Claiming the Highlander (34 page)

Lochlan spoke up from across the room, and immediately everyone grew quiet. “You know, when I first heard my baby brother was traipsing over to MacDouglas lands, I thought he was a dead man for sure. Never did I expect him to return home to us, let alone actually succeed in stopping the feud. And if someone had told me he would return with a bride … Well, I’m quite sure the devil is currently cursing a blizzard as he tries to find warmth.”

Everyone laughed.

Robby raised his tankard toward them. “To Braden MacAllister, the best peacemaker e’er born.”

Maggie’s jaw dropped as everyone cheered
Braden’s
accomplishment.

Braden laughed and whispered in her ear. “Don’t contradict him, little blossom, not unless you want to start another feud. You and I know the truth.”

Maggie turned her head to look at him and smiled. There was a lot more to that comment than Braden had meant.

For the first time, she did know the truth. She loved Braden, he loved her, and he would never leave her as her father had done her mother. And
she would never ask more of him than he could give.

There was just one more truth they needed to share. “Braden?” she asked sweetly. “When it comes to children, do you prefer a boy or a girl?”

“As long as it comes with its mother’s fiery spirit and russet hair, I couldn’t care less. Why?”

She stood up on her tiptoes and whispered softly in his ear, “Well, I guess come next summer we’ll know exactly what he or she looks like.”

Braden’s entire face lit up at the news. With a triumphant shout, he lifted her up in his arms and kissed her deeply. The crowd carried his shout as they cheered his kiss.

“Long live Braden and Maggie!”

And long live their love.

Multi-published romance author, K
INLEY
Mac
GREGOR
knows men. She lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and three sons. Raised in the middle of eight boys, and currently outnumbered by the Y chromosome in her home, she realizes the most valuable asset a woman has for coping with men is a sense of humor (not to mention a large trash bag and a pair of tongs).

A Web/Flash Developer by trade, Kinley is the highly praised author of
A Pirate of Her Own, Master of Seduction, Master of Desire
and
Santa Wears Spurs.
You can visit her online at www.kinleymacgregor.com or www.sherrilvnkenvon.com.

Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins author.

It is said that Braden MacAllister, English baron and proud Highland warrior, can fell an enemy with a single blow—and a woman with a single kiss. But not Maggie, it seems. For the fire-haired beauty, determined to end the long- running feud that rages between their clan and its common foe, is immune to Braden’s attempts to stop her foolishness. But stop her he will, once he gets the meddling minx alone … and favors her with a passionate caress and an irresistible kiss.

No matter how she trembles beneath Braden’s sensuous touch … he has given his heart to none. But dare she dream that by assuring peace for her clan she may also be claiming the most magnificent Highlander for herself?

“The witty and talented Kinley MacGregor has just shot to the top of my ‘must read’ list.”

Teresa Medeiros

A P
IRATE OF
H
ER
O
WN
M
ASTER OF
S
EDUCTION
M
ASTER OF
D
ESIRE

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