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The men'sgrips and holds tightened. Nora couldn't see their faces, but she could tell Jonan was confident.
“Go!”
The game started.
Nora was watching with bated breath as Jonan's team took an early lead. Despite how tensely they drew back, Callan's party was drawn slightly to Jonan's side. People began to cheer somewhere in the crowd... but not for long.
Callan clenched his teeth and yanked hard, as did his teammates. They reclaimed their ground, but Nora wondered how long they could keep it.
Minutes passed, and neither team relented. Even if she tried, shecouldn't take her gaze away. Jonan's incredible muscles flexed even harder each time he strained to pull on the rope. Nora was taken with the sight of them. She'd never seen a man like him. Both men tugged at the rope on either side, and soon, it became apparent that the battle would go on for much longer.
Nora's gaze never strayed. Leah was just as invested. Neither team appeared willing to give up, but a winner soon emerged.
Jonan tightened his grip on the rope with both hands, then removed one.
Nora exclaimed. Why did he let go? He’ll lose. Murmurs began to spread throughout the people.
Callan and his men saw an opportunity and tried to pull even harder, but they couldn't gain any ground. Jonan extended his right hand as far as it would go and grabbed the rope firmly.
Nora could not hide her nervousness. Is he going to attempt to pull the rope like that? Cockily, he cast a look at Callan’s team and began to pull.
“He’s winning!” Someone from the audience shouted. “Our laird is winning!”
Excited yells and whistles erupted once more. But, in the midst of it all, Nora could only focus on him. She stood there watching Jonan pull the rope with all his might and gradually closed the gap between his two hands.
Callan’s men didn’t give up easily. They yanked, trying to dig their heels into the ground.
Nora waited for Jonan to get his two fisted hands close enough. His left hand relaxed and grabbed the rope just above his right hand. Nora breathed a sigh of relief. She was certain he would succeed.
Hestarted to pull. Encouraged by his strength, the men on his side pulled harder than ever, until Callan's men were dragged over the rope line.
The clan erupted in cheers. Right in the middle of it, Nora sat, feeling oddly relieved as though she had just won herself.
“Ye have bested me, milaird!” Callan said smiling.
Jonan walked over to him and offered his hand. Callan clasped it, and cheers erupted.
Someone began to play a victory tune on a pipe, and the people began to clap.
“Let’s go, Amelia!”
Leah jumped out of her seat and dashed down the path.
But Nora paused. Families from both sides were filing out to see their men. She wasn't sure what she'd say to him.
Congratulations? she thought as she hurried to catch up with Leah. What do I say?
The pipe's melody continued. People soon began to dance and clap along to the happy tune. Nora made her way to Jonan, surrounded by laughter and music.
She noticed he was still shirtless with a boyish look of excitement in his eyes. He was holding Leah who was evidentlyproud of her father.
When their gazes locked, she felt her breath catch in her throat.
“Congratulations,” she said almost shyly.
“I thank ye!” Jonan's words had a smug tone to them, but Nora knew he appreciated her congratulations. He didn't seem to be expecting it. She found her eyes travelling over to his toned body.
Oh, do not think of that, Nora!
