Kenny shifted. “What daes it say?”
Baird lifted the sheet. “The Fletcher supplies left two days ago. They should reach our borders within the coming days.”
Davina released a breath, one she’d clearly been holding. “Thank heavens. We desperately need those grains and cloth bolts.”
“Aye,” Baird agreed. “This will carry us through the season.”
Kenny nodded. “Good news, then.”
Baird hesitated as he always did, out of habit, and the instinct to weigh every piece of information like a stone in his palm.
“Aye,” he said finally. “Good news.”
Davina’s smile bloomed. It struck him with surprising force.
“Yer faither sends his regards,” Baird added, skimming through the last lines. “And he says he looks forward tae seeing ye again this spring.”
Davina’s expression softened. “Then all is well.”
He wanted to sayaye, to share her ease, but years of leadership made him wary of calling anythingwelluntil the goods were safely within his walls. Still… her hope was contagious.
Kenny stepped forward. “Will ye be sending men tae meet the wagons, laird?”
“Of course. I’ll send scouts tae watch the road. Routine precaution.”
Davina nodded approvingly. “It will make me faither feel better tae know his gift arrives safely.”
Baird folded the letter and set it atop his ledger. “We prepare the storehouses,” he decided. “Clear space, inventory what wehave left. Once the wagons come, I want everything counted and locked.”
Davina stood, smoothing her skirts. “I can help with that. The steward will listen tae me.”
Baird looked up. “I dinnae doubt it.”
Her cheeks warmed at the tone of his voice, but she didn’t look away.
Kenny cleared his throat lightly, hiding an amused smirk. “I’ll get the men ready fer the watch.”
“Dae that,” Baird said.
Bowing courteously, Kenny closed the door behind him. Davina lingered.
“Ye’re quiet,” she said softly.
“Just thinking,” he answered.
“About the supplies?”
“Aye… and other things.”
She touched the silver pendant at her throat, the one he’d given her that morning. “We’ll be ready fer the wagons,” she said gently. “There is nay need tae worry.”
He exhaled slowly, gaze dropping to the papers before him.
“There is,” he admitted.
For once, he did not hide behind orders or clipped explanations. The moment felt too honest for half-truths.
“Our stores dinnae run deep enough,” he said quietly. “Winter took more than I let on. The farms closest tae the Sinclair border were hit the hardest. Livestock thinned. Crops failed. And with all the raids…” His jaw tightened. “I’ve been stretching our rations thin fer months. The people pretend nae tae notice, but they dae.”
