Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
There was a bench outside for those who waited and she took a seat, grateful to be off her feet. She was growing tired more easily of late and hungrier, otherwise she felt fit. She had no intentions of visiting Zia. She only wanted a moment off her feet and then she’d be on her way.
An older man emerged from the cottage with a smile promising to do as Zia instructed and praising her for always helping him.
“I’m so glad you stopped by,” Zia said, her smile growing more generous. “I’ll fix us a special brew.”
Alyce wanted to run, not ready to make friends just yet.
But Zia had already hooked her arm around hers and urged her inside.
Alyce sat at the table in the center of the room noticing how orderly Zia kept the cottage and the fresh flowery scent that permeated the room.
Alyce decided to be blunt. “I’ve found it necessary to depend on myself.”
“I’m familiar with the feeling,” Zia said with a laugh while adding a mixture of leaves to the boiling cauldron in the hearth. “And I’m lucky to have found a man who understands me and lets me be who I am.”
“He does?” Alyce asked, sounding confused.
Zia poured the hot brew in the tankards on the table. “Well, it did take a bit of training.”
Alyce chuckled, thinking Zia reminded her of Rowena, though not in appearance, Rowena being more buxom and with a fuller figure. It was personalities they shared always smiling and cheerful and caring.
Zia placed a gentle hand on Alyce’s arm. “It wasn’t easy for me either when I first came here, even though I loved Artair. I left much behind, but I’ve also found much. Give yourself time and let yourself love. It’s the only way you’ll know for sure if this is where you belong.”
Alyce felt a tear surface and was quick to wipe it away, embarrassed that she would cry in front of a stranger.
“I was a crying fool while I carried Blythe,” Zia confessed. “Artair didn’t know what to do, poor man. And naturally he couldn’t do anything, though he felt he should.” Zia shook her head. “Men. They think they can fix anything.”
Alyce liked Zia. The more she talked the more she reminded her of Rowena and that made her feel she could trust her. “About that pain I had?”
Zia asked dozens of questions and Alyce answered everyone best she could. Zia praised Rowena’s instructions and what to expect and claimed Rowena a fine healer, which made Alyce realize that she could easily befriend this woman.
Alyce was laughing at a tale Zia detailed concerning the birth of the twins, that Honora and Addie had concocted to help her out of a predicament but served to upset the men, when Lachlan suddenly burst through the door out of breath.
Alyce and Zia immediately jumped up.
“What’s wrong?” Alyce asked fearing the worst.
“You—” He paused out of breath.
Alyce placed her hand to her chest, her heart beating wildly. “I what? What is it? Tell me?”
“You. You’re ill?” Lachlan managed to get out between labored breathes.
Artair poked his head in the doorway with a smile. “I told him it was nothing, but he wouldn’t listen. But lord, it does my heart good to see him act so foolish when he swore he wouldn’t.”
Lachlan shot him an evil look then turned to Alyce. “A few in the village said you were here.”
“And he naturally assumed the worse,” Artair said.
Alyce suddenly felt dreadful. The fear on Lachlan’s face was palpable, and she was sure that if she rested her hand to his chest she would feel his heart pounding. He was truly worried about her and while she had seen worry in his eyes before, she had never seen this depth of fear for her before.
“I’m fine,” she said wishing nothing more than to ease his burden.
Lachlan wrapped his arms around her waist. “You’re sure?”
“Tell him, Zia,” Artair urged. “I can’t stand to see the fool suffer.”
“We have talked and Alyce truly is fine,” Zia confirmed. “I expect she will deliver the babe without a problem.”
Color suddenly returned to Lachlan’s face and he sighed. “This is good to hear.”
“Though, I am hungry,” Alyce admitted.
“Again?” Lachlan laughed and took her hand to walk out of the cottage.
Alyce turned her head as she reached the door. “Thank you, Zia.” And she scooped up her basket as she left the cottage.
Raindrops fell one by one from the gray sky and Alyce and Lachlan hurried to their cottage. Once inside he took her in his arms.
“You needn’t have worried,” she said.
“How could I not?” he asked, brushing a kiss across her moist lips.
It sent a shiver through her. It had been too long since last they were intimate and she missed his touch.
“After feeling the babe kick inside you and knowing that a child we made from our love was happily growing inside you…” He shook his head. “I would brave the tortures of hell to see you both safe.” He kissed her gently. “Good lord, Alyce, I love you so very much.”