Page 90 of A Bride for the Icy Highlander
“Aye, but love often does,” Helena replied. “Ye’re nay fool. Ye see him clearly, and ye still chose him. That’s nay small thing.”
Abigail set her spoon down and leaned back in her chair, the warmth from the fire seeping into her limbs. “Me family… they’re furious. They think I’ve lost me senses.”
“They’re scared. And angry,” Helena acknowledged. “They see him as the villain. It’s hard for them to understand he’s also the hero.”
Abigail smiled faintly, though her heart ached. “I dinnae expect them to understand. But it still hurts to be looked at like I’ve betrayed them.”
Helena reached across the table and took her hand. “Give it time. Their love for ye runs deep, and so does yer love for him. They’ll come to see what ye see… in time.”
Abigail nodded, her eyes falling to the near-empty bowl in front of her. She felt full now, in more ways than one, her stomach satisfied, her heart steady. It had been days of fussing and fretting. Now, for the first time, she sat still.
Helena rose to her feet and began to gather the empty dishes. “Ye’ll need strength for what’s ahead.”
“Aye,” Abigail said, rising as well. “Thank ye, Helena. For everything.”
Helena nodded and smiled, her eyes warm. “Go to him when ye’re ready. He’ll be needin’ ye.”
Abigail closed the door behind Helena and stood there for a moment.
After resting for a while in her room, she slipped quietly into the healer’s chamber, her steps soft against the stone floor.
Freya sat beside Kian. She looked up when Abigail entered, offering a small smile.
“He’s sleepin’ peacefully now,” she whispered.
Abigail stepped closer, her gaze dropping to Kian. His brow was smooth, his breathing steady. “Thank ye, Freya, for stayin’ with him.”
Freya waved her hand gently. “Och, he needed to be monitored, and I figured ye deserve a moment to yerself. Ye looked ready to keel over at supper.”
“I was,” Abigail admitted, folding her arms over her middle. “I didnae realize how tired I was until I sat still.”
Freya studied her a moment, then her voice softened. “That’s because ye love him. And when ye love someone deeply, ye push exhaustion aside to be strong for them.”
Abigail hesitated, then gave a slow nod. “Aye… that is true.”
“I see it in yer eyes every time ye look at him.”
Abigail let out a breath and moved to sit in the chair beside her. “It’s just… I wish it had happened differently. I wish I could’ve told ye all without the fight at supper.”
Freya chuckled lightly. “Och, Michael will come around. Ye ken how protective he’s always been. He nearly choked on his stew when ye said ye accepted McKenna’s proposal.”
Abigail chuckled under her breath. “I noticed.”
Freya reached over and squeezed her hand. “Give him time. He’ll see what I see—ye’re happier now than ye’ve been in years.”
Abigail smiled, her eyes on Kian. “I think I am.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Kian stirred beneath the blankets, the ache in his side no longer sharp but persistent. Light filtered through the tall windows, soft and golden, warming his face.
He blinked, then turned his head slightly to find Abigail sitting at his bedside, her hand resting gently on his. Beside her sat another woman with the same eyes, watching him with a quiet, assessing gaze.
Abigail leaned closer, her voice low and sweet. “Ye’re awake.”
“Aye,” he rasped, his throat dry.
He tried to sit up and winced at the sharp sting in his side.
