Page 27 of Cherished By A Highlander

Shade silently admonished herself for letting her thoughts drift to yesterday, though this morning wasn’t much different. As soon as they woke his hands roamed over her intimately, touching her in places she had never touched herself. She didn’t stop him. She didn’t want to. She intended to enjoy what time they had together and regret not a moment of it. She had now, for three days, and she hoped there would be many more days before he had to take his leave.

Her stomach knotted. It did every time she thought of him leaving and her glance went to him stacking wood he had chopped. The entire side of her cottage was nearly stacked with it. He hadn’t said, but she knew he was concerned that she would have enough firewood for when winter set in. She cherished the easy comfort they shared, much like a couple who had been married for years.

Shade shook her head. She could not allow herself to dwell on what could be but rather enjoy what she had here and now. She got busy gathering up the blanket she had thrown over a low branch this morning so it could soak in some fresh air. She had given it a good washing when summer had been ending and the sun was still warm enough to dry it in a day. Now she would air it and the sheets several times before winter set in.

Arms suddenly wrapped around her while Quint’s hands took hold of the blanket and wrapped her in it and drew her cocooned body against him.

“I got you where I want you,” he said and teased her neck with nibbles.

Gooseflesh ran over her, firing a spark in her. “And I thought you preferred me naked.”

He hoisted her up so that her feet didn’t touch the ground and carried her to the cottage. “Which is how we are both going to be shortly beneath this blanket. And don’t think I don’t know that you prefer me naked since it is obvious you cannot resist my body.”

Shade chuckled. “I do love your body and what it does to me.”

He nibbled at her neck again, then whispered, “What does it do to you, Shade?”

Gooseflesh ran over her again, igniting the spark it had flamed. “The most wickedly wonderful things.”

“Good, because I am feeling extremely wicked,” he said and was about to capture her lips in a kiss when he suddenly shoved her behind him, the blanket almost falling to the ground if Shade hadn’t grabbed it.

When Quint’s glance shot to his sword braced against the bench, she realized he sensed or heard someone’s approach. Then as fast as his concern appeared, it vanished.

“Show yourself, Dru,” he called out.

Shade quickly folded the blanket over her arm and was surprised to see a young lad emerge from the woods. As he came closer, she realized she’d been wrong. It wasn’t a lad. It was a lass and a dirty and smelly one at that.

Quint scrunched his nose and shook his head. “Good, Lord, Dru, are you rolling around in that stuff?”

“As often as I can,” Dru said and gave a nod at Shade. “I came to see the healer.”

Shade shoved the folded blanket against Quint’s chest, forcing him to take hold of it and approached Dru. “How may I help you?”

“My arm isn’t healing like it should,” Dru said, sticking her arm in Shade’s face.

Shade did her best not to gag on the foul smell that consumed the young woman or show her worry over the filthy bandage on her arm. “Come into the cottage and I will tend to it.”

“Nay!” Quint said. “She will stink up the cottage.”

“A good washing will take care of that,” Shade said and Dru quickly moved away from her.

“I’m not washing. Men gag at my stink and leave me alone and that’s the way I like it. I’m here for your healing skill. Quint told me that you’re a good healer.”

“Quint is a friend of yours?” Shade asked, curious.

Dru shook her head. “Quint doesn’t have any friends.”

“He does now. I’m Quint’s friend,” Shade said with a smile. “And I am pleased that he considers me a good healer.” She pointed to the bench by the cottage. “Go sit and I’ll have a look at your arm.”

“We will talk when Shade is done with you,” Quint said with a look at Dru that meant it was not a suggestion. He sent a quick glance at Shade as he headed to the cottage door. “I will get your healing pouch and cloths for you.”

She joined Dru on the bench after filling a bucket with water, her stomach turning from the stench that drifted off her.

“So, you befriended Quint,” Dru said as Shade began to remove the soiled bandage from her forearm.

Shade chuckled softly. “We sort of fell into friendship.”

“How do you fall into friendship?”

---