“’Tis fine, Aunt. I’m happy you’re here,” Brenna replied, wrapping her aunt in a hug.
“Take care of Brenna,” she said to Zeke. “Or ‘tis me you’ll answer to.”
Zeke smiled reassuringly at her. “Don’t worry. I’ll see to it that she is happy and safe.” He wasn’t lying. He’d keep her safe until they arrived at Breaghacraig and then Dougall would take it from there. As for happy, Brenna would be ecstatic to be away from Castle Treun.
Tears began to form in Saundra’s eyes and Zeke could see Brenna was doing her best not to cry. They stood holding each other’s hands and gazing into each other’s eyes.
He hated to interrupt them, so he gave them a few minutes to finished their goodbyes before saying, “We should go.”
“I’ll miss ye,” Saundra said to Brenna.
“And I’ll miss ye, as well.”
“Ye’ll have a good life with this man.” She dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief and then gave Brenna one last hug.
Zeke and Brenna mounted their horses and headed for the gate, waving back at Saundra as they departed the courtyard and began their journey to Breaghacraig.
It would take them at least three days to reach their destination. They kept their horses at a walk as they made their way along the trail which was nestled between fields of green and dotted with groves of trees. The sky was blue and filled with white puffy clouds floating leisurely along. They had little conversation, each content to sit with their own thoughts.
Zeke couldn’t believe he’d allowed himself to kiss Brenna like that. If he’d used the brain in his head and not the one between his legs, he’d never have indulged. It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy it. On the contrary, he’d enjoyed it very much. She’d been so eager to follow him and he was happy to lead the way, at least until she mentioned the word love. He couldn’t lead Brenna on. He didn’t love her. Being in love again was the furthest thing from his mind. He’d loved Helene and he’d been hurt when she left him, even though he knew it was for the best. His feelings of loss and pain had diminished over time and he thought that he might be ready for love again, but not with Brenna. What he was feeling for her was purely physical. She was, after all, a beauty. A strong, intelligent woman. She was definitely his type and, if things were different, he wouldn’t have minded having her in his arms again, feeling her body pressed against his, tasting her sweet lips. He was going to have to fight that urge because not only was this a fake marriage, but she was innocent and inexperienced. She was trusting him to get her to Breaghacraig and he wouldn’t betray that trust. He’d keep his distance. Yes, they were married, but it was only a temporary thing.
Brenna wanted to talk to Zeke, but he seemed to have retreated into his own thoughts and she didn’t wish to disturb him. She wondered if he had enjoyed their kisses as much as she had. She hoped so, but from the looks of him perhaps not. She watched his face change from serious to thoughtful, to a softer, dreamier look and back to serious once again. It was as if a battle was taking place inside of his head. She’d never met a man like him. He was a mystery to her. She tipped her head as she continued gazing at him. She found that she couldn’t stop herself from looking at him. It made her think about those kisses and the feel of his warm breath on her neck. Goosebumps erupted as she remembered the feel of his hands caressing her, his deep blue eyes staring into hers. She seemed to lose all self-control when she was around him, but she was at a loss as to why. Once again she wondered if this was what love felt like. She had no prior experiences to compare it to and while it was all so very exciting, it also frightened her to think that she might love this man and perhaps he didn’t feel the same way about her. She calmed herself with the knowledge that they had plenty of time to get to know each other better on this trek through the Scottish countryside. She’d be on her best behavior and maybe he would kiss her again. It was all she’d been able to think about since it happened this morning. She snuck another look at him as he rode along beside her and caught him gazing at her. She smiled. He smiled, but then he looked away.
“Is something wrong, Zeke?” she asked.
“No. I’m just thinking,” he replied.
“About what?”
“About getting you safely to Breaghacraig.”
“Are you worried about it?” He must be, otherwise, why say it.
“A little.”
“Why?”
“I can’t put it into words. Don’t concern yourself. There’s no need in both of us worrying.”
“Ye can say that all ye like, but now Iamworried.”
“I’m sorry, but you asked.”
Was he being purposely infuriating? “Zeke, I know we’re on the right road. Me brothers have traveled it many times. I went with them once almost half the way. There’s nothing to fear. We’re on MacRae lands until we cross onto MacKenzie lands.”
“I’m not afraid. I was just answering your question.”
Brenna feared she’d wounded his manly pride. “We should stop soon.” She was tired of riding.
Zeke glanced around at their surroundings and then up at the sky. “If you like. The sun will be going down in another hour orso, but we can stop now. If you see someplace that looks like it would make a good camp for the night, let me know.”
He was certainly behaving differently than he had this morning when he had playfully tussled with her on the bed and then gave her a kissing lesson she’d never forget. She wanted that back and thought that stopping for the night might encourage him to relax. Brenna wasn’t sure it would work, but it was worth a try. “Over there.” She pointed out a nice green area surrounded by brush that would protect them from the wind if need be.
Zeke aimed Olwydd towards it and Brenna followed. He jumped from his horse and then going to Brenna, placed his hands around her waist, easily lifting her from Vala’s back and placing her gently on the ground. An involuntary “Oh,” escaped from her lips. She felt like a young child. The way she had when her Da would swing her in the air. She didn’t wish to be seen as a child any longer, especially not with Zeke.
“I’ll gather firewood and you can get the rest of the camp set up,” Zeke said as he wandered out of her sight.
She had a moment of anxiety when she couldn’t see him anymore. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. She turned in a circle around the campsite and found the perfect place for their bed. She laid out the plaids she’d packed, trying to make it look as inviting as possible. She brought the saddle bags close to where the fire would be and she removed a griddle and some oats, along with some cheese and apples. The apples looked a little wormy, but they could always cut that part off and eat the rest. She was pleased with what she saw when she had finished. This little temporary home she’d created would suit their needs for the night, just as their temporary marriage would serve to get them where they wished to be in another day or two.
