Jacob nodded to Marcus.
“I’ll go get Ma and Pa,” Emily said and raced out the doorway, calling for them.
“Where are your sisters?” Jacob asked.
“We’re working separate jobs,” Sage explained. “How are things going here?”
Jacob grinned. “Good. The farm is doing well. We’re far enough from everything that we hear things but are left alone. No one bothers us.”
“That’s why we like it here,” Sage said.
Jacob’s lips twisted in disbelief. “Says you, who hasn’t been by for years.”
Sage scratched her strangely bare neck and shrugged playfully. “Peter said the same thing.”
“Sage!” William hurried through the doorway, his age limiting him to a slower pace. He was an older man with graying hair.
Sage met him at the entrance, and he wrapped her in a warm embrace. She was glad he had Jacob and the girls to help him.
William was followed by his wife, Agnes, and his other daughter, Amy. Agnes was a kindly woman with gentle brown eyes. Her hair was peppered with silver and pulled back in a bun. Amy was a younger version of her sister.
Affection heated Sage at being surrounded by people she trusted and loved, and she realized how much she missed her family. Then she glanced at Marcus, standing outside the group. He stood awkwardly, his gaze shifting from person to person uneasily. It was apparent he had never known this kind of kinship. Sage took his hand and pulled him into the family. “Marcus and I are working together.”
Judging eyes turned to him, sweeping over him.
Marcus straightened under their perusal.
Then, William slapped him on the shoulder. “Be good to her, son.”
Marcus looked at Sage.
She grinned at him, hoping he felt the kindness of friends.
“Jacob! Go and get them some porridge. Amy, ale. Emily, help Jacob,” Agnes commanded, leading the way to one of the tables.
Sage sat in one of the wooden chairs.
“This isn’t necessary,” Marcus protested, taking a seat beside Sage. “I’ll be leaving soon.”
Sage looked at Agnes, ignoring him. “I see the girls are working out well.”
Agnes grinned, glancing back at the door with a loving expression. “They are family. We all love them so much. Thank you, Sage. It was a wise decision.”
Sage shrugged. “It was Willow’s idea. They look healthy. You all do.”
“The crops have been good,” William admitted, scrutinizing Marcus with a narrowed gaze. “You wouldn’t, by any chance, be Nogaret?”
Marcus pulled his shoulders back and exchanged a glance with Sage before nodding. “I am.”
William turned to Agnes. “Go and tell the children to hurry.”
Agnes obeyed with a quick nod.
Apprehension filled Sage. William was dismissing his wife. There was something he wanted to tell them in private.
When Agnes had exited the room, William sat at the table and leaned forward secretively. “Not a day ago, some men were asking after a Marcus de Nogaret.”
Marcus stiffened.
