Page 73 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

Ailis snatched up a pillow and nudged it against her sister’s shoulder. Her cheeks burned with the horrors of that embarrassing memory. “Ye neednae remind me.”

Sorcha laughed as she grabbed the pillow and hit Ailis with it too. “I shall, if it keeps ye from doin’ it again.”

“I have learned from me mistakes.”

“Have ye?”

Ailis sat up, adjusting her skirts now. “Ye ken, I almost rode again.”

Sorcha’s teasing expression vanished. “Ye did?”

“Aye.” Her memory drifted to Gordon helping her onto that saddle and trying to get her to ride again.

“And ye were nae terrified?”

Ailis swallowed hard as she recalled how that ended with her almost falling again, and then their kiss. Heat gathered beneath her skin until she feared even Sorcha might see precisely where her thoughts had wandered.

“I was,” she eventually said. Ailis looked down at her hands and noticed how they quivered lightly. “But I did it anyway.”

A proud smile slowly spread across Sorcha’s face. “I am proud of ye.”

Ailis glanced up. “Daenae be. I still daenae ken if I will be as brave as ye are.”

“I mean it.” Sorcha reached over and squeezed her hand. “Ye have always been brave, Ailis. Even when ye thought ye were bein’ foolish.”

Ailis laughed, and Sorcha smiled.

“Perhaps ye are learnin’ that fear doesnae always mean ye must run.” Ailis’ smile faded slightly as Sorcha’s eyes softened. “It is good that ye daenae wish to flee this time,” she added.

Ailis opened her mouth, but no words came.

The door opened before any could, and Callan stood there with a bottle of whisky in one hand and three cups in the other.

“Am I interruptin’?”

“Always,” Sorcha said sweetly.

Callan sighed. “I feared as much. There is always somethin’ to interrupt when ye two are together.

Ailis laughed as he entered and set everything down. He poured three generous measures for each of them then lifted his cup.

“To me sisters,” Callan cheered.

Sorcha raised hers. “To us.”

Callan looked directly at Ailis. “And to ye.”

Ailis blinked. “To me?”

“Aye.” His expression softened. “I am proud of ye, Ailis. Ye have grown. Ye have taken responsibility. Ye are facin’ somethin’ ye once swore ye never would.”

Her throat tightened as Callan lifted his cup higher and smiled at her.

“That is reason enough to celebrate.”

Ailis smiled eventually. “Thank ye, Callan. I ken ye wish me well regardless.”

Callan nodded then exhaled with much more bravado. “To the Sinclairs.”