Page 35 of Married to a Highland Brute

She could feelJonan's gaze on her buthe avoided looking at him.

After a while, the courtyard's center cleared, and a soldier approached Jonan's table and whispered in his ear.

When Jonan stood, she gave in to her curiosity and looked up.

“Sit tight, milady. A competition is about to begin,” Jonan said and walked away.

“Yay,” Leah squealed.

“What’s happening?” she asked the little girl.

“There will be a tug of war!”

Leah was right. The soldiers gathered inthe courtyard asJonan and Callan were named team captains. Nora had never seen an actual tug of war, despite knowing what it was. Both groups would pull a rope between them. The team with the most ground, or rope, won.

“Do they do this often?” Nora asked, not taking her eyes off the men.

“Nae. We do not have feasts like this either. We do not always celebrate.” Her eyes remained glued, much like everyone else’s, to the competition.

Herheart broke for Leah and clenched in sadness as she remembered how lonely she had felt as a child growing up without a mother. Despite the fact that Leah had spoken factually, Nora knew that her mother's death had affected her. Despite her young age, she exuded a mature aura — an old soul, which Nora knew was due to the circumstances.

“Halt!” a loud cry came. Jonan and Callan had five men on each team.

“We will best ye!” Callan shouted and waved his fist.

“All for Callan!” the soldier yelled to the audience. Whistles and cheers rang out from the entire courtyard. The people loved Callan.

“Hurray Callan!” a female voice yelled, and Leah sighed audibly.

Nora turned to her. “What?”

“The ladies always cheer for him!” Nora couldn’t hide her laugh.

“All for Laird McKay!”

Jonan's backers yelled their support, and Nora was surprised that she was relieved that no female voice could be heard.

“You will not cheer for your father?” she asked the girl.

“I cannae cheer for any of them,” she looked at Leah with deep eyes, serious eyes. “I am a fair judge.”

“Fair?” Nora was impressed.

“Aye. There shall be nae cheating.”

Leah appeared to take her role as an impartial umpire very seriously. Nora wondered how frequently she played with kids her own age and wondered if her life as a childwas similar to the girl's.

The men began to remove their shirts, and the murmurs became louder. Many young ladies blushed and turned away, but a few remained fixed on them.

Nora didn't notice anyone else besides Jonan. It took a lot to keep her from gasping when he flung the shirt over his head. The man had the physique of a soldier. His abs were well-defined, and his biceps were pumped. Nora imagined how hardhe'd feelall over. His shoulders were broad and firm, and suddenly the air felt hot.

You must stay focused.

The soldier strung a rope between the two groups. They lost when a team was pulled over for it.

Jonan was the first in line on his team and held the rope tightly between his arms. Callan, on the other hand, appeared to put his shoulders into it. The four men behind him took similar positions.

“Halt!” the soldiers yelled once more. “Ready!”

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