Page 56 of A Healer for the Ruthless Highlander
Without a second thought, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him back, trying to stop him from destroying the room. And as absurd as it might seem, it worked.
Someone else might have been afraid, might have wanted to run away, but not her. She hugged him as if her life—both of their lives—depended on it.
Even in the throes of his madness, Kenneth could only admire the courage of this beautiful woman.
Amid Leana’s pleas for him to calm down and his outburst, a third voice sounded in the room. Fragile and small, it managed to calm them both.
“He’s nae tryin’ to kill me. He loves me,” Hunter whispered as he entered the surgery.
He was carrying a wooden sculpture in his hands. Small and meticulously carved. It took Kenneth less than a second to recognize the piece as everything started to fall into place.
His heart pounded, especially when he saw the pain on his brother’s face. For a moment, memories flashed through his mind. Memories of his father carving a similar piece by the fire while he ordered the death of his youngest son in a cold voice.
For a moment, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. Bile rose in his throat, and fire spread through his veins.
“Who’s he?” Kenneth demanded, taking a step toward his younger brother.
But Leana stopped him. Her hand clasped his wrist tightly as she gave him a pleading look. As if she wanted to warn him that the subject could affect Hunter and must be broached with care.
Slowly, she released him and approached the boy. “It’s all right, dear. Ye can tell us the truth,” she said.
Hunter, whose eyes were fixed on the statuette in his hands, nodded once.
“Leana is tellin’ the truth. Ye can tell me what’s goin’ on, Hunter,” Kenneth urged, trying to slow his breathing.
Frightened, the boy looked up at him. “But… but are ye goin’ to hurt him?” he whispered.
“Nay,” Leana hastened to answer before Kenneth could. “We’re nae goin’ to hurt anyone ye love, Hunter. We just want to find out more so we can help ye get better.”
Unless that person is hurtin’ ye. In that case, I will make them pay dearly for their misdeeds.
Kenneth took a deep, calming breath before he added, “I’m only askin’ because I love ye. I daenae want anyone to hurt ye, Hunter.”
Without turning away from Hunter, Leana pulled a chair over to him and asked him to sit. Of course, she made sure that his back was turned to the angry mess Kenneth had made.
Kenneth was deeply touched and grateful as he witnessed the sweet and considerate way she treated the child. He was glad,more than words could ever convey, that he had decided to take Leana to the castle—even by force.
He wasn’t particularly proud of the measures he had to take, but he was grateful that she was willing to help his little brother.
Controlling his temper, knowing that his brother would not speak unless he felt safe, Kenneth approached them both. And together with Leana, he tried to find out what was affecting him.
“Hunter, ye have to tell me the truth. Have ye been sneakin’ out at night?”
“Sometimes…” Hunter confessed.
Kenneth almost exploded again, held back only by Leana’s staying hand. His anger was tempered only by the fact that his brother wouldn’t tell him the reason for his actions if he got upset. So, he held back, focusing his attention on the healer, who seemed far more capable of controlling the situation.
“Ye go to the coast at night, daenae ye?”
Hunter nodded. “I do sometimes, aye… But the sea doesnae affect me, I told ye that. I feel better when I go to the beach.”
“Is it because of the sea holly?” Leana asked. “Do ye go to the coast to buy candy or to look for flowers?”
“Nay, I daenae buy the candy.” Hunter let out a small laugh. “He brings it to me sometimes. He gives it to me.”
“He… Ye mean, the person ye visit,” Leana whispered.
Hunter nodded.
