Page 87 of In Search of a Husband
“I do.”
He despised London, now even more so for what it had done to her. He couldn’t fix what had happened, but he wouldn’t allow her to be hurt any longer.
“Come with me then, lass.”
“Where are we going?”
“It’s high time for the caber toss.”
Her hand shot to her throat, tracing the hollow as if she remembered how he had traced his lips over her only hours earlier in such a careful promise.
They weaved their way through the crowd until Gabriel stood on the small make-shift stage Archie had built earlier that week for the dancers.
“Och, it’s time for the next event,” he hollered, cupping his hands around his mouth. “If ye’re wantin’ to join the caber toss, meet in five minutes just beyond the tents.”
A jolt ran through his body as he nodded for Kate to follow. If she was afraid to be with him, then he would marry her, and there would be nothing left to fear. He wouldn’t waste another day if it meant she needed to be his wife.
They both made their way to the others, a large circle already gathered to participate. Gabriel examined the crowd, waving to Lornaand Maisie as Elsie danced around with hand pies, tossing her head back to laugh.
He had missed his sister. She had always been the peacemaker between the two brothers.
“Stand over here,” he advised Kate, moving her to the side. “And after, we can dance if ye’d like.”
“Dance?” She laughed. “Have you hit your head this morning?”
“Might as well have,” he said, his voice whisper soft. “I’m mad for ye, Kate.”
“You can’t expect me to marry you if you win.”
“Why no’?”
She sighed, shaking her head. “You are so stubborn.”
“No’ as much as ye are. I’m no’ going anywhere, Katherine Bancroft, but I’m a busy man. When I win today, marry me. Then ye can kiss me anytime ye wish.”
Kate pursed her lips, laughing again. “I think I like it better when you growl. I’m not sure how to respond when you’re so charming.”
“MacInnes!” someone shouted from the crowd. “Come on, now. Leave the lass alone, and let’s see if ye still have what it takes to win.”
Laughter rippled around him, and he would have laughed if he didn’t feel a gnawing panic in his chest. Time.
He hadn’t the time, and now that he had made up his mind, he needed her to be his wife.
“Good luck, Gabe,” she said quietly.
Gabriel winked at her, then turned, throwing his arms up into the air to excite the crowd.
“Go on,” Archie called from the crowd. “Dinna think ye can even lift it. Ye’ve gone soft since leavin’ Scotland.”
With a careful step, Gabriel appraised the caber, then planted his feet firmly in the ground. Fergus Campbell lifted one end, then slowly walked the caber up to Gabriel. He studied the length, then met Fergus’s grin.
“No’ a wee one.”
“Nae,” Gabriel agreed, resting the weight of the log against his shoulder, and Fergus stepped away.
He blew out a steadying breath, still uncertain if he had the balance right until he bent forward and quickly worked his fingers down the smoother surface of the caber to hoist it up. He squeezed his hands together, popping the caber off the ground, and lifting.
Gabriel grunted, feeling a sharp burn radiate through his arms as he struggled to keep the balance centered. If it leaned too far back or too far forward, he’d lose the caber.
