Part 38 (1/2)
”I'm a b.a.s.t.a.r.d,” the boy said, his voice laced with anger. ”Me father didn't want me mother.”
Braden winced as if the lad had struck him. ”Maybe he did.”
The boy shook his head. ”Me mother said he loved other women, that he didn't want just her.”
Braden closed his eyes as the words tore through him. He had never meant for a child to suffer for his actions. Oh, G.o.d, how could he make it up to the little fellow?
Somehow, he would. If it took the rest of his life, he would make sure this lad knew his father loved him, and that he would protect him.
Suddenly Braden heard a familiar tune from outside. And in an instant he knew the sweet sound of Maggie's voice.
Braden went cold. This wasn't good. Not good at all!
He had to hide the lad! Quickly. There was no telling what Maggie might do if she saw him.
Over and over, he recalled his mother's reaction to Sin. The scorn on her face.
He hadn't been able to protect the lad before, but he would protect him now.
He would explain it to Maggie once he'd arranged things so that the boy couldn't be hurt by her reaction.
”Connor,” Braden said, placing a gentle hand on his thin shoulder. ”Would you like to play a game?”
The boy's face lit up. ”Aye!”
”This is called hiding. You find a place and stay there until I find you.”
The boy looked skeptical.
Braden nudged him toward the back of the stable. ”Go on and hide. I'll coyer my eyes. Hurry.”
The boy scampered off.
Braden heard him climb the ladder to the loft at the same moment the door opened and Maggie entered.
Braden swallowed as sweat beaded on his forehead.
She carried a large basket in her hands as she looked about the stalls. She froze the instant she saw him.
”Braden,” she said coldly. ”I didn't expect to see you here.”
He swallowed as guilt and pain consumed him. He didn't want to hurt her any more than he wanted to hurt Connor.
Oh, but he had gotten himself into one fine mess. He just hoped he didn't lose Maggie over this.
”We need to talk,” he said simply.
”Why?” she asked. ”All has been said. I told you I would never ask anything of you. I meant it. Now, if you'll excuse me...”
He caught her arm as she started past him. ”I'm not about to let you go home on your own.”
She looked at him as if he were daft. ”Think you I'm mad? I wouldn't dream of it.”
”Then what are you doing here?”
” 'Tis no concern of yours.” Then her eyes softened. She reached out and touched his arm. ”I thought you needed to see to Sin.”
”He's conscious now, but I wanted to see you.”
”Why?”
Braden took the basket from her hands and set it on the ground. Taking her hand, he led her to the door.
”Braden, I-”
”Shhh,” he said, cutting her off. ”I need to speak with you, alone.”
She looked about the empty stable. ”Are we not alone?”
Braden glanced to the loft. He didn't want to chance Connor hearing whatever reaction Maggie might have to him.
”I would feel better if we were outside.”
”Very well.”
Braden led her just outside the door, to stand beside a large oak. ”Maggie, I...” His voice trailed off.
For the first time in his life, he didn't know how to talk to her.
Should he just blurt out,Maggie, I want to marry you, and while you're considering that, let me tell you about my illegitimate son ?
Nay, that wouldn't work.
Maggie, I love you. Would you mind taking care of my...
No wonder his father had withheld the news about Sin from his mother. This was a lot harder than he thought.
Maggie knew he'd never been a saint, but thinking him a lewdster and being presented with the evidence of his indiscretions were two entirely different things.
He just didn't want to lose her.
”Maggie,” he began, speaking her name slowly. ”I have some things I need to tell you, and I'm rather sure I'm going to make a mess of this. But could you please give me time to stumble through it?”
She nodded.
Braden took a deep breath. He didn't know an easy way to say what was in his heart, so he just blurted it out. ”I love you and I want to marry you.”
The shock on her face was almost comical. Her hands began trembling almost as soon as the words were out.
”Braden, I don't know what to say.”