Page 79 of The Highland Heir

“All the more reason for us to get thiscattle business cleared up so I might attempt to woo her intoagreeing today,” Rolfe said.

Clearing his throat, the laird prepared tospeak again when he was interrupted by a maid who came rushing downthe stairs and into the room.

“It’s time! The babe is coming.”

“Which one?” Kieran asked at the same timehis brother said, “Who’s babe is coming?”

The maid looked between Kieran and Brodybefore answering. “Both!”

*

Ella had been having a bit of pain since shewoke that morning, but now as afternoon was upon them, the pain hadgrown more intense.

“Are you well, sister?” Isla asked. “You lookrather pale.”

After all these months, it still seemed oddto have someone call her sister. But despite thestrangeness, the two women had become like sisters to eachother.

From the moment they realized they were bothcarrying Sinclair babes, they were a constant support for all thestruggles that came with increasing.

“I’ve had a bit of pain,” Ella admitted.

Isla nodded. “I thought as much. Are thepains growing closer together?”

Ella nodded. “They have, but up until justnow, the pain was not so great. Now, the little devil seems to beset on getting my attention.”

Isla smiled as she affectionately rubbed herown belly.

Their men had made a joke out of declaringwhose babe would come sooner. Ella opened her mouth to tell Islashe and Kieran would surely have the first babe, when another paincame right on top of the first, this one with more force than thefirst.

Letting out a moan of pain, Isla came closerand Ella saw her reach for her before the woman pulled her handsback with a startled, “Oh.”

“What is it?” Ella asked, but the soft splashon the stones between Isla’s feet answered her question.

They shared a look and then a smile beforethey both shouted for the maid that was always close by.

Everything happened in a flurry. The healerwas brought to Isla’s room first and then next door to check onElla. Kieran nearly pushed the woman out of his way, the faster toget to her side.

“Ella, are you well?”

“Nay, I’ve your giant babe inside me whowants to be set free.”

Kieran smiled and kissed her forehead, whichhad broken out in a sweat.

“Ye are fierce, Ellie. I know this will beeasy work for someone as strong as ye.”

“If you’re saying so because you want me topush our child out before Isla, you can just keep it to yourself. Iknow we made jests about it, but I can only care about what ishappening in this room.”

Kieran shook his head. “I don’t mind if ourniece or nephew is born before our son or daughter. So long aseveryone is hale and hearty at the end.” He kissed the back of herhand and then pressed his lips together.

She knew him well enough to know he wastrying not to say something.

“What is it?” she asked, knowing if he askedher to hurry she would cross her legs and hold it until she heard achild’s cry from the room next door.

“I want to stay with ye. Brody and I spoke afew days ago about wanting to be with our wives while they wentthrough this battle. Please don’t cast me out to worry in thecorridor. To wear down the stones with my pacing. I will dowhatever ye ask, but please. Let me stay here with ye.”

She might have answered, but another pain wasupon her. She grasped her husband’s large hand and squeezed tightuntil the pain subsided. She looked at him to see if he’d gone paleor planned to swoon, but he nodded at her.

“I am here, wife. Just as I’ve been all ourlives. Whatever you need, you have only to ask and I’ll see itdone.”