Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
He had plans for the two of them and just the two of them. They would take a packed basket to the river and spend the day on the river’s bank. They would have time to talk or lie in each other’s arms, make love, nap, eat, and just be together.
He dressed in his plaid, a tan linen shirt, and his sandals. He combed his hair and let it fall as it would and then went to see to filling a basket. He smiled when he saw the spread of food the women had left on the table. It would be easy to pack a full basket and then go collect his wife and be off for the day.
That is, if Daniel was all right. He would not force her to go if Daniel needed her.
Rogan left the cottage to look for Aliss. He spotted her walking toward him.
She smiled and waved and hurried her steps.
He held out his arms; she ran into them and he swung her around.
“I missed you, wife.”
She laughed and clung to his neck. “I thought I would be back before you woke.”
“Is Daniel well?” he asked, a silent prayer on his lips.
Aliss beamed. “He does very well. He has some discomfort, but he handles it surprisingly well and is begging to get out of bed. I think he will heal remarkably fast.”
“I am glad to hear that,” he said, more relieved than she would ever know.
“Is that a basket of food I spy near the door?” she asked, stretching her neck to look at the cloth-covered basket.
“A surprise—”
“No more.” Aliss laughed and wiggled free of his arms.
Rogan let her go to run to the basket.
“I planned a day of food and rest, just for the two of us, near the river,” he confessed.
“Perfect,” Aliss said, grabbed the basket and then hooked his arm with hers. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 19
Aliss twisted her red hair and fastened it to her head with a comb. Her neck perspired not only from the weight of her long hair, but also from the heat of the day. The morning sun had grown considerably stronger by midday and she had no doubt the temperature would continue to climb.
Of course, the stroll she and Rogan had taken along the river’s edge had not helped and now she would like nothing more than to shed her clothes and jump into the refreshing water.
She watched him spread a blanket on the ground under the shade of a huge oak tree and marveled more at his well-defined body than his considerate actions.
Last night when she had returned to the cottage to find Rogan gone, she had not hesitated to undress and climb into his bed. They were after all husband and wife, and she had actually looked forward to their joining.
She grinned. She had really enjoyed copulating with him, or had they made love? She liked to think it was love; she hoped someday they would love.
It had to be her own inadequacies that prevented her from accepting that love was possible without it being demanding. Hadn’t Rogan’s considerate nature proven that?
As much as she wanted to return home, she was glad that it would be at least two weeks before they left the village. It would give her time to come to terms with her own misgivings. When she stood before Tarr and Fiona, she wanted to speak from her heart and tell them how much Rogan meant to her.
She wanted no doubts in her marriage. It was important they remain truthful with each other, for without truth, there could not be trust, and that she wanted from him. If not, how could she be certain he would ever mean what he claimed?
Aliss smiled as she watched him whip off his shirt.
“It is hot,” he said, tossing the shirt to the blanket.
Her hands went to the ties of her blouse. “My feelings exactly. A dip in the river?”
Rogan laughed, his hands already freeing his plaid. “And here I thought I would need to convince you.”
Aliss shed her blouse, slipped out of her skirt, kicked off her sandals, and ran to the river. “I’ll beat you.”
Her laughter slowed her down and she was not surprised when Rogan rushed up behind her, scooped her up, kicking and giggling, and in they went together.
They came up sputtering and laughing and hugging each other.
“The cool water feels so good,” she said, holding his shoulders as they bobbed along with the easy flow of the river.
He stared at her and after a few moments, she grew uneasy.
“Is something wrong?”
He shook his head. “No, I am just amazed with the remarkable woman I wed.”
Aliss felt his forehead. “Are you sure you do not have a fever?”
He laughed. “I have a perpetual fever for you.”
She slid her hands around his neck and pressed her breasts to his chest. “I think I have the cure for that.”