Eithne snorted. “Only us. I swear, they’re gannets. They cleaned us out of two cauldrons of stew tonight. I was hoping to have some leftover pies tomorrow, but Ewan will have to make more from scratch.”
It was a usual conversation. Eithne would grumble sometimes, but Fiona knew how much she loved this life. And she wasn’t surprised. She’d seen how happy the couple was.Ewan was a quiet man—he said little but noticed much. He wasn’t overly demonstrative, but Fiona had spied the soft looks that passed between husband and wife, the secret lingering touches when they thought she wasn’t looking.
Once, she’d hoped to find a man who would love her like that, who’d be her champion, her supporter, who’d stand by her side and allow her to shine while also being her strength. Eithne and Ewan had what she’d wanted. But these days, she had begun to realize that wouldn’t be her story.
“I saw ye and Maclean exchange a few glances tonight,” Eithne said then.
Fiona’s gut clenched. Her friend usually had the sense to avoid bringing Ailean up, but tonight, she’d thrown caution to the wind. “Ye don’t miss much, do ye?” she replied dryly.
Eithne flashed an impish smile. “Of course not … although I knew there was something between the two of ye from the first.”
Heated flushed through Fiona. By the Saints, she should have realized.
“Does this mean things are improving between ye?” Eithne asked, clearly unwilling to let the subject drop.
Fiona cut her gaze away and shook her head. She lifted her tankard and took a long swallow. The bitter ale hit the back of her throat and warmed her belly. “I can’t ignore him forever,” she said finally. “Not in a village this small. But just because we look at each other now and then … don’t go reading anything into it.”
“I don’t need to,” Eithne said quietly. “It’s written all over yer face.”
Fiona jolted and glared at her. “Don’t, Eithne. Please don’t start.”
“Start what?” the innkeeper replied, feigning innocence. “All I’m doing is making an observation. Ye aren’t yerself these days, Fi. Ye drift around this tavern like a ghost. I worry about ye.”
Her friend’s gaze was shadowed now, and Fiona stiffened, realizing Eithne truly was concerned.
“There’s no need to fash yerself about me,” Fiona said quickly. “I’m tough.”
“And I’ve no doubt of that,” Eithne said gently. “But when are ye going to admit it to yerself?”
Fiona frowned. “Admit what?”
“That Ailean Maclean has yer heart.”
Fiona jolted, ale nearly spilling over the rim of her tankard. “He doesn’t,” she gasped.
“Liar.” Eithne leaned forward. “Ye can fool yerself, but ye can’t fool me. Ye—”
“Stop it,” Fiona said sharply, starting to rise.
Eithne’s hand shot out, fastening around her arm and drawing her back down. “Listen to me, Fi,” she said, her voice low and urgent. “There’s nothing wrong with admitting ye love him. It’s clear the man is sick with love for ye.”
A sick heaviness rose in Fiona’s chest. Was it? She hadn’t told Eithne about his admission that day—but it seemed she didn’t need to.
“It’s a terrible waste,” Eithne went on, fierce now, “to see two people who are clearly meant for each other making a right mess of things.”
“What makes ye think we’re meant for each other?” Fiona burst out, her eyes stinging, her throat aching. God, if Eithne kept pushing, she was going to crumble. She could feel it—her control fraying, like thread pulled too tight.
“Ye are the best thing that ever happened to that man,” Eithne said firmly. “And he knows it. Aye, he messed up. He nearly ruined ye both … and he bungled things when he tried to put them right. But his heart was in the right place. Surely, ye can see that?”
Fiona’s heart thundered in her ears. Shecouldsee it, even if she didn’t want to admit so.
“Ye wish to protect yerself,” Eithne continued. “And I understand … but take it too far, and ye’ll end up with regrets. I don’t want to see that. I want ye to be happy. If there’s anyone I’ve ever met who deserves it, it’s ye.”
Fiona stared at her for a long moment.
Then the walls crumbled.
She bowed her head, a hiccup escaping her, and then the tears came. She bent forward, burying her face in her hands as sobs shook her shoulders.
