Page 71 of Awoken
Remembering Ella’s advice—for her friend was a gifted gardener and had been in charge of Kilbride’s vast vegetable plots—Leanna had worked systematically. She’d started at the southern corner of the garden and worked her way to the north. Beds of woody herbs, such as rosemary, sage, and thyme now grew separate from the leafier plants, such as parsley and mint. Leanna was also growing beds of kale, cabbages, carrots, and onions, and she had just put in a small turnip crop.
Ross had kept her company through most of her work, as he spent days fixing the crumbling wall that encircled the cottage. This morning though, he’d been out with the dogs, moving the sheep to another pasture. He was due back any time now.
Walking along the path, between beds of lavender, Leanna smiled at the feel of the sun bathing her face. It had been a warm start to the summer, and although it could get windy upon the isle of Barra, she loved the wide skies here. Upon Skye you were never far from soaring mountains that always reminded you of how small and insignificant you were. Barra had a more intimate feel.
As she reached the gate, Leanna swung her gaze right and caught sight of a tall, dark-haired figure striding over the hill toward her. Two shepherd dogs ran at his heels—stocky, hairy beasts with long bushy tails. Their names were Moss and Yarrow, a brother and sister of the same litter from a nearby farm. Fortunately for Ross, their former owner had done most of the work training them.
Raising a hand to show that she’d seen him, Leanna walked through the gate to meet her husband.
Her gaze devoured him as he approached.
Black shoulder-length hair blowing in the wind, his skin lightly tanned after their spell of good weather, Ross wore a loose brown léine, unlaced at the neck, and tan braies. These days he carried a crook rather than a claidheamh-mor, and the tension that had once sharpened his handsome features had gone.
Ross’s mouth curved into a wide smile, and Leanna’s belly somersaulted. He still had no idea how devastating his smile could be.
“That stew smells incredible,” he greeted her. “I sniffed it before I crested the last hill.”
“It should be,” Leanna replied with an answering grin, “I’ve been tending it long enough.”
The dogs bounded up then, tongues lolling and tails wagging. They pushed at Leanna’s legs, but she ignored them for a moment, her gaze entirely fixed upon Ross.
Likewise, his attention never left her. Stepping close, he clasped Leanna around the waist and pulled her into his embrace, his mouth covering hers.
When he ended the kiss, they were both breathless.
“Did ye have a good morning?” Leanna asked, trailing her hand down his chest. She could feel the heat of his skin through the léine’s thin material. “I hope the sheep behaved themselves.”
“They’re a scatty bunch,” he replied with a snort, “but Moss and Yarrow know how to handle them.” He glanced down at where the two shepherd dogs were now seated at his side, tails thumping on the ground. He reached down and ruffled the hounds’ ears. “Without their help, I’d be running myself ragged over the hills of Barra.”
Leanna laughed at the image. Sheep were notoriously nervy and foolish creatures that could often test a herder’s patience. She’d thought Ross might find them irritating, but the opposite was true. He was at his happiest when he returned from spending the morning with them.
“How are their fleeces growing?” Leanna asked. She was aware that lamb’s wool was a valuable commodity. They would shear the sheep next spring, and it would hopefully bring them in some extra silver. Until then, they had to gain the supplies they needed by bartering meat and vegetables. Ross still had a little silver left, but they preferred to keep it in reserve, for the long winter ahead.
“It’s decent wool,” Ross replied. “Although a little harsher than the breeds on the mainland … it’s the meat that’ll get us the most coin though.”
Leanna nodded, before she stepped to Ross’s side and linked her arm through his. Together they headed toward the gate. “Speaking of meat … that stew ye can smell is ready now.”
As they stepped into the garden, Ross paused and surveyed his surroundings. “This space is unrecognizable, love,” he said softly. “I can’t believe what ye have achieved in just one moon.”
Leanna flashed him a grin, pleased by the compliment. “I told ye I was resourceful … I’m not some decorative lass, only fit for embroidering and bearing bairns.”
Ross grinned back. “I shouldn’t have doubted ye.” He sobered then, turning to Leanna and taking her hands. Meanwhile the dogs ran ahead before flopping down next to the entrance to the cottage, where Leanna had left them out two large shin bones. “It occurred to me this morning just how isolated our life here is … ye don’t feel lonely, do ye?”
“Sometimes,” Leanna admitted. She liked to be honest with Ross; it wasn’t in her nature to hold back how she felt. “I didn’t really enjoy being a nun … but the thing I miss about Kilbride is the female company.” She cast him a wry look. “Women like to talk while they work … sometimes I find myself chattering to the plants as I garden.”
Ross’s lips quirked at her admission. “Now that we’re settled here, I think it’s time we started to socialize more with the locals. I saw Fergus MacNeil this morning … he and his wife have invited us to supper next week, if ye are keen?”
A smile flowered across Leanna’s face at this suggestion. Fergus MacNeil—a second cousin to the MacNeil chieftain—was the farmer who’d looked after these lands before their arrival. Leanna had met his young wife shortly after they’d moved in. She’d seemed like a sweet, if shy, woman, and Leanna was pleased that she’d extended the hand of friendship to them.
“I’d like that,” she replied. “It’s important that we make ourselves part of the community here.”
Ross’s expression turned serious. “Aye, but we must still be careful.”
“I know ye are wise to keep our real identities secret,” Leanna replied. “But we can’t live like fugitives forever. We have to start trusting folk … once winter comes, we might need their help.”
“Ye are right, mo ghràdh.” Ross favored her with a lopsided smile. “How did I find myself such a wise woman?”
Leanna snorted at his teasing before giving him a playful slap on the arm. “Fortune was shining upon ye indeed, ye rogue.”
Ross stepped close, his expression softening. He reached out and cupped her face with his. “I mean it, love.”
He leaned in, brushing his lips softly over hers. Heat spiraled up from Leanna’s belly. She inhaled the musk of his skin, overlaid with the smell of leather and the oily taint of sheep’s wool. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she leaned into him. The kiss deepened, and Leanna reached out, her hands exploring the solid breadth of his shoulders.
Eventually, she drew back, breaking off the kiss. Once again, his touch left her breathless, wanting. Ross’s eyes had darkened in a look she knew well. One more embrace, and he’d scoop her into his arms and carry her off to bed. And as much as she wanted him to do that, she had an afternoon of chores waiting for her—they both did.
“Come on,” she said softly, taking Ross by the hand. “I don’t want that stew to burn.”
“It can keep,” he growled before he pulled her against him once more. “This can’t.”
The End
