Page 50 of Highland Sky

Chapter Fourteen

“What the hell were ye doin’ in the shed in the first place, Nash?” North dropped the empty water bucket on the ground at Nash’s feet. Thankfully, North had been fishing with Leod when they noticed smoke coming from the shed and hurried over to check it out. They, along with Nash and Kellina, had managed to put out the fire on the roof before the whole thing was consumed.

“What do ye think I was doin’?” mumbled Nash, wiping his brow. He stood there in just his long tunic and bare feet, not having had time to don his plaid.

“Here, Nash, put it on quickly.” Kellina handed his plaid to him. She’d dressed in her tunic and braies, still not wearing a skirt like the rest of them. “I see my sister and brathair comin’ along with some of the other clansmembers.”

“I should have warned ye about the love shed,” said Leod with a chuckle. “It’s no’ exactly the safest place to be.”

“The love shed?” asked Kellina, blinking and looking very embarrassed. “Why, I dinna ken what ye mean, Leod.”

“Dinna worry, lass, yer secret is safe with me.” Leod looked at her from the corners of his eyes, grinning. “I’ve often used this fishin’ shed for the same purpose. However, I kent the roof was fallin’ in, so I was never foolish enough to light a fire in there.”

“Now ye tell me,” mumbled Nash, pulling his clothes back into place.

“We saw smoke,” said Jamie, the first one to run up to join them as a group of children headed toward them.

“And flames,” added Caitlin, on his heels. Some of the adult clansmembers ran after them from the castle, crowding around now, curious as to what happened.

“Is anyone hurt? Let me through. Move aside.” Shaw pushed his way to the front of the crowd. Spring was right behind him with her baby in the crook of one arm.

“Nay, everyone’s fine,” Leod called out to his brother. “The fire is out and there’s no real damage except to the roof of the shed.”

“We’re sorry, and we promise to fix the roof right away.” Kellina ran a hand over her hair, looking at the ground rather than directly at anyone. She felt more embarrassed than she ever had in her entire life. There was no doubt everyone would figure out what they were doing in there, if they didn’t already know. God’s eyes, she hoped Jamie and the rest of the children wouldn’t realize what she had just done.

“Well, if no one was harmed, I guess there’s no real damage done then,” said Shaw. “And I willna even ask how the fire got started, since I think I can figure it out.” He looked at Nash and Kellina when he said it. “There are times and places for everythin’, and this is no’ one of them, I assure ye.”

“Husband,” Spring said in a low voice, in an obvious warning not to say anything more.

“They are our guests, so dinna be too hard on them, Brathair,” said Leod.

“Shaw, I told ye about that roof months ago,” Spring scolded him. “At least now it will get fixed before winter. I am sure Kellina and Nash wouldna mind repairin’ it. Would ye?” she asked them.

“Nay, of course no’,” said Nash.

“Like I said, we would be more than happy to fix the roof for ye,” added Kellina.

“All right, then. There is plenty of thatch in the back room of the stable,” Shaw instructed. “I suggest ye get started on it right away.”

“Thank ye. Of course, we’d be happy to,” said Nash, straightening his sash.

“Caitlin, can ye watch the baby for me?” Spring asked. “I’d like to stay and talk to yer sister.

“I can hold the baby?” asked Caitlin excitedly. “Oh, yes! I would love to, thank ye.” She took the baby boy, fussing over him, smiling from ear to ear. She and the group of children and younger clansmembers headed back to the camp along with the rest of the group.

“I’ll meet ye at the stable,” Nash told Kellina with a quick wave. “North and Leod, would ye mind givin’ me a hand gettin’ the supplies?”

“Why no’?” asked Leod. “I’ve been meanin’ to fix that roof for some time now anyway.”

“The fishin’ was no guid today, so I’ll help, too,” added North. The men walked away, talking about fish and roofs and women.

Kellina knew whatSpring was going to say even before she said it. Still, she waited patiently for the men to leave, and for Lady Spring to start the conversation.

“Ye were in there makin’ love in the shed, werena ye?” asked Spring, even though it was more than clear that she knew the truth. It made Kellina wonder why she was even asking.

“Aye,” Kellina answered truthfully with a sigh. “I am sorry we were so careless. We never meant to almost burn it down.”

“Nay, I am no’ askin’ ye this to reprimand ye for what ye did,” Spring assured here. “I am happy for ye that ye finally consummated the marriage. How do ye feel about it, Kellina?”