the soldier repeated his question when johanna didn't immediately answer him. she couldn't think of a logical reason to give the inquisitive man. and so she gave him an illogical one. "because my mama's coming. that is why."

lindsay nodded, then turned to repeat her explanation to the macbain soldier seated next to him. "her mama's coming. m'lady wants everything to be just so."

the macbain soldier nodded. "aye, she does," he agreed.

johanna turned her attention to the table so the men wouldn't see her smile. she wanted to laugh over lindsay's na