Jaxon grunted,not amused, as a sudden clatter from the road made all three men spin around. A wagon came barreling down the hill, wheels bouncing over the uneven stones. The McMillan banners flapped in the wind, and Jaxon’s chest tightened.
“Tis Connorwith the wagon of firewood,” he said sharply. “Let’s guide him here before he loses the lot in the mud.”
He strodeout to meet the wagon, Alistair at his side. Connor guided the horses down, reins held firmly, and dismounted once they reached the edge of the road.
“I’mglad ye stopped here as planned, Laird,” he said, wiping his brow.
Jaxon nodded,eyes scanning the load. “Aye, I see ye’ve brought plenty of wood.”
Connor set his jaw.“Aye, should be enough for a while, though they’ll need more as winter presses in. I sent some men ahead to gather more from the northern groves.”
Jaxon gestured to Alistair.“Let’s get this wagon to the stables with the others. Make sure none of it is lost.”
Together,the three men worked to guide the horses and the heavy wagon up the slope toward the stables. Duncan helped reposition the cart while Jaxon barked orders, adjusting ropes and directing the horses to steady themselves. Connor joined in, muscles straining as he helped shove the wagon into place beside the other supplies. The scent of sawdust and the horses’ breath mingled with the evening air, and Jaxon felt a grudging satisfaction at the order they were restoring.
Once the wagon was secured,Jaxon patted one of the horses on its flank, muttering, “Good work, all of ye.”
He turned to Connor,clapping him on the shoulder. “Come on, let’s see that ye and the men are fed. They’ve done a hard day’s labor, and I’ll not have them hungry.”
Inside the tavern,the warm fire greeted them, flames licking the stone hearth. The smell of roasting meat, fresh bread, and boiled vegetables filled the small common room. Jaxon surveyed the men at the long table, mugs of ale already in their hands, faces flushed with work and laughter. Connor stepped in behind him, nodding to the serving wenches who scurried to provide bread and stew, and Jaxon allowed himself a brief moment of calm.
“Well done, lads,”he said quietly, not needing them to hear the inner swell of pride he felt. “Ye’ve earned this.”
Then he thought of Gracie,and a soft tension stirred within him. She was capable, clever, and stubborn as all hell, yet somehow, when she worked for the people, for the village andthe twins, she became a partner in ways he had not imagined. He clenched his fists briefly, reminding himself of the desire that still simmered, that still needed containment.
Jaxon leanedback in his chair, elbows resting on the rough-hewn tavern table, and let out a long sigh. He watched the fire crackle in the hearth, while Connor sat opposite, eyes flicking around the common room.
“And Lady McMillan?”Connor asked, a teasing lilt in his voice.
Jaxon narrowed his eyes.“She’s upstairs, sulkin’,” he muttered, shoulders stiff.
Connor chuckled,shaking his head. “Och, how did ye mess up already, Laird?”
“I did nay such thing,”Jaxon said sharply. “The lass saw me speakin’ with Mary and thought I was tryin’ to be lustful with the wench.”
Connor’s eyebrows shot up.“Oh Mary, Edmund’s lover. Does the lass nae ken that Mary is Edmund’s?”
“She does now,after I told her,” Jaxon replied, rubbing his forehead in frustration. “I only inquired if Mary had seen Edmund recently. I seem to be gettin’ nowhere fast with Gracie. She is enough to drive a man wild.”
Connor slappedhim heartily on the back. “Aye, Laird, if she keeps ye on edge, then ye must be doin’ somethin’ right, eh?”
At that moment,Wallace appeared at the doorway, a tray of food balanced in his hands. “The supper we prepared for ye and yer lady, tis ready, me laird. Should we take it up now?”
Jaxon let out a long,weary sigh. “Aye… just be careful ye are nae met with a boot bein’ flung at the door when ye enter.”
Wallace looked confused,then bowed and backed away.
Jaxon turned to Connor,voice low and determined. “We get up at first light. For now, I shall go supper with me wife, if she will so much as eat with me.”
Connor laughed,a teasing glint in his eye. “And if ye have a welt on her head in the mornin’, I shall ken she threw the boot!”
Jaxon scowled,cheeks heating. Connor’s laughter only made the tension in his chest grow heavier.
Jaxon followedWallace and Mary upstairs, his boots creaking softly on the worn wooden stairs. Mary stopped at the door and rapped lightly with her knuckles.
“Yer supper, me lady,”she announced in a sing-song voice.
The door opened,and Gracie stood there, cheeks flushed, eyes wary, yet holding herself upright with grace.
