Heart in the Highlands by Heidi Kimball
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Kate could feel the rays of the sun resting on her face, slow heat mounting behind her eyelids. She turned and burrowed into her pillow, trying to shut it out, but it wasn’t her pillow at all. It was Callum.
“Good afternoon,” he said with a lazy smile. He’d clearly been awake and watching her.
Her stomach dipped as warmth burst in her chest. This was how it should have been four and a half years ago. How many times had she woken from nightmares and found herself alone? But Callum’s arms around her were strong and real, and those hazy memories drifted into the past, buried and forgotten. He was here. For good. She could wake up in his arms every day. Always.
“Did ye get enough rest?” he asked and pressed a kiss to her brow.
She shook her head. “Certainly not. But I doubt I could fall back asleep even if I wanted to.”
He kissed the corner of her mouth. “And why is that?”
“Because you seem intent on kissing me,” she said with a smile and pulled him closer, pressing a lingering kiss to his lips.
“An inconvenience, I’m sure.” He laughed. He tried to return her kiss, but she ducked away.
“It is, in fact. Especially when I know for a fact our daughter will come bursting through that door any moment. I’m sure she is anxious for another ride on her pony.”
He groaned. “I’ve a feeling you are right, much as it disappoints me.”
“Duty first. Kissing later.” She smiled and turned to roll out of bed.
But Callum pulled her back and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I love ye, Katie.”
She went up on one elbow and pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “And I you, Callum.” Her heart felt light enough to float away. “Now, come. No more distracting me,” she said, throwing back the covers before Callum took measures to do just that.
Kate hurriedly pulled on her shift. She chose a dress, and Callum helped her with her stays and laces before disappearing into his own room for a fresh change of clothes.
Kate was mortified at the thought of calling for Flora to help her dress at this hour of the day, but she needn’t have worried. When Callum returned, he willingly helped her with the buttons on her dress. He pressed a kiss to her cheek once he’d finished. “That isn’t part of my dressing routine,” she teased.
He chuckled. “From now on, it will be.”
Just then Charlotte burst into the room.
Callum turned to Kate, voice low. “We may need to start teaching her the virtue of knocking.”
Kate couldn’t hold back a laugh. “I missed you, my four-year-old girl,” she said, pulling Charlotte into a hug.
Charlotte pulled back in exasperation. “I waited all day like Harriet telled me to, and I cannot wait anymore. I want to go visit the lambs. We forgetted to name them! And I want the lambs to meet my pony.”
Callum saluted. “We shall prepare for immediate departure.”
Charlotte giggled. “Get your boots, Papa!”
“Aye, aye, Captain! Come help me find them, will ye?” The two of them disappeared into Callum’s room.
Harriet entered the room and gave Kate a rare, wry smile. “There’s more of Archie in him than I first thought.”
“There is, isn’t there?” Kate said on a sigh. It seemed he’d won even Harriet’s approval—no small miracle.
“We’re ready, Mama!” Charlotte skipped toward her, and Callum marched in behind her.
“Is there anything else you need?” Harriet asked.
“No. But thank you.” The words were soft, heartfelt.
Harriet nodded in acknowledgment before leaving.
“Mama, come!”
“You’re under orders from the captain!” Callum said.
Kate knelt in front of Charlotte. “Before we go, might I show you something? I promise it will be but a moment.”
Charlotte deliberated before nodding. Kate reached for her sketchbook on her dressing table and turned to the very first sketch she’d drawn of Charlotte. “Do you know why I named you Charlotte Rose?” she asked, angling the picture so both Charlotte and Callum could see.
Charlotte shook her head.
Kate smiled through the prick of tears. “Because it had been a very long winter. And when you were born, spring came into my life. Roses bloomed outside my window, bringing me joy, just like you.”
Callum’s hand found the small of Kate’s back. She brought her head to rest against his shoulder. Charlotte, sensing the gravity of the moment, wriggled so she was facing both of them. “I’m glad we be’d a family. But I want a new baby. Tavish gotted two new babies.”
Kate was speechless, truly tongue-tied.
“I was thinking ye might want a dog,” Callum said, winking at Kate. “Perhaps a collie like Uncle Blair has?”
“Yes! I like those kind,” she said, all thoughts of a baby forgotten. She put her arms around them both, all three of them touching, indelibly connected.
A family at last.