Taste of a Highland Lass – (Extended Epilogue)
Extended Epilogue
Small hands gripped the wooden sword, taking it from Gawain before suddenly swinging at him. Gawain was quick enough to evade the first attack on his knees, but was not as lucky as another attack came from behind him, a wooden sword smacking the back of his legs, causing him to hiss in pain as he stepped out of the range of the two boys.
“Ha! I got a hit in!” His second son, Ian jubilated. Throwing down his sword as he ran over to his scowling father. “I hit ye, so I win. That was the rule!”
“Nae! The rules are nae fair, and this sword is nae good enough. ‘Tis too small. Give me a proper sword, and ye will see if I’ll nae get a hit in.” Gawain only shook his head at his oldest. Fingal was aggressive almost every day of his life. There was no way Gawain was going to hand over a sword to the angry child.
“Fingal, ye need to practice before ye can use a real sword or else ye will end up cutting yerself in half before ye even nick yer opponent. And I already showed ye how to grip the sword. Yer stance was off as well. If both are nae accurate, ye cannae get a good hit on yer opponent.”
In response to his father’s lecture, Fingal tossed the wooden sword at Gawain’s feet. “I do nae even want a sword! I want some other weapon.”
“Well, what if I gave ye a short sword or a dagger?” Gawain produced two other wooden weapons from the ground behind him, but Fingal scoffed at them.
“I want a bow and arrow.” Gawain nodded, impressed that the boy was willing to try out different weapons before turning to his younger brother, who shrugged.
“I want a sword. Bow and arrows are useless when ye’re in close combat battle, which most raids and wars will contain. Arrows are only fer defense.”
“Well—”
“Ye just do nae want to use it because the only thing ye ken how to use is that stupid sword,” Fingal accused, and Gawain immediately stepped back, knowing a fight was about to break out. The last time he intervened in a fight between his boys, he not only sprained a finger, but Fingal almost bit off his hand.
“At least ken how to use a sword. Ye keep switching weapons because ye don’t ken how to use anything properly!”
Gawain backed away from his children to go stand next to his own brother. “I never will understand why they always fight over little things.”
“Well, squabbles are normal between siblings and how is yer hand, by the way?” Gawain turned his hand over to see the healing skin that had taken the shape of a bite mark on his palm. “Healing quite well, I see. They remind me so much of ye when we were younger. ‘Tis like Davinia managed to create two other versions of ye, ‘tis amusing at times.” Caillen laughed as Gawain looked back at his sons.
They had an interesting relationship. Fingal was born only a year after his marriage to Davinia, and Ian came along three years later. Gawain would not exactly call them polar opposites as both boys had loud and brash personalities. Fingal only took it to the next level.
An angry child who stomped about the keep with a scowl on his face, almost daring someone to talk to him and surprisingly, even if Davinia would never admit it, he was her favorite. His brother, on the other hand, was friendlier but only to a certain limit. It was not uncommon to see both boys squabbling, arguing, or full-on fighting about something. Gawain was sure they hated each other at some point until Caillen’s last child was unfortunate enough to play a cruel joke on Ian in the presence of Fingal. It was not a situation either Gawain or Caillen wanted to remember.
A loud cry caught the attention of Gawain. Fingal had managed to wrestle his brother to the ground and had his head pinned on the floor with his knee. Gawain sprang into action just as fast as Caillen did. While Gawain snatched up his more abrasive son, Caillen helped the other off the ground. Ian tore himself from Caillen, grabbing a handful of sand as he did, but before he could fling it at his brother, who was still struggling in the hold of his father, Gawain turned around, using his body to shield the sand attack from Fingal.
“Oi, what is the matter with both of ye!” Caillen grabbed Ian by the scruff of his shirt as Gawain turned around, Fingal still wildly kicking at the air.
“He said I was weak!” Fingal kicked up sand at his brother, and Ian did the same to retaliate.
“Well, ye’re! Ye cannae even hold a sword properly, and ye’re older than me,” Ian shot back.
“Oi, do nae say such things to yer brother.” Caillen dragged Ian back as he made to kick up sand once more.
“He insulted me first!” Ian accused, and Fingal scoffed, looking away from his brother.
“Listen to me, the both of ye. I’m starting to get tired of yer fights. If ye keep fighting like this all the time, how will ye be able to work together when ye grow up?” Gawain shook Fingal almost harshly when the boy scoffed again.
“Aye, yer father is right. Ye two have a certain part to play in making sure the clan continues to thrive long after we have gone. Our duties will fall onto ye, and if ye’re to work with another person to get proper results, ye’ve to ken how to work together, trust each other and certainly nae try to take each other’s eye out.”
Gawain let go of his son’s arm, and Caillen let go of Ian, both on alert in case either boy decided to pounce on the other.
“Lads! I’m back.” Gawain looked in the direction of the entrance where Davinia stood with Emer by her side, a basket of what Gawain knew were treats in her hand. Almost immediately, both boys took off, scampering toward their mother or, to be specific, toward the basket. Davinia was faster, and she raised the basket high, earning whines from her sons.
Gawain caught up to his sons, pressing a kiss to his wife’s hair as Emer left to meet her husband. “What did the healer say?” He had been frightened when she claimed she felt faint the night before during supper and sent her to the healer with Hansel as her guard. She did look much better than she did in the morning before she left.
“Ah, nothing much.” Davinia finally lowered the basket allowing the boys to take their fill of the sweet treats. “Do nae eat too much now.”
“Aye, ma,” they chorused, mouths full, and Gawain shook his head at them
“I do nae ken how they will be when they grow a wee older. They are practically monsters at this point. I do nae ken how ye deal with them.” Davinia chuckled as she took his hand in hers.
“Patience, dear. Ye are just as hot-tempered as they are.”
“If it is ye, I cannae argue with that. But really, tell me what the healer said.” She hummed to herself as she leaned her head against his shoulder and she watched her sons resume their training, this time with their uncle as their instructor.
“I think our boys will grow into marvelous gems.” She mused, causing Gawain to turn to the boys as well. Sure, his sons were rough around the edges, they were still good at heart.
“Even if they only have one responsible parent. I’ve nae idea what I’m doing half of the time.”
“I suggest ye learn quickly, and ye can impress the third one.”
“The third one, aye.” Gawain fell silent as he turned back to his wife when the realization of what she had said hit him. “The third one?!”
“Aye! The healer said I’m with child again.” Davinia grinned as her husband swept her off her feet.
“We are having another child? Are ye teasing me?” He asked, looking around until he caught the eyes of his brother. “Caillen, I’m going to have another child!”
“Good fer ye, Gawain. That is precious news, but Davinia, can ye nae spit out another version of yer husband. ‘Tis starting to get painful.” Caillen winced when Ian’s wooden sword hit the back of his legs for the second time, more of a smack than a strike. “And I mean really painful.”
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This story is one of the best I have ever read. No other book has made me feel so worried about the hero because of all the hatred & the lies & schemes used against him. Every page made me wonder when the next accusation would be leveled at him & when his brother would say such hurtful things & start an argument with him again, then getting mad at him for defending himself. What a page turner!
My sweet Jeanne, thank you for your positive review! I really value your input!
Same as last comment.Gosh was waiting for the gong to blast off.But all ends well.Fantastic story with the most thrilling storyline.One of your best and the Extended Epilogue was a great finish
Thank you my dear Pauline! This is wonderful to hear!
I could not put this book down! The twists and turns in the plot had me going until the very end! The suspense was wonderful and the storyline original. Love the characters and the underlying humour as well. Great book!
Thank you my dear Maddie. 🙂
A Laird’s second son returns from banishment at his Laird brothers request. He battles mistrust & hostility to regain acceptance & the love of his former flame. Filled with action & challenges. Great story!
Thank you, my dear Ann. 🙂
Very good book ,couldn’t wait to find out who was causing all the problems
Thank you, my dear, Peggy.
Good story of redemption ,love of family, forgiveness and love can give you the courage to follow through on your objective and change your Destiny. Wonderful
Thank you so much, my dear Maria.
Very griping who done it read. Full of surprises and challenges for the returned son and his former love. Truth prevailed and love, trust and devotion won the day.
Thank you so much for your heartwarming review, dear Lynne! I’m happy you enjoyed my novel!💖
A wonderful tale of intrigue. Very interesting tangle of players with justice winning in the end. A good example for giving second chances.
Thank you so much for your kind words my dear Mike! I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😊❤️
Good story line. Enjoyed it.
Thank you very much my dear Lisa! ❤️
Super book. Great writing. Kept me reading until the end. Did flip thru some of the pages at the end as the sex portions went on and on and on
Thank you so much, my dear MaryAnn! ❤️
I love this story, second chances are important in family life
Thank you! ❤️
Loved every minute of this story. Fascinating plots and characters. Great reading. Would recommend it to friends.
Thank you so much for your kind words, my dear Celestine! It means the world! ❤️
Love your books😍
Thank you so much my dear Gwen! Since you love my books, I am sure you will love the surprise I have prepared for my readers next month!