He frowned once more and came to crouch down next to me, taking my hands into his. “I doona know what ye mean by ‘turn off’ but nay, I love the way ye speak verra much. Now, I willna tell ye what I must with that damned cloth covering yer head.”
He yanked it away before I could grasp it. He reeled back in disgust, almost falling backward onto his bottom. “Ach, lass, ye look dreadful. Never ye mind, I doona wish to say what I once wished.”
My eyes widened with shock and pain. He quickly scrambled up on his feet to gather me into his arms, laughing softly. “Oh, lass, forgive me. Doona look so upset. I couldna resist it after ye berated me such just a moment ago. Ye look mighty fine, lass. Ye always do.”
I didn’t pull away from him but rolled my eyes. “No, I do not honestly think I look fine. My face is so red I look like I was born on the sun, and it’s quite swollen as well.”
“Doona tell me what I think, lass. I wouldna lie to ye. I doona care if the redness never fades, although it shall. I would still think that ye looked mighty fine. Now, hush, and let me tell ye what I wished to when I asked ye to come here.”
I relented. I didn’t believe a word he said about my face at the moment, but I didn’t wish to argue with him anymore. I was eager to hear what he had to say. “All right, fine. What is it?”
He stepped away and sat on the edge of the bed, holding my hands so that I would sit next to him. “I’ve decided that once the snow melts, I am no going to return home.”
Hope fluttered in my chest. I’d spent every second trying not to think of the day when he would leave here and praying each night that the snow would stay forever. “Really? Why?”
“Do ye really no know the answer to that question, lass?”
He looked into my eyes. I could see all that he wished to say deep within them, but I desperately wanted him to say the words. “Maybe, but I won’t know for sure until you tell me.”
He took a deep, shaky breath. He was nervous, but I was not about to intervene and let him get away without saying what he felt. I’d let too many men do that before. If he meant it, he could find the strength to say the words. “I…I know that I havena known ye long, Adelle, but it doesna take so long for the heart to know what it wants. I’m in love with ye, lass. Verra much so.”
I smiled, staring deep into his eyes, as tears I held back threatened to fall. I must have remained quiet for one moment too long for he spoke again, his voice shaky.
“I doona expect that ye should feel the same so quickly. Perhaps ’twas rash for me to tell ye so soon, but I have spent too many years alone. I willna deny meself love a moment longer if I can have it.”
“No.” I reached up and lay my hand against his cheek. “No. It wasn’t too quickly at all. I love you too, Hew.”
“Do ye truly, lass?”
“Yes, I do. I think I loved you the first moment I saw you in the snow, holding that sweet little puppy firm against your chest.” I leaned forward and kissed him but had to pull away at the pain that shot through my lips at the pressure.
“Ach, lass. I’m verra sorry that ye are in such pain. Doona kiss me now. I hope there shall be plenty of time for that later.”
“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about, and yes I do too.”
His face grew serious once more. For a moment I was worried.
“I willna return from where I came from, but before I make this me home, I must finish the journey I started. I must bid Mae farewell one last time, lass. I hope that ye doona mind.”
I shook my head, surprised that he thought I might. “Of course I don’t and of course you must. When will you leave?”
He looked out at the snow, black in the darkness, as he hesitated before answering. “At sunrise. I know that the snow isna melted yet, but it hasna snowed more in days. I am anxious to finish me journey so that I can begin a new chapter in me life.”
Something twisted uncomfortably in my stomach, but I could not determine its source and did my best to push it from my mind. “You will be careful, yes?”
He smiled rubbing his hand gently up and down my back. “Aye, lass. Of course I will. I have something most precious that I must return to now.”
*
I wished to stay with him until morning, but I left him shortly after learning he would leave at sunrise. I wanted him to be rested before travelling out in the snow. He’d sent both pups with me, leaving Tearlach in my care for the duration of his journey.
I slept fitfully. While I tossed wildly throughout the night, both pups slept soundly, snuggled tightly into my side in the bed with me. They didn’t move all night, only rising right at sunrise. Just as the sun broke over the horizon, they stood on all fours in the bed. Looking toward the window in the direction of the cottage, they whined mournfully.
The knot in my stomach returned.
Chapter 19