Page 51 of Long Live the King

The baby was tucked in James’s arms. Sophie was led to the couch, her feet put up, a blanket over her lap, the baby was placed in her arms, and all around her the kids gathered to see the baby. Zoe and Isla were speaking in loud, awed whispers, Archie and Ben acting very grownup and ‘getting things’ for Sophie when she asked.

And Jack and Noah being interested for about one minute then going about their business of crawling around and trying to demand all our attention. It wasn’t working very well because a newborn is entrancing. We all just watched Junior sleep.

James was very proud. He fussed around Sophie making her comfortable.

Quentin looked around with his hands on his hips, “Man, this is alotof kids.”

Magnus smiled. “Seven, tis about right for us, daena ye think, Colonel Quentin? We hae reached the right amount.”

I said, “Are you saying this isenough? I never thought you’d ever say such a thing.”

He said, “Tis not enough, we can always hae more, but we hae finally got a good amount, tis not a crisis anymore.”

We all laughed.

Zach said, “Magnus this is a lot of kids, can’t believe you finally think this is a good amount.”

“We hae three pairs and then a new one, he is a promise of the next one coming tae make it even — anyone else with child? We will soon need another!”

Lochie came from the back room, dressed in his dress shirt, dark coat, three medals pinned to his chest, a dark tartan kilt, long clean white socks with black flashes, and dress boots. He looked very handsome with his red hair combed back, his cropped beard accentuating his jaw.

Fraoch said, “I see ye are dressed three hours too early all the same.”

“I cleaned the stables and lifted weights, I daena hae anythin’ else tae do.” He went over and gazed on the baby for a moment. “Och he is a fine boy, Master Cook, Madame Sophie, ye hae done well.”

Then he stood, looking around, well overdressed for the afternoon. He turned to Emma, “Madame Emma, dost I still smell of stable?”

She sniffed. “Nope, you smell of cologne.”

“Good, I scrubbed.”

She adjusted his coat and brushed off his shoulder. “You look very good.”

He said, “I wanted tae thank ye, Madame Emma, for helpin’ me read — did ye ken that is her favorite thing tae do? Tis like we are meant tae be.”

Emma said, “You’re welcome, Lochie, I’m really proud of you. You have cash in your wallet?”

“Aye, I am ready for everythin’.”

He sat on the barstool and sighed. Checked his watch, then tapped his fingers on the counter. He checked his watch again.

Fraoch groaned. “Och nae, I will hae tae go out and do something else or I will throttle the lad.”

CHAPTER 19 - ASH

ASH’S PLACE - THE NEXT DAY

The day had been long and weird.

I had woken up late, but was still tired from being up all hours with Lochie. I lay in bed for a while googling the Tree of Life and Yggdrasil. Come to find out, it was Norse mythology, an ash tree that holds the world of humans and the world of the gods nestled in its branches and roots. Then I looked up what an Ash tree looked like, because I had never thought about it and it made me feel like a dumbass.

I have been in bed too long.I got up, made my bed, and then made a pot of coffee.

I cleaned up the kitchen, washing our dishes thinking about how much fun we had had — there had been an ease to our conversation... He was also very hot, but not in the normal way, he was a hot guy who didn’t know he was hot, like he wasn’t a player.

He reminded me a little of Tarzan, like he had been brought up somewhere far from civilization and didn’t know how to judge or compare himself to anyone else.

There had been a look in his eye like he really really liked me. We hadn’t talked much, we were just barely getting to know each other, but I had been comfortable enough to invite him home.There was something so amazing about the way he gazed at me, like he thought I was beautiful.

---