Horland’s breath warmed Bree’s ear. “Beautiful.”
She turned her head and he pierced her with his dark gaze. “Briana,” he whispered hoarsely and kissed her gently at first, then he once again claimed her heart and mind. All else vanished in a haze of emotions, tingles, and hot sensations.
He finished the kiss and putting an arm around her shoulders, waved his other arm in the air. “This is our time and our place.”
“I can’t wait to see what the builders have done inside.”
It had only been two weeks since their wedding, but already Bree felt at home in his company and in his arms.
It was a lovely two weeks, and Bree enjoyed being newly married and the company of their family, especially getting to know her father again. He had found himself, and they had many memories of her mother to share. They also found they had the same sense of humor and, sometimes to Horland’s chagrin, laughed at the same things, things he didn’tunderstand. Bree or Garlain often had to stop in their mirth to explain to him.
Meanwhile, Uncle Mark and Aunt Di had returned to their present to live with Garrett and Laura, although they were to have another house built close to the east boundary. They didn’t feel right living under the same roof as Garrett and Laura and their growing family. Bree smiled.
Everyone had promised to visit each other as often as they could when they departed to their own times and lives.
Once Horland had told her of his plans for the ruins, she couldn’t wait for them to start their married life and their own family.
Bree stood up from her wagon seat and smiled down at Horland. Horland placed his hands on either side and lifted her down, keeping her body close to his as her feet touched the ground. Her pulse quickened as he gazed hard into her eyes. “I love you,” he said, his voice low in his throat.
Bree rested her head on his shoulder. “I love you more.”
Horland chuckled and lifted her chin. “I think not.” He bent his head and feathered kisses along her jawline. “I am not whole without you by my side.”
“I will always—”
Horland’s mouth closed over hers and stopped any more talk.
“What about me?” Kieri asked, pulling on Bree’s cloak.
Bree and Horland parted with a laugh. They both enclosed the little girl in a three-person hug. “We are not complete without you, my darling,” Horland said.
“That’s true, sweetie,” Bree said. “We love you.”
“And I love you both. Can we go in now?”
“Not yet, little one,” Horland said. “I want to make sure everything is how I ordered.”
Kieri looked at Bree, who grinned. “Exciting, isn’t it?”
Kieri bobbed her head. “It is. Can I go and explore then?”
Horland chuckled. “Yes.”
Kieri ran off along the riverbank. “But stay where we can see you,” Bree called out. “We don’t want to lose you again.”
“I will,” Kieri shouted over her shoulder as she bent and picked up a stone and tossed it into the water.
Bree smiled up at Horland and patted him on the chest. “You go unpack while I teach our daughter a thing or two about stones and water.”
It didn’t take long for Kieri to get the hang of skipping stones over the water, and they were soon competing for how far they could keep the stones afloat.
Bree didn’t have to turn around to know Horland was watching them. From the moment they met, she could sense when his eyes were on her.
“Briana,” he called from the low balcony. “It is time.”
Bree dropped her stone and took Kieri’s hand. “Leave the stones here and we’ll teach Horland later.”
Kieri dropped hers and they made their way to Horland. She was surprised to see he appeared suddenly uncertain.
