Donna Fletcher Short Story Collection Read Online Free PDF Page B

it.”
    “Neither can I,” she said and her kiss proved
it. It was a hungry, wanting kiss driven with a passion that
stirred them both. When it reluctantly ended, she whispered, “I
will never love another man the way I love you. And never ever
would I want another man to touch me. I am yours and yours alone as
you are mine.”
    Cavan grinned from ear to ear. “I am glad to
hear that.”
    “Good,” Honora said and patted his hard
chest. “Now it is time to convince your scowling brothers that this
wedding is a happy occasion.”
    He laughed. “As their chieftain, I’ll order
them to be happy.”
    She smiled and shook her head. “You’ll convince them.”
    With his hand to the small of her back,
though he was tempted to move it lower, he hurried her out the
door. “I’ll do my best.”
    “Then all will be well,” Honora said.
    When they got to the great hall, they both
had second thoughts.
    It was complete chaos.
    Garlands were being draped, wreaths made,
berries strung, white candles being nestled among the pine branches
on top of the massive mantel and the aroma of mulled cider tempted
the nostrils and tongue. Not to mention even more delicious scents
drifting in from the kitchen.
    Addie hurried over to Cavan, her narrow face
flushed and her red hair liberally streaked with gray coming undone
from the two combs that had held it secured to the back of her
head. “If you’re going to object to my wedding then go join your
brothers outside where I sent them.” She sniffled, fighting back
tears. “I will never stop loving your father, but he is gone, and
Hagen is good to me and loves me and”—a tear fell—“I miss being
loved.”
    Cavan slipped his arm around his mother’s
shoulders and hugged her close. “I am laird of the clan Sinclare
and I declare your wedding day to be a joyous occasion. And I am
happy for you, Mum.”
    Addie threw her arms around her son, then
sniffled again and gave him a gentle shove. “Now go inform your
pouting brothers about your decree before I take a stick to the lot
of them.”
    Cavan laughed. “It would serve them right.”
He gave another quick glance around the hall. “Where are the
children? I thought they were helping.”
    Addie laughed. “Helping? More like
underfoot.”
    “They’re all with Mave helping her bake the
special Christmas cakes with surprises inside them,” Addie said.
“Though how the lass handles such a playful group being so large
with child herself, I don’t know.” She shook her head.
    “Mave has all the children?” Cavan
asked.
    “Aye, every one of them. Your twins Tavish
and Ronan, Zia and Artair’s Blythe, Lachlan and Alyce’s Roark and
even though your daughter Kate, and Ronan and Carissa’s son Ryan,
are but two years, they’re with the lot of them. Mave has a way
with children, and it’s so glad I am she’s finally having one of
her own.”
    “She must need help by now,” Honora said and
with a kiss to her husband’s cheek she left his side.
    He watched her go and thought, as he so often
did, how lucky he was to have married her.
    Addie squeezed his arm. “Your father was
relieved and happy when you agreed, even though reluctantly, to
honor the marriage contract to Honora upon your return home. He had
always felt she was the right woman for you.”
    “He was right, and I am grateful that he was
a wise man.”
    "Champion!” Addie shook her head. “That dog
is forever getting himself into trouble.” She hurried to tend to
the large animal who had become her constant companion shortly
after her husband had died, and who she had thoroughly spoiled.
    Cavan took in the scene before him and
smiled. It might look chaotic, but they were happily preparing for
a special celebration, and if it took knocking his brothers’ heads
together to make certain the celebration was festive, so be it.
    He grabbed his fur-lined cloak from the peg
on the wall and walked out of the keep.
    ~~~
    Just before Honora reached the