Hearts In The Highlands

Harry’s chest puffed out. “That’s easy.”

“We’ll see. Now, let’s wait for your sister and then when I say ‘go,’ run with all your speed. Watch that you don’t cheat by cutting the corners or you’ll be disqualified.”

As Miss Norton crossed the street and approached them, holding his niece by the hand, he smiled. “I thought you could use some reinforcements.”

“Indeed, thank you.” She shaded her eyes and looked across the large, tree-studded square. “Are you sure it’s not too far for the children?”

“They needn’t complete the course. I’m only hoping to rid them of some of their excess energy.”

“Yes, I see.” Her eyes twinkled, and he noticed again how exactly her eye and hair color matched, a rich, caramel color like the toffees he used to enjoy as a boy.

He cleared his throat and turned his attention back to the boys. “All right, on your mark.” They lined up at the spot he indicated. “Go!”

He jogged alongside them, making sure not to overtake them. Lisbeth soon trailed behind and began to cry. By the second corner of the square, he glimpsed Miss Norton, who’d once again taken the girl by the hand and walked along beside her, encouraging her. Harry ran ahead of Timmy by a good lead, but as the older brother rounded the third corner, his foot tripped on a tree root, and he went flying headlong.

Reid ran up to him, the boy’s sobs reaching across the large square. The fall hadn’t looked serious enough to merit the boy’s wails. Reid knelt by him.

His nephew clutched one knee in both hands. “I…th-think it’s br-broken…!”

The trouser leg was torn and the knee scraped. Reid probed the area around it gently, but determined that no further damage had been done. Timmy leaned over his brother, panting heavily. “Does this mean I won the race, Uncle Reid?”

This only made Harry sob the louder. “You didn’t win! That’s not fair! Tell him he didn’t win, Uncle Reid! I was ahead. You saw me!”

Reid smiled at Timmy. “I think it means there’ll be a rematch once your brother’s fully recovered. What do you think, Harry? Does that sound fair?”

He swiped a sleeve across his runny nose. “I would’ve won fair and square if that tree root hadn’t been in my way.” He glared at his younger brother. “I would’ve beat you today, just like I’ll beat you by a furlong anytime we race!”

“I wasn’t the one who fell on my face and then cried like a girl!” Timmy began hopping on one foot and then the other. “Waaa!” he bawled in imitation.

Miss Norton and Lisbeth reached them. Miss Norton knelt on Harry’s other side. “Is he badly hurt?”

“Nothing more than you see. Come on, champ, let’s see if you can stand.” He held out a hand to his nephew. “’Attaboy.”

Harry wiped his nose again. “It hurts something awful, Uncle Reid.”

“Skinned knees always hurt. The trick is not to let on to the ladies.” He winked in their direction. “Come on, let’s show the others what a brave fellow you are.” Draping an arm around the boy’s shoulders, Reid urged his nephew forward. He turned to Miss Norton. “I’ll take him to the kitchen and get him cleaned up if you take charge of the other two.”

“Of course, thank you. Come along, Timmy, Lisbeth.” She took them each by the hand and directed them back to the house.

Timmy resisted. “I don’t want to go back yet.”

She pulled him gently forward. “Your mother might be getting ready to leave.”

Lisbeth tugged on her other hand. “I want to stay outside, too.” Timmy took advantage of Miss Norton’s inattention to break away from her and dart toward the middle of the square.

“Timmy!” The single word stopped the boy in his tracks. Timmy stared round eyed at Reid’s sharp tone. “Take hold of Miss Norton’s hand if you don’t want to feel the palm of mine on your backside.”

Timmy debated for only an instant. He dragged his toes in the dusty path but he didn’t disobey. As soon as he was at Miss Norton’s side, he gave her his hand and put the thumb of the other in his mouth, staring at his uncle as if he’d suddenly sprouted horns.

As they walked toward the house, Reid said to Miss Norton, “Don’t let them forget who’s in charge.”

She gave him a quick look. But she said nothing, only pressed her lips together and looked down at the ground. “Yes, sir.”

Wondering if he’d said something wrong, he walked alongside her and the children in silence to his aunt’s house. He’d been only trying to help. Had he offended Miss Norton in some way?

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