on you since I joined the squad.”
Hope replaced the shame in her eyes. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I took your place, and then the two of us fell for Finlay,” I reminded her. “I always thought you hated me.”
She smothered a sob. “I hated that I couldn’t be with you. I even got into fights when I heard the other cheerleaders shading your cupies. They’re perfect—like you.”
I caught a tear spilling down her cheek. “Coach said the monsters can look like the people we love.”
Finlay knelt in front of us. “’Tis why I couldnae choose between you.” He used the rag in his hand to clean the blood and dirt from my face. “In truth, I want you both.”
I chuckled. “A threesome? Really?”
“Caroline has one with Bear and his brother,” Marina said. “We all want each other, so it could work, right?”
Our highlander nodded, and I grinned. “If we don’t mind, why should anyone else?”
No one did. Finlay hasn’t been getting much sleep, though.
Chapter 10
Mr. Smith
The McGillean and Master Gowan came to speak to the elders about the calpa, and warn us of the danger to our village. The laird then asked how many weapons I might fashion. With more hands and iron, I told him, I might arm every soul at Dun Dorchas.
“I’ll send all the ore we’ve stowed,” the laird said, “and a druidess to aid you.”
I scowled. “’Tisnae work for wenches.”
Master Gowan eyed me. “As my mate would say, wait for it, lad.”
Later I went to hammer out my ire with my sledge. I’d avoided wenches since I’d reached manhood, when every unmatched village lass had cast her gaze my way. A man my size could not take a mate; my birth had all but killed my Ma.
The McGillean weapons master came with two carts piled high with fine ore and coke. The other driver wore a hooded cloak, and tumbled off the seat to flip over and land in front of me. As I frowned, hands pushed back the hood to reveal a fetching young face with soft brown doe eyes and a cap of black hair. She stood half my size, and thin as a wand.
“Hi, big guy.” She admired me with a glance. “I’m Roxanne Segreto. You’re Mr. Smith, right?”
“’Tis but Smith.” I regarded the weapons master. “Mayhap your jest ends now?”
He chuckled. “She loaded the carts, lad.”
“I’ll unload them, too.” The lass plucked my sledge from my grip and twirled it through the fingers on one hand. “Where do you want all these rocks?”
Once I showed her the bins she simply used her hands and arms to carry huge piles of ore to them. After gaping at her I joined in, and together we emptied the carts. The weapons master drove off snickering.
“I’m a spotter on my squad, and I have to catch girls a lot,” the lass said as she followed me into the forge. “Probably why my druid ability went to my hands and arms. Do you have a first name?”
I offered her a flask of cool water. “Smith, ’tis all, Mistress.”
“Roxanne.” She tilted her head back to drink. “I’m glad you’re big. I won’t accidentally tear off your arm, you know. The laird and his guys always look at me like I will.”
“Aye, ’tis the same with me.” I grinned. “The burden of the mighty, Roxanne.”
“Fire.” She glanced around. “So, how does this forging stuff work?”
A week later the lass and I surveyed the mounds of weapons we’d finished, both of us sweating, filthy, and as proud as parents of a new bairn. Roxanne had taken to smithing with ease, learning in days what had taken me years. Working together we found such harmony that we moved as one. She had an easy way about her that drew me as much as her beauty and strength.
“Nice work, Mr. Smith.” She ran a hand through her damp hair, making it stand on end. “Do we get a day off? I need to like scrub and soak for a week.”
“Likely no’, lass.” I shuttered the furnace where I had banked the day’s coals, and then regarded her. I’d wanted her from the first day, and soon we’d be done with our work. “There’s a spring behind my cottage.”
“You just want to get me naked.” Her smile slipped, and she ducked her head. “I shouldn’t joke. You’ve been so sweet, and you’re so hot, but I’m…scary strong.”
“I ken.” I glanced down at my own body. “The prospect of harming someone you wish to