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Jonan and Amelia left when more of the guards arrived to help empty the reservoir and fetch clean water from the river.
He wondered how much she knew;she was younger than him, but she seemed to know a lot for a woman her age... and it was facinating.
When they arrived at the second farmer's house, the family was just as excited to see themas Naomhan's family had been.
Despite Amelia's lack of complaint, Jonan could tell she was tired from all the walking.
“Ye should head back to the keep and get some rest,” he suggested.
“I am alright,” she argued, holding his gaze until she could lie no more. “I am just a bit tired, but you are still walking. Why can I not also?”
Jonan smiled, unable to hide his admiration for her.
“What did I say?” she asked him, curious to know why he smiled.
“Ye didnae say anything wrong,” he said as he closed the distance between the two of them and put his hands on her shoulders. Her body stiffened a little in his grip, before she relaxed, accepting his touch.
“Ye have done enough today. Because of ye, the men ken what they must do. All that is left is labor. Ye should get some rest,” he said softly.
Amelia’s shoulders fell in a sigh because, clearly, she didn’t want to leave the village but was indeed tired.
Is she sad to leave because she likes the village and the clan folks, or because she would leave me? Jonan wondered, but he knew it was a question he couldn't bring himself to ask her.
“Alright,” she finally agreed.
Jonan motioned to one of the guards on horseback. He took the reins and led the horse to Amelia's side.
“We shall ride back to the carriage,” he saidbefore offering his hand.
Amelia extended her hand to him, and he assisted her mountthe horse. Taking the reins behind her, he rode them through the village and back to the carriage. “Would you be home for luncheon?” she asked as they reached the carriage.
“Aye, I shall try,” he replied. It wasn't until then that she let go of his hand.
Jonan stood in the middle of the village, watching her wave back as the carriage pulled away. He returned her wave, and she smiled as she retreated back inside.
“Ye are startin’ to fall for yer wife, Laird McKay,” Callan said playfully.
While Jonan's natural reaction was to deny Callan's words, he remained silent because he did not want to say the truth aloud.
But there was one certainty in hismind, and it was clearer than ever as he watched the carriage fade into the distance.
He missed Amelia’s presence whenever she was not nearby.
