A Perfect Match

by Bethany Hauck

  “I consider you family, Davina, and as family, I’ve asked Eadan if he would allow me to take his place and escort you to the Kirk; he agreed,” King James said. “I hope you’ll also allow me the honor.”

  “Of course,” Davina answered, and couldn’t stop smiling as King James turned so she could take his arm.

  “Then let’s get you married,” he said.

  **********

  “You don’t look very nervous, Da,” James said as he walked out of the castle with him.

  “I’m not,” Hamish assured him, “I love Davina, and can’t wait for her to be my bride.”

  Hamish looked forward and stopped, not believing what he was seeing. The family had kept him inside the castle for the last two days, and it hadn’t been difficult. With King James to entertain, Cory McKinnon to deal with, grandchildren to play with, and Craig’s injuries still healing, there’d been more than enough to keep him busy. Hamish had heard the ruckus in the yard as wedding guests arrived at Gleann, but he never expected the crowd that was there.

  “How did your sister do all this without my knowing?” Hamish asked, overwhelmed.

  He walked through the villagers, stopping to shake hands and accept their good wishes as he made his way forward. He was a little embarrassed as those in the back cheered and yelled out as he passed. He smiled when he arrived at the first guests who had traveled to attend.

  “Cameron,” he said, shaking Mairi and Emelia’s brother’s hand, “and Finley,” he added, shaking the older man’s hand too. “I’m so happy you’re both here.” He nodded and smiled at the woman standing next to Cameron Scott. “Cameron, I look forward to meeting your family after the feast.”

  “And I look forward to finally being able to introduce them to you,” Cameron answered, bowing his head to the older man out of respect.

  Hamish nodded and moved on. Next was Ian McCarthy and his wife, he couldn’t stop smiling as he said, “welcome Ian and Catrina, I was hoping you’d both be able to come today.” Then he noticed the couple standing behind them. “John Sutherland, I thought you’d have gone back to England by now. Rhona, welcome.”

  “We decided to extend our stay. We didn’t want to miss this day,” John Sutherland answered as Hamish shook hands with both the men and then hugged both the women. He again moved on.

  Next, came Nellie’s family. Her Da, Liam, had Nellie tucked under his arm and both her uncles, Tomas and Padraig, stood next to the pair. The trio of men stood out in the crowd, being the only Irishmen and sailors there. They were good men, and stood next to Logan and Fiona Stewart, who they must have traveled to Gleann with.

  “Liam, I’m surprised to see you. Shouldn’t you be out at sea this time of year?” Hamish asked the old sailor.

  “We were,” Liam O’Malley answered, slapping Hamish on the back, “but we’ve been moving cargo more on Scotland’s east coast this year and doing quite a bit of trading out of Dunnottar. We stopped to restock supplies two days ago, and when the missive was there inviting us to the wedding, we decided to take a few days off and attend.”

  “I’m so glad that you did, Nellie misses you when you’re gone,” Hamish said, then welcomed both Fiona and Logan.

  Moving on once more he was thrilled to see Kirstie standing with her family. Seeing the Fergusons and McDougalls standing side by side was something most clans in the Highlands never thought possible. But Kirstie’s brother, Ewan Ferguson, and her uncle, Tormod McDougall, had become friends and formed a strong alliance.

  “Tormod, Ewan, it’s so good to see you both,” Hamish greeted them, “especially standing together. I take it the trip was too long for Stewart?”

  “Aye,” Tormod answered, “Da’s too old to travel this far, but it took me more than a sennight to convince him of that.”

  “I’m sure it did,” Hamish said laughing, “but I know Eadan and Kirstie are planning a trip to see him in a few months, once the babe will be old enough to travel.”

  “Knowing that is the only thing that kept him at Dunollie,” Tormod answered. Hamish gave him a slap on the shoulder and once more made his way towards the kirk steps

  Standing right in front of the steps with one of their two oldest granddaughters in each arm was Caiden Fraser, one of Hamish’s oldest friends. Connor, Caiden’s son by blood and Hamish’s through marriage, stood beside him.

  “Grandda,” Annabelle squealed and launched herself at him. “Mither said today we’re getting a Grandmither.”

  “We’ve never had a Grandmither,” Alyssa added as Hamish kissed Annabelle and then passed her back to Caiden as he took Alyssa from him for a moment and did the same.

  “Aye,” Hamish told them both, “today Lady Davina becomes your Grandmither.”

  “Congratulations, Hamish,” Caiden said as he passed Annabelle to her Da and then took Alyssa back. “I met Lady Davina last night, and I liked her. I think the two of you will be happy together.”

  “Aye,” Hamish had to agree, “so do I. I never thought it would happen to me again, Caiden, but I love her.”

  “Then quit standing here, Hamish,” Connor interrupted, “get up those steps and marry her.”

  “Aye,” Hamish said again, climbing the steps of the kirk where his nine children and some of their wives waited for him on one side, and Lynsey and Ethan stood together on the other.

  “No objections?” Hamish asked all of them.

  “Nay, Da,” Jacqueline assured him. “None from any of us. We love Lady Graham, and we love you.”

  Hamish just smiled as she hugged him and then kissed his cheek. He went down the line and hugged each of his sons and daughters by marriage. Eadan was the last in line.

  “I thought you were escorting Davina to the kirk?” he asked his son.

  “I was asked to give up the honor,” Eadan said, “and I couldn’t refuse.” He grinned and nodded to the path behind him that Hamish had just walked.

  Hamish turned and watched as Davina came towards him on King James’ arm. She looked lovely in her crimson gown. She had a ruby necklace around her neck that he’d never seen before, and he wondered where she’d gotten it. The smile on his face grew bigger the closer she got to him, and hers did the same. King James stopped as they reached the steps.

  “I hoped this would happen when I betrothed Lynsey to Rory,” King James told the two of them as he placed Davina’s hand in Hamish’s, “and I’m so pleased it did. I wish you both much happiness.”

  Davina kissed him on the cheek and said, “thank you,” before turning towards Father McMurphy.

  The couple never took their eyes off each other as Father McMurphy conducted the service and they exchanged their vows. The cheer that went up when Laird Hamish McCabe kissed his new bride must have been heard a mile away it was so loud.

  “I love you, Hamish,” Davina said just loud enough so he could hear, “and I’m going to tell you so every day.”

  “And I’ll say it back, Lady McCabe,” Hamish said as he kissed her again. Then he turned towards his family, friends, and clansman. “Lady McCabe,” he yelled loudly, and again his friends, family and the villagers cheered.

  .Hamish led Davina into the Great Hall and waited until all their guests were seated and a mug of ale, whiskey or wine was in front of each of them. He rose from his chair and waited for the room to go quiet before he began to speak.

  “I’d like to thank all of you for making the journey here to share this special day with us. Most of you know I’m a man of few words, but today I’d like to share a story with all of you, the people I am closest to, the people I consider family.”

  “To start this story I need to go back almost forty years, to the first time I met my Annabelle. The lass couldn’t stand me at first. Maybe it was because I threw mud at her, or pulled the ribbons out of her hair. I was just trying to get her attention, and I got more than I could handle when she’d had enough of me and turned around and punched me right in the nose. The lass knocked me on my arse, and from that day on I knew s
he was the lass I would one day marry and have children with.” Hamish had to wait for everyone to quit laughing before he could continue.

  “It took me an entire summer to get that stubborn lass to like me, but I did it, and from that time on Annabelle and I only grew closer. By some miracle, Annabelle fell in love with me, and as soon as we were old enough we married. We were happy, and over the years we created nine children together before everything changed. My Anabelle died, and I wished for a long time that I had died too. I didn’t think I’d ever get over it, and I knew I’d never love a woman the way I’d loved her, because anything that caused that much pain wasn’t worth it.”

  “I spent the last twenty years doing what was expected of me. I raised my children and I led my clan. Aye, I thought I was happy, and I could have gone on that way until the end of my days if need be. Then two months ago King James sent us to Jedburgh, to collect my daughter by marriage Lynsey. Things were a little chaotic when we arrived at Jedburgh’s gates, but then this beautiful, feisty, and brave woman came charging through the gates, trying to calm the situation down, and I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. I think I knew at that moment that she was going to change my life. We’ve all heard of love at first sight, and now I believe in it because that’s what it was like for me. Since then Davina has taught me not to be afraid to love a woman again, something I was afraid to do for a long time. I’d tell you love isn’t worth the heartbreak if bad things happen, but that wouldn’t be true. I look around this room and I see the love my daughter has for her husband, and the love my sons have for their wives, and I’m so glad they found each other. Today is more than a celebration of marriage, it’s a celebration of love and friendship. So to all my family, this toast is for all of you.”

  Epilogue

  Five years later:

  “Laird McCabe,” Gordon called out to Hamish as he ran around the training field with his grandchildren, “there’s a carriage coming.”

  “I was beginning to wonder if they’d ever get here,” Hamish said as he stopped the game, gathered the bairns, and then walked with them to the front of the castle to meet the carriage.

  This was his favorite time of the year, when all nine of his children gathered at Gleann with their families. Since marrying Davina he’d turned the running of Gleann over to Eadan, and he’d never been happier. The two of them now spent most of their time together and traveled frequently to spend time with both family and friends.

  The McCabes had suffered some heartbreaks over the years, but the bond between them only seemed to grow stronger. Even though a babe or two had been lost, and one had lived less than a sennight, the next generation grew in number every year, and the family still celebrated each birth as though it was the first.

  As Hamish reached the castle yard, he knew the rest of the family must also have been told about the approaching carriage, because they came from every direction to join him. Owen and Alastair arrived at Gleann with their families five days ago, and missives had gone out to both Tarmon and Tioram sharing the news. Ross and his family arrived at the Keep two days ago and informed Hamish it would be another day or two before the family from Tarmon joined them. Once the carriage pulled into the yard and stopped Connor Fraser rode up next to it and dismounted.

  “I was beginning to worry,” Hamish said to his son by marriage, “you’re the last to arrive.”

  “Aye,” Connor said, “I’m sorry to worry you, but Jacqueline and I needed to come to an understanding, and then she was too sore to sit for a full day of travel.”

  “What did she do this time?” Hamish asked.

  “She lost her temper, and threw a dirk at me,” Connor began, and when he saw the look of horror on Hamish’s face he quickly added, “it was a wooden one, but she won’t make that mistake again.” Connor couldn’t help but grin as he ended the story. He opened the door to the carriage where his family still sat.

  “Grandda,” Annabelle and Alyssa both screamed as they jumped out of the carriage and ran into his arms. “We missed you. Where’s Grandmither?”

  “I’m right here,” Davina said as she joined them. The girls ran to her next.

  “You’re being an idiot, Connor,” Leana said to her little brother as the pair also exited the carriage and ran to Hamish. Leana was dressed in her usual attire, trews, a tunic, and boots, just like her brother Connor. She had a small bow slung over her shoulder. “Tell Connor that lasses can do anything lads can do, Grandda.”

  “Of course they can,” Hamish said, smiling at the pair. They ran off to say hello to Davina, their Aunts and Uncles, and their cousins. Hamish approached the carriage.

  “You encourage her,” Connor was saying to Jacqueline as she handed their son Caiden to him.

  “Aye, I do,” Jacqueline agreed. “She doesn’t like sewing or cooking. She likes to practice with her bow, and she likes to run free like the lads. Leave her be, Connor, she’s perfect the way she is.”

  “Leana?” Hamish asked as he reached the carriage door. Jacqueline smiled at him and handed him Caiden’s twin brother, Hamish.

  “Aye,” Jacqueline answered as she exited the carriage and hugged her Da. “Connor doesn’t like her behavior.”

  “I never said I didn’t like it,” Connor argued, “I just don’t like that you encourage it.”

  “I remember a lass that was just like her when she was young,” Hamish said, putting an arm around Jacqueline’s shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “And look at how she turned out.”

  “Aye,” Connor said, smiling at his wife, “and I wouldn’t want her any other way.”

  “Come inside everyone,” Davina yelled above the noise they were making, “the mid-day meal is about to be served.”

  Hamish made his way to the table and sat in his chair. Davina smiled at him and reached under the table to squeeze his hand. She could tell how happy he was. The room was chaotic, and neither of them wanted it any other way.

  There must have been at least six separate conversations going on around the table, and everyone laughed and teased each other as they tried to fill each other in on everything. Bairns under the age of one were being passed around, and at least three more would be born before next summer when they’d all gather at Gleann again. The older children ran around the room chasing each other.

  Hamish burst out laughing when Annabelle and Alyssa both screamed and ran as Eadan Hamish chased them with what looked like a large toad. Leana jumped in between her older sisters and cousin and began to reach into her sleeve. Jacqueline jumped up from the table.

  “Leana Grace, don’t you dare pull your dirk on your cousin!” she yelled to her youngest daughter.

  “Aye, Mither,” Leana turned and answered, trying to look innocent. Hamish began laughing so hard tears ran down his face.

  “She carries a dirk?” Ham asked Jacqueline.

  “A wooden one,” Jacqueline told her brother, “I had one of the craftsmen at Tarmon make it for her. She wanted one so badly.”

  “That’s something I never gave you,” Hamish finally quit laughing and said.

  “Nay, you didn’t, Da,” Jacqueline said, her look as innocent as her daughters, “but Eadan did.”

  “You had a dirk?” Hamish asked, looking away from Jacqueline and over to Eadan.

  “It was just a little wooden one, Da,” Eadan said, defending himself. He looked at his sister, trying not to grin, “you know you’re not too big to go over my knee, baby sister.”

  “The only knee this woman goes over now is mine,” Connor said, playfully slapping Jacqueline’s arse before pulling her down on his lap. Everyone laughed again and it became even louder in the room.

  Hamish sat back and pulled Jacqueline’s twin sons into his lap. He looked around the room and felt his heart swell with pride. The name McCabe would live on for a long time, there was no doubt of that now.

  Eadan and Kirstie had three children, Eadan Hamish had been joined by a baby brother and sister. He adored them, and even though he knew Kirs
tie wasn’t the Mither who gave birth to him, she left no doubt that she was his mither in every other way.

  Ross and Angela had four children, young Ian had been joined by a brother, and then twin sisters. Hamish wasn’t sure, but he had a suspicion that Angela might be with child again.

  Ham and Flora also had four children. Bonnie and Wee Hammy had been followed by two brothers. Flora had been thrilled when both had been single births. One set of twins was enough for Flora, and Hamish had heard from his son that the couple were now using herbs to prevent another pregnancy. Hamish would never give that information to Father McMurphy, but he agreed with their decision, he’d hate for any of his sons to lose their wives in childbirth like he had.

  Alastair and Mairi had five children. Two lads and three lasses. The girls were very much like Mairi, small and ladylike. Cam was growing bigger it seemed daily, and Hamish had a feeling he was going to be close to the size of his Great Gandda, Finley Kerr.

  Rory and Lynsey had three children and there would be no more. Their first had been a daughter and the second and third a set of twin boys. There were problems during the twin’s delivery, but thanks to the healing skills of Flora and Lynsey, both babes survived the birth. Flora said damage had been done, and no more babes were possible. Rory and Lynsey didn’t mind, they were thankful for the three they had, and Rory was thankful to still have his wife.

  Craig and Peigi had two children, a son and a daughter, and Peigi was due to give birth to their third in another month. Peigi would be glad when the birthing was over. Not because of the pain it caused her, but because of the fear she saw in her husband’s eyes each time she labored. He never wanted his children to grow up Mitherless as he had.

  Owen and Emelia had three children, all lads. The youngest one was almost as big as his older brother, who was two years older. Hamish was sure he too would be as big as his Great Grandda, and it made sense since he’d been named Finley to honor the man. Emelia would deliver their fourth bairn before leaving again in the fall.