“What of your father?” Braden asked tentatively.
“I’m a bastard,” the boy said, his voice laced with anger. “Me father didn’t want me mother.”
Braden winced as if the lad had struck him. “Maybe he did.”
The boy shook his head. “Me mother said he loved other women, that he didn’t want just her.”
Braden closed his eyes as the words tore through him. He had never meant for a child to suffer for his actions. Oh God, how could he make it up to the little fellow?
Somehow, he would. If it took the rest of his life, he would make sure this lad knew his father loved him, and that he would protect him.
Suddenly, Braden heard a familiar tune from outside. And in an instant, he knew the sweet sound of Maggie’s voice.
Braden went cold. This wasn’t good. Not good at all!
He had to hide the lad. Quickly. There was no telling what Maggie might do if she saw him.
Over and over, he recalled his mother’s reaction to Sin. The scorn on her face.
He hadn’t been able to protect the lad before, but he would protect him now. He would explain it to Maggie where the boy couldn’t be hurt by her reaction.
“Connor…” Braden placed a gentle hand on his thin shoulder, “Would you like to play a game?”
The boy’s face lit up. “Aye!”
“This is called hiding. You find a place and stay there until I find you.”
The boy looked skeptical.
Braden nudged him toward the back of the stable. “Go on and hide. I’ll cover my eyes. Hurry.”
The boy scampered off.
Braden heard him climb the ladder to the loft at the same moment the door opened and Maggie entered.
He swallowed hard as sweat beaded on his forehead.
She carried a large basket in her hands as she looked about the stalls. She froze the instant she saw him. “Braden,” she said coldly. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
He swallowed as guilt and pain consumed him. He didn’t want to hurt her any more than he wanted to hurt Connor.
Oh, but he had gotten himself into one fine mess. He just hoped he didn’t lose Maggie over this.
“We need to talk,” he said simply.
“Why? All has been said. I told you I would never ask anything of you. I meant it. Now if you’ll excuse me...”
He caught her arm as she started past him. “I’m not about to let you go home on your own.”
She looked at him as if he were daft. “Think you I’m mad? I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Then what are you doing here?”
“‘Tis no concern of yours.” Then, her eyes softened. She reached out and touched his arm. “I thought you needed to see to Sin?”
“He’s already conscious, but I wanted to see you.”
“Why?”
