Page 89 of My Notorious Highlander

But would he miss her if she wasn't there when he woke up? Maybe she should go ahead and wake him now to tell him where she was going.

"Torrin?" She touched his forehead.

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to get food. I'll be back soon."

He opened his eyes, blinked a couple of times, a frown contorting his brow, then studied her. "Aye."

"How do you feel this morn?"

"Like hell… if you wish the truth." His deep voice was raspy.

"You are improving though." Aye, his face wasn't as pale, and he was not growling lengthy curses as he had been the evening before. She wanted to kiss his forehead to reassure him, but couldn't with Nannag and Flora watching. They'd make something of it, when she wanted to keep the true nature of their association secret.

"Aye," he agreed, but in a dull tone.

"They will take good care of you." She motioned to the two healers.

"Come back soon," he whispered, his dark green gaze pleading with her.

"I will, and I'll bring you porridge, which you must eat," she said in a mock stern tone.

"I make no promises."

∞∞∞

A half hour later, Torrin lay propped up against pillows in bed while he imagined Jessie. Thoughts of her were the only things that distracted him from the piercing agony in his abdomen. The healers were excellent, of course, but, since the evening before, they had inflicted prohibitive amounts of pain upon him. Only the younger one remained in the room at present. Thankfully, the bandages were changed and they'd given him some sort of bitter herbal tea to drink.

When someone entered the room, he opened his eyes.

Jessie. Thank the saints. He'd missed her. She carried a tray containing a bowl and cup. Hell, she was going to make him eat. The very thought of food made him want to retch.

"You are feeling better, aye?" she asked with a little smile.

"Indeed." He could lie if it made her happy.

She set the tray on the bedside table. "Flora, would you like to go break your fast?"

"Aye, if you think you can handle his lairdship."

"If he gets too unruly, I'll send someone for you," Jessie said.

The healer grinned and left the room.

"Och. As if I could be unruly," Torrin muttered.

"Once you eat, you will feel stronger."

He hoped she was right, for at the moment he felt weaker than a two-day-old bairn. Though he hated for her to see him like this, it couldn't be helped. He'd much rather have her at his bedside than not. He thought she had stayed with him all night. A couple of times when he'd awakened, she had been there. Either that or 'twas a fevered dream.

"Did you stay with me last night?" he asked.

"Aye, of course." Her blue eyes reflected such devotion, he could hardly believe it. "Do you not remember?" she asked.

Another memory flashed through his mind like lightning—she'd whispered: I love you. Saints! Was it really true? He had seen the tears glistening in her eyes and heard the emotion thick in her voice. But he was afraid if he mentioned it, she would retreat and become defensive again. He knew she was but trying to protect her vulnerable heart. Knowing she loved him, he was so thankful he could dance. Well… he'd best not do that now. He might do himself grievous harm.

"I remember some of it," he said vaguely. "And I thank you for being here with me."