“Aye, wife, beyond your wildest dreams,” he answered. Then he laughed that deep rich sound she’d not heard in weeks as he realized her intent. She threw the cup high into the air, letting it shatter upon the ground.

And so became their habit throughout the rest of their run. Instead of gently rolling the pottery to the ground, as they had been doing, they threw them over their heads lost in Gwen’s zeal.

“Go ahead of me,” she called. “You deserve to finish at your own pace. It’s the best feeling ever.”

Greylen nodded to his men and they ran ahead, each of them racing to beat the other. But Greylen stayed by her side. He wore a look that showed his pride in her. They continued alone for the last hour; Gwen’s pace increased as the last hill came into sight. When they reached the top, she stopped short.

All of the men who began with the sound of the cannons that morn, every last one of them, lined the final length to the finish line. Gavin, Duncan, Connell, Ian, Kevin, Hugh, and Alex stood facing their approach, fifty paces before the line that had yet to be crossed. Gwen shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes. They waited for her.

She was shaken out of her stupor when Greylen kissed her hand and pulled her forward. They passed through the line of men and when they reached the seven who waited for her, Greylen stopped by Gavin’s side. “’Tis yours, wife.” He smiled, sweeping his hand in the direction of the ribbon. “Take it.”

Gwen started forward, but after a few steps, she turned back. This would be a win for all of them. It had to be. “I won’t go alone,” she said. “’Tis a win for us all.”

“Is that an order, wife?”

“Aye, ’tis. Now move!”

They all grinned and joined her, making sure that her body broke the ribbon first. Greylen picked her up when they crossed the line, holding her high in the air as his men cheered her victory. Then he lowered her slowly, sliding her down his body until their eyes met.

She held his face, smiling through tears. “I won, Greylen. I won!”

“We’re MacGreggors, Gwen. We always win.”

Epilogue

Greylen sat atop a cluster of natural rock as he looked upon the festivities. ’Twas their fifth anniversary, the anniversary of their birthdays, and each year they would celebrate the same as before. The beach was alive with bonfires as the sun set in the distance. His family and men were all present as they shared in the joy of the night together.