“Broc isn’t staying,” Colin told her, rising from his seat at the table. “He merely came to wish us well.”
Seana blinked in surprise. “But he only just arrived!”
Broc stood to go. He understood what Colin was telling him without having to hear it spoken. Years of friendship had given them a like mind. He didn’t want Seana involved.
He and Colin shared a glance, and then Colin began to gather the bread and cheese from the tray. While Seana wasn’t watching, he set the victuals within a napkin and wrapped it neatly, then came around the table to stand beside his wife.
“’Tis late, Seana,” Broc explained. “I simply hadna the opportunity to speak with you after the wedding and wanted to wish you well together.”
Seana smiled, but he could tell she didn’t quite believe him, because she cast her husband a puzzled glance. She turned again to Broc. “I have much to thank you for, Broc. If it weren’t for you, I’d never have found Colin.”
Broc stepped forward to embrace her hastily. “Ye give me far too much credit, lass.” He bent to place achaste kiss high on her cheek. “Both of you always knew where the other was; you simply had to rediscover each other again, and you did that all by yourselves.”
Seana tilted him a warm look. “Well, I thank you even so. You cannot imagine how much your friendship has always meant to me.”
Broc winked at her. He did understand, far more than she realized, from the first instant when she’d looked up at him so reverently after he’d dried her tears as a child. Every day thereafter that she’d looked at him, he’d spied the gratitude in her eyes. And it was gratitude that had nearly convinced her she should become his wife. He saw all that and more in her sweet face, and he hadn’t ever acknowledged her affection, because he hadn’t wished her to feel she owed him anything at all. It took more than gratitude to make a good match, and he’d wanted more for Seana than to have her spend her entire life trying to repay him for a simple kindness. He had done no more than soothe a little girl’s hurt feelings.
“And yours to me,” he told her, tears stinging his eyes. He didn’t know why, but the moment touched him more than he could say. He turned then to Colin, quashing his unruly emotions. God’s teeth, he felt like a weepy wench at the instant. “I’m sorry,” he offered.
“For what?” Seana asked him, obviously confused by their fragmented discourse.
“For nothing,” Colin replied at once, and then to Broc he added, “We’ve known each other far too long, my friend.”
Broc placed his hands upon his hips, preparing to take his leave. “Aye, that we have.”
Seana watched them more curiously yet, saying nothing. Broc was keenly aware of her regard. She was smart, he knew, and he didn’t want her to ascertain what they were speaking of. Still he had to ask, “Haveyou returned to the hut, Seana?” He tried to sound casual.
“Nay,” she answered, and sighed. “I have not. It brings back too many memories as yet.”
Broc nodded, understanding. Relief washed through him. “I know what you mean, lass. Mayhap ’tis a good thing for you to stay away from there for a while.” He leveled a look at Colin, knowing his friend would understand what he was trying to say.
Seana’s brows knit. “Mayhap so.” She lifted her chin as she turned to regard her husband with narrowed eyes.
Colin slid an arm around her shoulders. “She has no reason to return there at all.”
Seana said nothing, merely reached up to grasp her husband’s hand, and studied them both.
Broc nodded then and turned to go. “I hope to see the two of you verra soon.”
“’And I you,” Colin replied.
Seana’s tone was full of concern. “Be careful, Broc,” she said, reaching out to grasp him by the arm.
He turned and winked at her. “I’m a big boy, lass. Dinna fret over me.”
“Oh, and Broc,” Colin interjected then.
Broc tossed his chin up in reply.
“We’ll be searching again tomorrow if you wish to join us.”
For an instant, Broc was flustered by the suggestion. He was momentarily unsure whether Colin truly had understood the point of their discourse. “I may,” he relented, but eyed his friend thoughtfully.
Colin held his gaze. “I believe they intend to use her hound tomorrow.”
Broc knit his brows. “Her hound?”
Colin leveled him a significant look. “Aye, someone suggested mayhap the dog’s nose would find her mistress sooner than our eyes.”
