Page 23 of Highland Flame

“We wanted to tell ye the food is delicious.” Cam glowered at the twins.

Brother Gillies looked down at the table and the bowls of the three men. “How do you know? It doesn’t look like any of you have even tasted it yet.”

“Go ahead,” said Yvaine with a smile. “Show my brathair how much ye are enjoyin’ the food, Cam.”

Cam wanted to kill the girl right now. Or at least wipe the evil grin off her face. She was doing this purposely just to torture him. Well, he wouldn’t let her see that it bothered him at all. If he did, it would probably make her too happy.

Picking up a spoonful of the oats, he opened his mouth and took a bite. Cringing, he was sure he would hate it, but it really didn’t taste that bad, after all. With the cinnamon and honey, it was actually tasty.

“Mmmm, this is guid,” he said, looking up at his friends. “Try it.”

Nash made a face, wrinkling his nose and shaking his head.

“That’s all right,” said North, pushing his bowl over to Cam. “I’m no’ really hungry. I think I’ll go for a walk in the orchard.”

“Orchard?” Nash’s head snapped up. “That sounds delicious. I – I mean like a guid idea. I’ll join ye.” He hurried from the table, heading away with North.

“Well, that leaves more for us, right?” Cam pulled the two bowls over to him, giving Avianca one of them.

“Yummy! Thank ye,” said the girl.

“Do ye want more?” Cam asked Yvaine, just to be polite.

“Nay, it’s all yers,” she said, finishing off her food and standing up. “Gillies, I would really like to have my wagon unloaded now. I need to start makin’ candles soon.”

“Aye, but not until later, Sister. After we eat, the brothers have to wash the dishes and then take time for inner reflection before starting chores.”

“Dinna worry about it,” Cam told them. “I will help her, and so will Nash and North. Just tell us where to put the things.”

“Of course,” said the monk, explaining where to set up shop.

“I can help, too,” said Avianca, almost falling off the bench. Yvaine rushed forward to catch her.

“Cam, we dinna even ken where to find yer friends,” said Yvaine, taking the little girl by the hand.

“I ken where to find them,” said Cam. “They’re in the orchard.”

“Oh, mayhap they are helpin’ the lay brathairs pick fruit,” said Yvaine. “Perhaps we shouldna bother them.”

Cam chuckled. “Oh, believe me, they are pickin’ fruit, but no’ helpin’ anyone but themselves. And aye, they should be bothered. Now, let’s go before they decide to check out the chicken coop or barns next.”

“I’ve never seen a chicken coop,” said the little girl.

“Believe me, ye’re about to see somethin’ else ye’ve never seen,” said Cam with a chuckle thinking how upset his friends were going to be to have to help move Yvaine’s things when they were busy eating apples.