“I ken, lass. But all we can do is love our animals while we have them and give them the best lives possible.” He pressed a kiss to her head. “Just like we do with the people we love.”
“Like family?”
“Exactly like family.”
Eloise’s eyes drifted closed, her small hand still clutching Declan’s shirt. Francesca reached across the child’s sleeping form, her fingers finding his.
“You’re wonderful with her,” she whispered.
“She makes it easy.” His thumb traced circles on her palm. “Both of ye do.”
“Can I stay here? I’ll be quiet. I promise.”
Declan looked up from the correspondence on his desk to find Eloise standing in his study doorway, Bluebell hopping along behind her. She’d been following him around all morning, refusing to let him out of her sight.
He glanced at the stack of letters waiting for his attention, then at the child’s hopeful face. “Aye, come in. But ye have to let me work, understand?”
“I understand.” She settled on the floor near his desk with her rabbit and a small book. “I’ll just read to Bluebell.”
She kept her promise, occasionally murmuring to her pet but otherwise content just to be near him. Declan tried to focus on the reports, but he found himself glancing at her every few minutes.
“Laird MacGhee, I have the border reports ye requested—” Fraser stopped short in the doorway, his eyes widening at the scene before him. “Well, well. The fearsome Laird MacGhee, conductin’ clan business with a wee lass and her rabbit as audience.”
“Daenae start,” Declan warned.
“I’m nae startin’ anythin’.” Fraser’s grin widened. “Simply observin’ that domestication suits ye. Good mornin’, wee one. How’s Bluebell today?”
“He’s very good!” Eloise beamed at him. “He learned a new trick. Want to see?”
“Later, lass,” Declan interjected. “Fraser and I have business to discuss first.”
“Oh.” Her face fell. “Sorry.”
The disappointment in her voice made Declan’s chest tighten. “Actually, maybe Bluebell could show Fraser his trick first. Then we’ll talk business.”
Eloise’s face lit up. She jumped to her feet and proceeded to demonstrate how the rabbit could hop through a small hoop she’d fashioned from willow branches. Fraser watched with exaggerated interest, praising the rabbit’s cleverness until Eloise was giggling.
“Very impressive,” Fraser declared. “Ye’ve trained him well, lass.”
“Thank ye!” Eloise settled back with her book, radiating pride.
Fraser spread the border reports on Declan’s desk, his voice dropping to business tones. “All quiet on the boundaries. The MacLeods sent word they’re pleased with the new trade agreement.”
“Good.” Declan scanned the documents. “And the Campbells?”
“Neutral as always. Watchin’ and waitin’ to see which way the wind blows.”
They reviewed the rest of the reports, discussing patrol schedules and supply needs. When they finished, Fraser rolled up the documents but made no move to leave.
“Walk with me?” his cousin suggested. “I could use some air.”
Declan glanced at Eloise. “Lass, can ye go find Betsy? I need to speak with Fraser for a bit.”
“Will ye come back soon?”
“Aye, I promise.”
She nodded reluctantly and gathered Bluebell, heading off in search of the maid. Once she was gone, Fraser raised an eyebrow.
