In the lingering light of a summer evening, the MacDonell lads arrived to see Callum. They brought armloads of food, which was their habit. For Mari, they brought the surprise of a new shift, jacket, collar, and petticoats.
When she tried to refuse them, Alex said, “You were looking a wee bit tattered there, lassie.”
Charlie added with a wince, “We could not take any more of it, dearie, as we were the ones forced to look at you!”
Feigning offense, Mari said, “Oh, I see! Well, all right then. If I must, I’ll accept these—but only to spare the likes of you sorry lot.” She looked up into his mischievous eyes with a smile as she took the parcels of clothes and started toward the bedroom.
Hughie called after her, “It had nothing to do with two shop girls they followed—or with needing an exc
