Page 49 of Desiring the Highland Laird
“This woman…this looks like my sister, Chloe.” She traced the woman’s face with the tip of her finger. “What do you think it means?”
“I couldna say.”
“I need to think on this some more,” she said, her voice a rough whisper.
“Aye,” he agreed. He reached for her hand, taking it in his once again. “Come, lass. Let’s carry on with our day.”
She nodded agreement as they turned away and exited the bedchamber. He paused to turn to her, slipping the cloak from her hand and wrapping it around her, closing it tight at the throat. Her heart was a wild beat in her chest. He gave her a winsome smile as though proud of his handiwork, then took her hand again and headed out of the keep into the yard.
“But…what about you?” she asked.
“Och, I’m fine, lass.”
He didn’t even seem to notice the cool wind breezing through the bailey. He showed her the stables and the four horses. She patted each of their noses while they snorted their greeting. One gray mare in particular caught her eye. She stood at the stall, patting her nose and crooning to her in a soft voice she didn’t even know she possessed.
“Do ye like the mare?” he asked, a smile in his voice.
“She’s beautiful,” she said.
“She’s a gentle creature. She was my sister’s before she passed.”
“Oh.” Evie pulled her hand away and stepped back, as if she had crossed some type of boundary that shouldn’t have been crossed. “I’m sorry. I—”
“Go on,” he said in an encouraging tone.
She glanced in his direction to see him give her a nod of approval. The horse nudged her as if to say she wanted more nose pets. Evie giggled and went back to stroking her nose, getting closer. The horse nuzzled her hand.
“She’s looking for treats,” he said. He produced an apple and handed it to her.
Evie took it and fed it to the mare who seemed to enjoy the sweet treat. “What’s her name?”
“Name?”
“You don’t name your horses?” she asked. “When I was growing up, I had a friend who was crazy about horses. Her parents had a ranch outside of town. She named them all.”
Evie had forgotten about her friend who lived in the small town that was close enough to the big city to allow them to go to school together. She hadn’t thought of her in years.
“She doesna have a name.”
“Then I should name her,” Evie said. “Unless you think that’s absurd.”
Amusement creased his face. “Aye, then, name her.”
Evie turned back to the mare, letting her nuzzle her again and chortle. “She’s like the gray mist on a foggy morning. That’s what I’ll name her. Gray Mist. But Mist for short.”
“Would ye like to ride her?”
That stopped her cold. She hadn’t any idea how to ride a horse. She shook her head. “Oh, I don’t think so.”
Callum chuckled. “She’s a good mount. If ye wish to ride, I can have her saddled and ready. We can ride out to the place I found ye sleeping when ye fell.”
That caught her attention. “Truly?”
“O’course.” He waved to the stable hand to get his attention. A moment later, the boy bustled up. “Saddle the horses, lad. We’re going riding. This one for the lady.”
“Aye, my lord.” He scurried off to do his bidding.
“Are you sure I can ride?” she asked, skeptical.
