A Perfect Match Read online

  A Perfect

  Match

  The McCabes Book 10

  Bethany Hauck

  Copyright © 2019 by Bethany Hauck

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

  may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

  without the express written permission of the publisher

  except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Printing, 2019

  KDP Publishing

  Books by Bethany Hauck

  The McCabes

  The Johnsons

  An Honest Mistake

  (Jacqueline and Connor)

  A Good Man

  (Ross and Angela)

  The Man of Her Dreams

  (Ham and Flora)

  A Nightmare Marriage

  (Fiona and Logan)

  A Man of Honor

  (Alastair and Mairi)

  Her Brave Knight

  (Owen and Emelia)

  His Audacious Bride

  (Eadan and Kirstie)

  The Irishman’s Daughter

  (James and Nellie)

  His by the King’s Command

  (Rory and Lynsey)

  A Perfect Match

  (Craig and Peigi)

  Married on the Oregon Trail

  (Kenny and Callie)

  A Reluctant Trail Bride

  (Lily and Nick)

  Bride for Sale

  (Henry and Sam)

  Coming Soon:

  New Neighbor, Old Love

  (Michelle and Calum)

  Other Books:

  The Forgotten Bride

  Reclaiming his Bride

  Characters: (so far)

  Gleann: McCabe

  Hamish McCabe -father and Laird of Gleann

  Annabell e-mother (deceased)

  Children:

  Eadan

  Ross and Ham (twins)

  Alastair

  Craig and Rory (twins)

  Owen

  James and Jacqueline (twins)

  Eadan Hamish- Eadan and Nessa’s son

  Nessa (McDougall) McCabe -Was married to Eadan (deceased)

  Flora (Munro) McCabe -Married to Ham

  Ina -Healer and Midwife

  Mairi (Scott) McCabe- Married to Alastair

  Kirstie Ferguson McCabe -married to Eadan

  Hamish and Bonnie -Ham and Flora’s twins

  Tarmon: Fraser

  Connor Fraser -Married Jacqueline McCabe

  Fiona -Connor’s sister

  Caiden -Conner’s father and Laird of Tarmon

  Alyssa -Connor’s mother (deceased)

  Jacqueline (McCabe) Fraser- Married to Connor. Grew up at Gleann

  Alyssa and Annabelle -Connor and Jacqueline’s twin daughters

  Leana Grace Fraser -Connor and Jacqueline’s daughter

  Angus -Tarmon guard

  Helga -Tarmon midwife.

  Edith -Ladies Maid and friend to both Fiona and Jacqueline.

  Brayden -Was Betrothed to Fiona

  Tioram: McCarthy

  Iain McCarthy -Laird of Tioram Angela’s Da.

  Catrina -Angela’s mother

  Kenna -Angela’s sister

  Rhona -Angela’s sister

  Angela -Married to Ross McCabe

  Ross McCabe - Married Angela.

  William -Captain of the McCarthy guard.

  Deacon -Messenger

  Ian McCarthy McCabe -Ross & Angela’s son

  Dunnottar: Stewart

  Logan Stewart- Laird. Married to Fiona Fraser

  Gregor Stewart- Logan’s brothe r

  Fiona (Fraser) Stewar t- Married Logan.

  Brody- Logan’s best friend and Captain of the Guard. Marries Edith

  Seamus- One of the guards; befriends Fiona

  Blair- Seamus’ wife and maid at Dunnottar

  Edith -Friend and maid to Jacqueline and then Fiona. Marries Brody.

  Kilkerran: Ferguson

  Bearnard Ferguson -Laird

  Kirstie Ferguson -Marries Eadan

  Ewan Ferguson -Kirstie’s good brother

  Grant Ferguson -Kirstie’s bad brother

  Gavin- Ewan’s best friend

  Glasgow-Redemption

  Nellie O’Malley -Marries James

  Liam O’Malley -Nellie’s Da and Captain of Redemption

  Padraig -First Mate on Redemption.

  Tomas -One of Redemptions crew.

  Ramsey Reid -Sheriff of Glasgow

  Dunollie: McDougall

  Stewart McDougall - Laird

  Bridget McDougall - Kirstie’s Mither

  Tormod McDougall -Oldest son, Bridget’s Brother, Nessa’s Da

  Jedburgh: Graham

  Lynsey Graham- Marries Rory

  Davina Graham- Lynsey’s Mither

  Ethan- Captain of the Jedburgh Guard.

  Old Tom -Stable master

  Lara -Maid

  Bertha -Head Cook

  Helspeth -Healer

  Branxholme: Scott

  Mairi Scott - Marries Alastair McCabe

  Emilia Scott - Marries Owen

  Cameron Scott- Emelia and Mairi’s brother and Laird of Branxholme.

  Douglas Scott- Emelia and Mairi’s Da

  Grace (Kerr) Scott- Emelia and Mairi’s mother

  Finlay Kerr -Mairi’s Grandfather. Laird of Ferniehirst.

  Villains:

  Catherine McCoy -Connor’s mistress before marriage.

  Lachlan Stewart -Tried to force Angela into marriage

  Isobe l-Betrothed to Logan before he wed Fiona. Now imprisoned in Edinburgh.

  Lord Stephen Thompson- Wants Mairi.

  Donovan Thompson -His brother.

  John and Melinda Murray -found Mairi after her accident

  Samuel Grant - Tinker

  Who knows...they may turn up in later books:

  Robert, Elaine, and Angu s-Children rescued by Flora and Ham

  Suzan -Their mother and a seamstress

  Wynda -Tavern girl in Edinburgh

  John Sutherland- Owens English friend.

  Donald and Caitlin- Blacksmith in Gretna Green and his wife.

  Bruce -Glasgow tavern owner

  James IV- King of Scotland

  Henry VII -King of England

  Father McMurphy -Priest at the Gleann kirk.

  Cory McKinnon -McKinnon Laird

  Isla McKinnon -Cory’s sister

  Peigi Farland -married Craig

  Millie Farland -Peigi’s Mither

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1. Craig

  Chapter 2. Peigi

  Chapter 3. Not A Healer

  Chapter 4. Time To Heal

  Chapter 5. Becoming Lovers

  Chapter 6. Learning the Difference

  Chapter 7. He’s Alive

  Chapter 8. His Chosen Bride

  Chapter 9. Finally Home

  Chapter 10. Confessions

  Chapter 11. Lady McCabe

  Epilogue

  Chapter 1. Craig

  “You were right,” Ethan, Jedburgh’s old Captain of the Guard, told Craig McCabe, as they rode out of Edinburgh, “it was worth the extra day travel to stop in the city for a night.”

  “Aye,” Craig said, laughing, “I knew you’d enjoy yourself with a tavern wench or two. Besides, we’ve made good time, even with this stop we’ve only been traveling less than a sennight.”

  “I was looking forward to meeting Wynda. What do you think happened to the wench?” Ethan asked. Craig had talked about the tavern wench’s skills most of the way to Edinburgh.

  “According to the tavern owner, she married,” Craig answered. “Let’s gather the rest of Jedburgh’s guards and mak
e our way towards Gleann. I’m ready to go home.”

  “Will we make it there today?” Ethan asked.

  “Nay,” Craig answered, “we’re leaving too late in the day to get there before nightfall. We’ll have to camp tonight, but I know of a place where we can sleep. We should make it to the Keep around mid-day tomorrow.”

  Craig and Ethan stopped at the outskirts of town where the additional Guards from Jedburgh had made camp and bedded down for the night. Everything was packed and they were ready and waiting to leave. Once all the men were mounted, Craig turned his horse and led them northwest.

  Ethan and six of Jedburgh’s Guards were escorting Craig back to his home in the Highlands at Gleann. Craig had traveled to Jedburgh, which was located in the Lowlands, with a large group of his clansmen, which included his Da and three of his brothers. They’d gone there to collect his twin brother Rory’s bride. They found out when they arrived that Lynsey, Rory’s betrothed, wasn’t agreeable to the marriage. Craig ended up with an arrow in his shoulder in the chaos that erupted outside of Jedburgh’s gate.

  Once tempers cooled and Rory had turned Lynsey over his knee a time or two, the wedding King James arranged had taken place. Hamish McCabe, Craig’s Da, was torn between heading for home and staying to oversee Craig’s recovery. Craig knew he was in good hands with Jedburgh’s old healer, Helspeth, and tried to convince his family and clansmen to leave. It would be at least a fortnight until Craig’s injury healed and the new Laird of Jedburgh arrived. The McCabes finally agreed once Ethan promised to personally escort Craig back to Gleann.

  The first few hours of the ride were made mostly in silence, the men only occasionally making small talk among themselves. Craig loved the Highlands and was enjoying the scenery. All the men were staying alert for any threats they might encounter. None of them expected trouble, but it was always a good idea to be ready for it.

  “Are you sure Hamish won’t mind if I stay at Gleann permanently?” Ethan suddenly asked.

  “I’m positive my Da won’t mind,” Craig assured him, “and I know Lynsey and Davina will be happy to see you. The new Laird of Jedburgh wasn’t thinking when he let you leave his services.”

  “He brought his own man to command the Guards,” Ethan said, “you can’t fault a man for making sure his most important fighter is loyal to him. He did give me a choice to stay, just not as Captain of his Guard.”

  “And you’re positive Gleann is where you want to settle?” Craig asked. “There will never be a chance of you commanding the Guard there, not with as many brothers as I have.”

  “Lady Lynsey and Lady Graham are the closest people to a family I have left,” Ethan replied, “I’d rather be near them if I’m given the choice. I’m not upset about giving up leading and training the Guards, I’m getting too old to do that. I just want a place where I can still be useful, and I won’t mind being around the people I care most about.”

  “Then I guarantee Gleann will be glad to have you,” Craig said seriously, “and I know Ham will be happy to have you help him with the men.”

  “I thought you said your brother Owen would be home soon, and he’d be taking over the Guard’s training for the summer,” Ethan commented, remembering what Craig had told him. When Craig nodded he continued, “with two of them doing the training, there won’t be much need for me. I’m happy to train under your brothers.”

  “Owen will be coming home, but then he’ll be leaving again in the fall,” Craig explained. “Owen and his wife Emelia spend half their time in the Highlands with us, and half their time in the Lowlands with the Scotts. My brother Alastair and his wife Mairi do the same.”

  “I haven’t been to the Scott Keep since Laird Graham passed away, but I remember Cameron Scott, he’s a good lad,” Ethan said. “I knew his Da, Douglas, well, we were at court together many times when we were younger. He was the most honest man I ever met.”

  “Finley Kerr, Cameron’s Grandda, is like that,” Craig told him, “I’ve never met a man I trust more, but I can’t help but pity any man that crosses him.”

  “I too have met Laird Kerr a time or two,” Ethan said and laughed, “biggest damn man I’ve ever seen.”

  “And that ax he carries is gigantic,” Craig said, joining in, “but he swings it around like it weighs nothing.”.

  “That he does,” Ethan agreed. “I know I wouldn’t want to cross him. I’m sure he could cleave a man in two with that ax.”

  “As big and frightening as he is, he doesn’t scare Mairi or Emelia,” Craig told him. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he travels to Gleann with them to make sure his Granddaughters get there safe.”

  “How do you think Rory and Lynsey faired on their journey to your Keep?” Ethan asked.

  “I don’t know,” Craig replied, again becoming serious, “but she’s a good lass, so hopefully, they’ve worked things out.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that after what Lynsey did to you,” Ethan replied.

  “Lynsey apologized more than once for what happened. She said she never meant to shoot the arrow, and I believe her,” Craig told him. “Besides, my shoulder is almost fully healed already with Helspeth’s care.”

  “Aye,” Ethan agreed, “she’s a good healer. I’m glad Lynsey will be able to continue her training with your sister by marriage.”

  “Gleann can use another healer, especially now that Flora has the twins,” Craig explained. “I think Lynsey will be happy there if she gives the people of Gleann a chance.”

  “She’ll come around,” Ethan assured him, “and I like Rory. Lynsey has always been a bit willful, but you won’t find a more compassionate lass. Your brother seems to handle her well. They’ll suit once they get used to each other.”

  “Hopefully they’ll be getting along by the time we get to Gleann,” Craig said, chuckling, “and if not, I’ll be visiting you in whatever cottage Eadan and my Da give you.”

  “Aye, and you’ll always be welcome,” Ethan said, then he laughed, winked, and added, “unless I’ve got a lass visiting.”

  “Do the lasses visit often?” Craig asked, laughing harder. Ethan was probably older than his Da.

  “Rarely,” Ethan answered honestly, still chuckling as he shrugged, “the lass in my room last night about wore me out, but you never know.”

  “Did you ever marry, Ethan?” Craig asked.

  “Aye,” Ethan answered, “a long time ago. We had a son and a daughter. My daughter died when she was still a babe, and my son ran a fever and died when he was eight and ten.”

  “I’m sorry,” Craig said, “we don’t need to speak of it if you don’t want to.”

  “Nay, speaking about them helps me remember, and as I said, it was a long time ago,” Ethan told him. “My wife died shortly after my son. I don’t think she could take the grief.”

  “And you’ve never remarried?” Craig asked.

  “Nay,” Ethan said. “Truthfully, my children were the only good thing to come out of my marriage. My wife and I met and married quickly; too quickly. We found out too late that we didn’t really care for each other, but we made the best of it.”

  “How long did you court her?” Craig asked.

  “A sennight,” Ethan answered, and laughed again at the look on Craig’s face. “I was young, and a member of the King’s Guard. We escorted Old King James to an English village just across the border to meet England’s King. I bumped into Anne in the village market one afternoon. She was beautiful, and after a few days, I was sure I wanted her with me always. When we left a sennight later she was in one of the carts, already my wife.”

  “Were you happy at all?” Craig asked.

  “Aye, at times,” Ethan answered. “We both loved our children, and we were faithful to each other.”

  “Then what was wrong?” Craig asked.

  “It’s hard to explain,” Ethan answered. “Anne was my wife, but she wasn’t my perfect match. My parents were a perfect match. They argued a lot, but never in anger, and every day whe
n my Da returned to our hut, my Mither acted like he’d been gone a fortnight. They smiled at each other all the time, and couldn’t stop touching each other when they were close. That’s the kind of marriage I wanted, but never got.”

  “I see that kind of marriage with my brothers and their wives all the time. They’re all very much in love with each other,” Craig told Ethan. “I wonder sometimes if I’ll ever find a woman to love like that.”

  “You will,” Ethan said, “probably when you least expect it. Just don’t marry unless you know she’s your perfect match.”

  Craig was quiet, thinking about what the perfect woman for him would be like. She didn’t need to be beautiful, but he wouldn’t complain if she was. She would need to be kind, compassionate, and fun to be around. She would need to love and enjoy spending time with family as much as Craig did. She would need to be smart, and want to discuss more than just her sewing and women’s duties. He’d like it if she enjoyed riding a horse, and using a bow. But most importantly, she would need to be willing to participate in some of the unusual bedchamber activities he liked.

  “Do you think Lynsey and Rory are a perfect match?” Craig asked and grinned at Ethan. “The lass may never sit well again if she doesn’t learn to stop goading Rory.”

  “I don’t know,” Ethan answered, “but from the way Lynsey was sitting her horse when they left Jedburgh, they hadn’t come to an understanding before leaving.”

  Craig laughed and said, “I wish I could’ve been outside and seen them leave. I may have forgiven her, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think some discipline was necessary.”

  Ethan laughed too and answered, “your brother obviously agreed with you.”

  Both of them were laughing so hard neither of them heard the arrows coming until it was too late. Three of the six guards they were traveling with were struck in the chest and died instantly. Craig took an arrow in his thigh and fell off his horse. Ethan felt the sting, and when he looked down one was protruding from his side. His maille had saved him from more than a minor injury.