Page 13 of Hearts Bound By Time

Maggie stood, walked behind Dylan’s chair, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, kissing his cheek. “Ye’ll be the first to know, but I will tell ye I’m nae in the business of impregnating women.”

Dylan laughed and pulled her around into his lap. “Have I told you how much I love you?”

“I believe ye’ve told me and shown me,” Maggie managed before Dylan captured her mouth in a sweet, sensual kiss.

“Mmm… I could do this all day, but we’ve got company to take care of.”

“Other than Richard, I haven’t seen anyone up and about. It’s just you and me baby.”

“And we have things to do.”

“Maggie, you’re killing me. Come on.” He stood, picking her up in the process.

She was just reconsidering, when the front door of the inn opened and the sounds of cheery voices came their way. “I guess ye’ll have to put me down. It sounds like the breakfast crowd is coming.”

Dylan nipped at her earlobe. “Later. You’re mine,” he whispered as he carefully put her down.

“Happily yers.” She kissed him and then reluctantly stepped away to greet their guests.

***

“Good morning!” Cailin said as they hurried into the dining room.

“Good morning,” Dylan answered. “Where are you all coming from?”

“We went for a walk,” Ashley said. “I love Glendaloch. It’s such a pretty little village.” She shot Cailin a look and he deftly ignored it. She was trying to get him to agree to stay in Glendaloch. She’d feel a lot better about Emma’s health if they were somewhere with modern medicine. He wasn’t very keen on the idea. She was going to have to work on him, but if she had her way, they wouldn’t be returning to Breaghacraig with the others.

“May I?” Maggie held out her arms to take Emma from Ashley.

“Of course.” Ashley handed Emma to Maggie. “She looks a little warm. Do you think she has a fever?”

Maggie touched a hand to the baby’s face. “No. She feels pretty cool to me.”

“Ashley, Emma’s fine. Don’t worry so much.” Jenna put a comforting hand on her friend’s arm. “Besides, we’re going to go see Dr. Ferguson later, remember.”

Ashley smiled somewhat reluctantly at her friend. “What’s for breakfast?” she asked. She really needed to get a grip. She knew she was over reacting to everything when it came to Emma, but she didn’t know how to stop herself. The stress she’d been feeling over the last months was almost unbearable. The others all tried their best to put her fears at ease, but it wasn’t working. She’d speak with Dr. Ferguson about it. He’d know what to do. Ashley took a seat at the table and Cailin put his hands on her shoulders. She knew she had to be stressing him out too, but he never lost patience with her, instead using reason to put her fears to rest.

***

Maggie and Dylan were both fascinated with Emma. She had a tight grip on Dylan’s pinky finger and examined both their faces with an intent gaze.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” Maggie asked.

“Very,” Dylan answered. “Are you sure you don’t want one?”

“Dylan. We’ve talked about this. Not yet.”

“Okay. Okay. It’s just that you look so natural holding her.”

“Just because I know how to hold a baby and I’m loving every minute of it doesn’t mean I’m ready to have a baby… yet.”

Dylan dropped the subject. “I set up a buffet, so grab your dish and get something to eat.”

Ashley, Cailin, Jenna and Cormac all headed to the food, just as Robert, Irene and the children came downstairs. “I thought I smelled something good,” Robert said as he grabbed a dish. Irene gave each of the children one and took one for herself. They lined up between their parents who served each of them and then sent them to sit at the table.

“So what’s everyone up to today?” Dylan asked as he poured coffee into Cailin’s mug.

“We’re going to have breakfast and then a visit with Dr. Ferguson,” Cormac said.