Page 42 of Never Marry a Highlander

As he worked, Finlay talked about the lass he was courting and how they planned to marry in a few months.“She’s a bonnie lass, is Elsie.Nice and plump so she will bear many bairns.”

There was that word again.Everyone seemed to be talking about bairns today.“Do ye like bairns, then Finlay?”

He stopped before going back to the stable for a pony and pushed his hat back grinning.“Aye.Lots of strapping sons to help me on the farm I’m almost ready to buy.”

“What if ye have daughters?Will ye be disappointed?”

“Nay.Plump, pretty lasses to spoil and take care of me in my old age.”

What a different attitude than the one she’d been exposed to.He actually wanted bairns and looked forward to having many.She placed her hand on her middle.Mayhap there was already a bairn growing inside her.She warmed at the thought.

“Here ye are, Lady Lorena.”Finlay walked the pony and cart up to her.“If ye need help loading yer supplies onto the cart, just let me know.”

She thanked him and returned to the kitchen where Helena was putting medicants into a short barrel.“Is the cart ready, then?”

“Aye.Finlay has it ready for us.”

Helena smiled as she picked up the barrel.“Finlay is such a nice lad.Verra much in love with young Elsie.”

Lorena picked up the pile of clean cloths stacked on the bench where the barrel had been sitting.“Aye, he told me all about her and the many bairns he plans to have with her.”

Helena laughed.“With him being young and strapping, I’m thinking he is looking forward more to the making of those bairns.”

Lorena tried to stop the blush that rose to her face.Women spoke about those things?Apparently, she had a lot to learn and it appeared her instructor in many things was going to be the woman who replaced her.

Their first stop was at a bothy owned by Michael and his young wife, Ari.The young woman came to the door when she heard them arrive.She had worry written all over her face.“Thank St.Bridget that ye’ve come.I canno’ get the lad to stop crying.”Then the lass burst into tears.

Helena walked up to her and patted her on the back.“Now, now, ‘tis no’ all bad.We’re here to help ye.Is little Rhys having problems sleeping?”

Ari shifted the bairn and accepted the hug Helena gave her.The lad screamed so loud Lorena was certain they heard him in the great hall.Helena took the bairn from the mam’s arms and handed him to Lorena.

She gasped and took the bairn, and not knowing what to do, rubbed her hand on his back and rocked him a bit.He looked up at her with big deep blue eyes, tears clinging to his long dark eyelashes and stopped crying.He was warm, soft, and wet.But she didn’t care.He was so little, so precious.Tears then filled her eyes.

Aye, she wanted one of these.And Craig had better come back from that assignment soon to help her make one.