Page 28 of A Bridge Through Time
"Ye need a name fer yer horse, lass."
"Technically, he's not my horse, I just borrowed him."
"Aye. I ken that, but yer not going to bring him back are ye? So I think ye should name him."
Ashley considered Cailin’s words. It was certainly true; she wouldn’t be returning the horse to Thomas, so it would make sense to give him a name if she intended to continue riding him.At least, until she returned to her own century,she reminded herself firmly. "I'll have to think about it."
***
Cailin started the journey taking them home. He loved holding Ashley in his arms, but he wasn’t sure if he'd make it back to the castle in once piece, not with her backside rubbing up against him in the most pleasurable way imaginable. He hadn't wanted to stop kissing her and would likely have taken it much further if they hadn't been interrupted by the impending storm. Much further than he should. She was a lady, and it was his sworn duty to protect her, even from himself. No matter what his body was telling him, Cailin was determined to treat her with the respect she deserved.
"How about Destiny?" The object of his thoughts suddenly announced.
He was so preoccupied with the discomfort of his painfully tight breeches, that it took almost a minute for Cailin to realize she was talking to him.
"Destiny?" he repeated blankly.
"Yeah, because I think perhaps it was my destiny to be here, on this adventure with you."
"‘Tis a good name," Cailin agreed.
"Then Destiny he'll be from now on." Ashley sighed contentedly and Cailin was equally dismayed and delighted when she nestled back further into his arms.
Cailin knew Ashley was very aware of the effect she was having on him, and it became obvious soon afterwards that the lass had decided to have some fun with it. It began with Ashleyoccasionally wiggling around, resettling herself in the saddle. Cailin would growl deep in his chest every time, and she'd apologize profusely and wiggle again, causing him even more misery.
"Lass, could ye possibly stop with yer wrigglin’ and sit still," Cailin pleaded after the tenth ‘adjustment’.
"Oh, I'm sorry, am I bothering you? I'm just not used to riding in tandem like this." She tried, unsuccessfully, to hide her smile from his view.
"Aye, ye be botherin’ me, and if ye dinnae stop, I’ll nae be responsible for what happens."
Ashley batted her eyelashes at him and managed to look as innocent as a newborn babe.
Cailin huffed out a frustrated breath and dug his heels into Cadeyrn’s flanks. "We dinnae have far to go, and I think for your sake, lass, the sooner I get off this cursed horse the better,” he grumbled.
The sound of Ashley’s delighted laughter could be heard across the fields, even as the wind picked up around them.
NINETEEN
Lightning flashed in the distance, followed closely by the rumbling of thunder. Ashley buried her head in Cailin's chest and he tightened his hold on her. She’d always been afraid of thunder and lightning, ever since childhood. When she was a little girl, her mother would reassure her, saying it was just the angels bowling in heaven. While the image captured her imagination, she still couldn't help but be scared during a storm.
"Wheesht, lass, dinnae fash. We're home now," Cailin announced, as he galloped the last few hundred yards towards the castle.
Ashley looked up from his chest, in time to see the gates of Breaghacraig opening for them.
The boys ran outside from the stables, ready to relieve the couple of their horses. Cailin jumped down from the saddle and helped Ashley to the ground. He instructed the boys on how to tend to Destiny, as Ashley’s horse was limping quite badly. Satisfied the horse was in good hands, Cailin wrapped an arm around Ashley and hurried her inside.
***
Irene greeted them at the castle doors, as the first drops of rain let loose from the sky.
"Ye’ve made it back just in time. Ashley, yer shaking with cold. Come, sit by the fire, and warm yerself."
The wind howled outside and rain pelted the stone fortress. The world could be falling apart out there, Ashley thought, but she felt safe as long as Cailin was nearby.
"Ashley, have some Uisge Beatha." Irene handed her a cup of amber liquid and Ashley studied it covertly for a second or two, before sniffing the liquid surreptitiously. She sipped it and a smile lit her face. It was whiskey.
Irene handed a second cup to Cailin. "All is well to the north?" she queried.
