“Where are your clothes?” Callie asked, noting he wore very little underneath his “borrowed” kirtle. Very little except for that warm, tawny flesh she found so delectable.
“The brambles caught him,” Angus answered. “That’s how we found him. There’s shreds of English clothing from hither to yon.”
Callie felt weak at the news of how close her husband had come to being seriously injured. “Are you truly unharmed?”
“A bit scratched and bruised but nothing other than my ego is seriously damaged.” Sin grinned playfully. “See now why I always travel with a sword? One never knows when a raging bull is likely to come storming down the street.”
They all laughed.
“God love you, lad.” Angus patted him on the back. “You’ve got a good sense of humor. Not many men could laugh in the face of such an event.” Angus pushed him gently toward her. “Callie, take your mon home and see to his wounds.”
“I will, Angus. Thank you.”
Callie took her husband’s arm. She turned him around to see one of the young lads leading their horses to them.
Sin helped her mount, then swung himself up onto his own horse.
As they left the village, she couldn’t suppress the happiness inside her. “I think you won them over.”
“That was never my intent.”
And that was what she loved most about him. Even though her clansmen had mocked and shunned him, he had still put his life in jeopardy to save them all. Most men wouldn’t have cared one way or another about her people. But he hadn’t even thought twice about risking his life for them. “You’re a good man, Sin MacAllister.”
He reined to a stop and turned angry, tormented eyes to her. “Never call me that.”
Callie’s heart clenched at what she saw on his handsome face. The raw emotions that swirled in those dark eyes. “Forgive me. It was a slip of the tongue that will never happen again.”
The fire in his eyes died and she led him back to the castle.
It wasn’t until they had reached the castle and entered the great hall that Callie remembered what she had asked Simon to do...
Out of the gathered group, she didn’t know who was more stunned. Poor Sin still wearing his one boot and dressed in a kirtle, or his brothers and Simon who stood with Jamie, Dermot and Aster.
Jamie stepped forward hesitantly. He threw his shoulders back and spoke like a grown up. “Caledonia, I know you said we were to make him feel at home so I’ll pull one shoe off, but no one’s going to make me wear a dress.”
Laughter resounded through the hall. But no one laughed harder than Sin who scooped Jamie up in his arms and tickled him. “I don’t know, lad. As pretty as you are, you might look at home in a kirtle.”
“I’m not pretty. I’m fierce.”
Callie grabbed her brother from Sin and gave him a hug of her own. “As fierce as a gentle cub. And as precious as a rose in the dead of winter.” She kissed his cheek and set him on his feet.
Grimacing, he wiped his face and dashed off to stand behind Dermot.
Lochlan shook his head. “Should we ask?”
“I had a run-in with a bull.”
Simon laughed. “From where I’m standing, it looks like the bull won.”
Sin smiled. “Nay, you should see the bull. He’s dressed in swaddling.” Sin looked about the hall that had been decorated with bright color serge drapes and wrapped gifts that were spread out on the main table. “What’s all this?”
“We’re celebrating your birthday,” Simon said.
Sin frowned.
Lochlan jerked his chin toward Callie. “Your wife’s idea.”
He looked to his wife who was sidestepping away from him. Catching her hand, he pulled her back. “Care to explain?”
