"We will indeed. I am Connor and I believe we have already met outside the wall. I will soon marry Catherin's daughter, Rachel."
Sarah took a relieved breath and smiled. "These are my daughters, Victoria, Ceana and Eppie. Ferguson tried to marry my daughters off against their will. Will your laird do that?"
"Kevin is a good lad and would never do such a thing. Our women will not return until morning, but come, you can stay in Catherin's cottage until then." He stood aside so they could pass. The young women who walked behind their mother were each as pleasing as Rachel and he knew several men who would fall all over themselves to make a good impression. He was going to enjoy watching it.
*
It was early morning when Connor left a guard in place and the rest of the men rode to the Cameron hold to collect their families. They were surprised when they discovered the women had started walking hours earlier and were almost half way home.
Connor got off his horse, held his arms open, and let Rachel run into them. He was so happy to see her; he lifted her off the ground and swung her all the way around twice. Then he kissed her hard. War had a way of making a man appreciate what he had that much more.
Kevin slapped him on the back. "Much more of that and I will force you to marry her."
"You will not have to force me." He kissed Rachel again only this time more passionately. It took a while for him to remember he needed to talk to Kevin. "We have visitors. It is Catherin's sister and her daughters."
Kevin looked over the heads of the people until he spotted Justin and motioned for him to come closer. Catherin was seated on Justin's horse and instead of talking to Justin, he smiled up at her, "Your sister has come." He was rewarded with Catherin's beautiful smile.
"She is safe?" Catherin asked.
"Aye and her daughters are with her. We intend to keep them."
"Good."
*
Two weeks later, Connor and Rachel stood shoulder to shoulder in front of a Priest and gave their vows to each other in the courtyard where everyone could see. They were dressed the same as on all other days, but Rachel had a ring of flowers on her head and Connor never looked so clean. Rachel had even rubbed flower petals in her hair to make it smell good.
They were married at long last and everyone celebrated. The people danced to the music of a flute, sang songs, drank wine, and danced some more. More than a few young men already had eyes for Sarah's daughters, except Eppie who was too young. Others, including Rachel's whole family, were inside the great hall laughing, talking, and sampling various meats, sweet tarts and honey bread.