James put on his boots before taking the lesser-known path and he passed the cottage he’d used during his infirm and reached the end of the lane. This day he would occupy his new home which had only been completed the day before. Upon arriving at the door, he heard Bree within.
“Put it there.”
He stopped short when he saw her and the two lads she directed inside. She’d brought furnishings: a good sized table with four chairs set near the kitchen area, a large bed at the far wall, and two chairs covered in fabric that matched their clan’s tartans. An area to the left had been set up with various items to tend wounded soldiers. The kitchen area was stocked with various foodstuffs in sacks and pots sat in the small hearth. He was speechless at her generosity.
“I hope you like it. I took the liberty to furnish it for you.”
James didn’t know what to say. “My thanks, milady. But you didn’t have to do this.”
“Aye, I did.” She smiled and directed the lads to leave. “If you would like to come to the keep for supper later, I’m having Gell make a fat goose. No sense in you making anything for yourself.”
“Mayhap I will come. Do you deem she got my message?” James sighed and hoped Bree would have some insight.
“I’m certain she received it by now. Worry not, James. Emlyn is likely on her way to you. I know you must be anxious to see her.”
“I am.” James wanted to see her now, this minute, and he wasn’t about to let her get away again. He thought about leaving to go to the Ross keep himself, and he might do so later this day if he didn’t hear word. He considered having Grey send someone to find out if Anne arrived home, just to assure himself that Emlyn was given his message. But what if she received his missive and gifts and still wouldn’t accept him? James wasn’t wont to be negative, but since she hadn’t come yet, he couldn’t help but be so.
“I must go. Greer and Grace want to forage in the woods, and Gray promised to teach them hunting tactics.”
“Is he taking anyone with you?” He became concerned, for he had yet to select the men who would guard his laird’s family.
Bree turned to leave and set her hand on the door. “Aye, Duff and Cait will be joining us, along with some of the guardsmen.”
“It is a good day to get outdoors.”
Bree squeezed his hand and vacated the cottage. When she reached the outside, she called his name.
He thought something might be wrong, for her voice pitched.
James stepped thought the threshold and rooted to the spot he stood. How lovely she looked. God how he missed her.
Emlyn.
Emlyn ceased walking when she saw him. Grey said something to her, but he couldn’t hear what because they stood too far away. His laird held the reins of a pristine white horse, which he tethered to a post in the lane.
Emlyn started to run toward him and James took two steps when she reached him and threw herself at him.
He embraced her and they stood silent, holding each other. He daren’t speak for it could be his imagination playing tricks on him. But Emlyn felt real in his arms. She continued to hold him tightly with her face pressed against his chest.
He watched Grey take Bree’s hand and lead her away, down the lesser-known path.
Alone now, James let her slide from his body until she gained her feet. He stared at her bonny face and knew his grin had to be wide, for he couldn’t hold back his jubilation that she came.
“I love you, James Gunn. I was foolish to leave you. I never want to be parted from you again.” Her voice filled with emotion and he thought she might be weeping. She continued to hide her face, against his tunic.
“Are you proposing, lass? Because if you are, then I say aye.”
Emlyn laughed and hugged him again. “I would marry you fifty times. My heart is aching and I can barely breathe. For I never meant to hurt you.”
“I suspect you received my message and gifts?” James kept his hold on her and wouldn’t release her, but he had no choice when she stepped back.
She took his hands in hers and peered at him, tears glistened on her eyelashes. “I did. I didn’t keep the arrows though.” Emlyn laughed, and the sound eased his heart, for he missed hearing the sound of her laughter more than anything. That and her sweet lips, bonny face, and sexy body.
“You didn’t?”
“Nay, I bartered them with Laird Ross. He practically drooled over them and I knew you needed a horse, since you let Oran go. I traded all but one stack of arrows for the horse there.”
He kept her hand in his and pulled her along until they reached the horse. “He’ll be a good warhorse, but I won’t be taking to arms and won’t need such a horse.”
Emlyn leaned into him and he put his arm around her shoulder. “Why not? Tell me you’re not going to farm your father’s land. You said didn’t wish to do so.”
He wanted to kiss her, but until they spoke, he would hold back his desire. “Nay, I cannot be a guardsman what with my leg. Och Grey asked me to head the team of new guardsman at the keep and tend the wounds of the soldiers when they get hurt.”
She squeezed his arm so tightly. “Then you shall need a warhorse if you’ll be tending their wounds, you’ll need to get to them.”
“I suppose you’re right. And what of you? I thought you would be taking to the field and warring with your father’s army, mayhap going after Marshall.” James leaned against the stone wall that lined the cottages, and pulled her between his legs.
Emlyn set her hands on his shoulders. “I was foolish to believe my father would allow me to fight in his army. I’ve given up on that ambition.”
He raised her chin. “Not foolish, Emlyn. But the matters of war are not what a woman should experience. I commend your father for his conviction even though you are upset by it. There are other ways to aid the cause of war without taking your sword into battle.”
“I am not certain there is, but it doesn’t matter for I am happy to be here with you no matter what I do to occupy my time.”
James sighed. He knew she was defeated but hoped to appease her. “There’s a position here for a trainer of the new recruits. The lads need a guiding hand and only someone with talent and patience can lead them. Are you interested?”
She frowned and looked down the lane where Grey and Bree had gone. “Truly? What of your laird? Is he in agreement with this? I think he’s still ireful with me.”
He chuckled. “Aye, he might still be ireful. Grey is not one to let go of things so easily. But he is in agreement. The job is yours if you want it.” James took her face in his hands and forced her to look at him. “Sometimes, lass, we have to compromise even if we don’t get to do what we want. We were both on a path and were led elsewhere. But I’m not displeased because it led me to you and you back to me.”
“Oh, James, that is the kindest thing anyone ever said to me. I shall be happy for the position. Will you kiss me now? I’ve gone too long without you and all I want—”
He didn’t let her finish and pulled her forward. His mouth settled over hers before she could finish. He kissed her long and hard, and within seconds, lusty desire overtook him. For she always affected him that way and likely always would.
James didn’t break off his kiss when he lifted her and carried her inside the cottage. When he set her on her feet, she began tugging at his tartan. Excitement and desire affected them both, and he didn’t want to wait another second.
“I want you. I want to feel your nakedness beneath me.”
He grinned, for shouldn’t he be the one saying such to her. “Then I am yours.”
Emlyn finished undressing him and he stood before her as she walked around him, touching him and letting her hands glide over his musculature. Every touch hardened him, for he grew tense with anticipation. She circled him and slid her hand down his spine and then kissed his back in the center.