Page 50 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

He thought if he had met her first, he would have easily loved her. Occasionally he even thought he might now.

Thanks to poor weather, he wasn’t able to travel to the Campbells yet, so it was an easy thing to stay inside with his wife as the snow piled up outside in the hills.

She only left the safety of the castle when she was with him. They’d seen no sign of a McCurdy on their lands. Yet he continued to use the excuse to go with her when she went to visit Mari and Cam and to exercise her giant hound. It seemed the mutt had finally stopped growing when his head reached Bryce’s waist.

One afternoon when they’d left Cam and Mari’s place it started snowing again. Their feet squeaked in the wet snow on the ground. Bryce swiped a snowflake from Dorie’s top lip, making her laugh. He loved to hear her laugh, even now when it was muffled by the snow falling around them.

He bent to steal another snowflake from her skin, but she squealed and ran. He chased after her and fell on top of her when she tripped in a drift. Once she was thoroughly trapped, he kissed her relentlessly while she squirmed under him.

She held him back by his ears, a wide grin on her face when he finally gave up and stilled.

“Thank you for marrying me, Bryce,” she said, the smile fading into seriousness.

The moment would have been perfect for him to respond in kind, but he said nothing. He was frozen, and not from the snow.

But from terror.

He was happy.

Which meant any day now, fate would come to take everything away.

…

Dorie put on her best gown and fixed her hair into a design Mari had shown her. Bryce was clean and in his best shirt and kilt. His blond hair was still damp and curling on the ends. Fortunately the new year had brought warmer temperatures, so he’d not have icicles.

“Are you sure my gift will do?” she asked as she fretted over the tied bundle.

“It’s beautiful. They will love it.”

She had worked hard on the embroidered pillow covering she’d made for Mari and Cam’s new home. Bryce’s words of praise put her mind at ease, and his following kiss had her wishing they could stay in their chamber rather than go to the other couple’s new home for supper with the whole family.

Bryce helped her up on his horse and nuzzled her neck most of the way.

She’d come to love the trip between Dunardry and the manor house. Bryce was usually unable to keep his lips off her for the entire journey.

“Stop it, or I’ll arrive flushed and they’ll wonder what we were doing along the way.”

“They won’t wonder.” He laughed. “But rest assured, I won’t risk wrinkles to your pretty gown, though I make no promises on the way home in the privacy of the trees.”

“Outside? But it’s cold.” Her voice squeaked in surprise.

“We’ll find a place sheltered from the breeze where you can look up at the stars while I have my way with you. I’ll keep you warm.”

She wasn’t certain he was serious, but she had to admit it did sound rather intriguing. By the time she was ready to suggest they offer their friends an excuse, they had arrived at Cam and Mari’s home.

The manor house was still not finished. As grand as it was, it would probably be years before it was completed. But the kitchen was in working order and the table was overflowing when they were welcomed inside.

The older boys were running about, laughing and squealing while wee Cameron and Lizzy sat and watched. Aiden was in his cradle by the fire, asleep.

Dorie hadn’t felt like part of a family since she was a small child. The scents and warmth in this home made her want to cry with happiness.

She belonged here. She belonged with these people.

She still wondered now and then about her real family—her father, the viscount, who had yet to write her back. Though she’d tried not to get her hopes up, she couldn’t deny the disappointment she felt each day when no return message arrived. Would it have taken so long to write a few lines and send it off?

Perhaps he never received her missive. Maybe she should write another, just in case. She let out a sigh and took a seat next to Bryce, determined not to let anything ruin the evening.

After everyone had finished eating, it became clear the evening wasn’t just so everyone could share a meal, but to share some good news as well.