Chapter 5 #3
Her heart went out to him. Whatever issues their marriage had, she was gone now and he was trying to find a way forward.
She tried to think of what to say that would make him feel better.
“I don’t know. She could be cutting teeth.
” The confused look on his face caused her to giggle.
“Her teeth might be coming in. It can be quite painful.”
“Ah,” he said.
She wondered what they did for teething babies in this time. She’d ask Ashley in the morning, but for now she’d do whatever worked to calm Elena and get her to sleep. Standing here next to Donal, Tina felt at ease.
“I’m afraid I dinnae ken how to care for a babe. Cailin and Cormac have told me I must learn.”
“They’re right, but it’s not so hard. You can do it,” she assured him.
“I’m happy ye’ve faith in me, but I dinnae. What do I do first?”
She regarded him and thought back to her brother’s first baby.
There had been so many books and blogs to read through.
She thought about their shopping lists for baby items, a bunch of stuff that simply wasn’t available here, but the general care of a baby probably hadn’t changed that much in five hundred years.
“Let’s see, you’ll need to learn to feed her, clothe her, bathe her … ”
She looked up at him while he silently regarded Elena. Her little fists made their way into her mouth and he just looked so lost. She went to him and touched his arm.
“Don’t worry. There are so many people here to help.”
He looked at her hand on his arm and sighed, “I dinnae think they wish to help me,” he said.
“Why not?”
“They tell me I must do it myself,” he replied.
“Well, we’ll see about that,” she said, her take charge attitude showing. “They can’t possibly mean to leave you alone to handle all of this.”
“They believe they’re helping me by not helping me,” he explained.
“Well, it is true, the only way to learn to be a parent is to do it. But listen, I’ll help you whenever I can.”
“’Twould be a blessing, but I’d ask that ye nae say a word to anyone. They may nae allow it.”
Tina was confused by this. She thought, from what she’d heard, that everyone here was helpful to anyone in need. She couldn’t understand how they could be so mean.
Donal shifted closer to her and placed an arm around her as he looked at his daughter. For a moment, Tina wanted to lean into the strength she felt there, then caught herself and leapt away as though the very heat of him had burned her.
“I’m sorry lass. She looks so content in yer arms. I forgot myself for a moment.” Donal gazed at her looking quite remorseful.
“It’s okay.” Tina felt all kinds of weird.
Here she was alone with Donal in his bedchamber.
Realizing for the first time that she was in nothing but her linen shift.
Thank goodness he was still dressed. What if someone had walked in on them?
It might just ruin her chances at meeting the man of her dreams.
“Are ye sure? I didnae wish to make ye feel uncomfortable.”
Uncomfortable was one way to put it, but warm and oddly drawn to him would be another. She hardly knew this man and yet she felt something passing between them that seemed like more than lending a helping hand.
“I’m sorry. I overreacted. It’s not like you were trying to …”
His eyebrows scrunched together and his lips pursed as he tipped his head waiting for her to finish.
“Oh, never mind. It’s fine.” He was really quite good looking. Just the kind of guy she had always wished for, but could never find. Real romance novel material. Tall, strong, impossibly blue eyes paired with dark hair. She liked that.
“Are ye well, lass?”
She realized she’d been staring at him as she made a list of all his fine attributes.
“Yes. Definitely. It looks like Elena has finally fallen asleep.” She gently set her in her cradle.
“I’ll head back to my room. I’m right next door, so if you need me …
I mean if Elena … If you need help, I’m right there.
” She finally managed to string the right words together as she made her escape out the door.
***
Donal smiled to himself as he disrobed and got into bed careful not to wake Elena.
He knew the look Tina’d been giving him, he’d seen it before.
Plenty of times. There was a difference here though, he felt something more for her than he had with all those other women he’d been with.
He admired her ability to soothe Elena and her willingness to help him.
He also admired her lovely figure, which had been quite visible in the firelight as it shone through the gauzy shift she wore.
He’d been careful not to stare, but it had taken every ounce of self-restraint he possessed not to.
Her soft brown locks fell in lustrous ringlets over her shoulders and down to touch the tips of her breasts.
She couldn’t be just another roll in the hay, she would be his salvation.
He didn’t have much time though. She said she was only here for a short visit.
He’d have to work fast if he was to convince her to stay and mother wee Elena.
If he had to be married, she’d do nicely.