Page 102 of The Winter Laird

“Well, I think that solves the question of what to tell them,” Nioclas said with a smile.

“They’re powerfully fond of you,” Donovan said to Brianagh. “They’re all hovering like small lasses, waiting for word. May I tell them you are well-recovered?”

“Please,” she replied happily. “That’s just so nice of them.”

“You’ve turned my guard into a bunch of simpering fools, and you think that’snice?” Nioclas snorted, but inwardly, he was more than pleased. It was a good day after all.

* * *

A few days later,Colin and Reilly stood in the bailey, shaking hands with Nioclas and Donovan. Brianagh stood by their horses, gently stroking their noses and holding back her tears.

She hated goodbyes.

“Hey,” Colin said, joining her. “You promise he’s what you want?”

She tried to smile, but she was pretty sure it looked as though she’d just received a shot of Novocain. “I’m sure,” she said, her voice strong. “I’m going to miss you, Col.”

“I’ll miss you, too.” His eyes were suspiciously wet. He sniffled as manfully as possible. “I love you, cuz. Don’t worry—I’ll keep the business afloat. You need to work on this branch of it, though. With just one successful match in two and a half months, you’re falling behind schedule.”

She slid something into his hand, and he glanced down at it, surprised.

“It’s got everything you’ll need on it. I took the password off,” she offered, as Colin shielded the phone from anyone’s view.

They both looked down at it, and he swiped the screen. It lit up, then blinked twice.

“The battery’s about to die,” Bri said, swallowing hard. She looked into Colin’s brown eyes, nearly undone at the understanding in them. They both looked back down and watched silently as the screen dimmed to black.

“I’ll make it even better than you can imagine,” Colin promised. “We’ll be the best in the business. Smashing success. I’ll make it global.”

Brianagh placed her hand on his arm. “I hope so, Colin. If for no other reason than I want you as happy as I am—”

Colin coughed. “We’ll see what the Fates have in store for me. Don’t hold your breath.”

“I always hold my breath,” she murmured. “It’s the only way to have that happily-ever-after sigh.”

They both looked at Keela and Kane, who were clasping hands and watching the goodbyes together. “The weddings are always the best part of a match,” she murmured.

“Keep it up,” Colin said, giving her a bear hug. She buried her face in his tunic and breathed him in. His laugh rumbled in his chest. “And just so you know, I’m moving from your couch to your bed.”

“Remember to change the sheets,” she said. “No, seriously. Dirty sheets are disgusting.”

“How dirty can they get?” he asked with a cheeky smile.

She made a face. “I’m absolutely certain I do not want to know the answer to that question.” She kissed him on his cheek, then smiled wistfully. “Stay safe, Col. Don’t time-travel unless you have to.”

“I don’t plan on it, but then again, it’s not really up to me, is it?”

She smiled sadly. “No, I don’t suppose it is.”

Reilly walked over to her and held his arms open. Colin released her, and she fell into Reilly, tears pricking her eyes.

“He’ll take good care of you,” he whispered.

“And I’ll take good care of him,” she whispered back. “Ry…thank you.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I knew you’d see it my way. Eventually.”

“You’re an ass.” Brianagh smacked his shoulder. “Be safe. And if you can swing a visit now and again, you’ll always be welcome here. You won’t even have to be the taster.”

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