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As soon as Andrew saw her he went to her aid, scooped her up, and plopped down in the chair near the hearth with her in his lap. He swiped the blanket out of Hester’s hand before she could cover Megan’s legs and he tucked it in securely around her. Then with his arms around her he insisted she tell him what happened, he wanted to hear it all.
Hester grinned at Terese and disappeared behind the curtain to the women’s living quarters where Terese was sure she would wait to give the all-clear signal to Rowena. While Terese took hold of Lachlan’s hand and walked out of the cottage, the pair in the chair never noticed anyone’s departure.
“Tell me that I am right about Andrew, that he is a kind, good man,” Terese said as they walked over the convent grounds.
“That would depend,” Lachlan said.
“On what?” she asked anxiously.
“If I must include this morning’s incident when he intruded upon us at the most inopportune time,” he said with a grin.
She laughed. “Under the circumstances I think you should forgive him.”
“I will only forgive his foolish actions because he is a man in love.”
Terese stopped. “You truly believe that Andrew loves Megan?”
“I know he does,” Lachlan confirmed. “I have never seen him make a fool of himself for any woman, therefore, he must be in love.”
Boyd shouted for Lachlan and gave an impatient wave.
“Something must be amiss,” Lachlan said and gave her cheek a peck. “I will return as soon as I can.”
“It seems we both promise that.”
Lachlan cupped her chin. “A promise, that I assure you, will be kept.”
“Go, I will see you later,” she said, though her heart ached when he took off. Time was growing short for them and while there was no talk of love between them and certainly no necessity for it since it could never be, she couldn’t help but wonder how it would feel to truly be loved.
Don’t think about it. The warning pierced her thoughts, shattering the notion.
Terese shook her head and hurried off to see to the daily chores and the visitors that were becoming more and more permanent residents of Everagis.
Night brought with it a steady, gentle rain. It was good for the crops and though a few shelters were a tight squeeze for some, at least all were in out of the rain. The day had kept Terese and Lachlan busy with little time to spare for each other.
Meals were prepared and shared, those healing tended, the night chores finished and everyone tired for bed, though not Terese. She paced the floor of the common room feeling as if her flesh was on fire. The last hour she could think of nothing but Lachlan, the feel of his mouth hot against hers, his hand cupping her breast, his mouth nibbling her tender flesh. She shuddered with the memories.
She wanted him, good lord, how she wanted him.
All she had to do was go to him as she had this morning before dawn. So why did she hesitate?
Thunder struck and she jumped then wrapped her arms around herself. She knew why she hesitated. She knew that this was it. Once she went to him she would seal her fate. They would couple and she knew without a doubt it would be wonderful, and she would not want it to end. She would not want him to leave. She would want more and that was not possible. She had repeatedly warned herself against such senseless thoughts, but they would creep in and she couldn’t help but think what if…what if?
“Go to him and accept what is or keep your distance,” she whispered to herself. “Those are your only choices.”
She had thought she had settled this battle that brewed within her, but she hadn’t. Would she ever?
You cannot have more and you know it. She silently chided.
Take what you can. Take it now and don’t look back. No regrets. Only memories to enjoy when he is gone. Go now to him. Go now and lose yourself in him. Forget who you are and love him.
Terese refused to argue any longer with herself. She ran to the door opened it and saw that the rain had turned heavy. She didn’t care. She had to do this. She had to do this now or she never would.
She shut the door behind her and ran, and began to cry. Her tears joined the rain that rolled down her face. Why she cried she wasn’t sure. Perhaps it was for the young woman who had thought her father would let her choose a man to love, or for the young girl who had dreamt of finding love, or simply because life was nothing as she thought it would be.
But here at this moment life was hers for the choosing and she chose to love Lachlan if only for a brief time.
