Page 275 of The Valiant Knight
As she was inundated with hugs, the women kept talking over each other.
Finn whistled loudly.
EVERYONEstopped.
“It’s like you’ve got no manners,” he said. “Now, calm down, so you don’t scare my fiancée away. It took me thirty-five years to find her. Let’s not be silly.”
Fiona moved toward her.
Gabby just stood there. When the woman took her face in her hands, she stared into her eyes.
“You’re beautiful, and my son picked a bonnie lass, for sure,” she said, hugging her.
Tears filled Gabby’s eyes.
“Thank you for that.”
Fiona patted her on the back.
“How many kids are you giving me? I have twenty-one grandbabies. I need more.”
Finn laughed.
“Mum! Stop being greedy. It’s not a competition.”
The woman laughed and held out her hand. As soon as she did, her husband came toward her. He was a little older than Fiona.
“This is my Malcom. He’s responsible for this brood,” she said.
Gabby hugged him, and he smelled like pipe tobacco and peppermints. It was a very comforting smell.
“Lass, it’s our pleasure to meet you. Our Catty says you’re smart and feisty. That’s the only woman who could manage my boy.”
Finn snorted.
“Yeah, I’m the trouble in this family,” he said, hugging his sister Maisie. “I’ve got bad news for you, Dad. It’s the girls.”
He laughed because his son wasn’t wrong.
“We would have brought the menfolk, but they were working. We didn’t want to scare you away.”
Gabby smiled.
“I’m not easily scared. I promise. I’m pretty sturdy when I feel safe.”
Finn crossed to her and tucked his woman under his arm to reassure her. Meeting his family was sometimes rough.They were…
Loud.
Bossy.
And opinionated.
“Menfolk,” Fiona said, “go talk. We want to talk to Gabriella here. Disappear.”
Finn looked at her.
“Will you be okay?” he asked.
