Rushing
into the hut and out of the torrential downpour, Christel came to a complete
stop as Aiden plowed into her back. “Ryder!”
“Blade?”
Terror
for Christel ripped down Ryder’s spine, emotions so high his
hands shook. “What are you doing here?”
“C-came to check on, Grizela.” Christel shook out her cloak then hung it on a peg. “Didn’t know you would be here.”
“You must have known Grizela
passed on a few weeks ago.” Ryder had heard about the old
lady as well as Christel’s visits.
“Caught.” Christel shrugged then sat down, her brows furrowed. “Ryder, I can’t stay at the MacLaren castle,
not with Richy under the same roof. I just can’t. I won’t.”
“And you came along for moral
support?” Blade turned to Aiden his
tone fierce.
“Couldn’t let her go by herself.” Aiden slipped from her coat
then placed it beside Christel’s. “I’m hungry.”
“You could have been the voice
of reason.” Ryder roughed his hands
through his hair then across his face. He didn’t know what to do—couldn’t send her back to a place
where she was terrified. Didn’t want to bring her along for
fear of reprisals when they stole the baby back. But he sensed if he took her
home, she and Aiden would follow on their own. Perhaps he should be thankful he
and Blade visited Owen before they left and were caught by the storm.
“I knew she’d go with me or without me.” Aiden rummaged through the
pack and brought out fried chicken and scones. She opened her water bottle and
drank then wiped her mouth with her sleeve. “In this case there was no such
thing as a voice of reason.”
“Aiden, I swear you still don’t have an iota of common sense. You flit about as if the
world is a safe place.” Blade’s gaze could have sent sparks flying Aiden’s direction.
“Well, Christel made it here
from London by herself.” Aiden shot back at Blade. “She’s quite capable and so am I.”
“Stop arguing and let it be.
Now that we are all here together we will continue on the trip—together—when the storm lets up.
Probably tomorrow morning.” God, it would be hell to
sleep in different beds. He’d touched her last night,
loved her, and discovered how much he was going to miss her. Now he had to
watch her sleep from a distance. Surely the devil danced around them, tempting
him. “Just let it be.” This last said for himself more than anyone else.
“Thank you. I’m glad you’re not going to send us back.” Christel slipped her arm through his and smiled at him.
The
expression melted his heart. He wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her
then he wanted to make love to her. But none of this was going to be possible,
not tonight or any other night until they were married. Maybe they could find a
small parish on the way and say their vows.
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