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D
awn was creeping across the top of the moor as the four weary travelers arrived at the edge of MacKinnon land. The sky appeared endless, draped in a pale pink glow. The air itself glistened with a dewy morning mist that felt good on Alex's cheeks, like a soft caress. He took a deep breath, inhaling the scents that surrounded him. He reined his horse in, dismounted, pulled up a sprig of heather and rolled it between his fingers, taking a quick whiff of it.
"What's wrong? Did you hear something?" Jack asked, reining Goliath to a halt.
"Nae, didn't hear anything. But have a need to stand on my own land again. Just for a moment."
He inhaled deeply again.
"The scent of the Highlands, the scent of home."
He was acutely aware these scents he had known all his life, those of pine, birch, rowan, and the delicate scent of the heather, were more than just scents.
"These scents, these Highland smells, they speak of freedom, a place in time, and a way of life. No matter how hard the Brits may try to take this land and our way of life from us, it's embedded in this place, and in our Highland blood. In all Scots. There is no taking it away."
~ ~ ~
A short while later, not quite yet sunrise, they arrived at the lodge, which was aglow with lighted candles at every window. The sight was so warming to them that they forgot their aching backs and legs. They were home now. Nothing else mattered.
Before they could climb down from their very tired horses, Millie came tearing out the back door, Midge on her hip.
"Oh, you're home! Jack! Jack!"
She threw herself into his huge arms and he had to refrain from hugging her as hard as he wished. Little Midge held up her hands to him as always and he gathered her close, too.
Finally, Millie looked to Caitlin and smiled, then answered the question on Caitlin's face.
"She's sleeping in her crib now, but then she's been awake most of the night so I suppose that's to be expected."
Caitlin nodded, unable to speak, as she knew tears were just waiting to spill over. She was almost afraid to go in and see her bairn. Leaving her had been the most difficult thing she'd ever had to do.
Millie stood back from Jack, taking in his bruised face and black, swollen eye. She began a litany of questions that seemed very important to her at the moment.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt? Any broken bones?"
"Nae, Millie. I'm not hurt, lass. It takes more than a few foppish British soldiers to do me in."
He appeared to be well, but Millie felt him tremble as he held her once again.
They all looked up as another figure made an appearance on the back stoop. Alex stood very still and quiet as Da slowly made his way down the steps and started toward them, carrying his latest grandchild close to his chest. He had always been at ease with the bairns, and this one was no different.
Alex looked down at Caitlin, who was smiling at the sight of her newborn being cradled by Da.
"Is he fully recovered, lass?"
"Yes. He's getting older now, Alex. He's a tough old Highlander, but even those must learn to take life a bit slower at some point. He's alright, though. He'll not leave us for a long while yet."
Not willing to wait for Da to get closer, Alex took several long strides and was at his side. He relieved him of his bundle and held her in the crook of his arm. After one long MacKinnon embrace, he looked Da in the eyes.
"So, ye survived the fever then. Caitlin says ye'll be back to yer old self shortly."
"Well, I wasn't sure I wanted to survive it for a while there, ye ken? When Andrew took his leave, I thought for a bit that perhaps I'd just go with him. We were mates for a lifetime. But I know yer mam would tell me that we all have a reason for being here, and when we're no longer needed then we'll go to our next home. Still, though, it's not the same without him."
"Aye. He'll be sorely missed and that's as it should be. The real problem is that now we don't have anyone to keep records of our family. None of us are what ye'd call good with keeping detailed accounts of anything."
"Oh, I believe we might have someone who can step in for Andrew. He's quite a hand at writing stories, and from what I see today, he's becoming one of us. That, too, is as it should be."
Alex took a quick glance over at Robbie, who was surrounded by the three orphans.
Dugald was pulling him toward the stable.
"Robbie! Ye gotta come see the kittens. Their mam died so we've been feeding them with a dropper, but one of them looks poorly," Dugald reported.
Bridgette found Alex's leg and wound herself around it. She was rewarded with a hug and off she went again.
Willie stood close to Caitlin, still in his protective mode apparently. It always took him a couple of days to move any distance from her following an episode that had her in danger.
Caitlin had given Alex time with his daughter and his da, but now she stepped forward, reaching out to take her child.
"Looks like you've been in good hands, my precious. These are my two favorite men. But for the next few minutes, you belong to me!"
She pulled her close and inhaled that special scent of her infant, a scent that is forever etched in a mother's memory.
"Millie, where's Charlie?"
Caitlin was so in hopes that he would eventually try to speak again. But, only time could heal some wounds.
"Oh, he'll be along any minute now. He's doing his ‘kitten duty,’ which he really likes. Having his mam has helped more than anything. He's making sounds and is running around like always. Aileen has brought healing that none of us could have done."
Caitlin smiled and took Alex's hand.
"I think the first order of business is obvious to anyone standing within three meters of any of us."
"And what would that be, lass?"
"A bath!"
"Couldn't agree with ye more. I'll ask Hamish to fill the tubs and we'll burn these god-awful, smelly clothes. I don't need anything to remind me of that Tolbooth."
"Oh dear. That means I'll have to burn Ian's outfit ... and I really like it!"