Page 32 of Cherished By A Highlander

Shade asked the question she feared to ask, “Will you return to me?”

“It depends.”

She raised her head. “On what?”

“On things we will discuss another time.” He moved her off his lap, not that he wanted to, but he had to. He had to think, and he couldn’t do that with her on top of him. “I am going to hunt for supper and to make sure Cyril left.” And to make sure no one lurked about, but that he didn’t tell her.

He kissed her, grabbed his cloak and sword, and left without saying another word.

Shade stared at the door a bit baffled. What did he mean it depends? What could his return depend on? With some of her worry abated, she fixed herself a hot brew and sat to spend time with her thoughts.

Three daysand Quint had yet to mention that he would take his leave and while Shade was pleased that he stayed with her, she wondered what was keeping him here. They settled into a comfortable routine, never lacking for talk or laughter or making love. She realized now that it was love she felt for him, and she wished he felt the same, for if he did, he could never leave her. His heart simply wouldn’t let him. She often caught him lookinginto the woods as if he was expecting someone. Or could it be that he was aching to leave?

Shade glanced over her garden. She would be harvesting the last of her plants soon and she expected her mum to arrive any day now with extra plants from her garden to share. She would bring candles as well, her mum and other women making them to share with the surrounding farms.

She picked up the basket she had filled with enough kale and onions to add to a hardy rabbit stew that was already cooking in the cottage and hurried her steps. She stopped abruptly when she came upon Quint speaking with a cleric.

Clerics who came to the Highlands believed healing was their domain and did not take kindly to women healers. It was something her grandmother warned her about and what Brother Emmett had confirmed. So, she approached them with caution, even though she knew Quint would never let anyone harm her.

“How wonderful, the bride is here,” the cleric said with a warm smile.

Shade stared at the man, average in height and his brown robe too large for his slim frame, his rope belt proving a necessity, while wondering if she had heard him correctly.

“A moment, Brother Peter,” Quint said.

“A hot brew would be good while I wait,” Brother Peter said, smiling and rubbing his hands together as if he could use the warmth.

“I will get that for you,” Shade said.

“Bless you,” Brother Peter said and went to sit on the bench under the oak tree.

Shade hurried into the cottage and heard Quint follow her. She turned on him as soon as he closed the door. “Did I hear him say bride?”

“Aye you did,” Quint confirmed.

Shade remained silent, waiting for him to explain.

“I need to know you are safe when I am gone, and you will be safer with everyone knowing you have a husband.”

“You want to wed me to keep me safe?” she asked, stunned by his unexpected proposal and not sure how to feel about it. Did she accept his offer for what it was… sensible? Or did she refuse because she preferred that he wed her out of love? And what did wedding him mean for her? Would he make his home with her or come and go as he pleased?

“Aye, that and because we get along well, and you make no demands of me.”

She chuckled at that. “It is a wife’s duty to make demands of her husband.”

Quint smiled. “So, you will make demands of me when I become your husband?”

Shade kept a smile on her face, but she feared her eyes betrayed her worry. “Will you truly be a husband to me?”

Quint’s smile faded and his brow scrunched as he reached out and drew her slowly against him. “No matter what, I will always be a true and good husband to you.”

She lifted her chin. “Since I expect honesty in a marriage, I want you aware of the possibility that I may not be able to give you children since I am older than most women who give birth.”

“It matters not to me.”

“You say that but?—”

Quint took hold of her chin. “You are all I need, Shade.”

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