“Why are ye so glum? Everything worked out as planned yesterday.”
Niall slanted a glance at her. “This is nae over, lass.”
Aidan nodded. “I think ’tis the beginning.”
Annie shifted her gaze to him. “The beginning of what? All was quiet yesterday. The two of ye and Owen were out on the streets and heard nothing.”
Aidan lifted a brow. “Have ye ever been in a storm at sea?”
“Nae.” Annie frowned. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“’Tis a lull before a big blow,” Aidan answered. “The wind calms. The sea goes flat. An inexperienced sailor is fooled that good weather is ahead, but a wise captain kens to furl the sails and batten the hatches.”
“Aye,” Niall added. “A bad storm is brewing.”
“I think ye fash too much,” Annie replied. “The reason it was quiet yesterday is because the women who read our signs not only demanded answers from their husbands, but word would spread quickly to other wives who would question their husbands as well.”
Aidan gave her an incredulous look. “And ye think that is good?”
“Aye. I ken that some women do nae agree with our club’s purpose, but our ranks close when we are mistreated.”
Niall grimaced. “Men close ranks too.”
“But nae against their own wives.”
“I will accede that point,” Aidan answered, “but it does nae mean the union workers will nae rise against ye.”
“Nae if they want to stay in the wives’ good graces,” Annie retorted.
“There are ways for a man to stay in his wife’s good grace,” Niall said.
“Like how?”
A corner of Niall’s mouth quirked up. “If ye are sure ye want to ken, I will be happy to…explain. Later.”
Annie had a sneaking suspicion that Niall’sexplanationmight not just be words. Thankfully, Aidan cleared his throat and changed the subject.
“Since both of ye think I need an escort, I am surprised Owen did nae join ye.”
“MacLean is spending the day sniffing out trouble,” Niall replied. “If he scents problems rising, he will tell us.”
“Ye make him sound like a dog.”
“A wolf, more like,” Aidan said.
Annie was glad when they reached the warehouse. “The two of ye can join him now, since wolves hunt in packs.”
“I will spend the morning scouting, but on my own.” Niall grinned at Annie. “’Tis only one lobo to a pack, lass.”
Annie shook her head. Apparently the competition between the two of them had not ended. She turned to Aidan. “Are ye going to be a lone wolf too?”
“Perhaps later,” Aidan answered, “but for now, I would like a tour of the warehouse facilities.”
Annie bit back a groan. She’d hoped that argument had been forgotten. She should have known better.
****
The morning did not get off to a good start. Kingsley was in the warehouse inspecting a shipment of barley barrels that had just come in and he didn’t look particularly pleased when Annie introduced Aidan and asked that he be given a quick tour of the facilities. The foreman said that he was busy and another time would be better. Aidan had replied that he could help in stowing the shipment. Kingsley had been downright brusque in turning the offer down. Aidan replied he would simply wait, then, and proved his point by moving to one side and leaning against the wall. Kingsley glowered at him and Annie had the strange sense that each had made some sort of silent challenge to the other. Men. To avoid any further conflict, she’d offered to show Aidan around the warehouse herself.
