Kilted Sin (Brethren of Stone 3)

He didn’t answer as they returned inside. Their visit with the Dunlearys was good enough and Fiona even managed to talk a little, but only from the safety of Will’s lap. That perplexed him a bit. She’d hardly ceased talking with him from the first.

Every time Mrs. Dunleary asked her a question, she’d squeeze his leg and answer with a simple yes or no.

When it was time to leave she nearly sprinted back into the wagon and Gemma raised an eyebrow as her helped her up as well.

“Are ye excited to meet Blair and Elle?” Will asked.

Fiona looked back at him. “I am excited to leave.”

“Don’t be rude, Fiona,” Gemma answered gently.

“I don’t mean to be.” Tears formed in the girl’s eyes. “But I want to go. Being here reminds me that you were going to send us away.”

Will held out his arms to her and she ran back to him, collapsing against his chest. “Why don’t ye help me drive?” Then he carried her to the front of the wagon. “I don’t see anything for it,” he said as he set her on the street.

“Anything for what?” Fiona asked.

“We’re going to have to sign a contract. A legal document that states ye’ll have to live with me.”

“Do ye mean it?” Fiona started but Will reached for her chin, holding it in his hand.

“Every word,” he answered.

“I’ll be so good ye’ll never want me to go.” Fiona stared up at him her eyes crinkled about the corners.

“Don’t ye worry yerself over that.” Then he pulled her against his side for a hug. “Now, help me crack the reins and away we’ll go.”

* * *

Gemma swayed with the wagon watching Will and Fiona. That poor little girl had a broken heart. Gemma recognized the symptoms. And Will was putting it back together one piece at a time.

A large house came into view, but even from this distance, Gemma could see the scaffolding all about it. It was still being built.

As if Will had read her thoughts, he turned back to her. “They’ve got one wing of the house complete. Enough room for us to stay but much of the residence is under construction.”

“I’m sure it will be lovely.” She didn’t care what the place looked like, provided it kept them warm and dry. Especially because she was with Will and the children.

As the wagon approached the house, the front door swung open and a couple stepped out.

Gemma blinked in surprise. She’d known that Blair Sinclair was Will’s brother, but from this distance the man standing in front of the door could be Will. The way they held their shoulders, shifted their weight. And just like Will, Blair emanated strength.

“How did Blair and his wife meet?” she asked as they rumbled along.

“Blair saved Elle from drowning.” Will turned back to her. “He attempted to employ her but ended up marrying her.”

Gemma blinked in surprise. “He employed her? As what?”

“Housekeeper, mostly I guess. Cook maybe.” Will shrugged.

She leaned up to whisper in his ear. “Do the Sinclair men make a habit of getting involved with the women they employ?” She’d meant it as a joke. Will was so forthright and honest, she knew this had to be the one and only time he’d ever gotten involved with a staff member.

But he turned to her, his face set in deep lines. “Don’t compare what Blair and I did. First of all, Blair saved Elle rather than being duped by her. Then he stepped up to help her instead of using blackmail. What Blair did was noble. What I’ve done...”

Gemma blinked. This was not the first time she’d heard him compare himself to an older brother and she began to see a trend. “What you did was save me in your own way. And these children too.” She touched his shoulder, loving the feel of his muscles under her hand. “Don’t forget that.”

His shoulder rose under her hand but he didn’t respond as they pulled up to the front of the house.

“William Sinclair, ye’ve got a wagon full,” Blair bellowed as they pulled up. “Always trying to outdo me.”