With a deep breath, Fenella reached into the basket and began to sort what they needed. “Here’s a packet of yer almonds. Ooh, walnuts! I still have some sugar—we can use these for the sweets!”
Before she got too far along the process, Brodie stopped her with a hand on her arm. When she turned to him, he slid his hand down to take hers.
“Fenella, ye really dinnae mind? Working together with me?”
Her eyes widened. “Of course no’. Why would ye assume so?”
“Because ye won last night. And I ken ye want to win this contest, overall.”
“Aye, but…” That flush was climbing her cheeks again. “But I also want ye to be happy, Brodie,” she whispered as she squeezed his fingers. “I want ye to ken ye’re no’ an outsider.”
Remembering the realization of how accepted he’d become to her, his gaze searched her face. Was that, in part, the cause of this happiness? Besides just his feelings for Fenella, was it because he’d found acceptance here in the Oliphant kitchens?
“I didnae agree to this contest because I wanted to dethrone ye,” he said gruffly. “I hope ye ken that.”
“I…” Her gaze dropped to his chest. “At first, that is what I thought. I thought ye wanted to show me ye were a better cook than I was.”
“I dinnae want yer position, Fenella.”
Green eyes flashed under her lashes, and he was pleased she wasn’t embarrassed by this conversation. “When Kenneth and Leanna leave for McClure land, will ye go with them?”
His heart began to pound in his chest. “’Tis where…”
“Where ye belong? Where ye family lives?”
“My family are fishermen who dinnae understand me.” He was stalling. “I have nae need to live near them, despite our shared blood. But Kenneth, well, we’ve been together for a long time.”
Kenneth had found his happiness and had wished the same for Brodie. What would he say if Brodie told him he’d be returning to McClure Keep as well, despite his lack of place there?
What would he say if Brodie declared he wanted to stay in the Oliphant kitchens?
Fenella’s fingers squeezed around his again. “Brodie, ye deserve to be happy. Whatever ye decide, I just want ye to ken that.”
“Ye…care, lass?” He knew his voice was gruffer than normal, but couldn’t seem to force normality past the lump in his throat.
“Aye, of course.” She smiled, a bit sadly. “Of course I care, Brodie. I ken ye now. I ken ye just challenged me to make me a better cook, and I can admit some of yer dishes are better than mine. Ye have experiences I dinnae.”
Well, teasing was something he felt he could handle at that moment. “Only some?”
Her teeth flashed as she grinned, then sobered again. “I just mean, I was afraid at first, of what ye wanted from me. From Oliphant Castle.” She took a deep breath. “But now, I’m no’. Whatever ‘tis, I trust ye. And I want ye to be happy.”
Happy, lass?
Brodie’s insides swirled with confusing emotions and doubt. But this beautiful woman, staring up at him so intently, cared about his happiness enough to sacrifice her chance to win this contest.
And he wasn’t sure what he was worried about, but knew he couldn’t disappoint her.
But instead of answering, he just leaned down and captured her lips in a kiss.
As she sighed happily and pressed herself against him, Brodie knew he hadn’t resolved anything, but it was worth it. He was in love with Fenella Oliphant, and he no longer had no idea where he belonged.