Ian at this moment was acknowledging those early efforts, telling Jamie he’d understood and had loved Jamie no matter what he did.
Ian loved, unconditionally. It was his strength, Jamie realized, the one Beth had seen all those years ago, and what she’d revealed to Ian himself.
“Dad.” Jamie’s throat tightened. “You’re going to make me weep.”
Ian’s grip strengthened, and Jamie saw moisture in his father’s eyes. Then Ian flashed his rare grin and removed his touch.
They turned together and walked along the riverbank to catch up with their excited family, perfect understanding between them.
“Put your backs into it, ladies!” Evie shouted above the wind and the swish and splash of oars. “Don’t drop at the last!”
The hardest point of a race was the end, when they were nearing exhaustion but still had a fair bit to go. All their training, stamina, strength, and skill had to come together to give them the final push.
Evie’s heart sped, elation spurring her on. The men’s team was neck and neck with them, the captain shouting at his team as Evie did to hers.
“Come on, boys. Don’t let ladies in ruffled skirts have us!”
“Make them taste our wake!” Evie yelled.
The ladies shouted their agreement, the team energetic and determined. Evie now saved her breath for rowing. The end was near.
The four of them pulled in exact momentum, their oars moving as one. Rowers won as a team—if one of them tried for personal glory, they’d destroy the unity and very probably lose the race.
The banks flashed past, packed with a cheering crowd. Evie knew some of the spectators hoped the ladies would best the gents, and others had come to see the gents teach women their place.
Evie simply wanted to row. The scull flew across the water, the speed galvanizing her. The only thing more exhilarating was being with Jamie, the pair of them loving each other in the sunshine of their sleepy cottage.
They’d keep that house, Jamie said, after their marriage, as their retreat from the world, a quiet place all their own. He also promised to build her a larger home near Ian and Beth’s in Scotland. Thus, they’d have a home close to each of their families, a touch that made Evie love him all the more.
The finishing post was coming up.
“Now!” Evie screamed.
The team obeyed, the ladies unleashing their secret weapon—the last burst of energy they’d saved for the end. It was how Evie’s team had won all those heats at Girton, and how they’d win now.
The men tried to follow suit, but they’d wasted much of their strength making certain the women didn’t get ahead of them earlier. Evie and her ladies had contented themselves with simply keeping pace, and now they sprinted.
Their scull pulled ahead. The men shouted at each other, cursing the air blue. Evie and the ladies rowed in silence, putting every ounce of endurance into their last push.
Evie and team shot past the finishing post, their scull an entire length ahead of the men’s.
Screaming and yelling erupted on the bank. Evie barked a command, and the eight oars lifted, the ladies breathing hard but letting the scull drift on, the four of them pretending serenity.
Evie scanned the bank as they glided past. Every Mackenzie was there on the shore, shouting for them, the younger ones leaping and dancing as Evie and her ladies took their victory.
Jamie spread his arms, his grin telling Evie he’d had no doubts. His father next to him, silently smiled, his arm around Beth, who clapped excitedly. Belle and Megan held each other’s hands and danced in a circle together. Marjorie and Clara joined them, Clara forgetting her poise in her excitement.
Beautiful Aimee blew kisses at them, her sister and brother shouting their glee. Mac, their father, roared his appreciation, Isabella quietly smiling her approval. Cameron shouted some choice disparaging words at the men’s team.
Hart stood without speaking, but his proud look told Evie how pleased he was with her. Eleanor, next to him, threw away dignity to stamp her feet and yell, punching the air with her fists. Ainsley, between her and Cameron, did the same.
The rest of the cousins waved, yelled, or danced. Malcolm did a complicated jig, his kilt flying as he kicked up his feet.
The McBride families were there as well, tall Andrew losing his barrister composure to join Malcolm in his dance. The dark-haired Priti, Elliot McBride’s daughter, linked arms with Caitriona, Andrew’s sister, both cheering hard.
Gavina stood next to, unbelievably, Miss Carmichael, the American heiress, her bewildered parents behind her. Gavina pointed both forefingers at Miss Carmichael and mouthed, I kidnapped her.
Jamie was the first to reach the pier where the team landed the scull. The rest of the family followed, but Jamie was there for Evie. He hauled her onto the pier, spinning her in his arms while he kissed and kissed her.
Evie laughed, holding on to her Highlander, her Jamie, the man who’d rescued her.
Behind him others were handing out her teammates, including two robust men pleased and happy with Sarah and Alice. Alice’s small children reached for their mother, declaring how proud they were of her.
Lord Alec reached to help Iris from the scull. As Iris’s feet touched the pier, Alec suddenly snaked an arm around her and kissed her hard on the lips.
The kiss didn’t last long, and was lost among the tumult of the revelers, but Evie saw it, as did Jamie. Iris stood, stunned, losing her usual merriment as Alec spun from her and strode away.
“Now, that will be something,” Jamie murmured to Evie. He kissed her, mouth warm. “Ye did it, lass. I knew you would.”
“Quite satisfying.” Evie grinned at the gentlemen’s team, who were trying to be gracious in conceding the race. “But I admit, exhausting. I think I will not do that again for a long while.”
“You’ll have plenty of time to rest. We can laze about our house, get it ready for our cozy married life.”
“Plenty of time?” Evie stared at him. “What are you talking about, Mackenzie? There’s a wedding to plan. Our time won’t be our own.”
Jamie groaned in agreement, then his wicked smile returned. “I might have to abduct you now and then. Just to make sure you still love me, McKnight.”
“Please do.” Evie nuzzled his cheek, pressing a tiny kiss to his earlobe. “I’ll be counting on you, Mackenzie.”
Jamie’s next kiss held dark promise, the glint in his eyes when he released her heating her through. He flicked his tongue at her, causing the heat to become incandescent.
Jamie then took her hand and led her onto the bank where her family and his were waiting.
The Mackenzies surrounded Evie and Jamie, absorbing Evie into them and chasing away all gloom with the sunshine of their understanding and love.