Page 55 of A Bridge Through Time
“Thank ye.”
“You’re very welcome, little one. I could never let any harm come to you.”
Mary reached up her arms for a hug and Ashley squatted down to her level, taking the little girl in her arms.
“I be forever in yer debt, Lady Ashley,” Heather tearfully vowed, as she took Mary’s hand and walked away.
“Come, love, let’s get ye inside. Yer still shaking,” Cailin said.
Irene was busily brushing the dirt off Ashley’s gown. “I think we’ll need to repair yer gown. It’s ripped from yer tumble.” She followed behind, clucking like a mother hen as Cailin led Ashley back inside. He settled her beside the fire as thunder began to rumble overhead.
“This calls for some Uisge.” Robert handed her a cup. “To calm yer nerves, lass.”
Cailin sat down next to Ashley and wrapped her small, soft hand inside of his large, work roughened palm. She wanted so badly to curl up in his lap and be comforted by his warmth, but she had to remember where she was and suspected it might not be acceptable behavior.
A loud crack of thunder reverberated through the hall and Ashley jumped, almost spilling her drink. Cailin was aware of her fear of thunder and lightning, and after what she had just been through he obviously wasn’t going to be content until he held her in his arms. Cailin pulled her out of her chair and straight into his lap. Ashley found herself right where she wanted to be and as he wrapped her protectively in his arms, she sighed and rested her head against his solid, comforting chest.
***
That evening’s meal was eaten amidst stories of Ashley’s heroic deed. It seems everyone took a turn telling the tale from his or her own perspective, and with each retelling, the story became more fiction than fact, but it was all in good fun and Ashley found she was enjoying her super hero status, even if it was vastly exaggerated. She’d never before thought herself capable of putting her own life at risk to save another, but inthis case, there had been no time to think. Only time to react. So while she was being treated like a heroine, Ashley didn’t feel she really deserved it. She just happened to be in a position to grab Mary, long before anyone else would have reached her. She loved the little girl, and couldn’t bear to see her get hurt.
Glancing around the room, Ashley saw Helene was seated with Dougall, both completely engrossed in one another. They talked; sharing food and loving looks. Ashley smiled and reached under the table to squeeze Cailin’s knee, just as someone was commenting on how they’d never seen such a wee lass run so fast in all their days. Cailin looked at her, adoration plain in his eyes.
“Look,” Ashley nodded in Helene’s direction. “My plan worked.” She beamed with happiness.
“I can see poor Dougall is as smitten as I am,” Cailin teased. “’Tis a good days work ye’ve done, love. Ye saved a bairn and her pup and ye gave love a helping hand. Ye are a wonder. What have ye planned for tomorrow?”
Ashley playfully slapped his arm and he leaned in to kiss her cheek.
“I almost forgot with all the excitement today,” Ashley began. “Was Robert terribly angry with you this morning?”
Cailin shrugged nonchalantly. “Robert’s temper is quick to come and quick to go. He was angrier with me for being with ye last night, than for nae coming when he called this morn.”
Ashley was disappointed. “Oh, no! Does that mean you can’t stay with me again tonight? I mean,” she blushed uncertainly. “I wouldn’t want to upset Robert by disobeying his rules.”
“Dinnae fash, mo chuisle. He was concerned for ye, that be all. Robert feels very protective of ye. As the Laird of Breaghacraig, yer his responsibility. I set his mind at ease. He knows I love ye and that ye feel the same way about me.”
“So that means it’s okay for us to be together? Even though we’re not married?” Ashley asked curiously.
“Aye, it does.”
Ashley expression must have melted into obvious relief, because Cailin chuckled softly, lifted her chin and softly kissed her lips.
TWENTY-NINE
The men’s departure date was approaching rapidly and yet Cailin found time to spend with Ashley every day. He cherished their time together, and he knew Ashley was aware, as much as he was, that anything might happen during the upcoming confrontation with Sir Richard’s troops. He tried not to think about it, and definitely didn’t want to talk about it. Instead, he reveled in their days and nights together.
Two days before their departure date, Cailin had a surprise planned for Ashley. After a morning of training with his men, he went to the kitchens where he picked up the basket of food the cook had packed for him at his request. He’d asked Ashley to meet him at the postern gate shortly before noon, telling her he had a surprise for her. Whistling a spirited tune as he walked, Cailin rounded the keep to find a radiant Ashley waiting for him. When she saw him, her face lit with joy and she ran to him with outstretched arms.
“I am a lucky man,” Cailin remarked, using his free arm to scoop her towards him for a kiss.
“Where are we going? Is that food you have there? I hope so, because I’m hungry.”
Cailin couldn’t get a word in, but he was a patient man and knew that if he waited long enough the questions would stop. Or he could just kiss her, as that always worked as well. He chose option two and was glad of it. Not only did the questions stop, but she returned his kiss with such passion, that he had to remind himself of the surprise he had for her and that it didn’t involve retiring to their bedchamber – at least, not yet.
“Someone’s happy to see me,” she purred, when she felt his erection poking against her belly.
“Verra happy, love.” He kissed the tip of her nose and taking her hand, led her out through the gate. “I know how much ye love the beach,” he said, “so I’ve had cook pack us some food. ‘Tis a beautiful, sunny day to sit near the water and be with ye.”
