The door handle rattled. She turned just as the door swung open and Deryn strode through. He took a few steps into the room, then stopped, looking around in surprise.
The sight of him sent a little thrill through her. The wind had turned his auburn locks into a tangled mess and his cheekswere red with windburn, but he looked vital, alive in a way she couldn’t quite explain.
“What have ye done?” he whispered, his eyes sweeping the room.
She shrugged. “I thought I’d make myself useful.”
His nostrils flared, and an expression of pain flashed across his handsome features. She was surprised to see anger burning in his blue eyes.
“How dare ye?”
Maddy blinked, taken aback. “I just thought—”
“Ye had no right. This isnae yer home.”
“I know, but—”
“It isnae yer place! It’s hers! It will always be hers!”
Maddy backed off a pace. “I don’t understand. Why are you mad at me?”
“Because ye shouldnae be here!” he snapped. “I made a vow, dinna ye understand?”
No, she didn’t understand. All she understood was that he was scaring her a little. Anger flared in response, and she jabbed a finger at him.
“Listen, buster. If you’re in a bad mood, don’t take it out on me. Is this how you normally act when people try to do things for you? Rory and I will be out of your hair soon and then you can go back to being the bad-tempered loner. Good God, no wonder you live alone if this is how you behave!”
It was the wrong thing to say. His face went white with fury. He opened his mouth to say something but then snapped it shut. He looked away, visibly composing himself.
“MacKay’s scouts are everywhere,” he said in an icy cold voice. “Ye willnae be going anywhere any time soon.” Then he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Maddy stared at the closed door, trying to figure out what the hell had just happened. Why had Deryn reacted that way?
Then his last words registered.MacKay’s scouts are everywhere.So, Rodricwaslooking for her and Rory, just as she’d feared. She slumped onto the bench and leaned her elbows on the table, putting her head in her hands. Oh no. What if Rodric found her? Or worse, what if Deryn changed his mind about helping her and turfed her and Rory out? She had no idea what she’d done to offend him, but he’d looked furious as he’d stormed out. What if he was on his way to Rodric right now to tell him where they were?
No,she told herself.He wouldn’t do that.
“Mama!” Rory’s voice suddenly cried from outside. “Mama, come quick!”
The door burst open, and he came rushing in looking distraught. She was on her feet in an instant.
“What’s wrong?”
“The sheep!” Rory cried. “She’s sick!”
He grabbed Maddy’s hand and pulled her out into the yard and across to the barn. Inside, she found a sheep collapsed in the straw, sides heaving as she panted, tongue lolling out of her mouth.
“What’s wrong with her?” Rory asked anxiously.
Maddy ran her hands over the ewe’s distended flanks and felt how the muscles were straining. “She’s not sick,” she said. “She’s giving birth.”
It was early spring—lambing season—and it seemed that lambing season on Deryn Stewart’s farm had decided to begin right this minute.
“Stay here,” she instructed Rory. Climbing to her feet, she hurried out into the yard. “Deryn!” she shouted. “Deryn!” He did not appear, and her shouts faded into silence.
Maddy growled under her breath. Perfect! Just bloody perfect! Derynwouldchoose to go off in a huff right now, wouldn’t he?
She returned to the barn where Rory was kneeling next to the struggling ewe, gently stroking her head. Maddy crouched in the straw. Right. She’d seen vet programmes. She could do this. Tying back her hair, she rolled up her sleeves and took a deep breath.
