And certainly, she couldn’t expect a man to race to her rescue. There was no future in the town where Malcom McKenzie lived. She’d only stayed because her uncle’s cottage was there. Once she had enough money to leave, she would. She and Ailean could start over.
But not that very moment. The fire crackled and she snuggled down further into her blankets. She was warm, fed, and reasonably comfortable—if she ignored the throb in her ankle—for the first time in a long time. Right now, she'd enjoy the comfort. Leaving was a problem for later.
Chapter Four
Blair got the boat up onto the beach. It would take a few days to repair with the size of the hole in the bow of the boat. She must have crashed against a rock, it was the only explanation.
“What was she doing out on the water alone?” he asked more to himself. He was honestly amazed she hadn’t drowned.
“I don’t get any coin until the end of the week and we were out of items to trade even when people will make them. She was trying to feed us,” Ailean answered as he shifted from foot to foot, his gaze dropping to the ground.
Blair swallowed down his protest. He was not in the business of saving women. He ignored the voice that said he was doing exactly that. Just like with Cordelia, his attraction was getting in the way of his good sense.
Banging his fist on his outer thigh, he ignored the voice. He was making a deal this time and he was getting a great bargain. Not only that, but the faster he could get his business going, the sooner he could be the laird this province desperately required.
“Shamus, go fetch the doctor. Ewan, get the neighbor Elle borrowed the boat from. There’s another bowl of stew for ye if ye do.” Then he turned to Ailean. “Let’s go check on your sister. I need to discuss my plan with her.”
Ailean nodded and the other two boys left. As he and Ailean walked back up the hill, the boy tapped his arm. “Can you really fix the boat?”
Ailean stared at him with a bit of wonder on his face. Blair had four younger brothers and he knew that wide-eyed look well. Younger boys learned how to be men by watching and imitating older ones. Ailean was surely about to ask Blair to teach him. “Aye. My family owns a shipping company. I’ve been repairing boats since I was a child.”
Ailean moved a little closer. “Can ye teach me?”
He did ruffle Ailean’s hair then. Truth be told, he missed his family and, he could hardly believe it, but he missed having young ones tagging behind him. “Aye, I can teach ye. But not on Mr. McLaren’s boat. He’ll want it back very soon and I’ll need ye to complete some other chores fer me.”
Ailean’s shoulder’s slumped but he answered, “You’re right.”
“Soon, Ailean, I’ll be bringing in large ships that will always be in need of repair.” Blair gave a chuckle as Ailean perked up.
“Will ye build ships?” The boy asked as they reached the cottage.
Blair opened the door and they stepped inside. “Probably not. It’s best to build ships where there is lumber. But someday, maybe ye can visit my brother. He’s got an entire fleet of boats. Some he uses for his shipping company while others he sells. His boats are always the fastest in any fleet.”
“Who is your brother?” Elle called from the chair. Her body was slumped over as though she’d been asleep but her eyes were wide as they assessed him.
“My brother is Stone Sinclair, the Earl of Alban.” He stopped searching her face for a reaction.
r /> There was a tiny flicker of a frown. “And who are you?”
Ailean bounded in front of him. “He’s the new laird. He’s going to teach me to build ships.”
“I already told ye, I’m Blair Sinclair.” He stepped closer...lines creased her forehead as she stared at him. “And we got the boat out of the water. The hole is large but the frame is intact. I’ll have it repaired in a few days.”
“Why are ye helping me?” The lines above her brow had relaxed but her mouth was set.
“Ailean, go fill the water bucket for me.” Blair pointed into the kitchen. The boy bounded over and grabbed the handle without question or comment. If only Elle were so easy to win over. Once the door had closed, he turned back to her. “I saved ye from the water because I didn’t think about it, I just did it. But I’ll help ye with the boat because I’m hoping ye’ll help me in return.”
She squared her shoulders, and folded her arms. “With what?”
“I could use some assistance around here. All my money is tied up into building the docks and buying the ships. That’s why I live here instead of the manor. But if ye could cook fer me, do some other chores and Ailean could help me, I could get my business going faster. You’d be employed and fed and ye could work off the debt—” he stopped. Why did it bother him to put numbers on the arrangement?
“It’s a good offer”. She gave him a sideways glance, tilting her head, scrutinizing him. “But you should know that people who assist me land in far more trouble than its worth.”
A rumble built deep in his chest. So, McKenzie gave anyone who aided her trouble did he? He’d assumed as much from the other man’s words. “What does McKenzie do to them?”
Her eyes grew round with surprise. “How did you…” but then she stopped. “I am going to hurt that child.”
He chuckled. “It wasn’t just him. I met McKenzie at Derby’s croft.”