Highlander of My Heart (Mcardle Sisters of Courage 1)

Ruddock joined her in bed and under the blanket, pressing his leg against hers to help keep her warm.

She turned a smile on her husband. “Sometimes I can see John in you, at other times today you seemed a stranger to me. I know not what to make of it.”

“Give us time,” he said, hoping time would be his friend and not his enemy. He took a piece of cheese from the bowl and handed it to her. “You wanted to talk.”

Sorrell took a bite, giving herself time to respond.

Ruddock waited, taking a bite of cheese himself.

“I don’t think I want to talk tonight,” she finally said.

He was relieved. This time with her was pleasant and he didn’t want to ruin it with things he knew would upset her.

“As you wish,” he said.

“I do want to thank you for all you are doing for the clan. The people are relieved that the winter won’t see a shortage of food. And James walks with a lighter step, his burden having been lifted.”

“James treated me well and your clan made no complaints against me. You even offered me a home. Therefore, I return what you so graciously shared,” he said, taking the last of the bread from the bowl and holding it out to her.

Sorrell shook her head, letting him know she didn’t want it, that he was welcome to it.

“A home is important,” she said, thinking of her sisters, James, and even Thaw, the little pup humorous to watch.

“Aye, it is,” he said, “but home to me will always be wherever you are,” Ruddock said and tapped her playfully on the tip of her nose.

The way she narrowed her eyes and gave a slight tilt of her head had him thinking she contemplated a question that might end their pleasant evening. He was grateful for the big yawn that rose up and prevented any words from leaving her mouth.

“You’re tired. You need to sleep,” he said, snatching the near empty bowl off her lap and placing it on the small table beside the bed.

She had hoped to make love again with him, but he was right. She was tired, another yawn proving that as did the slump to her body.

Ruddock eased under the blanket with her and before he could take her in his arms, she snuggled against him. He closed his arms around her and the contentment that filled him overwhelmed him. He couldn’t recall when he had last felt this content and he didn’t ever want to lose it again.

She yawned against his chest, then sighed. “I think my da and mum would be pleased that we spent our wedding night in their bedchamber. They began a happy life here and that holds promise for us. I look forward to more nights in this room with you before we leave for your home.”

At least she had realized they wouldn’t be remaining here, though he didn’t look forward to telling her in the morning that they would be leaving by mid-day.

Chapter 16

Sorrell stretched herself awake and turned to hug her husband only to find herself alone in bed. She sat up to find she wasn’t only alone in bed but the room as well. The light from the lone window was no help in letting her know the hour, since it was a gray day.

Why hadn’t he woken her, there were the day’s chores to see to. He may no longer be doing any, but she still had responsibilities to her clan.

She hurried into her garments and snatched up her boots. She’d stop in her bedchamber to give her face a wash and tie her hair back, for all the good that would do, then find her husband before she saw to the chores.

A bright smile lit her face as she thought how much she had enjoyed sleeping in her husband’s arms. His big body had kept the chill away and his arms had cradled her with comfort. She looked forward to all the nights to come with him.

Her smile and that thought vanished when she entered her room to find Willow and Snow packing her belongings in a chest.

“What are you doing?” Sorrell demanded.

“Oh dear, he hasn’t told you yet,” Snow said and Thaw gave a yelp from where he lay in the center of Sorrell’s bed.

“Told me what?” Sorrell asked and didn’t care for the sadness she saw in Willow’s eyes or the way she hesitated to respond.

“You leave today,” Willow said.

Sorrell pursed her lips, narrowed her eyes, dropped her boots on the floor, and marched out of the room.

“She’s angry, isn’t she?” Snow asked.

“Beyond angry,” Willow said.

“Should we try to calm her?”

“No, that’s for Ruddock to do now.”

Snow chuckled. “Poor man.”

Sorrell paid no heed to her bare feet as she left the keep, finding no signs of her husband there. She wore no cloak either, the cold air nipping through her garments, but she didn’t care. She was on a mission to find her husband and let him know, most emphatically, that she would not be taking leave of her home today.