Rebellious Highland Hearts: Short Story Collection by Jayne Castel

Author:Jayne Castel [Castel, Jayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Winter Mist Press
Published: 2024-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

This Yuletide was much quieter than most. A great oaken log burned in the hearth in the hall, and the aroma of roasting meats, pastry, and cakes drifted through the broch and out into the barmkin beyond.

Yet there wouldn’t be a Yuletide feast at noon as planned. Most of their family members retired to their chambers, to rest, but Iver remained with Bonnie, as did Sheena. Together, they nervously waited to see her rally.

As noon approached, Sheena went down to the kitchen and retrieved three cups of hot caudle and a platter of honey cakes studded with dried plums. She then carried them upstairs.

The midwife had long departed, but Malcolm remained. The healer’s face was drawn with fatigue, although relief flickered across his face when Sheena passed him a cup of caudle and a cake.

“Caudle will be just the thing for Bonnie,” he said approvingly.

Sheena nodded. The rich mix of cream, egg yolks, honey, and oats was a fortifying drink indeed. Ideal for a woman who’d recently given birth.

Iver flashed his mother a grateful smile as he took the two other cups and handed one to Bonnie.

“Thank ye, Sheena,” Bonnie said softly. “That’s very kind.”

“How are ye feeling?” Sheena asked, pulling up a stool on the opposite side to Iver.

“Well enough.” Bonnie managed a wan smile. “Just exhausted.”

The bairn slept against her breast, and something tugged deep in Sheena’s chest as she viewed his crumpled wee face. He was so small, so vulnerable. “Has he a name yet?”

“Aye … Reid,” Bonnie replied, her gaze meeting Sheena’s. “Are ye happy with that?”

Sheena’s breathing hitched. Of course, it made sense that Iver would wish his firstborn to be named after his father. Despite the fact he’d strayed from the marital bed, Reid Mackay had been a good man. Even so, Bonnie understood why Sheena might be upset.

Her gentle concern for others—even when her own situation was of more importance—made Sheena’s throat thicken. Reaching out, she placed a hand on Bonnie’s arm. “Aye, lass,” she murmured. “It’s an excellent name.”

Next to Bonnie, Iver’s eyes widened. No doubt, he’d been ready for a fight.

However, he wasn’t going to get one.

Silence fell then, while Sheena focused her attention on Bonnie once more. She’d wanted to apologize to her daughter-by-marriage when they were alone, yet that wouldn’t be possible.

And she wouldn’t wait. Bonnie needed to hear these words now.

“I am truly sorry, lass,” she murmured. “For the way I treated ye when ye first came here.” Pausing, Sheena sucked in a fortifying breath before plowing on. “Ye are the best thing that ever happened to Iver. Ye have made him so happy … and ye have brought such joy to this broch. I should have told ye earlier how much ye mean to me” —Sheena’s voice wobbled as emotion threatened to overtake her— “And ye do … ye are the sweet-natured daughter I always wanted, yet never deserved.”

Bonnie stared back at Sheena, her lips parting in surprise.

Indeed, both Iver and Malcolm were watching her as if she’d just sprouted whiskers.

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