Ina looked around the formal sitting room, as if she were uncomfortable looking Cait in the eyes. Furniture had been shoved to the side to make room for makeshift cots. A few women were helping the wounded, but other than that, everyone had been taken care of for the moment.
“It’s devastating,” Ina said, turning back to Cait. “The entire north field is gone. Whoever did this did a thorough job of it.”
“Ye’re convinced it was deliberate?”
“That’s what Kyle was saying when he came in a few minutes ago.”
Kyle was Ina’s husband; Kyle and John had been good friends as well. Foolishly, Cait hadn’t expected so many memories to batter her. “How is Kyle?”
“He’s well, thank ye.”
An awkward silence passed. Cait had nothing else to say to the woman she’d talked with long into the night years ago. They were different now. Cait didn’t have a husband who fought battles or chased drovers or patrolled the land. She no longer had a wee one to run after and hug and kiss and tuck into bed at night.
“I miss ye,” Ina said, her warm eyes soft with compassion. She was a bit plumper now, but she appeared happy. Content.
“Ina—”
“I’m sorry for yer loss,” Ina said quickly. “I…” Her cheeks turned red and she looked away. “I never said that before and I’m sorry about it. Kyle was devastated.”
“Ye don’t need to say it now.”
“I felt bad that I never went to visit after, and then ye moved out of yer home.”
“Ina, please…”
Ina lightly touched Cait’s arm. “I just wanted ye to know. I miss our talks.”
“I have nothing to talk about anymore. I live alone with a cat for company.”
“How sad.”
“It’s how I like it.” Cait awkwardly patted Ina on the shoulder. At one time they had hugged and laughed freely. Once again Cait felt like she was a hundred years old. “Ye take care, Ina. I’m going to find something to wet this parched throat, then get back to caring for the wounded.”
Ina looked like there was something she wanted to say, but Cait quickly walked away. There was no use in resurrecting old friendships when what had bound them together was no longer there.
The great door opened and Iain strode in, looking angry. Cait paused to watch him, unable to understand why her heart thumped in relief to see him upright and uninjured.
Chapter 7
The moment Iain saw Cait, he headed toward her, as if his feet were far ahead of his brain. She watched him warily, but at least she didn’t run from him. That was something, wasn’t it?
“I hear it’s bad,” she said, looking up at him.
He ran a tired hand through his hair, thinking of the relentless hunger of the flames that had reached at least seven feet as they devoured his crop. “We managed to contain the damage to the north field, but it’s gone. All of it.” All of the food meant to feed the livestock over the winter.
“Oh, Iain.”
His gaze raked the room, taking in the wounded. There were more than he liked to see but fewer than he’d expected.
“It’s no’ as bad as it looks,” she said, apparently reading his mind. “Most of the burns aren’t serious.”
“They shouldn’t be here at all.” He shook his head at his negativity. He was extremely grateful that Cait had agreed to help. “I apologize. Thank you for coming. As soon as…Well, as soon as I realized how bad it was, I knew I would need your talents as a healer. I appreciate that you were willing to come.”
“Of course I would come. Ye needed me.” She cleared her throat. “I mean yer people needed me.”
“We all needed you.”
She looked away, a pink flush creeping up her cheeks. “They’re saying it was deliberate.”
