Her heart broke a little more. “Ye dinnae get me in trouble, sweetheart. We were havin’ fun, and there’s nothin’ wrong with that.”
“But Faither seemed upset.”
“Yer faither was... concerned about the mess we made. But that doesnae mean what we did was wrong.” She squeezed his hand gently. “Sometimes adults worry about different things than children do. It doesnae mean the children are bad.”
“Really?”
“Really.” She smiled at him, hoping to see some of yesterday’s joy return to his face. “Would ye like to play again sometime? Maybe somethin’ that involves less mud?”
For a moment, hope flickered in his eyes then he glanced toward the door again, and the light dimmed.
“Maybe,” he said quietly. “If Faither says it’s all right.”
The resignation in his voice made her want to gather him up and hold him tight, to promise him that he deserved to be happy regardless of what anyone else thought.
But she also knew that pushing too hard, too fast, would only make things worse for him. Better to build trust slowly, to show him through her actions that she was someone he could count on.
“Well,” she said, standing up, “I should go get ready for this village visit. But remember Codie, I’m yer maither now. Ye can come to me whenever ye want to.”
Her words drew a smile from him, and she ruffled his hair before hurrying to prepare for whatever challenge Elijah was about to put before her. But one thought kept echoing in her mind:
That boy needs someone to fight for him. Someone to make sure he gets to be a child, even if it’s only in stolen moments.
And if Elijah couldn’t see that, if he was determined to turn his son into a miniature version of himself...
Well, then she’d just have to find a way to change his mind.
Even if it meant going toe-to-toe with the Beast of McMurphy himself.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Ye’re fussin’ over those saddles like they’re made of spun gold.”
Elijah didn’t look up from adjusting the leather straps on his stallion’s tack though his jaw tightened at Henry’s observation. His friend was lounging against the stable wall, arms crossed, that insufferable smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.
“I’m ensurin’ they’re properly secured,” Elijah said curtly. “The last thing I need is for Lady McMurphy to fall from her horse because of faulty equipment.”
“Aye, that’s what ye’re doin’.” Henry’s grin widened. “Has nothin’ to do with the fact that ye’ve checked those same straps four times already.”
Elijah straightened, shooting his friend a warning look. “Make yerself useful.” Elijah didn’t look up, his tone brooking no argument despite the informal words.
“Oh, now ye want me help?” Henry pushed off from the wall with exaggerated surprise. “Here I thought ye were perfectly capable of handlin’ two horses by yerself, considerin’ ye’ve been doin’ it for the past twenty years.”
“Henry.”
“Aye, aye, I’m comin’.” But Henry’s amusement was clear as he moved to help with the mare’s bridle. “Must say, it’s entertainin’ watchin’ ye get so worked up over a simple village visit.”
“I’m nae worked up.”
“Nay?”
Elijah’s hands stilled on the reins.
“I have important clan business to attend to,” he said instead. “The village disputes willnae resolve themselves.”
“Disputes that are suddenly so urgent they cannae wait another day?” Henry’s voice was carefully neutral, but Elijah could hear the knowing undertone. “Interestin’ timin’, that.”
Elijah turned slowly, and Henry’s grin faltered at the look in his eyes. “Careful, Henry. You’re treading on thin ground.”
