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her belly. “Please tell me my child is all right.” Tears spawned by fear filled her eyes. She couldn’t lose this baby too. It would kill her. And Sam.
    “Indeed, ‘tis big and healthy.”
    “Then what is causing my pain? Is it because I’m going to have this child early?”
    “No, my dear. It is not.”

Chapter 3
    Two days earlier, Boonesborough, Kentucky
,
Saturday, 17 December, 1799
    B ear MacKay frowned at Daniel Breedhead, the lanky owner of the town’s large general store. “I canna believe ye do na have a sporran. With all the Scots in these colonies ye would think I could find one.”
    “Sir, my apologies. I have always meant to order some because I do get the occasional request for one.”
    “Could ye get one before Christmas?”
    “No, I’m afraid I’ve already received my Christmas stock. But Mister MacKay, you’ve been a great friend to me, saving me from those robbers last fall, and you and your wife are good customers too. Tell you what I’ll do. I’ll write to a shopkeeper I know well in Lexington. He has an even larger store than mine. If he has one, I’ll have it shipped here.”
    “I would be grateful. I want a good one, mind ye, like this one.” He moved his big knife aside and lifted his own sporran up for the man to see. “’Tis for a special young lad.”
    Bear thought Little John could use the sporran for collecting rocks and such. And he would tell the boy that it was a way for him to always remember his big Scots uncle.
    “I’ll be sure to include that in my letter. But it’s doubtful it will be here before Christmas.”
    “Aye, I expected that. I’ll just give it to Little John later or pay ye to ship it to him.”
    “What else are you shopping for today, Sir?”
    Bear glanced around him. He needed to find at least two other presents for Little John and several gifts for Stephen’s two lasses as well. And a doll for William’s wee lassie. Perhaps he would let Artis pick out the girls’ presents before they left for Sam’s. She would enjoy that and it might make her feel even more a part of his family. “I need Christmas gifts for a little boy.”
    “I have just what you need.”
    Bear followed the thin apron-wearing man through the store to the area where he displayed a nice assortment of toys for children. The shopkeeper picked up a flat of toy soldiers and handed it to him.
    “Those little soldiers are made in Germany, stamped, and painted in the colors of our victorious Continental Army. And I have trays of the enemy too, their coats painted red, of course. They are sold by the pound and are quite inexpensive.”
    Bear noticed the tag attached to the flat. At that price, he could amass an impressive force of troops to give the boy. “Aye, these are perfect. Sam would enjoy playin’ with Little John with these too.”
    He spotted several rocking horses as well. One of those would be just right for Stephen’s toddler Samuel. He picked the one that looked the most like Stephen’s prized horse.
    “And I have a nice set of draughts here,” Breedhead pointed out.
    “Oh aye, Little John could play checkers with me durin’ our visit. I’ll take four trays, two of each color, of the wee toy soldiers, this horse, and the draughts. What books do ye have for children?” He loved to read himself and believed in encouraging children to read books.
    “I have several titles over here,” Breedhead said, as he strode toward the book section. “The History of Little Jack; Original Stories from Real Life; Adventures of a Pincushion; and Keeper’s Travels in Search of His Master.” Breedhead put each in Bear’s hands as he located them.
    “I’ll take them all,” he declared. “I believe wee children need to read as well as play.”
    “Will you be needing any gifts for your lovely new wife?”
    “Aye, she is beautiful,” Bear agreed, letting her sweet face and shapely body fill his mind. The delightful image brought a warmth to his chest and made a smile turn