Page 29 of Wolf Pack

“They do. Drummond wants to handle the dogs.”

“Will he be allowed to?” Isobel figured someone Alasdair had trained would be the one to do that.

“Aye. We start them out young and Drummond has a real gift with the animals already.”

“About the men who came to speak with Alasdair, what was that all about?” She wanted to learn if Alasdair’s brother knew anything further or would tell her more than Alasdair had done.

“Their parents died in a Viking raid. You can imagine how they feel about them,” Hans said.

Isobel took a deep breath. “I understand.” She was just glad Elene had accepted Isobel and her cousins’ friendship after what had happened to her and her family.

An older man, about her uncle’s age, was arguing with a younger man, stealing Isobel’s attention. “I can do my work.”

“Your leg is broken, Dawy. You canna manage. Others have had to help you with your animals and crops. Agnes can’t handle all the work on her own. Stay here with us until your leg is fully mended.”

“Nay,” Agnes pleaded. “We can do it.”

“Someone else will manage your croft until you can work again.”

“Nay,” Agnes said, shaking her head.

When Drummond finished helping Libby milk the cow, they went to pet a goat and a boy about Drummond’s age came up to him and shouted at them, “You are murderers! You shouldna be here!” The redheaded boy shoved Drummond down on the ground.

Drummond was instantly on his feet and tackled the boy to the ground.

Isobel ran to stop them, knowing Drummond could hurt the other boy in retaliation. If anyone had done that to him back home, he would have to react or be seen as weak and unworthy of being part of the clan.

Before she could separate the boys, Alasdair was there, grabbing each of the boy’s arms and pulling them apart. They were still trying to get to each other, Drummond kicking and trying to strike the other lad with his free fist. Likewise, the redheaded boy was trying to kick back, but he had a black eye and a bloodied nose.

Good for Drummond. Even though they had to try and live with the Scots, they had to also show they wouldn’t be mistreated or bullied for their heritage. They would work side by side with them or leave and find somewhere else to live.

A red-bearded man hurried to grab hold of the boy who had started the fight. “Off to muck out the stable, Oran.”

Alasdair looked apologetic and released Drummond’s arm. “I will talk to my people and ensure that no one mistreats you because of your heritage. We’re all wolves and that’s all that matters.”

“I believe Dawy and Agnes could use our help.” Isobel noticed Dawy and Agnes watching them, smiling at the children.

Alasdair’s eyes widened a little.

“If they could put us up, we could stay there until Dawy’s leg has properly healed,” Isobel said.

“No one will bother you here,” Alasdair insisted.

Isobel shook her head. She was determined to prove to his people they could fit in, but maybe easing into meeting them and getting to know them would be better. “This will give us time to get to know your people and prove we’re no’ a threat.”

Alasdair frowned but didn’t object. How could he when Isobel offered to help his people who needed assistance?

“What kind of help would you need?” Isobel asked the crofters.

She suspected they were afraid they would lose their croft to another family more capable of managing it if they had to leave it behind, even for a brief period.

“Milking the cow,” Dawy quickly said, as if he realized the children were already skilled in milking one.

Libby was wearing cow milk on her dress after milking the cow, but both she and Drummond had washed before she had made a mess of herself with the chore, their hair clean and combed.

“They love animals. They took care of the sheep and goats back home. And chickens as well. Conall can do any number of chores, help with the farming, whatever you might need.” Isobel thought that her cousins might feel more comfortable staying with a couple of Scots in a home of their own rather than the castle, where others might believe they got underfoot.

As long as they didn’t overwhelm the couple—at least until Dawy could walk again—Isobel would help them until they didn’t need them.

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