It took them close to two hours to arrive at the croft where the couple lived. As he pulled into the yard, a woman appeared in the doorway. She was older than him or Gemma or perhaps just tired. There were lines on her face, and grey streaking her hair.
He looked back to see Fiona barely peeking over the side of the wagon as though she wanted to see but was trying to hide.
He stepped down. “Mrs. Dunleary?”
“Yes,” she answered. “Are you Laird Sinclair?”
“I am.” He nodded, then walked toward her. A man came out of the door and walked onto the porch. “Mr. Dunleary?”
The other man nodded. “Pleased tae meet ye.”
Will turned back to the wagon. “My nanny, Mrs McLaren, and down in the wagon is Ewan and Fiona.”
“You brought them?” Mrs. Dunleary put her hand over her chest. “Have ye changed yer mind then? Are ye considering allowing us to adopt them?”
He gave the woman a sympathetic smile. “Let’s go inside and talk.” He heard a whimper behind him and turned to see Fiona’s big eyes staring at him. He walked back over to the wagon. “What’s wrong, lass?”
She sunk down a little further as Gemma stroked her back. “Are you giving us to them?”
“How could I give away such perfect children?” He brushed his thumb along her cheek. “Don’t worry, Fiona. I’m going to tell them about the orphanage and see if they can travel there to find other children who need a better home.”
She perked up then, her head coming above the side of the wagon. “That’s a fine idea.” Then she cocked her head sideways. “You’re not going to send us away?”
His heart ached for her. “I ken that I told ye the first day that you could stay until I found ye a home but it turns out, yer home is with me.” He leaned down. “I’m trying to convince Gemma to stay with us too. But if ye could help me with that, I’d appreciate it.”
Gemma coughed next to him. “That’s the first I’m hearing about this plan.”
He gave Fiona a wink. “That’s because I thought you’d do a better job at coercing her to stay. Look how quickly you won me over.”
Fiona popped up, giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you,” she murmured. Then she flung her arms about his neck.
* * *
If Gemma had been uncertain before, she knew now. She loved this man. He was strong, hardworking, ethical, and kind. Above all, he knew how to give with his whole heart.
As Fiona unwound her hands from around his neck, Gemma longed to do what the little girl had just done: fling herself into his embrace and beg him to keep her forever and ever. Instead, she touched the back of his hand. “I’ll take the children for a walk while ye talk with the Dunlearys.”
He flipped his hand over and gave hers a squeeze. “Thank ye.”
Then he headed back over to the porch where the three of them disappeared into the small farmhouse.
“Did you hear that, Ewan.” Fiona reached for her brother’s hand. “We’ve been so good that Will is going to keep us. Maybe this time, we won’t have to leave.”
Gemma swallowed down the lump in her throat. Fiona was the best little girl, but Gemma had a feeling that Will would have kept the two children no matter what. “This time?” she asked, climbing down out of the back of the wagon.
“We’ve had to leave every home we’ve ever lived in.” Fiona took her hand and hopped down too. “First, when my papa died, we went to live with my mum’s sister. Then when mum got sick, we were sent to the orphanage. Then the orphanage sent us here.” Fiona walked slowly as Ewan toddled along with them. “Well not here. I don’t want to live here.” The little girl tugged on her hand. “Are you going to stay with us, Gemma? We could be like a real family.”
Gemma blinked, her breath catching in her chest. It would be so easy to just say yes. More than anything she wanted to stay with Will. That thought made her pause. More than anything? More than she wanted recompense from Sean?
Even if she did want it more, would it be fair to Will? She was broken. And not just her heart. In the eighteen months that she’d been married to Sean she’d not once missed her monthlies. She could blame Sean except that Mary had become pregnant twice. How could they be a family if she couldn’t provide Will with any children? “I already told Will that I’d stay for as long as he needed me.”
“You won’t stay forever?” Fiona squeezed her hand harder.
She stopped and knelt down beside the girl. “Fiona, try to understand. I already have a life in the south.” Her assertion was a complete lie. She had nothing and no one waiting for her in the south. “I’ve already been married and I need to care for my mum if she’ll let me.”
“You have a husband?” Fiona scrunched her brow.
Gemma brushed a piece of hair back from Fiona’s face. “He died like your mom and dad. But my mother lives far away,” she said. “I need to see her before it’s too late.”