Was there a part that bored or that you didn't really like in the book?

Even a character, a scene, or anything. You could say no if nothing bothered you.

Which was the part you liked most in the book?

Even a character, a scene, or anything that you enjoyed.

Would you read a series where all books begin from the same event, but each couple’s story unfolds in a different direction? *

• Yes, it’s fun to see how one moment changes everything.
• No, I’d get bored seeing the same starting point again.

In a romance book I prefer... *

• When the couple’s banter carries the humor!
• The couple to stay more serious while the side characters bring the fun.

Anything else you'd like to share?

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One Year Later…

Music carried on the warm breeze as Alec, Mairi, and Beitris led a caravan of horses and carts filled with MacMillan clansmen and women through the forest on the path leading to the village. The sun was golden, and the fields along the way were heavy and ready for the harvest.

The return of the harvest festival marked a new beginning, and much change from the previous year. Now both MacMillians and Camerons were joined in a strong alliance. And the love in Mairi’s heart lifted her spirits as much as the pipes and banners that lined the road toward the green.

As Mairi dismounted her horse and stood at the edge of the village green, her hand tucked in Alec’s, her eyes swept across the gathered crowd. Children darted past with ribbons, women balanced baskets of bread and fruit, and men raised tankards in good cheer.

“I cannae believe how far we’ve come since last year,” she said, thinking of how she had been so deep in her own grief at the last harvest fest, and all the danger and obstacles they had faced and overcome since. Where once there had been suspicion and grief, now there was only joy.

Alec looked down at her, his expression warm and teasing. “Aye, and so far there’ve been nay drunkards looking tae take yer honor.”

She laughed, the memory of how they first met still vivid in her mind. He had come to her rescue more than once, but that first meeting in the tavern, with Alec defending her honor was unforgettable. She briefly looked around half expecting to see the men who had attacked her that night lingering in the shadows.

“That may be true now, but should it change, I’m glad ye’re here tae defend me.” Her hand reached and found his, their fingers entwined, and she gave a gentle squeeze.

They moved into the center of the crowd. The festival loud and alive surrounding them, music playing and stalls of ale and roasting meats everywhere.

Mairi immediately spied her brother, Struan, sitting at a long table with his wife, Isolde, a baby on her lap and her belly full with yet another Cameron baby. A small swell of affection rose up in her chest as she approached. Mairi smiled at her brother and his growing family. She could not help but be moved by the sight of him so loved and loving in return.

“Well, look at that,” Alec said. “Is the strong, brave, Struan Cameron so easily softened?”

“Careful, MacMillan,” Struan replied, pointing to Mairi’s stomach with his dirk. “Mock me if ye must, but yer time will come.”

Isolde simply rolled her eyes at the men and their tough banter. “Pay them nay mind,” she said to Mairi. “And dinnae let me husband rush ye intae bairns.”

Mairi just laughed, reaching over and gently wiping a bit of jam from the bairn’s cheek. She thought about her future with Alec. Her heart was so impossibly full.

“When our time comes,” she said softly glancing at her husband, “I’m sure Alec will be jelly in the baby’s hands,” Mairi laughed.

Nearby, Finlay was speaking with Beitris who was sitting on a barrel, a goblet already in her hand, raised as if she were the queen on the throne.

“Keep waving that goblet around, and ye’ll spill wine all over yerself and everyone here,” Finlay said growling at the lass.

“Mind yer manners subject, or I shall have ye flogged.” Beitris laughed tossing her braid over her shoulder as she jumped down, running past before Finlay could get another word out. She leapt over some small children playing in the grass, and Finlay gave chase, only half in jest.

“God help us, if those two ever decided to join forces rather than bicker at each other,” Alec said shaking his head.

“Indeed,” Struan agreed. His smile softening the normally hard lines of his brow.

“Perhaps, they are already plotting against the two of ye,” Mairi chided, before all four of them erupted in laughter. She leaned closer, her shoulder bumping his arm, his warmth causing her to flush and smile lowering her gaze.

Alec leaned down, whispering in her ear. “Ye are quick tae smile, leannan, perhaps I should keep a closer watch on ye throughout the day.”

There was an echo of heat in his voice, the same that seemed to grow between them whenever they were together.

“Perhaps so, me’ laird. Afterall ye would nae want tae lose me.” She ran a finger down his arm before entwining her fingers with his. He ran this thumb in slow circles in the center of her palm.

“I never will,” he said placing a kiss to her temple.

He hopped down from the table where they sat and extended an arm toward her.

“Shall we see what more mischief Beitris and Finlay have gotten up tae? Perhaps we shall join them if the folly is merry enough?”

Mairi stood herself, leaning into him, and giving him a sly grin before reaching up and sealing her lips to his. Alec gave her a small moan of approval before she pulled away, hold his ice blue gaze.

“Or mayhap we should go somewhere quiet and see if we can create any mischief fer ourselves?”

***

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, the food tables were cleared and the musicians moved in closer so that the dancing could begin. The evening made warmer as a series of bonfires were lit throughout the village. Alec and Mairi sat on a worn plaid, her back resting comfortably against a thick tree. Against her tired protests, Alec stood, pulling Mairi up and twirling her into his arms.

“Have ye had a nice day?” he asked as they danced among the other couples flowing in and out of the village green to enjoy the music in the clearing.

“Aye, I have. And ye, husband? Glad we came?”

“Indeed.”

He spun her again, and when he pulled her back, wrapping her closely into his chest, he planted a soft kiss upon her lips. “Ye ken, I’ve been thinking,” he said.

“Always a dangerous thing,” she countered twirling back out from him.

“Aye, but this time, I was thinking about Struan and the bairn, with another on the way.” His tone shifted to serious as he pulled her back in. Mairi stilled, stopping their dance to search his face, worried.

“Nay, naethin’ worrisome, lass” he said quickly squeezing her waist. His smile, boyish, dissolving her concern. Looking into his eyes she was settled, finding nothing but warmth in his light blue gaze. “But what would ye say tae maybe havin’ one of our own?”

“A bairn?” The word tumbled out, clumsy and heavy in her mouth. Her throat became tight with emotion.

Mairi had always dreamed of children, of having a large family of her own. Wanting her bairns to have siblings like she did, free to spend their days playing and running along the forest paths and down to the loch. She had wondered whether Alec, already having raised Beitris, would want to have another child. She imagined he would perhaps, but had not dared hope too much. She had decided Alec was enough for her and would not push. But to hear him ask? Something in her heart sprang to life.

“Of course, I want a bairn with ye,” he replied, sliding his hand up her back, holding her close. “Is that what ye want as well?”

That familiar sting of tears was back behind her eyes, as she looked up at her amazing husband.

“I want it more than ye ken,” she said.

He leaned into her, and whispered in her ear, “Then perhaps, we should start tryin’, ye think?” He kissed her lightly behind her earlobe in spot he had recently discovered made her melt. Her knees buckled slightly as he playfully nipped her.

“Ye’ve nay shame, Alec MacMillan.” She whispered before playfully swatting at his chest, a warm blush creeping into her cheeks, as a sliver of hot pleasure shot through her center.

Alec pulled her tightly to his chest, hand upon her waist pulling her close in a way that promised he would follow through with more than just a dance as they began again to sway with the music. “Come, wife,” he said. “Let’s dance until dawn creeps over the horizon.”

And they did, laughter spilling from Mairi’s lips as the world spun around them. Beneath her laughter, however, came the knowledge that when the music faded, and the world got quiet the real celebration would begin in the privacy of their shared chamber.

The End

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