Marti Talbotts Highlander Series 1 - Anna Rachel u Charlet

his son was able to handle the responsibilities. Lately however, Kevin was beginning to wonder if that day would ever come. A year ago, Kevin made Sween his third in command hoping it would inspire his son. It didn’t. Sween always obeyed, but never took much of an interest.
    Kevin forced his thoughts back to his duties. Soon, parents would be bringing their children for him to punish. This was often the most pleasant part of his day. It gave him a chance to get to know all of them and their parents much better. The littlest ones were allowed to climb into his lap, tell him what they had done wrong and hang their heads. It was never anything very serious and the parents did not bring the children until it was their third or fourth offense. He meted out their punishments and warned them never to do it again.
    The rest of his day was filled with seeing that repairs were handled, hunters brought back enough food, riders were sent to other clans with messages, visitors were well received, and adult disputes were resolved. By night, and at the age of forty-seven, he was always exhausted.

    Connor was Kevin’s second in command and the two were the best of friends, although Connor was a good fifteen years younger. They were married to sisters, which made them brothers as well. As was his custom, Connor went to the Keep to see what Kevin needed him to do. He noticed Sween’s normal morning position and rolled his eyes. Then he pulled out a chair and sat down next to Kevin at the other end of the table. “You look well rested.”
    “I had a good night. How are my nephews?”
    “They are well. Justin runs off every morning to hear Maree’s stories. Soon he will be old enough to give up the stories and learn to fight with wooden swords. Danny clings to his mother still.”
    “We appear to have most things under control today. Go home and relieve Rachel of your sons.”
    “I have a better idea. Rachel misses having the time to practice with her bow and arrows, and a morning without children would do her good. I shall find a lass to watch Danny and perhaps someday Rachel will love me again.”
    Kevin laughed and watched him go. Then he decided he had time before the children arrived to see what his youngest son, Neil, was up to. When he stepped out the door and onto the landing, he spotted Yule and Maree walking together down the road. He approved.

    Yule enjoyed Maree’s company very much. She was telling him a story about a particular MacGreagor elder, and she had his full attention. “What did she do then?” he asked.
    “The only thing she could. She hid his belt and refused to tell him where it was. Without it, he had nothing with which to hold up his kilt.”
    “Did her husband give in?”
    “He was a stubborn old lad. When he still did not agree to do as she wished, the next morning he could not even find his kilt.” Maree enjoyed his chuckle for a moment and then continued, “The husband then looked at his shirt, which was now his only covering, and finally realized he had two choices; he could give in or deprive himself of sleep so she could not take his shirt. But...”
    “He was an old lad who knew he could not stay awake.”
    She grinned, nodded and looked up at him. Would she ever get used to his magnificent eyes? “The old lad gave in , at last, and can you guess what the wife wanted?”
    “I cannot.”
    “‘Twas a simple thing. He was too old to fight, too old to hunt, constantly under foot and driving her daft. She wanted him to leave the cottage every morning and not come back until the noon meal…so she could have a few hours of peace.”
    Yule was delighted with her story and couldn’t stop smiling. She would make a good wife, and if this was any example, she would forever be entertaining everyone he knew. He thought about kissing her, but she had only known him for a few hours , and he decided it was far too soon. He stopped walking and so did she. “Unfortunately, I am here to learn from Laird MacGreagor and I should go back.”
    “I need to go back as well. I have three younger sisters and must help my mother with the noon meal.”
    “May I see you again later? I thought we might sit and talk. I believe I have a story you might like to hear.”
    She liked him. He was easy to talk to and he made her feel safe. He was not her first admirer, but the first to make her feel so special. “I would like that very much.”

    Laird Kevin MacGreagor and his wife, Anna, had two sons. Neil was