Chapter Three
Tessa took a closer look at the man sitting on her bench. His kilt and accessories looked so authentic he could have sprung from another time. Every detail, right down to the aged leather cord he’d used to tie the top of his shoulder-length hair back, painted a picture of a centuries-old highland warrior.
The wardrobe department for a movie might go to such lengths to create a genuine-looking reproduction, or a reenactment group, but why would a transient laborer go to such extremes? Maybe he thought the clothing gave him an edge—as if he needed one with his looks. Why would someone like him—size, strength, ruggedly handsome face; the whole package—need to beg for work? Especially out here?
So, whatwashe doing here?
Tessa pinned him with a suspicious glower. “We’re six miles from the nearest town and I don’t see a vehicle. Are you telling me you walked here just to ask for a job?”
The man appeared as confused as she. She tipped her head and studied him through narrowed eyes. “This estate has stood empty for years. You couldn’t possibly have known anyone was around, so what made you think you’d find work here?If, that’s really the reason you’re trespassing on private property?”
He shrugged. “I dinnae actually plan tae come tae this exact house. I’ll no’ be in this area more than a couple o’ days, so ’twas no use seeking permanent work in the village. I’d hoped tae find a place that would trade a meal and a dry bed for some odd jobs and thought tae have better luck with that, out here…somewhere. When I saw ye, I decided tae take a chance. But I dinnae wish tae interrupt yer conversation with the wee lass.” He nodded toward the house. “I’m terribly sorry if I startled ye.”
“Aunt Tess?”
Tess whirled around. “I told you to stay put.”
“I know,” Emily replied, “but…” she motioned Tessa closer. “…is he hurt?” she whispered.
“No,” Tessa answered, keeping her voice low and her eyes on the stranger. “He’s looking for a couple of days of work.”
Emily brightened. “Cool! Maybe we’ll need help with something.”
Tessa sighed and tugged her niece a few feet away, so they couldn’t be overheard. “It’s not that simple, Em. We don’t know anything about him. You just don’t invite strangers into your home. Besides, we don’t even know if we’restaying.”
“I know, but…” she peeked around Tessa, at the man. “Wearegoing inside the house, and he looks so cold.” She gave Tessa a pleading look. “I’ll bet he’s hungry, too. Couldn’t we at least let him get out of the snow for a little while?”
The imploring tone of those last words had the effect she was sure Em was going for. Tessa sighed. She wouldn’t hesitate to let a stray dog in, out of the weather, so how could she do less for this vagrant?
“All right. But just for a little while. But be careful. We don’t know anything about him.”
Emily grinned, and waved the man over before Tessa could stop her.
“Just a minute,” Tessa warned, as the man stood and wobbled a bit before finding his balance. He really did seem rather weak. Perhaps Emily was right. Maybe he just needed a break from the weather and something to eat. “You can come inside and warm up, but as soon as the storm passes, you’re on your way. But I warn you,” she brandished her big skeleton key, again. “Don’t try anything.” “You won’t like the consequences!”
“Aye, lass. I thank ye.” She watched him struggle to contain a smile, without success.
“I have other…weapons,” Tessa quickly informed him.
This time his grin was not only unmistakable but irritatingly attractive. “I assure ye, lass. Ye’ll have no’ need o’ ’em.”
The swift, unbidden urge to see that smile again, annoyed her. “You go ahead of us,” she said, stepping back and pulling Em with her.
“I’m Emily,” Em grinned up at him as he came toward them. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Darach,” he replied, giving her a formal bow. “Thank ye for invitin’ me intae yer home.”
Before Tessa could stop her, Emily had fallen into step with the stranger, slipping her small hand inside his large one. Tessa noticed his small jolt of surprise, then watched him relax and gently curl his large fingers around hers.
“That’s my aunt Tessa,” Emily offered, still gazing in awe at the man trying awkwardly to match his long strides to Em’s shorter ones. “This is my lots-and-lots-of-greats-grandpa’s house. We’re going to make it into a B&B.”
Behind them, Tessa groaned. Em had no filter. Who knew what personal information she’d blurt out next?
“What is a B&B?” The man asked Em, his brow furrowed.
Tessa’s brow scrunched as well. Where had this guy been, that he didn’t know what a B&B was? They were all over Scotland.
“Well,” Emily’s eyes narrowed in concentration, “it’s sort of like if a house and a hotel get married and then they have a kid. You stay there like in a hotel, but you get breakfast and stuff like when you’re home, only you don’t have to cook it. It’s called a Bed-and-Breakfast. I’m going to make banana-bread muffins for it. And Aunt Tess is areallygood cook. Her omelets aresogood you don’t even care that she stuff’s ’em full of veggies and junk.”
