"Still, one of us must decide who is to do what," said Prescot. "Which will you choose?"
"How can I choose between two such fine lads?" Hannish put a spoon full of beans on his plate. "Allow me to think about it for a day or two."
"And the cooks?" Jessie asked.
"By my count, we are nearly twenty to cook for, or will be when my wife arrives. The canning for winter must be done, and 'tis far too much for any good woman to do alone. Perhaps, we might have a morning and an evening cook. The morning cook might do the baking and the evening cook might make our mid-meal. I trust the two of you can talk it over and strike a good bargain." It was not a request, but a command and he was glad to hear no argument from either Jessie or Halen.
They finished serving themselves and ate in silence for a while before Hannish spoke again, "Heretofore, no one is to give my sister twenty pounds." Everyone stared at him until, as he hoped, McKenna finally had something to say about that.
"He means, he wishes you to help him keep me from getting my hands on the money. I have only come to collect the twenty pounds sterling he borrowed, and once I get it, I intend to go back to Scotland."
Sassy's eyes grew large and her voice began to rise. "Back to Scotland? Back across all that water? Miss McKenna, you've plumb lost your wits!" When she realized everyone was laughing at her, she became suddenly shy. She slumped, leaned her head against McKenna's arm, and looked up pleadingly. "You'll not truly make me go, will you?"
McKenna patted the young girl's hand. "I'll not truly be going either, but let's don't tell him, shall we?"
Appeased, Sassy's shyness instantly disappeared. She sat up straight again, and went back to enjoying her meal.
Hannish took a few more bites before he said, "We should get to know each other better. Dugan, you begin; why did you choose to come to America?"
Dugan carefully set his sterling silver fork on his bone china plate and folded his hands in his lap. Cousin Egan and I both wished to come, so we drew sticks and I won."
"Drew sticks?" Hannish asked; his brow wrinkled. "Why did you not both come? I arranged for twenty and only eight of you came?" He watched Dugan bow his head and it appeared the footman needed nudging before he would explain. "Dugan?"
McKenna drew in a long breath. "Olivia would not let them all come."