No, not just her child. The risk had been taken. This was his child, and he was totally committed. Which meant that there was no question which direction he would go.

He was not going to lose Jane or the child. He’d handle the consequences of that decision when he had to face them.

He turned and left the library in search of Jane and MacDuff.

He found them talking to a carpenter at the front gate about rigging a temporary structure until MacDuff could arrange for an architect to plan a permanent gate resembling the original.

Jane turned eagerly toward him. “Palik?”

“I reached him. He’s been very busy.”

“Campbell?”

“Who else? No definite info. He said it was yes and no. Yes, he’d been sighted alive and well in Kilgoray. No, he hadn’t tracked him down yet.”

“Damn.”

“But Palik is sharp, and he’ll let me know as soon as he does. He told me it would be soon.”

She made a face. “How soon? I’m scared, Caleb. Do you think we should go to Kilgoray ourselves? Maybe it would make him hurry a bit.”

“Or piss him off because you’re nagging him to do his job. I put a priority on it, Jane.”

“And you’re never impatient, are you?” MacDuff turned away from the carpenter. “Caleb knows what he’s doing…sometimes. And Palik is very efficient. So why don’t you resign yourself to staying here at the Run until you hear from him? You’re close to Kilgoray and can take a boat over whenever he calls you. What do you say?”

She hesitated.

“Not a bad idea.” Caleb stepped in. “You mentioned you had some reading to do, and you’re accustomed to being here.” He glanced at MacDuff. “And you don’t mind if I also invite myself? I could make some calls this evening to contractors with whom I have influence. I hired a lot of work done on my house near Sky Island, and I can pull some strings for you.”

“I really don’t need your help.”

“Sure you do. You’re going to have to bring mega labor from Scotland and England rushing here to do these repairs. They have to be special craftsmen. You might be able to use snob appeal, but I’ve found that people seem to want to do what I ask them to.”

“I wonder why,” MacDuff murmured. “Charm?” He shook his head. “Terror? Ah, by George, I believe I’ve got it.”