She swiped at her tears, her red nose looking rather adorable. “I don’t.”
“See, so I’m the perfect person to tell. Who cares what I think?”
One corner of her lip tilted up ever so slightly. “You’re my employer. I’m required to care what you think.”
He let out a relieved breath. If he was still her employer than he hadn’t ruined their relationship completely. “Let’s go home. Shall we?”
She nodded. “Let’s go home.”
Warmth spread through his chest. Those words sounded so right. Maybe she should stay after all. Maybe the children should too. It had only been a few days and they already felt like his family. The thought made his breath stop in his chest.
His brothers…had they struggled like this? He doubted it. They both had picture-perfect marriages. But still, even if this hadn’t begun flawlessly, maybe keeping all of them would be the best for everyone. Including him. With Gemma and the children by his side, he felt…whole. Had he been incomplete before? He kissed her forehead again. He’d convinced her to come back. That was a good start.
* * *
Gemma took a deep breath.
She held Fiona’s hand as Will held the other. He looked over at her. “I need to get my horse, but maybe Fiona can ride him back while we walk.”
Fiona did a little hop. “I’ve always wanted to ride a horse.” she exclaimed.
They both laughed. Gemma shook her head. It’s not that she blamed Will for being suspicious but his doubt had still hurt. He was the first person she’d trusted in a long time and she wanted his in return. Not that she deserved it.
When she thought back to her husband, she regretted his actions. His lack of commitment, his irresponsibility.
But with Will, what she regretted was her own behavior. It was her who had wronged him.
She also had to admit to herself that she’d expected something different today from her meeting with the magistrate. She’d thought Sean might have left her an inheritance to make amends. That he’d admit he’d done her wrong. Help her with her future.
The man had managed to disappoint her again. She scrubbed her face with her hands. By all accounts, he’d started a new life and forgotten all about her. Except for the letter. She sucked in her breath. She couldn’t read it. Though she’d come here for answers, the more she learned, the worse it hurt. She clutched the paper tighter in her hands. What if Sean said it was her fault all along? That she had driven him away?
Maybe it was her fault. Even her own mother stopped talking to her after she’d left.
She rubbed the back of Fiona’s hand, clasped in hers. Of course Will hadn’t trusted her. She didn’t even trust herself.
“My lord,” Mr. McLaren called from the doorway of the law office as they passed.
Will stopped, Fiona stopped, and Gemma turned to look inside. The magistrate approached, holding out a folded sheet of paper. “If you’d like me to write back, let me know.” Then he handed the sheet to Will.
Will let go of Fiona’s hand and stuffed the note in his pocket. “Thank ye.”
“What is it?” Fiona whispered.
Gemma squeezed her hand tighter, her heart thrumming in her chest.
“Nothing ye need worry about, my little lass.” Will winked but his smile was thin, stretched tight across his face. “Let’s go home and see what Mrs. Hammond has made us fer lunch.”
Ewan lay his head on Will’s shoulder. “Uh,” he mumbled before sticking his thumb in his mouth.
They made their way back home, Fiona on the horse and Ewan asleep in Will’s arms. Gemma said little as she walked next to him. This wasn’t a time for words. Her mind and her heart were working through all that had happened.
Looking over at Will, she studied his profile. His strong jaw flexed even as his muscled neck worked, the flesh rippling down beneath his shirt. She remembered that chest, his stomach. Gemma could still feel the press of his lips when she’d kissed him.
While she wasn’t certain she deserved a man like Will, she knew she wanted him. More than she ever had any other.
The house came into view. Will had called it home. She let out a sigh of contentment. It was a home, more so than she had had in years.
Darting in front of Will, she gently took Ewan and curled him into one arm so that she could take Will’s hand with the other. “Thank you for coming after me today.” He laced his strong fingers into hers. “I understand why you don’t trust me, but I need you to know that I would never hurt Fiona and Ewan.”