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“So, I hear ye are already married,” said Fia, greeting Maira with a hug.
“Aye, and you are all just in time for the celebration,” Morag broke in. “We have the great hall decorated and Cleo has cooked up somethin’ special. Haggis!”
They all laughed.
“Who is Cleo?” asked Willow.
“She’s not only a cook but someone very special,” said Maira, planning to tell the girls later that Cleo was also a Follower of the Secret Heart. “Here she comes now with her son as well as Jacob’s son, Ricker.”
Cleo approached, holding the little boy’s hand. Tommy was right next to her, smiling from ear to ear, wearing a pair of his new shoes. Maira had kept her promise to Tommy, giving him not one but three new pairs of shoes. The servants and villagers were also happy since Jacob was the new lord and cared for them well.
Maira scooped up Ricker from Cleo’s arms and kissed him on the cheek. “Mama,” said Ricker.
“Mama?” Willow asked, exchanging glances with Fia. “So you are already a mother.”
“She’s goin’ to be a mother again soon,” blurted out Morag.
“You are?” asked Jacob.
“Morag, you can’t keep a secret,” spat Maira. “I haven’t even told Jacob yet that I’m pregnant.”
“We’re going to have a baby?” Jacob whooped aloud and pulled Maira and Ricker to him in a hug.
“She’s no’ the only one havin’ a baby,” said Morag.
“Morag, I just told you that information. I wanted to be the one to tell Maira,” complained Willow.
“You are pregnant, too?” asked Maira. “This is wonderful. All the cousins are going to be mothers.”
“No’ all of us,” said Morag, sulking.
“You’ll have your time, too,” Maira assured her. “You don’t need to feel left out.”
“The food is ready if anyone is hungry,” said Cleo.
“What is that brooch you’re wearing?” Willow asked her.
Cleo’s hand covered the heart brooch and she looked over to Maira.
“It’s all right, Cleo. There is no need to keep it a secret. I was going to tell my cousins later and I’ve already told Jacob about the Followers of the Secret Heart. Willow and Fia, Cleo is a member as well.”
The girls were surprised and walked over to meet Cleo.
“It’s snowing,” called out Michael, opening his mouth to the sky, trying to catch snowflakes on his tongue.
“Did I hear somethin’ about haggis?” Reed, the red-haired triplet, came forward with his dark-haired brother, Rook.
“I say we all get out of the cold and get something to eat,” stated Rook. “I’m starved.”
“I hope someone brought some Mountain Magic,” said Reed, talking about the potent whisky that was brewed by the old Scot, Callum MacKeefe.
“Faither, now that my cousins are married, do I still have to stay in Rothbury?” asked Morag. “With Branton a squire for Sir Jacob, if I go back, I’ll be all alone.”
“That’s true,” said Rowen. “But when the earl left to campaign for the king, he told me he didn’t want to be guardian anymore.”
“Then ye’ll come home to Scotland with me, Morag,” said Reed. “Yer mathair will be happy to have ye home.”
“Ye can help me with the baby,” said Fia.
