Page 40 of When a Highlander Vows
It was not totally surprising that she was being a bit difficult. But he hoped she’d make it easier on him to do something nice.
“But I hoped ye would allow me today, just this once.” He turned to the side and offered her his arm.
After looking down at it for a few seconds, she took it reluctantly, and he could see a pinched look on her face. “I am nae an invalid, although ye may take me for one.”
He sighed. “Lass, it is nae that. If ye would just come with me for but a moment, ye will see—”
“Because I am perfectly capable. Ye can ask anyone in the Castle, Lucas, and they would tell ye what they have seen me dae. I have learned almost every room and passageway.”
Including the room where ye found me fightin’.
But he did not say that part, knowing it would only add to her current displeasure. He bit his tongue and led her down the stairs.
“Aye, I ken it. I daenae need to ask.”
“How did ye ken what time I was goin’ to wake? Are the servants tellin’ ye when I am ready usually?” She seemed to be in great haste to make sure he knew where he stood, and it was likely due to yesterday’s incident.
When they reached the base of the stairs he turned right, and she frowned. “Where are we goin’?”
“Well, ye ken the Castle so well, I thought ye might be able to tell me.” He smirked at his own joke, while she narrowed her eyes at him.
“Ye are far more teasin’ than ye first seemed to be, ye ken,” she grumbled under her breath, making Lucas chuckle.
“I am a great many things I dinnae ken I was afore I met ye, Sunshine,” he said, and it made her look up at him.
“Daenae call me that,” she said angrily, and then they were just outside of the chapel.
“What are we doin’ here?” she asked, and he shook his head.
“If ye will just bloody follow along, woman, ye will find out.” He opened the door, and when they stepped inside a bit further, Caitlin gasped.
Just as he hoped, everyone was there and ready, and Minister MacMillan stood in the center, wearing his robes, his hands folded reverently in front of him.
“What is this?” she asked, breathless, turning her beautiful eyes to look at him, all anger forgotten.
“It is for a Seamus. A funeral, Lass, so that he will always be remembered.”
Unexpected tears flowed instantly as Lucas spoke.
“A funeral,” she repeated. “For Seamus.”
“Aye, Lass. Just as ye said.”
His eyes were kind and warm, and it made the hollow in her chest ache to be filled. She looked away from him then and back to the group in front of her. Lottie, Sarah, Archie, Paige, and even Rachel and Mary had come.
“I daenae ken what to say,” she said aloud, and Lottie smiled.
“Ye daenae have to say anythin’. Come and stand here, Caitlin.”
She let go of Lucas’ warm and strong arm, greeting Rachel and Mary happily before she found her way to stand next to Lottie. Lucas stood next to her, and she was very grateful to him.
The minister began, and Caitlin let the tears softly fall as she listened to him speak of Seamus, and then pray. With her one hand at her side, the other lifted to her face to wipe away tears, but she froze when she felt Lucas’ hard, callused hand rub against her own. He gripped her hand with his, and surprisingly, she gripped it back.
She did not look at him, though. She feared she would not be able to without falling into his arms, to ask that he hold her steady while waves of grief, joy and love swept through her at the memory of her brother. And in that moment, she realized something.
I am nae alone. I daenae have to be. This could be me new family.
Even after yesterday, her hope had briefly lifted that Lucas might think of her as she did of him, and then after she awoke, she’d realized her foolishness. He was just a teasing man, and even though now, she could see he was a kind man, she didn’t want to care for someone who thought little of her. She tried to harden her heart against him, to fight and rail, but her heart wouldn’t budge. And the feel of his hand in hers made her grief for Seamus just a little bit lighter. There was someone who loved him as she did.
