The Highlander's Secret(15)
Moira nodded from the kitchen with the hint of a smile on her face. “Very rude. Ye best accept.”
Jain laughed. “Of course, Alan. T’would be my pleasure.”
Somehow, she finished their evening meal and bid Alan and Rodrick farewell. They thanked Jain’s family for their hospitality and promised to return the following morning to complete working on the roof. Jain stood in the doorway, watching them leave in the flickering light of the fire. What did Alan mean by telling her these things?
When they disappeared into shadow, Jain closed the wooden door and helped her mother and Aileen clean the dishes from the table.
“That went well,” Moira commented.
Jain’s mouth dropped in shock before she realized the remark was addressed to Aileen. Her graceful, love-struck cousin was grinning from ear to ear. “Aye. Do ye think he likes me?”
Eamon chuckled, hanging his cloak up on the wall and said, “He’d be a fool not to, darling. Even so, a lad like him knows better than to ask for yer hand in marriage before yer mam gets back.”
Aileen nodded. “I ken, but I worry fer her.”
Jain’s father and Keenan never supported their sister’s merchanting because it took her away from home. Strong willed as she was though, they knew it was pointless to argue with her. Keenan did the best he could to protect her by sending along some men to aid in the endeavor. She always came back with fantastic stories of the places she had been, and enough coin to line their pockets and fill the village coffers.
Moira crossed to their side and wrapped her arm around Aileen’s shoulders. “The chieftain sent two warriors along with her fer protection. They will keep her safe.”
Aileen sighed. “I wish she was already home.”
Jain rubbed a soothing hand down her cousins back. “Dinnae fash yerself. She’ll be home soon, and nae doubt with a purse filled with coin.”
Moira patted her on the arm. “These things take time, love. Be patient.”
“What about Uncle Keenan? If he doesn’t give his permission—”
Jain smiled at her cousin. “Then Da will knock some sense into him.”
“That I will,” Eamon agreed.
Jain gave Aileen’s hand a reassuring squeeze. She knew that Rodrick cared for Aileen, he’d confessed to Jain as much. In truth he only needed their laird’s permission. Still, Rodrick had no wish to disrespect Nora—especially given what a formidable woman she was.
“What about ye, Jain?” her cousin asked. “Ye’ve barely said a word since returning from the river.”
Jain’s pulse quickened at the memory of her conversation with Alan, but she smiled back at her and shrugged. “I suppose. But ‘tis lovely that Rodrick has taken a liking to ye, though,” she said, hoping to bring the conversation back to Aileen and Rodrick. She wasn’t ready to talk about herself and Alan.
Aileen scoffed. “Oh, ye minx. Dinnae go trying to change the subject. We’re not talking about Rodrick and me now, we’re talking about ye.”
“I’m just happy fer ye, that’s all,” Jain told her with a smile.
“Ye were gone fer quite a while,” Aileen persisted. “What were ye and Alan talking about on the road?”
Jain swallowed carefully and continued with her work, but didn’t turn around. “Oh, nothing much. He and Rodrick did a fine job on the roof,” she offered in hopes of changing the conversation yet again.
As much as she loved her cousin, Jain wished that she wouldn’t pester her about her relationship with Alan. She could feel her cheeks getting hot already and Jain’s father cleared his throat and placed his arm around her shoulder. He must have sensed her discomfort and came to save her from having to discuss the matter further.
“That they did,” Eamon agreed. “And the blade he brought was fine work, too. He’s a talented man, that Alan.”
Jain gave him an appreciative smile before kissing him on the forehead, and went to help with the rest of the cleaning.
“Mmmm,” Moira hummed in agreement. “Everything he does is executed with such care. He doesn’t just perform a task. He excels at it. It’s a noble skill to have.”
“Yes. Yes, it is,” Jain said quiet enough that no one else could hear. When she glanced back at her mother, Jain recognized the exhaustion in her gait. Rushing to her side, Jain gently took the cloth that Moira was holding and offered her arm for support. “Mam, let me do that. Ye’re tired. Aileen and I can do the rest.”
Her mother’s hip had been ailing her for quite some time now and made it difficult to walk near the end of the day. She hadn’t been the same since the accident a few months ago. Jain and Eamon always encouraged her to take it easy, but she rarely listened. Her health was otherwise good, but moving around the cottage wore her out faster than it did before. Moira looked back at her as if she would refuse, but thought twice about it. Instead, she patted her gently on the hand. “Ye’re a good lass,” her mother crooned. “Eamon, could ye help me to the bed?”
After Jain transferred her weight to Eamon, she watched them leave with a worried expression. He helped her into the sleeping quarters and they prepared themselves for bed. It was a blessing Aileen was staying with them while her Mam was traveling to Inverness. Even if she was another mouth too feed, she helped the burden of chores Moira could no longer do.