“I think what matters the most about each of our sons’ births is that the three of us were together, helping, encouraging, sharing, and loving as we always did. We’ve faced many things together and we’ll face more through the years to come… together.” Snow stretched her hand out and her sisters hurried to take hold of it.

“Always together,” Willow said, sniffing back tears.

“No one will keep the courageous Macardle sisters from one another, not ever,” Sorrell said.

Willow and Sorrell leaned down to Snow so the three of them could hug and when they parted, tears filled all their eyes.

“I believe we should let my husband know he has a son,” Snow said, wiping at her eyes.

“I’ll go tell him and bring him to you,” Sorrell said, running her arm across her eyes.

“Maybe I should—”

“No,” Sorrell said, not giving Willow a chance to finish. “I cherish the thought of—”

“Be nice, Sorrell,” Willow and Snow said in unison.

“I’m always nice,” Sorrell said and left the room mumbling.

Tarass paced the floor in the Great Hall, Thaw keeping stride with him.

“You’ll both wear yourself out if you keep that up,” Ruddock advised.

“It will be hours before the bairn arrives,” Slatter said. “Don’t you recall how Ruddock and I were so patient while our wives birthed our sons?”

Tarass paled, recalling both births and the hours he had spent with each man as they suffered impatiently through it. His worries started then for when Snow would birth their bairn and now here it was. “I can’t do hours.”

Ruddock and Slatter laughed.

“You’re not the one doing the hours,” Slatter said.

Ruddock offered his own advice. “They say it gets easier with each birth.”

“Easier for the men, not the women who labor in endless pain to give you sons and daughters,” Sorrell said, entering the Great Hall.

“You’ve got tears in your eyes,” Tarass said, his heart suddenly pounding in his chest. “Something’s happened. What’s wrong? Snow? Is Snow all right?” He went to rush past Sorrell.

“You can run like a fool to find out for yourself or I can ease your pain and tell you. It’s up to you,” Sorrell said, folding her arms across her chest.

Tarass walked over to the petite woman and glared at her. “Ruddock should keep a firmer hand on you.”

“Like you do with my sister?” Sorrell asked with a smug grin.

“Sorrell!” Ruddock snapped. “Don’t torture the man.”

“Whatever you say, husband,” Sorrell said sweetly, and Ruddock shook his head.

“Snow delivered the bairn with ease. Spit him right out she did, and she’s eager to introduce you to your son.”

Tarass grabbed Sorrell and hugged her, then ran out of the Great Hall, Thaw rushing ahead of him.

Slatter followed behind him, his pace much slower.