A low chuckle rose in him. ‘Really? You have no idea?’
She scrunched her nose up. ‘Can you do something for me?’
Anything. He would do anything for her. ‘What’s that?’
‘When you get your goats, can you name them Clove and Ginger?’
‘Absolutely not.’
‘You won’t be able to forget me then.’
There was no chance in hell of him forgetting her, goats or no goats. He picked up a log and placed it on the chopping block. ‘Go inside.’
She blinked. ‘Why?’
‘I can’t control which direction the wood flies in.’ Yes, he was aware of how ridiculous he sounded.
‘Are you joking?’
He looked tiredly in her direction. ‘Am I laughing?’
She rolled her eyes before wandering indoors.
In the afternoon, Harlan saddled his horse and took Blake a few miles downstream to a good fishing spot. He taught her how to fish with a bow and arrow, and although she missed every time, he could tell she was having fun, so he let her go until she tired. Only once she had completely given up did he take over the task. They left the creek with a small trout, which they cooked on the hearth that evening.
‘Of course the creek is on this side of the wall,’ Blake said as they ate. ‘We could have really done with some fish.’
‘You have the port.’
‘The bay is completely depleted, as you well know. You need a boat to catch anything worth eating.’
Harlan lay down in front of the fire and guided her head to his chest. ‘And the creek would have been the same. The merchants would fish until there’s nothing left.’
She turned her face up to look at him. ‘You make it sound like we’re lacking in good sense and restraint.’
‘It’s not an attack. I understand why.’
She settled her head once more. ‘You can’t possibly understand.Yourkind live like kings.’
‘Mykind?’
‘I feel guilty sitting here with a full stomach when I know my sisters and mother are hungry.’
He looked down and watched her thoughts play out. ‘I can organise some food for them next time I’m in the borough. All you need to do is ask.’
She sat up, visibly irritated. ‘More charity.’
‘What’s the matter with you?’ he asked, sitting up too.
‘Nothing.’
He had no idea what to do when she behaved like other women. ‘Am I supposed to guess?’
‘No.’ She busied herself stoking the fire.
Grabbing her by the back of her dress, he pulled her to him. She crashed against his chest.
‘What are you doing?’ she said. ‘I could have fallen on the floor.’
