Page 53 of A Highland Bride Taken
“Thank ye, miss,” the boys chorused in their high-pitched voices.
“Thank ye, miss,” Campbell echoed, his deep voice laced with gratitude. “I am happy to ken that the boys are doing well under yer instruction.”
Talia nodded, looking strangely afraid, her eyes darting around like a caged bird looking for an easy escape. Not surprisingly, her next words reflected her desperation to escape.
“I would like to take me leave now, Me Laird, Me Lady.”
At Campbell’s nod, she scampered away as fast as she could without running.
While her behavior was odd, Mabel was aware that her husband, with his huge build and intimidating presence, inspired fear in most people. It was possible that Talia was one of those people who were easily scared. She could not fault her for that.
Her attention was drawn back to the boys when Connor asked that they have a picnic.
“I am sorry, lad, but we cannae go outside. It just started raining. It isnae good to get drenched; ye might catch a cold,” Campbell told him quietly.
Mabel looked out the window, and sure enough, the rain was falling, thunder and lightning accompanying it. It was promising to be a heavy downpour. There was definitely no hope for a family picnic today.
“What do we do, then?” Ollie asked, a sad look in his eyes that pulled at her heartstrings.
“The rain willnae stop us from playing our usual games. To celebrate yer achievements today, I propose we play a game.”
“What game?” Connor asked, his brow furrowed with curiosity
“It is called hide-and-seek. We all hide, and the seeker looks everywhere for us. If ye are caught, ye would have to forfeit a wish as a penalty.”
“I dinnae have anything to give,” Mabel spoke up.
“Well, perhaps ye shouldnae allow yerself to be caught then,” Campbell joked.
Turning to the boys, he declared the game open, but not before warning them to avoid dangerous places, like the stove. Soon, they all dispersed to hide, while Connor stood behind the wall, counting backward from twenty.
“Here I come,” he called loudly, starting the search for them, all the while laughing in excitement.
Mabel smiled at the sound, then it turned into a chuckle when she heard a giggle somewhere in the distance.
The boys definitely made the game too easy. They would have been caught if they had played with adults, but since they were having the time of their lives, it did not matter. She wanted the boys to always be this happy, and now that they have warmed up to their uncle, there was hope that her wish might come true.
Just then, the door to the closet she was hiding in opened, and Campbell slipped his bulky form in, lifting a single finger to his mouth to indicate that she keep quiet, his eyes dancing with merriment.
Gone now was the grumpy man she remembered meeting when she had first come here. Now, he was happier, more open, and there was little evidence of the shadows that usually clouded his eyes.
Frankly, she preferred this version of him; she was willing to do anything to make sure it stayed around. This version was definitely more attractive, and his sheer magnetism was becoming more evident as he sat next to her on the floor. His intoxicating scent filled her senses. Sandalwood mixed with something else that had her feeling dizzy.
She was only too aware of his large body, so very close to her, and she was only too aware that she just had to shift a little bit and their bodies would touch. She could even kiss him.
She was so busy imagining how good it would feel to have Campbell touch her again that she almost did not notice when someone else came into the room.
Campbell tensed beside her, and he turned towards her in the dim light, gesturing for her to remain quiet while simultaneously scooting closer, as if it would conceal him better. It was a funny childish instinct that brought a smile to her lips.
She watched as Connor looked around the room, his brow creasing with confusion when he couldn’t see them. Since they were concealed by a coat hanger already piled with old coats, they were not easy to detect.
After looking around for some time, Connor decided that they were not in the room and left. They heaved sighs of relief as soon as the door closed behind him. The feeling was silly; one would have thought that they were being chased by enemy soldiers.
When Mabel turned to Campbell to share her thoughts, she found him staring at her, the smoldering heat in his eyes nothing to compare with her heated fantasy earlier.
While trying to avoid being caught by Connor, they had unconsciously moved close to each other. So close that she was practically sitting in her husband’s lap. And now his face was so close to hers that if he only moved an inch, their lips would touch.
Even realizing how close they were to temptation, Mabel could not tear her eyes away from his lips, remembering all too vividly how good it felt to kiss him, the sheer excitement and exhilaration of it. She wanted to feel it again.
