Chapter 17
“Now, boys.” Ava’s sing-songy voice carried over the crackle of the fire. “Shall we get started?”
She gave a pointed look to Caden’s raised fist and then to Nathan. Her saccharine smile seemed to say, If ye dare start another fight and make the boy shrink back into himself, I will kill ye, and I will enjoy every second of it.
For the first time in her life, she saw Finlay look sheepish.
Caden quickly gave his brother a friendly shove and…
Oh God, is that a smile on the Masked Laird’s face?
Ava hated to admit it, but his smile was very attractive. It was a predatory smile, one that made her heart skip a beat. Still, the fact that he had not changed clothes had not escaped her notice.
Maybe he’ll tell a story? I doubt it. Oh God, he willnae stop looking at me.
Her skin prickled at the attention.
“All right, wee master. Are ye ready to hear a story?” Ava pulled the little boy and the giant blanket that swallowed him into her arms. She plopped down on the bear blanket and propped herself against the cushions.
“Ye go first,” Finlay suggested. “I cannae wait to hear what story ye’ll tell.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
Ava peered at Caden to gauge his reaction. His stare could have frozen the loch outside.
“If ye insist.” She rolled her eyes.
An idea formed in her mind. She should not… but she decided to push fate and her husband’s patience a little more.
“Once upon a time, there was a bunny who had white fur but purple ears. Now, the bunny lived in a burrow with other bunnies who were afraid of him. The bunny was cold and distant. See, he felt insecure about his ears, and because of that, he didnae talk to any of his bunny friends or family about it.”
Ava talked to Nathan and pointedly did not look at Caden. She could hear the strangled noise he made, though. She could also hear Finlay trying to hold in his laughter.
Nathan looked at her wide-eyed, clearly not getting who the story was truly about.
Ava could hear Caden grounding his teeth, but she bravely continued. “The bunny was ashamed of his purple ears, so he would go out into the fields every day before everyone in the burrow would wake and roll in the dandelions to make his ears white.”
“Why?” Nathan asked curiously.
Every word that he gave her was a gift, and she would not squander it. She would cherish each one.
“Well, he wanted to hide who he was and fit in with everyone else, but he would never say that out loud. He was too shy.”
Nathan nodded his understanding.
“Then, one day, a wee bunny came and saw him putting on the dandelions. The wee bunny had never seen purple ears before, but he didnae mind them. The purple-eared bunny was so ashamed of the wee bunny seeing him, but the wee bunny just went up and gave him a carrot without saying a word.”
Nathan smiled widely.
Ava wondered if he was grasping her meaning. She still did not dare not look at her husband, though. Caden was surely displeased by her scheming.
“The purple-eared bunny accepted the carrot quietly and shared it with the wee bunny.
Each day, the purple-eared bunny and wee bunny would share a carrot before the purple-eared bunny put on his dandelions.
They would repeat this ritual until one day, the purple-eared bunny was brave enough to show his purple ears.
“The wee bunny was so proud of him that he showed off the gorgeous color to the whole burrow. Everyone was hesitant at first because the purple-eared bunny had kept to himself most of the time, but they all became friends. And they lived happily ever after. The end.”
Nathan clapped with excitement, clearly loving the crazy tale.
Ava chuckled and tickled him under the chin. He squealed and hid his face in her shoulder, a wide smile lifting his chubby cheeks.
She could no longer ignore the daggers stabbing at her skin, so she turned to look at her husband. His expression was inscrutable, but she could see the reflection of the flames in his eyes.
“What a story!” Finlay pressed his lips together to hide a mischievous smile.
Ava allowed herself to smile back before turning her attention to her husband again.
“Did ye enjoy it, me Laird?”
He narrowed his eyes. “It was good, me Lady. But I’ve heard better. In fact, I’m sure Nathan’s story will beat yers,” he said with a mock smile.
Point taken. This had not been his absolute favorite story in the whole world then. She could live with that, as long as he understood what she wanted to say. She turned to the little bundle of smiles and clapping.
“What about ye, me darling boy? Do ye want to tell us a crazy story?” Ava asked warmly.
Nathan hid his head under the blanket he ‘wore’.
Unsure what to do, they all waited. But soon enough, his tiny voice sounded through the fabric.
“Once up… a ‘ime…” the boy stuttered.
Ava placed a gentle hand on his back and pulled the blanket down over his head. She gave him a warm and encouraging smile. “We’d like to hear yer story, dearie, and we cannae do that through the blanket,” she gave him a wink.
He lifted his shoulders to his ears, which were turning pink, and began to fiddle with his fingers. He chewed on the inside of his cheek, before speaking again, very slowly, to his fingers. Ava rubbed his back to let him know they would wait as long as it took.
To their credit, Caden and Finlay said nothing. They just waited patiently.
“Once upon a ‘ime,” Nathan started again, very shyly, “‘ere was a ve-very bonny lady. She was singing a song… A song dat she sang every n-n-night…” He took a deep breath and looked up at Ava for approval.
She smiled softly and nodded, urging him to continue.
“She was da ma of da b-b-bairn, and he was v-v-very hap-p-py. Uh… End.” He hid his face in her chest and gripped the tartan for dear life.
Ava stroked his hair gently. “Well done, darling.That was a beautiful story. It looks like yer uncle was right. Ye do win!”
She squeezed him reassuringly and looked at Caden and Finlay. Their faces were filled with shock and awe.
“What is it?” Fear nipped at her heart when they exchanged a look she could not decipher. “Is everythin’ all right?”
“Joanna used to sing to him when he was a babe.” Caden chewed on his cheek.
“I didnae think he would remember…” Finlay trailed off, staring at the boy.
Ava looked down at Nathan, who was peering up at her shyly. “I could try to sing to make ye happy, but me voice is pretty bad,” she laughed.
Nathan nodded, a plea in his eyes.
She could not say no to his perfect little face. A quick glance at the brothers, who looked like they had been punched in the gut, spurred her into action.
She opened her mouth and let out a squeaky sound to break the tension. Nathan stared at her, shocked, and then burst into giggles. Finlay let loose a snort, and then everyone was laughing.
For the first time, Ava heard Caden’s laugh. It was melodic and deep, and she wanted to hear it every day for the rest of her life. His smile was genuine and warm; it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
Nathan’s giggles eventually turned into loud yawns. He nuzzled into Ava’s arms and smiled sleepily. Standing to carry him up to his room, Ava bid the brothers goodnight.
“Actually, I’d like to put him to bed if ye daenae mind,” Finlay piped up. He stood up and took Nathan from her arms. “I want to sing to him like his maither used to.”
The boy looked so cozy in his uncle’s arms, but Ava could not help smiling at the crazy clothes each wore.
“Good night, dearie.” She kissed Nathan’s head and stepped back.
“Good luck peelin’ those itty bitty clothes off, Finlay.
” She chuckled at the sight of hulking Finlay in clothes that were too small and tiny Nathan in a blanket that was far too large.
She would have to demand they have crazy days more often if that was the sight she was rewarded with.
Clearly her intention had nothing to do with hearing Caden’s laughter for the first time.
Finlay rolled his eyes and cradled his nephew’s head. Ava had known him long enough to know that he was glad for the levity. He could not stand too much emotion for very long, as he called it.
Caden still sat in his chair, staring at her, drumming his fingers on the armrest as she turned toward him.
Worried about being alone with her husband after her story about him, Ava decided to leave. She was not ready to face the consequences of her actions.
“Good night, me Laird.” She dipped her head and made her way toward the stairs.
“Nae so fast, wife,” Caden drawled.