Lachlan and the Rosetti twins waved, drawing my attention to where they perched on the roof.
“How did you . . . I . . . a place of our own?” Words tumbled out of my mouth as I wiped my wet cheeks.
“Aye, for when ye need some peace and quiet ta read, or just be.” My prince, who was soon to become my co-ruler and king officially, tucked me against his side and pressed a kiss on the top of my head. “This is a place where ye dinna need to be a queen.”
Kenna poked her head out of a side window and waved a paintbrush dripping dark stain onto the grass.
“You knew about this?” I accused with a laugh.
“Of course I did! You helped build my theater, I couldn’t miss out on bringing your dream to life.”
My vision swam as I rushed forward and embraced my best friend. Only she knew how much my chaotic childhood had made me long for a safe haven, a home where I could cross the threshold and put distance between myself and the world; a place of comfort and security.
“Ekk . . . Ninja girl, you’re about to cut me in half.”
I let her go as Jamie chastised his construction crew. “What are ye all starin’ at? Back ta work!”
“Aye, aye, Captain,” Duncan quipped as he snapped his brother a salute and then turned to me with a teasing grin. “He’s only buildin’ ye a house to keep up wi’ me.”
“I’m no’ so ostentatious.” Jamie rammed his fist into Duncan’s shoulder. “If I’d wanted to outdo ye, bráthair, I would’ve had to build her a cathedral.”
Duncan returned his brother’s punch with a shove then rubbed his arm and gave Jamie a nod, accepting the compliment.
Jamie was right. Kenna’s Broadway Theater had been an effort of love by the entire kingdom; a project to bring us together after our losses. Everyone had a job, from sewing the massive curtains to constructing the elaborate pulley system, or staining the scrollwork that surrounded the stage like an enormous frame—the names of those we’d lost in battle carved into the curves and eddies of the design. The resulting structure was nothing short of spectacular.
And there hadn’t been a dry eye in the house during Kenna’s inaugural one-woman show. I’d seen her perform many times, but the naked adoration on Duncan’s face as he’d watched her had tugged at my heart. Perhaps he shared my memories because he leaned down, cradled the back of my best friend’s head, and kissed her thoroughly.
“I need ta get back to work, love. An’ so does my besotted brother, if he knows what’s good for him,” Jamie threatened as I turned to face him. “It’s no’ finished, but go inside and let Mackenna show ye around.”
Not ready to let him go, I grabbed his hand, emotion thickening my voice. “What would I be without you?”
He lowered his eyes to the ground, a lock of hair falling over his forehead as color stained the slopes of his cheekbones. When he looked up, his gaze drilled into mine and a muscle rippled in his cheek. “Lost. Just as I would be.”
“Well, I’m glad we never have to find out.” I rose on my toes and planted a quick kiss on his mouth, before turning to go into the cottage.
The door stood open as I stepped onto the small covered porch where Fiona sat on a bench planting bluebells and yellow primrose in a flowerbox. “Any names yet, Fiona?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “If tha’ dunderheaded husband o’ mine suggests Eunice one more time . . .”
“Do you think it’s a girl, then?” I could already picture the baby with wisps of strawberry blonde hair, pink cheeks, and Fergus’ clear-blue eyes.
“I couldna say, but—” Her entire face appeared to glow from within as she placed a hand on the rounded curve of her belly. “Either way, this baby is perfect.”
“Vee!” Kenna called from inside. “Come here, you’ve got to see this!”
Giving Fiona’s shoulder a squeeze, I said, “Don’t work too hard, that baby needs all of your strength.”
“No worries. It’s nap time for me soon.”
Following Kenna’s voice, I stepped through the doorway and my breath caught in my chest. A wall of windows at the back of the cabin made it feel as if it were suspended in the sky. I turned a slow circle to see the room; a small kitchen, a wood-burning fireplace made of stone, and a set of