Untamed Hearts (A Highland Hearts Novella) (Entangled Edge) by Heather McCollum Page A

all healers did.
    “The dragonfly only runs through the women’s line,” Meg answered.
    “But does he have any mark?” Searc pushed and touched the child’s wrinkled knuckles. “Perhaps with so much magic on both sides, he’s been born with some.”
    “I haven’t seen him glow at all,” Caden said and smiled at his son. “Though he seems rather busy with sleeping and suckling.”
    “He’s a handsome babe,” Will complimented as Searc moved off. “And I’ve seen my share of babes, though none quite this fresh.”
    Meg seemed to study him for a moment, a knowing smile on her lips. “Every time I bring up your name, Will, her heart races,” she said softly.
    He stood there watching the babe’s little fingers wrap around his own.
    “It became a game through my labor,” Meg continued. “Jonet held me. Whenever I mentioned you, her heart would speed up, and her cheeks would pinken. She has strong feelings for you.”
    “Meg,” Caden drew out, as if warning her, but she didn’t seem to care.
    “Those strong feelings might not be good ones,” Will pointed out.
    She smiled. “Oh, I think they aren’t too bad. But you need to talk to her. Don’t ignore her.”
    Ignore? The word resonated in Will, and he glanced around the room until he saw that cascade of dark tresses. She laughed at something Donald was saying. Absolutely breathtaking. Her husband had ignored her. It was just another word for not loving her. Will bowed to the happy new parents.
    He stepped up to the small circle, and Donald switched to English. “Here he is, and as ye can see, quite whole despite trying to protect his horse from a charging boar.”
    “Bloody Bart wouldn’t get out of the way,” Will said.
    “Bart?” Jonet asked.
    “I named our horse Bart after my father, Captain Bartholomew Wyatt.”
    “I thought he was my horse,” Jonet said.
    “You didn’t name him, so I thought he was without a master.” He winked at her.
    “He even knows how to sit him now,” Donald chimed in.
    “Bart will do practically anything for green apples,” Will said. “Except step out of the way of a charging boar.” They all chuckled, and Jonet smiled, a bit of her saucy ease returning. It was a start. The small victory warmed his middle. He leaned against the wall and watched her talk, her pink lips moving. God’s teeth, how he wanted to kiss them again, but he had to be patient. Wooing Jonet was the biggest challenge he’d ever undertaken before. That must be the reason each smile won from her made him feel like cheering.
    Charissa ran toward him, Stephen trailing behind. He scooped her up in a hug. “Can we go?” she asked.
    “Where, little one?”
    “They are building a fire in the bailey and moving part of the celebration out there. I think the children are running amok in here,” Stephen said as if he was quite the adult.
    “Of course, but don’t go out of the castle walls,” Will said and kissed her soundly on the head before depositing her back down.
    Jonet took a step closer and brushed at his shirt. “Ye have tart crumbs all over ye now.” Her fingers whispered along his skin, but the result shot hot through him. Blast, he’d embarrass himself if he didn’t get control. He’d have to start wearing the Highland skirts soon.
    “Thank you,” he murmured and grabbed her hand to tuck it into his arm and started walking. “Why don’t we see what the children are up to outside.”
    Jonet continued beside him with Ann and Donald following. It felt good to have her there. A fire in a stone circle sat off to one side with children poking branches into it. The sun sank lower, and the flames cast dancing shadows on the bailey wall. Breads, rabbit pies, and cups of ale and cider circulated. The pork would need to cook longer, but more than one villager congratulated Will on the prize. Several benches ringed the fire pit, and they sat.
    “I just might have an idea for a meal with the leftover pork,” Will said and grabbed