Still, Sean couldnae let it go. Mayhap, ’twas just no’ enough of it. Or ’twas in the wrong form?
The form!
Kenna came through a gate. Mayhap she needed tae exit through a gate. Anactualgate. Excitedly, he tucked the piece into his sporran, climbed from the hole and continued to fill it, careful to observe every shovelful in case there was more. But if he dinnae find any more pieces, he’d work with what he had.
By the time he’d finished, the sun was low in the sky. Owen would be here any minute. Hurriedly, he pulled the baker’s string from his sporran, tied a knot in one end and went to the open edge of the wall. From there, he pulled the string taut to the opposite edge and tied another knot. ’Twas less than the span of his outstretched arms. From Kenna’s description, he surmised how tall it might have been, and tied double knots to mark the height.
With the string safely back inside his sporran, he picked up the large iron piece and tucked it in a fold of his plaid, hoping to hide it from Kenna. No need to get her hopes up if his idea dinnae work.
She’d just finished changing her clothes and was rolling up her dress to tuck inside her bag, when Sean reached the kirk. “Here,” he set the shovel down and held out his hand. “Let me finish that while ye see if Owen has arrived.”
“Okay.” She looked at him curiously but handed him the dress and bag.
As soon as she turned around, Sean added the iron piece to the bundle and stuffed it all in the bag, knowing he’d have to find a way to keep Kenna from taking the bag back, or she’d notice the added weight.
Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he picked up the shovel, hurried to gather the picnic basket and meet Kenna at the front of the kirk.
“There’s Owen,” she nodded, indicating his approaching car.
“Close,” Sean whispered, giving her a conspiratorial look.
Kenna nodded, pasted on a smile and waved to Owen as he pulled to a stop.
“Hold on tae me.” Sean thrust out an elbow. “This ground is a lot more uneven than down by the wall.”
“Thanks, but I’m actually doing much better. All that walking around has eased most of the stiffness.”
She moved ahead while Sean went to the trunk Owen opened, and set everything inside.
“How did the grave-tending go?” Owen asked as Sean got in the car.
“Och. There’s so much tae do, ’twas hardly a dent. But I’ve plans tae come back and do more.”
“ ’Tis a worthy task. And what of ye, lass?” he asked Kenna as he eased onto the road. “How was yer day?”
“Nothing new, I’m afraid.”
Owen patted her arm. The sorrow in her voice was so evident Sean kenned ’twas easy enough for Owen to believe she was talking about her lost memory.
The trip home was too short for Sean to fully sort out his plan. ’Twas so much to accomplish in such a wee bit of time. But if he dinnae follow through now, he feared he’d lose his resolve and beg Kenna to stay. He couldnae let that happen. He couldnae allow his selfishness to put himself first, ever again.
As soon as Owen pulled the car to a stop, Sean jumped out and hurried to the trunk to slip Kenna’s bag over his shoulder before she had a chance to retrieve it. Handing the shovel and basket to Owen, he leaned close to keep Kenna from hearing. “I want tae see Kenna upstairs. She’s far wearier than she’s willin’ tae admit.” He brushed at his kilt. “And I need tae wash up a bit from all that shovelin’. But I’ll be down tae help ye as soon as I can.”
“Take yer time.” Owen glanced at Kenna. “See that’s she’s okay. I’ve still got some cleaning tae do before we start the inventory, anyway.”
Nodding, Sean closed the trunk. “I willnae be long.”
Kenna approached, eyeing them curiously. “What are the two of ye conspiring about?”
“Just tellin’ Owen I wanted tae wash up before startin’ the inventory.”
She glanced at his dusty kilt and smiled. “Good idea.” Turning to Owen, she rose on her toes and kissed his cheek. “Thank ye for the ride and for the delicious lunch. ’Twas lovely.”
“Ye’re welcome,” he beamed. “Now humor an old man, please, and go rest.”
Kenna glanced between the two men. “ ’Tis all I hear from either of ye, anymore. I’m not quite as fragile as ye think.”
“We know,” Owen smiled. “But it pleases us tae fuss over ye.”
