Page 63 of Wedded to the Heartless Highlander
Erica made a mental note to bring it up to Hunter the next time he claimed he didn’t know why his niece was so standoffish toward him.
“This sofaiscomfortable. I can see why ye have fallen asleep here.” Erica patted the soft pelt under them and smiled before tucking into her food.
After they finished their meal, Lily curled up on the sofa with a blanket, her small hand clutching Erica’s sleeve. Erica smiled softly and stroked her hair. The crackling of the fire filled the comfortable silence that fell over them.
“Ye can sleep if ye want,” Erica said softly once she realized that Lily had been struggling to stay awake. “I’ll stay right here with ye.”
Her reassurance was like another blanket that was draped over the little girl.
Lily murmured something incoherent and snuggled closer, her breathing evening out as sleep claimed her.
Erica leaned back, the warmth of the fire and the steady rhythm of Lily’s breaths lulling her into slumber.
She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when she felt herself being lifted. The sensation was gentle but firm, and the faint scent of pine and leather filled her senses.
“Hunter?” she murmured, her voice barely audible.
“Shh,” came his deep, familiar voice. “Go back to sleep.”
Her eyes fluttered open just enough to catch a glimpse of his face. Shadows danced across his strong features, but his expression was unmistakably tender. She tightened her grip on Lily’s small fingers, reluctant to let her go.
“It’s all right,” Hunter said softly. “Calvin’s takin’ her to bed.”
Through her sleepy haze, Erica saw Calvin moving past them, Lily cradled in his strong arms. With a soft sigh, she loosened her grip, though a small whimper escaped the girl’s lips.
Hunter carried her with the same steady strength she had come to rely on, his arms holding her as though she weighed nothing. She wanted to ask him about the patrol, about what had kept him out so late, but her body refused to cooperate.
When they reached her chambers, he laid her down on the bed with an almost reverent precision. Erica stirred slightly, her hand brushing his arm as her eyes opened a crack.
“Stay,” she whispered, her voice thick with sleep.
Hunter hesitated, and for a moment, she thought he might agree. Then, he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
“Sleep well, Erica,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing.
As he straightened and turned to leave, Erica felt a sleepy smile curve her lips. The faint sound of his chuckle warmed her heart as she drifted back into the embrace of sleep, the lingering feel of his kiss a balm to her restless mind.
18
The following morning, Hunter moved quickly through the castle’s dimly lit corridors. The scent of parchment and aged leather greeted him as he entered the library, a space he rarely ventured into but had grown fond of since Lily had come under his care.
Calvin was leaning against the edge of a reading table, his arms crossed and a wry smile tugging at his lips. “Nae yer usual haunt, Me Laird. Lookin’ for a new battle strategy in here?”
Hunter shot him a look, but his lips twitched despite himself. “Nay strategy today. Just a book.”
Calvin arched an eyebrow. “A book? For yerself?”
“For Lily,” Hunter clarified, scanning the shelves with purpose.
His fingers trailed over the spines of weathered tomes until he found the one he’d been looking for. The faded title confirmed it was the right one.
He plucked the book off the shelf, its leather cover wrinkled but intact. It had once belonged to his brother, a beloved distraction during their younger years. He ran a hand over it, his chest tightening with nostalgia.
Calvin observed him silently for a moment before speaking again. “Ye are different with her, ye ken.”
Hunter glanced up, his expression guarded. “With whom?”
“I can see why ye would be confused by that. I meant yer niece,” Calvin said. “And yer wife. Though that one’s a different kind of different, is she nae?”
