AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She raised her chin, kept her tears from falling, and held up the lone boot. “I can’t get this stubborn thing on.”
“I’ll get it on.” He took another step up, not wanting to rush at her but intending to have her in his arms soon. “If you let me help you.”
“You always seem to be helping me,” she admitted.
“And that is a bad thing?”
Her brow creased and she worried at her lower lip and once again his heart hurt for her. That damn curse had simply consumed her and dictated her life. That had to change, and he intended to see that it did.
A tiny single tear spilled from the corner of her eye, and that was it. In an instant, Reeve had her wrapped in the comfort of his arms. He brushed the tear away with the pad of his thumb. “I will always be there to help you. I told you that you could count on me, and I meant it.”
She said nothing, simply stared at him, and he knew it would take more time for her to trust him, to believe that she had someone she could rely on.
He scooped her up, something that seemed to have become a constant, and, with a satisfied grin, headed down the stairs. “Mum tells me you were asleep in the chair when she went to see how you fared this morning. Did your ankle pain you?”
“No, my ankle felt better until I fell asleep with it tucked beneath me in the chair.”
“Then your sleep was fitful? What bothered you?”
She seemed hesitant to answer.
“It was probably because you are in unfamiliar surroundings,” he said, offering her an excuse.
She quickly agreed. “Yes, that was probably why. I am looking forward to seeing old Alan’s cottage.”
He wondered what it was that made her change the subject so quickly. What had haunted her so badly last night that she hadn’t been able to sleep? He wished he could ask her, or that she would simply confide in him. But whatever it was that had disturbed her, he sensed she wasn’t ready to share it with him, and so he left it alone.
“I’ll take you there after breakfast,” he said, eager to get her settled safely and permanently in her own place.
“I’m starving,” she admitted with a smile.
“So am I.” His appetite had suddenly returned.
Mara was quick to jump up and hurry over to them as soon as they entered the great hall.
“What’s wrong?” she demanded.
“A little swelling, that’s all,” Tara said, wanting to reassure the woman.
Reeve set her on the end of the bench and, with a gentle and careful touch, had her boot on in no time. She gave him a generous smile, and damn if it didn’t give his heart a jolt as he sat down beside her.
When Reeve looked up, he saw Bryce and Duncan snickering, and he shot them warning glances that had them snickering even more. A hard poke to each of their sides from Mercy, who sat between the pair, wiped their faces clean.
Reeve acknowledged her help with an appreciative nod, and Mercy smiled.
“Mercy and I will take Tara to Old Alan’s cottage and see if it suits her,” Mara said.
“With her ankle as it is, it’s best if I take her,” Reeve said.
Mara scrunched her brow a moment, and then said, “You’re right. With the snow on the ground, she’ll need a strong hand to help her.”
“It’s really not necessary, I can walk,” Tara said.
“Not with the snow,” Mara insisted.
Tara was more persistent. “Snow or not, I preferit.”
Reeve sat silent between the two women, his eyes on his brothers, who were just as silent though they wore wide grins.
