She felt a shot of sorrow. It made sense now why Deryn had looked so shocked when she first put them on. How painful must it have been for him to see her in his wife’s clothes?
By the time she was dressed and had re-joined him in the living room, he was dressed and already had the fire burning and some eggs cooking over it. Maddy filled the kettle with water and set it to boil on the fire.
When breakfast was ready, they ate together at the wooden table. Neither spoke but there didn’t seem to be the need for words. Maddy couldn’t stop looking at him. Each time she did she found Deryn looking back and both would break into stupid grins. She felt as giddy as a teenager.
When breakfast was finished, they couldn’t delay any longer. They stepped out into a glorious spring morning, Deryn called Mara over from where she’d been sleeping in the barn, took Maddy’s hand, and together they set out for Darla and Craig’s croft.
As they spied the cottage through the trees, three figures suddenly came racing along the trail towards them. Mara barked and began wagging her tail.
“Mama!” Rory cried on seeing her. “We built a hammock! Come see!”
Lily and Sean bounced on their feet. “Uncle Deryn! Come and look!”
As Rory grabbed Maddy’s hand and began dragging her forward, Maddy burst into laughter.
“All right, all right! We’re coming!”
After showing them the hammock that Craig had made for them in the barn, they made their way around to the main cottage where they found Darla and Craig. Darla held a big bowl on one hip in which she was stirring porridge.
“Well, good morning!” she cried. “A fine one today isnae it?”
“It is,” Maddy agreed. “Thank you for taking care of Rory.”
“Think naught of it, my dear.” Darla looked between her and Deryn. “It was worth it, I hope? Ye two managed to...um...sort things out?”
Maddy blushed to her hairline but Deryn scowled. “Darla, ye are about as subtle as a sledgehammer. Let’s just say that Madeleine and I were able to reach a mutual understanding.”
“Mutual understanding?” Craig said, scratching his head. “I’ve never heard it called that before, but if that works for ye, who are we to question?” He grinned suddenly and clapped Deryn on the shoulder. “I’m happy for ye, my friend. For both of ye. In fact, I reckon this calls for a celebration. How about I open that bottle of whisky I’ve been saving?”
“Whisky?” Darla said to her husband incredulously. “But it’s barely past dawn!”
“Aye,” Craig agreed. “The best time for whisky in my experience. It means ye have the whole day to enjoy it!”
THE LAD’S EXPRESSIONwas comical. His tongue stuck out the corner of his mouth as he concentrated, his eyes almost going cross-eyed as he carried the fleeces above his head, staggering under the weight. Deryn put his hands on his hips and watched, trying to keep the amused smile from his face.
Rory reached the pile of fleeces in one corner of the barn and tipped his cargo on top, looking immensely pleased with himself. “Done it!”
Deryn laughed and ruffled the lad’s hair. “Aye, ye’ve done well, lad. I couldnae have moved all those fleeces without yer help.” Rory beamed and Deryn felt a swell of pride in his chest. Rory was turning into quite the apprentice. He followed Deryn everywhere, asking a million questions and wanting to be involved in everything. And Deryn enjoyed teaching him. The little lad had an inquisitive nature and a quick mind.
Aye, Deryn was proud of him all right.
Is this what it would have been like if I’d had a son of my own?he wondered. The thought twisted his stomach with sorrow. These last few days had shown him what he’d been missing, had allowed him to glimpse—just for an instant—the happiness that might have filled his life.
But it would all be over when Rory and Madeleine went home.
His good mood evaporated.
“Rory!” came a voice from outside followed by the drum of footsteps. Sean and Lily came bounding into the barn.
“There ye are!” announced Lily, crossing her arms and giving him an annoyed look. “We’ve been looking for ye everywhere! Come on, we have to hurry!”
Deryn pushed aside his malaise and looked down at the three children. “What’s this?”
“We found a robin’s nest,” Sean said excitedly. “And we’ve been waiting for the chicks to hatch. I’m sure it’s going to be today.”
“WhileI’mcertain it will be tomorrow,” Lily added in her best I’m-seven-so-I-know-better-than-you voice. “And I’ll prove it as soon as we get over there and take a look.”
“Where is this robin’s nest?” Deryn asked.
