Read The Trouble With Kilts (The MacLarens of Balmorie) for Free Online Page B

already?" Jamie said as he came into the kitchen dressed in a long sleeve flannel shirt open to reveal a T-shirt underneath, and tan cargo pants. He grabbed Riley from behind and hugged her. "We fell in love. We'll be getting married at noon. Oh, and she's pregnant."
    He released her with a wink and a smile that left Riley feeling a little off-center.
    "Haha. Very funny," Kate said and then cast an odd, quick look at Devin, her cheeks turning pink. Riley's eyes went wide and goose bumps shot up her arms.
    "Oh my God. You're pregnant."
    "What?" Kate blurted. "No. I mean, yes, but…"
    "Yes?" Riley squealed and wrapped her arms around Kate. Her heart pounded with happiness. Kate was having a baby! A beautiful little baby. Holy cow. Tears sprang to her eyes.
    "This wasn't how we planned to tell everyone," Kate said, her voice muffled.
    Jamie clapped Devin on the back and then pulled him into a hug. "Congrats, man." He straightened, a wide smile on his face. It went all the way to his eyes and brightened his entire face. Riley almost cried harder. "I'm gonna be an Uncle." He shook his head. "Hell."
    Devin's smile was as blinding as the snow outside. Pride shone in his eyes. He pulled Kate close and slid his arms around her. "About three months along."
    Riley made the quick calculations in her head. "So what? A May baby?"
    "About the middle of May," Kate answered.
    "That's only six months away." Stunned, Riley sat down. In six months there would be a tiny life brought into the world. She couldn't wait to love it. Hell, she already did. Amazing, that. "Gram is going to flip out. Have you told her?"
    "Not yet. We were going to wait until Lucy got back and tell everyone together."
    "Suppose we can tell your Gram since Riley knows," Devin said, glancing down at Kate with a questioning look. "And when Ian and Lucy get back, we'll hit them with the news."
    Riley stood. "Let's do it now." Gram was seriously going to freak; she'd been after them to "make her some great grandbabies" forever, it seemed. As they filed out of the kitchen, Riley turned back to see Jamie standing there, leaning against the counter. "You coming?"
    He gestured to the window. "Got morning chores. Animals to feed."
    Her feet became rooted to the floor. Why did it suddenly feel like she was leaving for good, like it was over? Like something great had just sped past her and now was gone in a blink? "Go on," he said gently, as if reading her mind.
    Riley swallowed, unable to form a reply, so she nodded and left.
    Just left.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7
     
    Jamie let her go. He'd stood there earlier in the kitchen and let her walk out of his life. He was well aware that Riley was only here for ten days. Nine of which were already gone. He hadn't gone to the castle. He'd done the morning rounds and then had to fix a broken gate, bust ice out of three huge water tubs, and dick around with the old tractor to get it started in order to drive hay into the north field.
    He wouldn't have gone anyway.
    And he wasn't sure why. Fear was a good answer. Probably the right one.
    But it was more than that. Staring death in the face tended to make one see the truth in things whether one wanted to or not. Had he not almost died, maybe he would've been slow coming to it or would've completely pushed it aside and refused to admit it to himself. But he could love that woman.
    Hell what was he saying? He already did.
    He hadn't even kissed her. The man who had kissed quite a few women, who his friends said would never settle down—and if he did, he'd take his damn time about it—loved a woman he hadn't even really touched.
    Didn't matter.
    As he finished unloading the last of the hay, he knew he'd have to wait. And he was okay with that. He had a lot to figure out and adjust to. He wanted to get the farm up and running the way it should be. He wanted to improve his gait. Hell, once winter ended he wanted to start jogging. He had a life to get in order before offering it to Riley.