Chapter 9 #3
He’d made a bad showing on the practice field this day.
Marcas was angry with him and let him have it by putting every ounce of that anger into his sword and dirk.
Luckily they weren’t battling to the death, because Donal was sure he’d be dead now.
He apologized to him and to Tam and Jock, all of whom said they would back off on their interest in Tina if he was truly looking at her for more than just a roll in the hay.
He assured them he was. Not that it mattered, he was sure she wouldn’t want anything to do with him now that she’d seen what an arse he could be.
It had been a rough time since that night and he wasn’t proud of himself for what happened.
He dropped his head to his chest as he made his way to the well where he poured a cool bucket of water over his head.
He shook the water out of his hair and rubbed it from his face.
“Looks refreshing,” Tina said, from behind him.
The sound of her voice hit him in the gut. He turned slowly to see her smiling warmly at him. Saints be praised. It didn’t appear she was angry with him, but he’d better be sure of it. “Tina.”
“I’ve been looking for you,” she said.
“I didn’t think ye’d ever want to see me again.”
“I wasn’t sure I did.”
“Tina, I want to apologize for my behavior the other night. I was jealous that ye were laughing with Tam. What I did was wrong. Can ye forgive me?”
“I can, because you were man enough to admit you did something you shouldn’t have.”
Relief swept over him. He felt lighter than he had in two days. It welled up from inside of him.
“I do have one question for you, though.”
The hope disappeared. Maybe she’d forgiven him, but still didn’t want him. “Jock and Marcas told me that the only reason you were interested in me was so I could be a mother to Elena. Is that true?”
Damn it! He couldn’t believe they’d told her that.
He plunked himself down on the edge of the well.
Logan had told him to use his words. He was much better with a sword and dirk, but he was going to have to tell her something.
Deciding that honesty was his best path forward, he took a deep breath and spoke to the ground at her feet.
“It was true.” He scanned her face for a reaction, but there was none, so he barreled on.
“I thought ye’d be a good mother to her and I admit that at first that was my only interest.” He hurried to continue, willing her to believe him.
“But as I’ve gotten to know ye, my heart has opened to ye.
Ye are more than I deserve and everything I want. ”
She didn’t say anything and that made him nervous, but after a moment she surprised him by moving closer.
So close in fact that the heat of her body sent waves of her intoxicating scent wafting over him.
He sat perfectly still, not wanting to do anything that might cause her to move away.
She placed her hand on his chest. “My heart is yours,” she said before leaning in to kiss him.
Donal had never in all his years felt so unprepared.
Her kiss was soft and sweet. He placed his hand on her waist and pulled her closer.
Neither of them cared that they were in the middle of the courtyard where everyone could see them.
It was as if they were alone in their own little world where the only thing that mattered was the tenderness they felt for each other.
Tina pulled back just enough to gaze into his eyes before leaning her forehead on his. “That was amazing,” she said.
“Aye,” was about all he could manage.
She glanced around and seemed to realize they weren’t alone. “I should go.”
“No. Please. Not yet.” He looked down at his kilt and Tina did the same.
“Oh!” she squealed. “I’ll stay right where I am, or maybe I should move back.”
“Right where ye are is fine, lass.” Having her so close was not going to help, but he needed to know she was real, that this was real. He would never have imagined his day would be this good.
“Okay. How’s Elena?” she asked.
“She’s with Doreen. She has been sleeping well, as I am sure ye know. I was going to get her now that I’m done.” He looked into her eyes and saw his future. She would be his.
“Looks like you’ve got a bruise on your cheek.” Her fingers gently touched his face.
He removed her hand. “That isnae helping,” he said.
“Sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” She giggled at him and his heart took flight.
“Would ye like to come with me to get Elena?”
She nodded.
“I think it’s safe now.” He stood and they both glanced down.
Tina started to laugh and didn’t seem able to stop herself.
“Oh, I see. Ye ken ’tis nae something to laugh at.”
“I wouldn’t know,” she said, a teasing glint in her eye.
He leaned in close to get another whiff of her perfume and growled into her ear, “Mayhap I’ll show ye later and then ye’ll see why ye shouldnae laugh.”
He was surprised when Tina punched him in the arm and gave him a shove, continuing to laugh.
He did the only thing he could think to do at that moment.
He put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her in.
Tina wrapped her arm around his waist and together they walked through the courtyard until they came to Ashley McBain standing square in their way.
“Tina!” she said, with a disapproving scowl.
“Edna says you should mind your own business,” Tina said. “And she says hello.”
Ashley stood mouth agape, obviously struck speechless by Tina’s comment.
“Donal, I’m going to stay and talk with Ashley if you don’t mind. I’ll see you later.”
She kissed him on the cheek and he walked away with a lightness in his step and a warm hope in his heart.