more anxious to see his son.
Just then, a young guard appeared. “Our laird would like to see ye in his study.”
It would be several hours before he would be released. By then, it would be time for last meal and some much-needed rest.
Chapter Two
“I am surprised to see ye up so early,” the miller’s wife exclaimed with a knowing wink. “One would think the last thing on yer mind would be baking today.”
Perplexed, Bree Hay waited for the woman to weigh and place the flour into her wooden bowl. “Where else would I be, Maise?”
The woman’s eyes rounded and her lips pressed together. “The men returned from the northern border yesterday eve. Was Naill not with them?”
Her stomach tightened and she fought not to show any emotion. Despite the sudden urge to cry, she let out a fortifying breath. “He did not return to our home as yet. Perhaps he remained behind. I am sure news will be brought to me soon by one of the guards.”
Upon accepting the bowl overfilled with flour, her hands shook. Maise pretended not to notice and, for it, Bree was glad.
“Mama, what did the lady say about Da?” her youngest child, four-year-old Millie, skipped beside her. “Is he back?” Her happy expression made Bree’s heart squeeze.
“I do not know wee one. Let us stop and ask.”
They went to where a young guard named Bruce lived. Upon seeing him, Bree’s heart raced. Could it be something bad had happened to her husband?
“Up early and ready for the day, I see,” Bruce said by way of greeting. He raced to a delighted Millie, lifted her up and turned in a circle. The little girl laughed happily, her cheeks already reddened by the cold air turning even brighter.
“Again. Again,” she cried out, jumping from one foot to the other.
Bruce met Bree’s gaze. “He shall be home any moment now. He had to go report to the laird last night.” He picked up Millie and, once again, turned while holding her up so that she looked to be flying.
“Why did he not allow someone else to report in his stead?” Bree was well aware that married guards often asked a single one to report for them. Most married men were anxious to see their families and be home.
Bruce’s face flushed and he looked away. “I do not know.”
“I suppose ye do not.” She balanced the bowl with her left hand and grabbed Millie’s with the other. “Come along, dear. We have much to do.”
Her heart thundered with anger, but she had to maintain calm for her daughter’s sake. If it was not for her children, she would throw every one of Naill’s belongings out into the snow and bolt the door shut.
When she entered the small cottage and attempted to close the door, it would not remain shut. It had been broken for weeks, but she’d been too proud to ask someone to fix it, especially as there was no way to pay. Again, she pushed with all her might and latched it. Usually it took both she and Cairon together to get it closed. It was becoming a bother. At least that was something Naill could fix, if he deemed it important enough.
As the hours passed, she became too furious to remain indoors. After warming goat’s milk for Millie, Bree then went outside to chop wood. They were short on supply and although Cairon did his best, at ten years old, he could barely lift the ax. Without knowing if her husband would indeed return this day, it was best to be prepared and chop wood that would last for at least another two days.
It was a long time later, her hands aching and her back sore, that she finally finished. As she began to load wood into the wheelbarrow, a horseman approached.
Immediately, she knew who it was. Her husband dismounted, pulled the horse behind him and then tethered it to a gate.
He’d not been in a hurry to leave the keep as it was late morning by then. He gave her a once over, his gaze neither warm nor cold. She would describe it as indifferent. “Why are ye chopping wood? Ye should have hired someone to do it.”
Instead of a reply, she lifted two more blocks and placed them onto the wheelbarrow.
“Bree, I am speaking to ye,” Naill said and moved to stand between her and the wood she’d chopped.
“I have not had any coin since ye left. I went to the keep asking for