The Viper (Highland Guard #4)(119)

Her daughter had come back to her. A daughter who was more like she than she’d ever imagined. Perhaps better than anyone, Bella understood the choice Joan had made. Why she’d done what she had. But nearly ten years of sacrifice was over; the rest of their lives would be for them.

Dropping the hand of the man at her side, Joan ran the last few feet and launched herself into Bella’s arms.

They laughed, cried, and experienced every kind of joy in between.

They had so much to say to each other, but it could wait. They had time.

Eventually, Bella held her out to look at her. “You are well.”

Joan smiled. “Very well.”

Bella didn’t miss the glance she gave to the man who stood beside Hawk on the jetty. She was relieved to see there didn’t seem to be any lingering animosity between the English knight and the Gall-Gaedhil seafarer. She hoped Lachlan, too, would keep his promise to be nice.

The children peeked out from behind Lachlan’s legs, not quite knowing what to make of the scene.

“Why is mother crying?” Tina asked her father.

“Because she’s happy.” Lachlan’s eyes met hers, and he smiled. “Very happy. Come, little ones, it’s time to meet your sister.”

As Bella watched her children come together, at long last her happiness was complete.

It had all been worth it.