The Wellspring (Kaitlyn and the Highlander #12) - Diana Knightley Page 0,16

Kee-bo!”

Magnus said, “Let me make arrangements, but daena knock the sand off yer feet. We need sand tae make this a proper ice cream trip.”

I scooped up Isla and joined the chant. “Ice cream! Kee-bo! Ice cream! Ice Cream!” We marched to the house with our security trailing behind.

Zach teased Magnus, “You just finished lunch!”

Magnus grinned, “I ken and twas a big lunch.”

“I have a ton of ice cream here in the freezer!”

Magnus’s sparkled as he asked the boys, “Dost we hae the sprinkles? Dost we hae the fifteen flavors? Dost we hae the fancy colored spoons?”

The kids yelled, “No!”

Zach joked back, “You know you’re just going to order vanilla anyway.”

Magnus shrugged and called over to Fraoch. “Dost ye want tae go tae the ice cream shop?”

Fraoch said, “Tis a thing?”

Magnus grinned. “Aye, ye haena been? Tis magical.”

Soon enough we had three cars full. Hayley drove her jeep with Fraoch and Beaty and Zach. I drove our Mustang with Magnus in the passenger seat, and Isla and the boys in the backseat, and a third vehicle with Quentin and ‘security.’ Emma stayed home with Zoe for some, “Peace and quiet, finally.”

We drove slowly in a train down A1A to Sadler and the little ice cream stand nestled in the woods. The security guards blocked the end of the parking lot while the rest of us went up to the window to order. This was an epic high experience for me and Magnus. Everything about being home was great, the full plates, the warm showers, the gosh darn bedding, everything was happy making, but there was something special about taking the kids to get ice cream, with sandy toes and big smiles.

It took forever to get all our orders in. Magnus was a second away from ordering vanilla with toppings, when I pointed out a banana split, which was quadruple the size. I ordered a kid’s ice cream cup with fruit for Isla. And Archie, up in Magnus’s arms, and Ben, in Zach’s arms, ordered whatever they wanted. Zach ordered himself one scoop so he wouldn’t ruin his dinner. Beaty had a double cone. Fraoch ordered what “Og Maggy is havin’.” Hayley asked for a milkshake.

We sat in the outside dining area, with five tables pushed together and Isla on my lap.

Magnus finished that whole damn banana split. Then he leaned back in his chair, full with sweet creamy dessert, but also with joy. Isla had ice cream all over her face, and smeared a bit of strawberry on my cheek with a fat little hand, giggling. I looked over at Magnus talking about Archie’s ice cream, stealing a taste, laughing. He glanced up—

Yes…

Aye.

We had been alone for so long and now here we were in this big crowd, full to the top of all that goes with a big family, the talking and laughter and even the grumbling, I was grateful for it all.

After we finished we piled back into the cars to return to the house. Magnus looked in the backseat at the kids. I glanced in the rear view mirror. They were sticky, messy, and silly looking.

He said, “Thank ye.”

“You’re welcome, my love.”

Magnus and Quentin were leaving right after the dinner.

This was common enough to be ridiculous, but still — fraught. We all knew Magnus hadn’t been home long enough. Only two and a half days. It was a marvel actually, how he was so duty-bound. Someone needed to go, and even though he was the last person who wanted to, who should have to, here he was, barely home, loading up his gear.

He was a king. He had been away from his kingdom for a month, but he had been away from his home for a full year. Before that, he had been waiting for Isla to be born.

Too much time, too long, and not enough.

We had a stack of pizzas delivered but no one was very hungry. Chef Zach pretended to be irritated about it. “I went to all the trouble of ordering it.” He dramatically sighed. Ben and Archie giggled.

Magnus and Quentin signaled each other across the table. It was time for them to get going.

He and I had talked about it, we would say goodbye to the kids from now on, even if it was hard. He said, “Archibald can I speak tae ye for a moment?”

He took Archie out onto the back porch and I watched Archie stand in front of him, looking at him intently, and then throwing his arms around his