Page 133 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Laughter rippled through everyone gathered.

Gordon shook his head, unable to suppress his own grin. Ailis laughed beside him, and the sound struck him with the same warmth it always had.

He had missed that laughter when she was gone.

Now, it belonged in his halls, and he wanted to hear it when they were old and gray, when their children were grown, when the rowan tree behind them had become tall enough to cast shade over the garden.

He wanted all of it.

Lileas came racing across the grass before anyone could stop her, her ribbons flying behind her as she twirled beneath the lanterns. This time, Maria, the girl rescued from the raiders who was fully strong now, was with her.

“Ailis!”

Ailis laughed and bent to catch Lileas then she smiled at Maria and stroked a hand over her hair tenderly.

“Lileas, Maria, ye shall ruin yer dresses if ye keep runnin’ through the grass.”

“But we are celebratin’!” the girls chorused.

“Aye, ye are.”

Brochan waddled determinedly after her, his tiny feet carrying him through the grass while a little boy from the Sinclair party crouched down to watch him.

“Look!” Lileas cried. “Brochan is dancin’ too!”

The hedgehog promptly disappeared beneath a bush.

Everyone laughed.

Even Gordon.

Marion stood near the table of food, watching the scene with such contentment that Gordon felt another quiet gratitude settle over him. Jane stood beside her, holding a cup in one hand and wiping away tears from the corner of her eye with the other.

“Look at them,” Jane whispered. “I have never seen the Laird look so happy.”

Gordon heard her and pretended he had not. Ailis heard her too; he could tell from how she smiled.

Her cheeks colored. “Ye are all watchin’ us.”

Marion raised her cup. “Aye. We have been waitin’ for this moment.”

Gordon looked around the garden. The castle seemed different tonight.

Or perhaps it’s me who is different.

Lanterns flickered among the trees, their golden light catching on the faces of family and friends. Music drifted across the grass, lively and warm, while tables overflowed with food and drink. Children darted between adults, servants laughed together, and voices rose in celebration.

For years, Gordon had looked at MacLaren Castle and seen stone.

A place that needed guarding.

Tonight, I see a home.

Ailis had done that. She had walked into his life with her paintings, flowers, and stubborn determination, and somehow, she had convinced him that the walls did not need to stay cold just because he had grown accustomed to them that way.

He turned toward her and extended a hand. “Dance with me.”

Ailis blinked. “Ye dance now?”