The Highlander Is All That (Untamed Highlanders #4)(81)

“I am just pleased to see Ranald wed,” Andrew said with another wink. It was clearly an affliction he had. “After all, why should he no’ suffer with the rest of us?”

“Well, really.” This from the stunning redhead who stood behind Andrew.

He pulled a mock grimace. “Ach. You dinna hear that, did you, my darling?”

“You know damn well I did.” She frowned at him and then smiled at Anne. “I’m Susana Lochlannach. This oaf”—she jerked a thumb at Andrew—“is my beloved husband.”

Ranald leaned in. “Susana is also Hannah’s sister.”

“We married brothers,” Susana said with a mock sigh. “God only knows why.”

“Because you have excellent taste?” Andrew said, flashing some seriously wicked dimples. “And may I mention, you undoubtedly got the better end of the deal.”

To which Susana rolled her eyes.

“Where is Catriona?” Ranald asked, scanning the children playing on the lawn.

“Doona worry,” Susana said. “She and Isobel were bored, so they went hunting.”

Ranald’s nostrils flared. “Hunting?”

“No’ to worry.” Andrew clapped him on the shoulder. “We dinna give them weapons.”

“Ah . . . what a relief,” Ranald said, but he looked a little green.

“Look,” Susana said. “Here they come now.”

Anne followed her gaze to the edge of the woods, where two small girls had emerged from the trees and were running toward the coaches. One had white-blond hair that matched Andrew’s and the other had beautiful burnished locks of red that Anne would recognize anywhere. “There she is,” she whispered, and Ranald tightened his hold on her hand.

“There she is.”

“Papa!” Catriona picked up her pace when she spotted her father, then launched herself into his arms.

Anne watched with joy—and a hint of trepidation—as the two hugged.

She and Ranald were so happy together . . . but what if Catriona didn’t like her? How horrible would that be?

She held her breath as Ranald, with Catriona still in his arms, turned to face her.

“Here she is,” he said, but Anne was unsure which of them he was talking to.

The girl studied her with a somber expression on her face. “She’s my new mama?” she asked dubiously.

Anne’s heart plummeted to her toes. She shot a panicked look at her husband, and to her annoyance, he grinned. “She is.”

Catriona nibbled on her lower lip. She studied Anne for far too long. “Do you like puppies or kittens?” she finally asked in a tone that implied the question might decide the fate of the world.

Anne stared at her for a moment, knowing her answer could determine whether or not this child would accept her. It was a heavy weight to bear. But she had to tell the truth. “I . . . ah . . . love them both.”

Relief gushed through her as Catriona’s face blossomed with delight. “Excellent.” She patted her father on the cheek. “I told you I need a puppy.”

Ranald grimaced, but Anne could tell it was in mock dismay. His daughter wiggled to get down and then she ran over to Anne and took her hand.

With a wink, the little imp said, “I think we shall get along famously.”

And they did.

Oh my, they did.