By the time Keeley returned to the keep, the sun had already slipped beyond the horizon and cold permeated her bones. She was weary and aching from all the bending and kneeling, but she’d been successful beyond her expectations. The McCabes had an excellent stock of plants and roots, and now her skirt was full as she trudged toward the door.

She shivered and curled her fingers a little tighter into the material of her dress as she clutched the ends so the tiny shoots didn’t fall. Her hands were numb with cold and her teeth had long since stopped chattering. She could barely feel her chin.

She stumbled going up the steps and Cormac caught her elbow to steady her. She mumbled her thanks and continued on, welcoming the warmer air of the interior.

“ ’Tis growing colder,” Gannon said. “It looks like snow this night.”

“It’s looked like snow for two days,” Cormac argued.

“Aye, he’s right. It will snow before the morn,” Keeley said as she mounted the stairs to Alaric’s chamber.

“Thank goodness our stores are full,” Gannon said. “We look to be in for a long winter. It will be nice to not worry where our next meal will come from.”

Keeley paused on the stairs and glanced behind her to where Gannon stood. “What happened here? The keep is in disrepair and you speak of hard times.”

Gannon grimaced. “I spoke out of turn. ’Tis not something I should have spoken freely about. I was merely thinking aloud. My laird would not be pleased that my tongue got away from me.”

Keeley shrugged. “ ’Tis not as if I asked you for battle secrets. I would think I’m entitled to know what I’ve been thrust upon.”

“ ’Tis of no consequence,” Cormac offered from below Gannon. “All is well now that the laird has married Lady McCabe. Our clan thrives again thanks to her. We are blessed to have her.”

Keeley smiled at the obvious affection in his voice. Mairin McCabe was a most fortunate woman for she was dearly loved by not only her husband but her clan as well.

“Is there a reason you dally on the stairs when my brother is sore in need of aid?” Caelen snapped from above.

She turned and cast a baleful look in his direction. “Is there a reason for your surly disposition? I’ve spent the last hours searching your forest for all manner of herbs. I’m tired. I’m hungry. I’ve not slept in days. And yet even I have more manners than you. Think you there is something amiss about that?”