“Why do ye look so sour, Arran?” Skye asked.
Arran looked down at her wistful smile and the long curls framing her face. She had no idea of her appeal. And that thought made his scowl deepen.
“A flower for yer lady, Sir?”
His thoughts were interrupted by the voice of a woman carrying a huge basket of cut flowers. She smiled as she approached. Arran thanked her and accepted her offering, handing her a coin. Then he handed the rose to Skye.
“It’s very beautiful, Arran. Thank ye,” she said softly.
Once they were back on their way to the horses, he asked, “This woman, Ava, she is the other healer I heard the people in Braewell talk about?”
“Aye, she is. She taught me most of what I ken.”
Arran thought the woman was too young to be that experienced, but he kept that observation to himself.
They’d arrived at the livery. Iona and Devil had been watered, fed, and groomed—both looked content. They perked up when Arran spoke their names. Devil neighed a greeting.
Arran gave Skye a leg up onto the gray mare, and then fetched Devil and mounted.
“We will stop up ahead. I ken a place where we can eat that ye will like.”
Skye’s stomach growled in reply, and she followed his lead.
A few minutes later, Arran steered Devil off the road and down a well-trodden path into the forest, following the sound of trickling water.
The trees cleared, and they came upon a small pool fed by a bubbling brook. Greenery scattered all around them, fed by the water, and beautiful pink, purple and white flowers dotted the scenery. The sun broke through the tree branches in small streams, casting a magical glow on the scene.
Arran looked back at his wife to see her reaction and found a wondrous smile on her face.
“Ye are right! I do like it!” Skye exclaimed.
She pulled Iona to a stop and slid off her back without assistance. Then she grabbed the waterskin and bag that Astrid packed for them.
Beside the pool, a large, nearly flat rock made the perfect table, and Skye dug into the bag. Astrid had thought of everything. A clean square of cloth covered their makeshift table, and then Skye eagerly pulled out their lunch.
A loaf of crusty, round bread, two hunks of cheese, dried meat, and two shiny red apples were placed before him.
His stomach growled, and Skye laughed.
“All the shopping has left me famished,” she noted as she tore off a piece of bread, took a bite, and then grabbed an apple.
Arran watched as she bit into the apple and the juice ran down her chin. He fought the urge to grab her by the back of her neck, pull her close, and lick every drop off her lips.
“I am hungry as well, lass,” he said seductively.
Skye froze even though she was still eating, and she looked him in the eye. “Ye want to… again? It hasnae even been a day.” She shook her head in disbelief.
“Ken this, Skye.” Arran leaned over and cupped her face in his hands. “I could taste yer sweetness every day.”
Her breathing quickened, and her eyes grew dark. He planted a languorous kiss on her lips, enjoying the sweet apple juice that remained there. Then he reluctantly broke the kiss. His lady needed sustenance, after all.
He flashed her a smile and then picked up an apple and some cheese.
“Ye’re a mystery to me, Arran.”
“I’ll reveal meself little bits at a time, just to keep ye interested,” he replied with a smirk.
Skye was silent then, and she focused on eating, but he saw her eyes wander as she took in the scenery around the pool and waterfall. She smiled at a butterfly when it landed on her knee and giggled at the antics of several squirrels that raced up and down the trees.
