totally be wrong, not in this case, probably, but I can.”
He chuckled. “James wants tae stay. He wants tae help. He is surprisin’ me with his tenacity.”
“Me too, who would have thought James would want to live in a world of eighteenth century men and — you know, actually, it makes perfect sense now I think about it. In some ways he’s completely suited to this time. Will Quentin and Beaty stay?”
“They will. She would prefer tae return tae Florida, but it inna safe until Quentin can accompany her. She winna ken how tae live on her own. I need him tae remain here because I am considerin’ sendin’ him tae m’kingdom for troops and weapons.”
“You are?”
“Aye, we need a force. When we meet with Lord Philip we want tae be well armed, we want him tae ken it.”
“We want him to know we can kick his arse.”
“Aye.”
“Thank you for coming to tell me. I was freaking out that I didn’t get to hear the news.”
“I ken ye were, and with a bairn in yer arms, yelling as she was, how were ye tae listen at the doors?”
“Yeah, poor girl, she needs to be better at stealth or she’ll never know what’s going on.”
He teased, “I kent I would need tae come first thing or else ye might fall from a window trying tae overhear.”
“It crossed my mind. I wondered if I could hire that nurse in the corner and call it a day.”
“Would ye have another woman tae nurse Isla?”
“No, I... no, no way, it’s just an example of how desperate I was to know what was happening.” I stroked the back of Isla’s sweet little head on my husband’s chest and said to him, “God, I miss you.”
“I am right here, unless ye mean somethin’ more.”
“I do, I mean so much more. Like you have a baby sleeping on your chest, while wearing a kilt, while a sword rests at your hip — you’ve never been hotter.”
“Och hae ye seen me when I am ridin’ m’horse?”
“I have, man have I, now that’s in my head too.”
“I will be busy for a time. I need tae help the men clear the courtyard. The women have some business as well, they are preparin’ food for those returnin’ tae their homes and helpin’ the villagers tae their needs. Dost ye want tae help them?”
“I would like to.” He passed me Isla and I dropped her into the wrap like I was good at this. Then I reached out my hand and pulled Magnus to standing. He groaned.
“Tired?”
“Och, in my body and m’soul.” We held each other for a moment, a hug that held and warmed and supported and comforted. Then we let go to get to work.
Seven - Kaitlyn
A caravan of villagers left from the castle. It wasn’t far to walk, it was evening and light enough, but the paths were tight and there were a great many people to go. The line of people stretched for a distance, animals and carts and horses and women with children and men alongside them.
Sean and Magnus and other men rode along, up and down the caravan, to make sure they were safe on their journey home. Hayley, Emma, Beaty, and I helped however we could: packing, child care, running for things, so the families could gather their wares and belongings. The general feeling was relief, but also, homes had been ransacked and the fields had been burned, there would be a great deal to do. I was very worried about some of the families with small children — how would they feed their children now that the harvest days had passed while they were under siege?
Hayley had been making a mental list: comfortable mattresses and a watch for Fraoch, long burning fire logs, but now, as we carried loads back and forth, we added to the list:
I said, “Seeds.”
She said, “And flour, like the good kind.”
I said, “What about big bags of oatmeal? The harvest has been ruined, we might bring oatmeal for the winter.”
Emma said, “Bags and bags of beans.”
Hayley said, “Oh, and potatoes, what lots and lots of potatoes? And don’t forget, big ass, dairy cows.”
I said, “A pile of pumpkins, for food plus full of seeds, there could be fields of pumpkin vines, I think. And what about apple trees?” I didn’t know a lot about horticulture but I knew how to google and I would as soon as I got home.
Emma walking by added, “Seriously, we need a better