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with him or his family.
    Darlene was a strong-willed woman who was as protective of her family as a mother bear. Her questions to Euan were rather terse and delivered in a tone of voice that let him know right away that no foolishness or dishonesty would be tolerated. Her black hair and dark eyes gave her a more exotic appearance than Callie but their facial features were nearly identical. Likewise the fiery temperament and sharp intellect.
    Euan realized he was looking at what Callie would be like a couple of decades down the road and thought any man would be mightily blessed to have such a woman by his side.
      And bloody well cursed to have her for an enemy.
    As Darlene poured them all some tea, Euan apologized to his hosts for the havoc his appearance had caused. “I dinna mean for it tae go this way,” he explained. “But I couldna go oon wi’oot trying tae make amends with Callie and at least seeing m’ bairns.”
    Darlene sat down in her chair. “Well, that’s all well and good, Euan,” she said, “but about four years too late. You knew where Callie was from and God knows all you had to do was ask anyone where she lived. Everyone knows everyone else in these parts.”
    Euan looked down in his cup. “I was a coward, ma’am. Instead o’ bein’ a mon aboot it, I blamed her for everything. Twas nae right t’ do her tha’ way an’ I’ve nae excuse for it.”
    “Except ye were a pig-headed fool, Euan,” John added. “An’ doona think ye fooled anyone for a minute. We a’ kenned ye were stone in love wi’ the lass an’ wha’ ye were doin’ after she left ye, but ye wouldna hae ta’en anyone’s advice, ye stubborn bastard.” John looked over at Darlene. “Beggin’ yer pardon, ma’am.”
    She inclined her head and nodded. “No offense taken. I’m sure he’s been called worse long before this day.”
    Jim started to speak but his eyes flew to the doorway and everyone turned to see what he was looking at.
    Red Wolf and Mountain Rose stood there, holding each other’s hands. Their faces were filled with shy curiosity and a bit of fear. “Can we come in?” Mountain Rose asked quietly.
    Darlene motioned for them to come and they walked slowly past Euan and John, staring at them. Jim got up and placed their booster seats for them while Darlene asked if they wanted anything to eat or drink.
    “Could I have a glass of orange juice?” asked Red Wolf.
    “Me, too,” said Mountain Rose.
    As their grandmother fixed their juice, the twins and Euan studied one another. Finally Red Wolf stated, “You’re our daddy.”
    Euan nodded. “Aye, son, I’m yer da.”
    The boy’s eyes searched Euan’s face as he pondered for a moment. Then he asked, “Where were you, Daddy? Didn’t you want us?”
    Euan couldn’t help the tear that escaped from his eye nor did he wipe it away as it ran down his cheek. What the hell could he say in response? That he’d been a stupid bastard? That was the truth of it, though. Anything else would be a lie, so he thought how he might word it in a way that was appropriate for children to hear. With a sigh he replied, “Grownups do some verra stupid things and I was verra, verra stupid, lad.”
    “Oh,” Red Wolf said, still studying Euan’s face. “You talk funny.”
    “I’m a Scotsman, lad. This is hoo we a’ talk o’er there.”
    There was an awkward silence for a moment or two before Jim spoke. “I guess we’ve forgotten our manners in all the doings today. Mountain Rose, Red Wolf, this is Mr. Euan Wallace and Mr. John MacQueen. Mr. Wallace, Mr. MacQueen, these are our grandchildren, Mountain Rose and Red Wolf Hawken.”
    John reached his long arm across the table and shook hands with each child. “I’m verra pleased t’ meet ye,” he said with a broad, friendly grin.
    The children smiled shyly and Mountain Rose giggled. “Your arms are furry,” she noted. “Are you part bear?”
    Darlene started to scold her but John laughed and said, “Och, aye,