She turned away, but Lachlan stayed where he was. Ivy took his hand. “Are you okay? He’ll be all right out there.”
“Aye. I ken he will.”
“Are you worried about the next assault coming before he can bring back help?” she asked.
“No, I’m no’ worried about that.”
“What is it, then?”
“It’s naught,” he replied. “I was just thinking it’s a beautiful spot. I dinnae get to appreciate it much these days. I havnae stood and admired it in years. I had my head full of nonsense about the Clan and the men and defenses and all. I didnae stop to really see what all the work was going to—no’ until right now.”
Ivy threaded her arm around his waist again. “It is a beautiful spot. I never saw a more beautiful country, and the people are the best anywhere. I’m proud to belong to it, and to you.”
“Aye? I didnae ken ye felt that way.”
“Well, I do,” she replied. “I’m glad I stayed. I’ve never had anything like this in my life. I’m proud to belong to your Clan, and I’m proud to be your Lady and the mother of the next generation of McLeans.”
He kissed her. His brow cleared, and he smiled—really smiled—for the first time in a long time. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Were you worried?” she asked. “Did you think I doubted my decision?”
“Sometimes I wondered if ye might change your mind,” he replied. “Sometimes I wondered if ye would start to hate it and wish ye were back in that other world.”
“I would never wish that. No matter how bad it gets here, I’m staying for good. That world—it was heartless and soulless and airless. It had nothing I want. My whole life is here. My whole family and future is here.”
“I ken.” He kissed her again. “It’s good to hear ye say so.”
“I’ll say it as often as you want me to,” she replied. “Anytime you start to worry, you just ask, and I’ll tell you all about it.”
“All right, lassie.” He put his arm around her shoulder. “Come along. We have an army to train.”
They headed up the beach to the castle standing tall and proud on the rough shore. It closed Ivy in its comforting embrace. The wide world outside, to the ends of the Earth and for all eternity, vanished as though they never existed.
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Sea Queen (Phoenix Throne Book 6): A Scottish Highlander Time Travel Romance Page 25
