Highland Devil (Murray Family #22)(49)

Jolene took it and held it, the kitten rubbing her face against Jolene's. "Nay. Oh, he is so cute."

Sigimor took it and checked between its legs before handing it back to his wife. "He is so cute. Useless, but cute."

"I cannae promise it will be a runt," said Mora. "They can fool ye and  suddenly grow big, but the chances are, this one will be small like my  Freya."

"Just so long as it doesn't become another George."

"George was a fine cat," said Sigimor.

Mora left them to argue about how fine George the rat killer had been and went to find Gybbon.



It was very late before there was only her family left in the manor. She  tucked the children into their beds and then went to the master bedroom  and flopped down onto the bed. Gybbon came in and flopped down beside  her. Mora smiled when he tugged her into his arms.

"Pleased?"

"Verra much so, but are ye sure we can afford this?"

"Aye. I made a fair amount of coin when I was wandering all over the  country. A lot of the things, like the furniture and even some of the  windows, were gifts or extra things someone had on hand. We only had to  mend a few things. My family was always set on that. Ne'er threw  anything away if it was still good or could be mended, and if something  they had made wasnae exactly right, they would pay for the materials  used and keep it anyway, then get what they really wanted. That is why  some of the windows may strike ye as a bit odd when ye finally get a  chance to have a good look. We made them to fit what we were given."         

     



 

"Everyone was verra generous."

"Aye, and grateful. This land was an empty hole, nothing here. Now there  is and there will soon be men to work and guard. All the keeps near us  are allies and they are having trouble placing their men as the children  grow. Now there is one more choice for them. And some of their lassies,  too. This land will either be grazed or planted so more food is  available. We serve a good purpose, lass, and they welcome it. And  Jolene even brought a nice bed for Freya," he said, and pointed to the  blanket-lined basket near the hearth where her cat was curled up.

Mora looked at her cat, then looked at her husband. "And ye have no urge to go awandering?"

"Why would I go anywhere? Everything I want is right here."