Under the Same Sky by Genevieve Graham

Author:Genevieve Graham [Graham, Genevieve]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780425245231
Publisher: Berkley
Published: 2012-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 22

Farewells at the Fire

Iain tucked the children into their box bed and wrapped a blanket around the two small bodies. They fell instantly asleep in a confusing array of skinny white arms and legs. He smoothed the hair over their foreheads with calloused hands that were larger than their faces and brushed his lips over their brows.

He stood for a moment, listening to them breathe. It calmed him to hear the little purring sounds that trembled through their throats, the occasional peep as something secret happened in a dream. He had done this every night with his own children. With them gone, it seemed so important that he stop and listen to these two.

He dropped his chin to his chest and stepped outside, latching the door behind him. Iain joined the others by the fire, where Geoffrey played his fiddle, accompanied by the songs of night creatures.

Andrew sat beside Iain and told him of his separate discussions with Janet and Hector. Iain raised an eyebrow but nodded. He was surprised she wanted to go with them, but he wasn’t averse to bringing her.

A faint yellow glow spilled from the door of the cottage as it swung open. Hector and Sorcha stepped out, leaning against each other, Sorcha talking and smiling at her husband. He held her, letting her support him. They found a place among their friends, then Hector cleared his throat and began to speak.

“As master of the house,” Hector began formally, letting his eyes meet those of Andrew and Iain, “I thank ye both for everything ye’ve brought to our family. It was a blessin’ that ye came to our home when ye did. Ye brought my family laughter that hadna been wi’ us for some time.”

He glanced at his sons. “Simon and Geoffrey, ye’ve no knowledge of what I’m about to say, and for that I apologise. Things have come about very quickly in the past couple o’ days, and I’ve no’ had a chance to speak wi’ ye proper.”

Something about his sons’ expressions caused a lump to rise in Hector’s throat. When had they become men? He could remember the pull of Sorcha’s apron against her growing belly as it held each babe until its birth. He recalled the days when his children had entered the world and how their tiny naked bottoms had felt as soft as dough, cradled in the palm of his hand. The memories made him feel old, and he found he needed the comfort Sorcha’s hand gave.

“Mr. MacDonnell and Mr. MacKenzie are leavin’ tomorrow. They’re taking ship to—where is it? America?” he asked Andrew, who smiled in response.

Hector continued, his voice growing hoarse with emotion. “What I did no’ find out until this day”—he paused and cleared his throat—“was that our own sweet Janet would like to include hersel’ among the travelers.”

The boys turned to their sister, who blushed and glared into her lap.

“Janet, look at me,” he said, and she frowned at him. “Yer mother and I dinna want to see ye go, lass.

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