Page 51 of My Highland Fling
“I’ll sit with her,” Tilly said once the doctor left.“You can watch her later after you’ve rested.You and your friends will want to sleep.”
Saber entered the room.“We’re flying home tomorrow.Would you and Gabrielle like to come with us?”
Tilly stared at Saber, her eyes wider than Ramsay had ever seen.“Go to New Zealand?To live?”
“Come for a visit.At the very least, it will keep Gabrielle away from her parents.We can’t risk them snatching her again.”Saber smiled, but it held an edge Ramsay rarely saw in the community leader.“I can’t abide men who abuse women.I want to kill that brute again, and Gabrielle’s parents are no better.”
“Do you think I frightened her?”Ramsay said.
“You?”Tilly snorted in disbelief.“I doubt it.She has fallen for you in a big way.I’ve never seen her so happy.”
Ramsay swallowed hard and glanced to Saber for guidance.
Saber came to his rescue.“Tilly, we’re not ordinary people.All of us are feline shifters, apart from Henry.He’s a wolf.Gabrielle saw Ramsay shift before she fainted.”
Tilly smiled wide, her eyes as big as her toothy grin.“You’re teasing me.”
“No,” Saber said.
“No,” Ramsay reiterated.
Tilly stood and planted her hands on her ample hips.She lifted her head, her gaze full of challenge.“You need to prove it because seeing is believing.”
Chapter 24
Ramsay’s Secret
Gabrielle’sheadthumped,andher back stung as if it were on fire.She struggled to open her eyes, and a groan escaped despite her attempted silence.
“Gabrielle, kitten.”
That voice.She recognized him.This time, she opened her eyes.
“Kitten, how do you feel?Would you like a drink of water?”
Bathroom.“Ramsay,” she croaked and struggled from the bed.He seemed to understand and helped her to the en suite.He was waiting when she emerged and led her back to the bed.She sat, not ready to sleep again.
The last thing she remembered was stabbing Adrik with her fork.She vaguely recalled doing it more than once, determined not to let him hurt her ever again.After that, she recollected nothing.No, wait!
“You were there,” she said, her brow crinkling.“You were at my h-husband’s house.There was shooting and…and…” Her gaze darted to his green one, shock catapulting through her.“I saw a leopard then you were there.Naked.You were naked.”
Ramsay’s warm hand curled around her cold one.His expression didn’t change, and he remained silent, neither denying her words nor telling her a hit on the head had addled her brain.
“Was… Did that happen?”She licked her lips, her heart beating too fast.
“Were you frightened?”Ramsay asked.
“No.At least, I don’t think so.My memory is a little hazy.What happened?”
“First, how is your head?Do you have a headache?Feel nauseous?”
Gabrielle tried a cautious stretch and winced.“My back hurts.”
“Someone beat you.Your husband?”
She gave a jerky nod.
“You don’t have to worry about him ever again.He can no longer hurt you.”
