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  “Hugh, them’s a couple o’ wee devils you’ve got there,” said a dark-haired and heavily bearded man in the party.

  “Aye, but if they’ve horns and a tail, they come by it honestly, as I’ve never been much of an angel myself,” Aiden’s father responded. “Come to think of it, neither have you, Rory,” he continued. “So ’tis a good thing they look like me or I might have cause to wonder, eh?” Hugh raised an eyebrow and grinned at the man, who responded with a good-natured laugh.

  Aiden’s dad had passed on his wide forehead and defined cheekbones to his sons, though he had a mass of red-gold hair that reminded me of the sun setting over the loch. A green and red kilt hung loose over his legs, the plaid swung up over his shoulder and pinned with a simple gold brooch.

  He was heavily armed, carrying a broadsword, dirk, and two pistols, which made me wonder what his expedition had been about. He looked as though he’d been riding for days without rest, but the joy in his eyes at being home with his family was clear. As they drew nearer the castle, I could see the silhouette of Aiden’s mother, waiting anxiously for their arrival.

  “Ah, Leah,” Hugh said under his breath in tones of adoration and desire, as he stared at her thin frame, backlit by the setting sun. Rory brought his horse up alongside him and gestured to Leah with his chin.

  “I’ll take the horses to the stable. Go on and give my best to your wife.”

  Hugh thanked him and slid off the horse, pulling Duncan and Aiden with him. He held the boys’ hands as they walked the rest of the way to the castle entrance. Leah stood, quivering as she waited, then broke into a run as they drew near. He let go of the boys and scooped her up in a bear hug, kissing her and spinning her around. When he set her down, he pulled the bonnet off and combed his hands through her long blonde curls. “Gracious, I missed you, my bride. I told you not to get more beautiful while I was away, but you didn’t listen.”

  She beamed up at him in delight. “I’m glad you’re home, Hugh.” He put his arm around her and they walked slowly back to the castle, the two boys running circles around them. When they reached the entrance, she started to open the door, but Hugh shook his head.

  “No, love, I think I’ll take the wee rascals and go for a dip to wash up before supper.”

  She protested with a hand on his arm. “I’d be happy to draw you a hot bath. I’ll even wash and brush your hair for you, if you like. Shave you, too.” She ran her fingertips over the wiry red whiskers on his cheeks. He made a low humming noise in his throat as he pulled her towards him.

  “If that’s not the most tempting offer I’ve ever heard, I don’t know what is. But I fear I will not stay awake long enough to eat my supper, let alone be any use to you later tonight if I don’t take a wee dip now.” He waggled his eyebrows and she looked away with a shy smile.

  Then, to my surprise, she peeked up at him through her lashes and said, “Aye, then. I’ve plans for you later, so you’d best keep up your strength.” Laughter bubbled up from him, loud and infectious, and he swatted her playfully on the rump as she headed into the castle.

  “I’ve never let you down before, lassie. I don’t think I’ll start now,” he called to her retreating form, then turned his attention to the two young boys at his heels. “All right, lads, let’s have a bit of a swim, shall we?”

  Duncan and Aiden shrieked with excitement and took off running down the hill to the loch, stripping their clothes off as they went. Hugh laughed heartily as he walked behind them, watching the boys’ shirts, kilts and shoes sail through the air. He certainly was larger than life and built like a brick wall: thick barrel chest, timber-like legs and massive arms, with not an ounce of fat anywhere on him.

  The two pink, naked boys ran the length of the dock and flew off the end in a joyous splash, though the water must have been freezing. I turned my eyes away while Hugh undressed. Aiden tucked me close against him, his chest shaking with quiet laughter. Hugh’s footsteps were barely audible as he ran down the dock, and I looked up just in time to see him cannonball into the lake, sending the boys careening with a giant splash.

  “Da! Toss me like a caber!” Duncan shouted.

  “Aye, lad, but I’d best start with wee Aiden here, since he’s more of a tree branch than a caber. I need to work up to tossing you, since you’ve grown to be such a man.” His eyes crinkled with amusement at Duncan, who swelled with pride at the compliment.

  “That’s a good idea. Go ahead and toss Aiden first, then.”

  Little Aiden—apparently not put out by being called the Scottish equivalent of scrawny—eagerly swam over to his father who held out his hands, fingers locked. Aiden scrambled up his body to stand on them, his face aglow with anticipation. He stiffened, arms pinned to his sides and Hugh flung him into the air with a quick thrust, sending Aiden flipping end over end across the lake.

  “Good one, Da! Now me!” Duncan called. Hugh swam over to the dock and pulled himself up with ease. Averting my eyes, I faced Aiden who grinned down at me and shrugged.

  “Well, I warned ye, did I not?”

  When I turned back, Duncan had stepped into Hugh’s locked grip, his face serious. He nodded to his father, who squatted briefly and sent Duncan flying with a powerful thrust of his arms. After a 360-degree flip, he landed feet first, his face flushed with pride right before he plunged into the water. Little Aiden let out a whoop of congratulations and Hugh laughed, turning to look at his youngest son, whose lips were turning blue, his skinny shoulders shaking with the chill. Hugh jumped down from the dock and announced that they were finished. Both boys protested loudly but he ignored them as he gathered his clothes and weapons from the shore. Duncan ran past Aiden and gave him a solid thwack on the back of the head when their father wasn’t looking. Aiden took off after him, hollering as they collected their clothing from all over the bank.

  “What was that for, ye sot?” Aiden asked, rubbing the back of his head as he pulled on his shirt.

  “If ye weren’t such a wee bairn, we wouldn’t have to go back in. I think I’ll tell Da that only us men should go next time, since weans such as yourself can’t handle the cold.” He stuck out his lip in a rude, pouty gesture and Aiden leaped on him with all fours, snarling and swearing like no little kid I’d ever heard before.

  Hugh strode up behind them and made that Scottish grunt in his throat, rolling his eyes. He grabbed each of them by the ear, lifting them slightly off the ground so they had to walk on their tiptoes. They immediately stopped struggling, their faces pinched with pain.

  “That’ll do, lads. ’Tis no wonder your mam can’t handle ye wee beasties half the time. You’ll find fit to treat each other right or I’ll take the strap to your bare arse, understood?” His tone held no malice at all, but it was clearly no idle threat. When the boys whimpered consent, he let go, then pat them on the back as they rubbed their ears.

  “Good. Now let’s go have some supper, aye? I’m so hungry I could eat my boots,” he said, heading into the castle.

  As we entered, a blast of warmth enveloped us, the air rich with the scent of freshly baked bread, beer, and roasted meat. The hall teemed with people arranging themselves along the long dining table. A great cheer and raised glasses welcomed Hugh, who responded in Gaelic, obviously comfortable being the center of attention. Leah came up beside him and he kissed her on the cheek.

  “Leah, ye should have come out to watch us swim. We were three cocks a bobbin’ in the loch. ‘Twas like a cock-a-leekie soup made of MacRaes!” A chorus of laughter echoed around the table and she grinned, handing him a stein of ale. He pinched her on the behind when she turned to herd the boys into the kitchen.

  At the table, he clapped his neighbor jovially on the shoulder, making some comment that caused the man to roar with laughter. People all around crossed the room in order to be near him and hear the tales of his most recent adventure. I longed to stay and listen myself, but Aiden’s memory took us along with his mother into the kitchen.

  “Go help your Aunt
Margaret dish up the plates, lads,” Leah instructed, pushing them towards an older heavy-set woman.

  “These two walking sticks the best you could rustle up for me, eh, Leah?” Margaret asked, then drew the boys in for a hug. She held them out at arm's length then, frowning as she inspected them.

  “You’re not much more than a sack of bones, you wee lads. We’ll have to fatten you up if you’re ever going to grow up nice and thick like your Da.”

  “They will at that, Maggie. I don’t think my sons will reach the age of twenty before the lassies come clamoring for them, trying to get a ring.” Pride rang out in her voice and Margaret nodded, her critical gaze sweeping over the boys.

  “They certainly have grown a pinch since my last visit over from France. Next time Hugh goes to one of the clan councils, I want you and the lads to come stay with me and Alex for a spell. I think it would do you good. You’re thinner than I’ve ever seen you,” she frowned at her sister, “and I cannot think it does you well to be sitting around wringing your hands and fretting about what might happen to him.”

  Leah put the boys to work filling plates and handing them to an assortment of teenage girls, who disappeared one after the other into the dining hall. She sidled up to her sister and whispered, “You know very well that there’s war brewing with the English. I don’t know how long it will be before it affects my family, but I cannot be in France when Hugh goes to battle. My place is here with him and he needs me to stand beside him, no matter what happens.”

  Margaret sighed and Leah went on, her tone lighter. “Though we did enjoy the visit last year when Alex was so kind as to have my portrait painted with the boys. They looked so bonnie in their wee outfits, no?” She smiled in remembrance and I longed to reach out and touch her. A quiet joy emanated from her, and my heart ached at what the future held for her.

  She’s beautiful.

  Aiden looked down at me upon hearing my thought, his face solemn. “Aye, that she is. That she is.”

  Aunt Margaret cut into our moment of reverence, barking orders at a young girl who was moving slowly and not doing her share of the work. “Morag! Are you on holiday, then, lass? Or shall I grab a torch from the wall and light your skirts aflame to make you move your arse?”

  Morag’s cheeks flamed red as the rest of the kitchen turned to stare at her. “Yes, mistress, I mean no, mistress… I, uh… sorry.” She ducked her head and bolted out of the kitchen with a plate in each hand. Margaret surveyed the rest of the workers, her face indicating that she was ready to choose another victim if needed.

  “I promised Mrs. Menzies that I’d oversee the meal tonight since she was not feeling well, and I’ll not have her dishonored by anyone giving less than their best.” A girl came in carrying a heavy tray of dirty dishes and Margaret moved quickly to take it from her. “Thank you, Marion. Well done, lass.” She smiled at the girl, who beamed back at her, obviously thrilled at the hard-won praise.

  The room swam out of focus briefly and I blinked my eyes as Aiden’s memory skipped forward. The dinner over, Leah wiped her brow with the back of her sleeve and gave her sister a tired smile. “I think I’ll take the lads up to bed now, Maggie. ’Tis been a long day.”

  “Just a wee bit longer if you will. They haven’t had their French lesson today.” She winked at Duncan, who turned to his mother with big, sad eyes.

  “Mam, can we, please?” he pleaded.

  Leah sighed, unconvinced, and little Aiden piped up, his face identical to his older brother’s. “Aye, we need to practice, Mam. Please, can we?”

  Outnumbered, she shrugged and ruffled Aiden’s hair. “All right, but just for one hour and then straight to bed. No complaining, aye?” The two boys’ heads bobbed up and down as they promised to be good and I caught little Aiden’s very obvious wink at his aunt when his mother turned away.

  “I thought you said you couldn’t speak a word of French before you went to Versailles when you were fourteen,” I said.

  “Aye, that’s true. She wasn’t a very good French teacher. I never remembered a thing she said by the next day.”

  Margaret led both boys out of the kitchen, down the hall and up to her room. She pulled a small table away from the wall and into the center of the room, then placed three chairs around it. The boys took their seats as she rifled through a box on the mantle above the fireplace. She gave them a conspiratorial smile as she set a flask of whisky, a pile of buttons and a deck of cards on the table.

  “All right, lads, before we start, you’d best learn a bit of French for your mam. Repeat after me: ‘Je t’aime’.” The boys gave it their best shot, imitating her until she was satisfied. “That means ‘I love you.’ Tell her that when you go to bed tonight, aye?”

  She dealt the cards and divided the buttons into three small piles. “You know the rules. A dram of whisky to the winner!”

  They played in silence, brows furrowed in concentration. Aiden tossed a handful of buttons into the center of the table. Margaret raised her eyebrows but he didn’t blink, his small face stoic. Duncan glared at him, then threw in his own buttons with a challenging smirk. Margaret shook her head and laid her cards down. Hands on her hips, she turned a bemused eye to Aiden.

  “Well, lad, you’ve got stones, I’ll give you that. Why, you’ve bet nearly half your pile! Out with it, then. What have you got?” Aiden fanned out his cards and Duncan cursed, slamming his fist on the table and making the buttons jump. Margaret smacked him upside the head and hissed, “Whisht, lad! You don’t want your mam to hear. You’ll get us all in trouble.”

  Duncan rubbed his head and begrudgingly apologized as Aiden pulled his winnings from the center pile to his side with a wicked grin of satisfaction. He grabbed the flask of whisky and took a slug of it, his face contorting as he tried to hide the effect of the alcohol. Margaret chuckled and patted him on the back.

  “You’ll grow up to be just like your Da, I can see that right now. Some lassie is going to be very lucky to have you, my wee nephew.” Duncan made a grunt of dissent as he gathered the cards up and dealt a fresh hand. Aiden explained the rules to me as we watched the miniature version of him win round after round.

  The wave of Aiden’s new cast flowed over me and the boys’ bedroom materialized out of thin air. Leah sat between the two small beds, reading a book in Gaelic. Duncan and Aiden’s eyes drooped in sleep as the sing-song melody of her voice filled the small room. She closed the book and stroked Aiden’s hair lovingly, then pulled his covers up and bent to kiss him on the forehead.

  “Je t’aime, Mam. That means I love you in French,” he said dreamily.

  “I love you, too, my precious son. Sweet dreams, angel.” Her gaze lingered for a moment on his face, then she turned to tuck Duncan in.

  The door cracked open and Hugh entered quietly, his tall frame filling the room. He dropped to one knee at Aiden’s bedside. “Oidhche mhath, my son. Tomorrow, you can help me with the horses, if you like.” Aiden grinned at his father, the adoration clear in his eyes. Hugh chuckled, a deep rumbling noise that filled the room, and my heart welled up in my chest.

  I turned my face up to Aiden and saw his eyes moist with tears, his expression caught between joy and sorrow. He gave me a crooked smile as a tear spilled onto his cheek. I swept it away with my thumb and he drew me into his arms, his cheek pressed against the top of my head.

  Thank you, Lord for the chance to share my memories with Lindsey. I know very well that I don’t deserve her, but please don’t take her away from me now. She’s all I have left.

  His desperate prayer filled my head and my chest constricted with longing.

  “Aiden, the angel told you that my love would redeem you. So what more do I have to do? I can’t possibly love you more than I do right now.”

  “And I love you, lass,” he said with a heavy sigh. “But I cannot go with you. Not yet. I don’t understand it either. All we can do is pray.” His grip tightened around me and this time when he prayed, I joined in.

  Chapt
er 17

  When I opened my eyes, we were back in the kitchen of the family cabin in Idaho, dressed in normal clothes again. I kissed Aiden lightly and he released me with a sad smile. While I cleared the breakfast dishes, I marveled at the ability to relive memories in such extraordinary detail, like how a video captures so much more depth than just a picture alone. Still, we couldn’t change the past, so it was a bittersweet experience.

  There was a melancholy tension in the air between us as Aiden wandered into the living room, muttering to himself softly in Gaelic. He needed some space, so I occupied myself with washing the dishes while he built up the fire. I heard him rustling around in the living room, then the chair at the dining table made a loud scraping noise on the hardwoods. As I came around the corner wiping my hands on a dishtowel, he was shuffling a deck of playing cards.

  “Fancy a game, lass? I promise I’ll take it easy on you.”

  He winked at me and I laughed, dropping the towel on the table and accepting his challenge.

  “Don’t bother. You aren’t the only one who learned to play cards as a kid, you know,” I teased.

  “Just when I think I know how you’ll respond, you surprise me. All right then, we’ll see how you do.” I sat down across from him as he laid out the rules of the game. “First things first.” He blinked and a flask appeared on the table along with two small piles of gold buttons. He dealt the cards, explaining the rules for a game he called “Poque-deux” which turned out to be a version of an old French card game that his aunt had modified to make it easier to play with him and his brother.

  Like poker, it involved betting and bluffing to try and intimidate your opponent into giving up before your hand was revealed, as well as an opportunity to draw and discard. The combinations of what constituted high-scoring hands were different than what I was used to, but I caught on quickly. We went through a practice round so I could learn the rules. He patiently explained which cards should be played when. Satisfied that I was sufficiently up to speed, he dealt a fresh hand and I frowned down at my cards, moving them back and forth in my hands as I sorted them.