Page 36 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
“I’d like that.” Hunter let out a yawn. “I’ve practiced shootin’ arrows a few times with me braither, but I’m nae very good at it…”
“Ye’ll learn in time,” Leana assured.
Hunter nodded. “Aye. Me braither even made a special bow for me. To make it easier for me to maneuver.”
“He loves ye very much,” Leana noted as she ruffled his hair.
The boy nodded again and let out another yawn. “Aye, he does…” But then his eyes narrowed. “Do ye have anyone like that? I mean a son, for example, for whom ye make toys.”
“Nay.” Leana chuckled. “The only ones I scold and spoil are me sisters.”
“That’s too bad. Ye’d make a good maither. Maybe someday.”
“Thank ye. But that’s a long way off.” Leana tucked the covers tighter around him. “For now, me only concern is ye and yer recovery, so I will ask the maids to prepare ye more of the brew and also some milk with honey. And some broth. Ye must drink plenty of fluids.”
“All right,” Hunter murmured, half asleep. “Thank ye for takin’ such good care of me, Miss Healer.”
“Me pleasure,” Leana replied, getting up and heading for the door.
But before she could leave, Hunter spoke.
“Ye ken, if ye stay, me braither could teach ye archery. He’s a good teacher. Then ye could surprise yer sister.”
“I daenae ken. I doubt Kenneth is a good teacher,” Leana said.
Hunter looked at her curiously. “Why do ye doubt it?”
“Because in order to teach anything, ye have to learn how to communicate.”
Her words made Hunter laugh, and she laughed too, relieved to be able to joke with someone in the castle.
The only thing she hadn’t expected was the laughter on the other side of the door.
The one that revealed that someone had been listening in on their conversation all along.
CHAPTER 13
Leana is right,at least in part. I suppose I can give her that much, at least.
The chuckle he had been holding back finally slipped past his lips. It was a strange thing, because he usually didn’t laugh much, least of all at the jokes others made at his expense.
Most avoided speaking ill of the Laird, and if they did, they made sure it was somewhere he could not hear them.
But again, the healer seemed to lack all modesty. She spoke her mind openly and confidently, expressing her opinion about him freely.
Under different circumstances, her joke would have made Kenneth uncomfortable. But after everything that had happened that morning, he was beginning to feel a little lighter. Especially since his brother was laughing too. Not only that, but it was clear that he was starting to feel better, if only a little.
And that filled Kenneth with relief. He couldn’t help but admit that Leana, though stubborn and obstinate in her methods, knew exactly what she was doing.
I should stop spyin’ on her. She’s done enough to prove that she kens what she’s doin’.
But of course, he couldn’t help but follow her, like a moth to a flame. Even though it had nothing to do with his brother—although he wouldn’t admit that to himself.
That and the fact that he couldn’t look away from her.
At that moment, Leana’s cheeks flushed red with pent-up anger. Her expression darkened, and her fists were clenched.
Kenneth knew that his presence, and especially his intrusion, had annoyed her. But contrary to what he had expected, that fact amused him even more.
