His Heart's Home by Stephanie Sterling Page B

needed was cash, and Duncan was one of the few from the caravan who had any left. He passed the evening trading, managing to pick up a pair of cows, a sow, three more chickens and half a cartload of staples, timber, and other supplies. He loaded them into Ciaran’s wagon, along with what he’d managed to salvage from Sean, feeling much more prepared to provide for a family than he had the day before.
    ..ooOOoo..
    Ciaran didn’t know how long it was going to take for her and the children to get used to having Duncan around, but she hoped it happened sooner rather than later.  She had mistakenly thought it would be so much more relaxing than traveling with Sean.  They didn’t have to worry about Duncan’s temper and he didn’t appear to be prone to violent mood swings. 
    The boys were still wary though, given their experience with their father that was hardly surprising, but Ciaran was pleasantly surprised to see Duncan didn’t blame them for their suspicion.  He seemed to be trying everything in his power to put them at ease.
    Why couldn’t she relax around him then?
    One of the reasons, it had to be said, was his unfailing kindness. She still didn’t understand why he would be so nice to them all without getting anything in return. She still wasn’t sure if she genuinely trusted his altruism, but she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for the time being, to wait and see what happened next…
    The other reason why Ciaran couldn’t relax was because she couldn’t forget how it had felt to be with Duncan.  She got a strange ache deep inside just from looking at the man.  They had been traveling together for a few days now, and he hadn’t broken his word. He hadn’t tried to have her again.  Ciaran still caught him staring at her hungrily every now and then, but he didn’t act on the lusty desires she could see reflected in his eyes.  The first time might have been nothing more than a fluke… but what if it hadn’t been?  Simply recalling the powerful movement of his body made Ciaran want to test Duncan, just to see if it had really been as good as her memory told her.  She didn’t have a clue how to do that without throwing herself at him again though, and the way things had ended last time didn’t exactly encourage her to try again.
    “Ma!  I want to go with Mister Duncan and Avery and Ryan!” Aidan whined, looking longingly in the direction that the others had gone some hours ago.
    Ciaran looked up from the supper she was fixing over the fire.  She smiled at her son in as consoling a manner as she could muster.  To be honest, she didn’t like the thought of any of her children playing with guns, but she knew it was necessary.
    “You’re too little, sweetheart,” she said gently.  “Mister MacRae’s rifle is bigger tha n you are!”
    “But I’m as brave as Avery and Ryan!  And Mister Duncan likes me best,” Aidan pouted.
    “Hey, you’re not meant to tell people I have a favorite, lad,” Duncan chuckled, appearing with the boys, and ruffling Aidan’s hair affectionately.  Ciaran’s heart squeezed painfully as she watched the tender, artless gesture.  He would make such a wonderful father .  “And besides,” Duncan continued, winking, “I had to leave you and Liam to look after your ma and sister.”
    “Oh,” Aidan nodded, his eyes grew wide, and then he beamed happily.  “We did a good job!” he said eagerly.
    “Aye, you certainly did,” Duncan laughed.  Ciaran’s toes curled as her skin prickled with awareness.  It was so attractive, the way he handled the children. 
    Sean had never behaved so easily with any of the boys- not even on his good days- and they had been his sons.  It was wonderful to see Duncan patiently try to win them around, restoring their trust in people.  He had already gone a long way with Aidan.  Without really thinking about it, Ciaran smiled up at him over the top of the little boy’s head, and blushed when Duncan smiled