Page 80 of The Cruel Highlander's Bride
“What do ye mean?”
“If we take him back to the castle with us, he may never integrate back into the wild. I’m tryin’ to see if I can find somethin’ to splint the wing, and I’m also looking for its nest.”
“Oh… that’s smart.”
“Ye sound surprised,” he noted with a chuckle.
Ciara giggled. “Nae surprised…”
“Help me look for a thin piece of wood,” he said, shaking his head.
The two of them searched the surrounding area.
“Magnus,” Ciara called quietly, waving him over to where she stood on the banks of the loch. “Look,” she said, pointing to a nest hidden among the reeds surrounding the water.
The Laird peered around her to see what she had seen. A few large eggs sat in the abandoned nest of twigs, leaves, and feathers.
“Guess we shouldnae have assumed it was a he,” she murmured.
“Aye, even more of a reason we cannae take her back with us. The good news is that I found a piece of wood I think will work. I just need to make some adjustments with me knife.”
“When the wing heals, how will she get out of the splint?”
“If the wing is strong enough, she might be able to break out of it. I’m only goin’ to use some twine. But I’m thinkin’ we come back out in a few weeks anyway and see how they are all doin’,” Magnus replied seriously as he started whittling the piece of wood he’d found.
“Where do ye think the faither is?”
“I dinnae ken. He might be out huntin’ for food…” he trailed off in a way that suggested that wasn’t really what he thought happened.
Ciara appreciated the effort and chose to accept his explanation.
The Laird worked in silence for a few moments, and it gave her the chance to study him. His focus was absolute on his task, determination pouring out of him.
That nurturing side of him that she’d first seen in the village with the young boy was evident once again, and it sent another pang of longing through her. Magnus was always taking care of things, of the clan, of his family, and apparently injured wild animals made that list.
Could she count herself among the lucky ones?
She watched as his capable hands whittled the wood, so in awe of him these last few days. His large fingers worked carefully with the knife and the small piece of wood, shaping it in the way he wanted.
“How did ye learn to do this?” she asked.
Magnus shrugged. “I didnae really. I’ve always loved animals and always tried to help them when I was younger. Probably did more damage at first,” he said with a self-deprecating laugh. “But after a while, what I was doin’ seemed to help.”
“Ye continue to surprise me,” Ciara said quietly, and his hands paused.
His shifted gaze to her, and he swallowed thickly when their eyes met. She gave him a tentative smile, but he broke their eye contact and cleared his throat.
“This should be ready,” he said quietly, gesturing to the makeshift splint in his hands.
With a nod, she followed him back to where they had found the injured bird. The bird was quiet at first, until Magnus gestured for Ciara to hold it still. As gently as she could, she held the bird around its middle even as it squawked and tried to wriggle out of her hold.
Just as gently, Magnus worked quickly to affix the splint to the bird’s injured wing.
“There,” he said when it was all done.
“Will she be able to fly with that on?”
“Nay,” he replied, “it will just stabilize her wing, so it can heal better.” He then gently took the bird in his hands and carried it back to the nest.
