“Really? What?”
“He’s quite a masculine pup, do ye agree? His fur makes him look like an exotic beast. I think we should name him Tearlach. It means that he is a manly creature.”
I smiled. I didn’t think the puppy looked manly, only adorable, but he was right. As the pup grew, the fluffy hair around his head would make him look like a lion. “It’s perfect.”
“Ye should be the one to name the lighter one. ’Tis ye that found him.”
I thought for a moment, but every name I thought of sounded too American. He needed a Scottish name that would fit his brother’s. “Do you see how his tail always sticks up? It looks like he is waving a flag. Is there another word for that?”
“Aye, lass, I see. What about Bratach? It holds much the same meaning.”
I stood on my tip-toes and kissed his cheek. “I think it’s perfect, and with that I will take my leave. You are too much of a temptation for me to stay a moment longer.”
He laughed his deep, grumbly laugh that shook his whole chest and made my knees go weak.
“Temptation, lass? Nay, ’tis ye that are the temptation. I have been alone for a long time. Ye have awakened feelings within me I fear I am too old to handle.”
“You are not old. You’re the same as me I’d imagine, and I am in no way old, which means neither are you.” I moved to stand by the door.
“If you say so, lass. Will ye accompany me somewhere tomorrow afternoon?”
“Yes, I think I could manage that. Where?”
“’Tis a surprise, lass. I shall meet ye at the back of the castle come midday.”
He opened the door to the cottage, taking my hand so that he could walk me back to the castle, leaving me to wonder just what tomorrow held in store for me.
Chapter 15
Hew rose early the next morning so that he could work on carving the large piece of wood remaining from the ornaments he’d made. He hoped to make it into a sort of sled that he and Adelle could take out on their outing this afternoon.
Just thinking about spending more time with her made his heart beat quickly. He’d lived alone for so long he’d convinced himself that it was the only way to honor the memory of his late wife, to stay trapped in the memories of his short time with her. But with each day since he’d met Adele, he felt more alive. He was slowly learning that nothing could have been further from the truth.
Mae had not been a jealous woman. She knew she held his heart and lived her life with more light and love than any other lass he’d ever met. She would’ve wished more for him. She wouldn’t have been pleased that he’d spent so many years all alone.
It saddened him that for so long he’d not seen the truth in the mistakes he was making.
All he could do now was to try and move forward, living the rest of his life as Mae would’ve wished it. She would be very pleased to know that he’d found happiness once again. He could almost hear her whispering in his ear, pleading with him not to let her slip out of his grasp.
He didn’t intend to let Adelle do any such thing, but he also knew it best that their afternoon spent together be passed out of doors. He was a man who’d gone too long without sharing his bed with another woman, and the next time he and Adelle were alone within four walls, he knew he would not be able to keep himself from claiming her as his own.
For this reason he worked, chipping away at the wood with as much force as he could muster, crafting it into the perfect seat for two. He was a man in need, and he needed to exert whatever physical activity he could to help keep his mind off her.
*
Either Hew hadn’t told Mary what he planned for us to do this afternoon, or she was damned determined not to tell us what she knew.
Bri and Blaire had insisted on dressing me, and they’d decided to place me in the finest dress I had. “Are you sure this is appropriate? I feel very overdressed.”
“It’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. I believe you are the one that taught me that. Besides, we have no way of knowing do we, since Mary refuses to tell us what his plans are?”
Bri continued to pick away at my hair, doing her best to pin it into place.
Mary threw her hands up in exasperation as she screamed angrily at us. “I already told ye, I doona know what his plans are. I havena spoken to him about it. Ye are a couple of thick-headed lassies, the two of ye!”
She turned and left us, stomping her feet on the way. Once she was gone, we both burst out into laughter. “I should not have pestered her so. There. What do you think?”
Bri stepped away so that I could turn and look in the mirror. “Thank you. My hair looks nice, but I feel ridiculous in this dress. I’d rather be in jeans and a nice blouse.”