“Magni, my back has been bothering me a wee bit. They’re coming this way.” His mother’s hands did that thing she did, leaning them both against her back and bending backwards.
Simone came along next. “Greetings to you, MacQuaries. So nice to see you. Are you ready for winter?”
“Aye. We brought some extra vegetables for the wee ones. And Mora has some fruit tarts for someone special.”
“Me! Me! Please! They don’t make them here.” Even though he’d begged Beatris to have their cook make fruit tarts, she hadn’t made any yet, just baked apples.
Once they found their way to a table in the small hut, they found seats and Mora took a fruit tart out of her sack and set it down in front of Magni. He let out a big sigh, taking a whiff of the wonderful delicacy. “Apple. I love it,” he whispered. “May I?”
His mother said, “Should you not share it, Magni?”
He frowned, not having thought of that, but he said, “They have fruit tarts, and we don’t.” Tenney came in behind him, his hand in the air for something to eat. “Tenney. I’ll share with Tenney.” His brother didn’t eat much yet. He could give him a small bite, but just a small one.
They sat while Simone and Magni’s mother got everyone something to drink, broth and mead both available. “Why are you here, Thane?”
Mora looked at her brother, who gave her a small nod, then she said, “We wish to invite you and Tenney and your parents, Magni. We’d like you to come to live with us.”
Magni nearly spit his fruit tart out, but he couldn’t lose it, so he swallowed, nearly gagging, then shouted, “Nay, we cannot!”
“Why not?” Mora asked.
Magni set the fruit tart down and said, “Because Mama wants to stay here.” That should convince them.
His mother gave him that look she did, the one that told him she was on to him. “I’d be pleased to go to MacQuarie Castle. At least for the winter, Magni. The floor is cold in winter.”
Thane said, “Magni, there are ten of you living in this small hut, and they cannot build a new one before winter. Next spring, we can all help build another one, but until then, you will be cramped all winter in this tiny home. Why don’t you live with us for a while? We have several big hearths and a fine cook. You and Tenney can have your own chamber, and you won’t have to sleep on the floor.”
“I don’t mind sleeping on the floor. Nay. I’m not going.” He stormed out, slamming the door on the way out, tears now running down his face. He didn’t want the big chieftain seeing him cry. He wasn’t a baby, just afraid sometimes. He swiped the tears away when he heard the door close.
Thane shouted, “Magni, wait for me, please.”
He did, but he wouldn’t look at the big laird. It hurt his neck sometimes to look up at someone as big as Thane. And Connor Grant was even worse.
Thane came up behind him and led him over to a boulder. “Sit with me a moment, please?”
“All right.” He sat down, scowling. He knew he would try to convince him to move to Thane’s castle, but he didn’t wish to go. He’d get stolen away again.
Once they were both seated, Thane said, “Tamsin misses you verra much, and so does Alana.”
“They why didn’t she come?”
“Because her belly is getting too big. She was afraid she’d tip the boat over.”
Magni laughed with a hoot, slapping his knee at that thought. “Would she?” He’d laugh if she did, but then he would feel badly.
“Nay. Do you think I would let Tamsin tip over?”
“Nay, because you are an honorable Highlander. I know it. I can’t come back to your castle. Mama won’t let me.” Mama wasn’t here to hear that lie so he thought it was worth a try.
“I think your parents might consider it. Your mother looks like her back is bothering her, and I can guess why. Can you?”
He knew why. The small pallet she had to sleep on. And Papa slept with her. Magni and Tenney slept on the floor, and Tenney complained all the time that it was too cold, so Magni always cuddled him to sleep. But he wouldn’t leave. And sometimes they both climbed in next to Mama. It was verra crowded.
“I’m not sure,” he lied again, feeling a sudden wave of guilt for telling so many lies.
“I think she would be more comfortable in that big bed in the chamber that has no one in it now. And you could sleep in the same chamber as Alana or with your parents. I’d give you your own bed, Magni.”
“You would?” He’d never had his own bed. He always slept with someone else—Rowan or Sandor or…”
