with Sorley. “I will make certain that Caleb MacKeefe is honored in the book of the Highland Chronicles that Bridget’s faither started about the MacKeefe Clan.”

“I’ll be leavin’ then,” said the king. “And my best wishes for yer weddin’, Caleb and Bridget.”

As Caleb watched the king’s entourage ride away, he didn’t regret a single decision, because he felt richer than the king himself. After all, Bridget Ogilvy was about to become his wife.

Epilogue

One year later

“Caleb, dinna let Slink lick the bairn’s face,” Bridget called out from the bed, having just birthed their first baby. It was a boy with dark, curly hair, just like Caleb’s.

“But Slink wants to see Baby Brigham,” Caleb told her. They’d named their boy after Bridget’s late father. Caleb held the baby in one arm and the pine marten in the other.

“Give me the bairn and go and open the door and let everyone in,” Bridget told him, pulling the covers higher and taking the baby from him.

“Naw, let’s just keep this all to ourselves for now,” suggested Caleb.

“Caleb?” she said with a raised brow. “Ye ken everyone is excited to see the new bairn.”

“Aye,” agreed Caleb’s sister, Trea, who had helped Wren to deliver Bridget’s baby. Wren cleaned her hands on a towel and smiled from ear to ear. “If ye dinna open the door, I’m afraid yer friends are goin’ to climb in through the window.”

Caleb looked over his shoulder to see Hawke, Logan, and Ethan, pushing each other out of the way, trying to peer in the window at the baby.

“Let them in, Caleb,” Bridget told him once again.