“Ye hae time.”
I chuckled sadly. “So much time.” I stared at the letter from my mother. “I interrupted, I think you were about to tell me that this danger is nothing compared to what is in store for me.”
“Aye, tis what I was goin’ tae say.”
I turned in his arms and looked up at his face. “I’m sorry you took all of this on, you were living a cushy life?—”
He chuckled. “Och nae, tis what ye think?”
“No, not really, I was being sarcastic — what was your life without me?”
“Twas bleak and dark and cold, ye hae brought life tae me, and warmth. I was fightin’ for Max, but ye hae given me a cause I believe is worth fightin’ for m’self.”
I stroked my fingers down the side of his face. “Some might say you’ve taken on my cause along with Max’s, and that neither of them is for yourself.”
“They would be wrong, mo leannan, I hae married ye, we are one. Yer cause is m’own, yer wellbeing is my duty.”
His stomach growled loudly.
I said, “Let me feed you.”
10
ALEXANDRIA
JULY 8TH, 2004 - LAUREL RIDGE
The afternoon was growing long, we had missed lunch long ago, and I was really hungry. “I don’t know what I have to cook. I should probably make you a fine meal, something amazing, but not sure…”
Then I asked, “What if I order a pizza, have you had pizza yet, my husband?”
“I daena ken what ye are saying.”
“Perfect. You’re in for a treat. I’ll order it in a few moments. I have promised to take you out and show you around the modern world, but I feel like staying in, this has been a lot.”
“Aye, this has been plenty.”
“You’re going to love pizza.”
I climbed from the couch and walked down the hall for my phone. On the phone shelf in the hallway was a list of the local restaurants, and on the top was my favorite pizza delivery. “You’re hungry now, right?” I looked at the clock. “I guess it is close to dinner time, early bird, I’ll order it now, pizza.”
I dialed the phone and ordered a large supreme, checking in the fridge. I had a few beers, but thought he might want more, so I got a twelve pack of beers too.
I returned to the couch and sat beside Torin.
Torin asked, “Where is this food?”
“After the store makes it they’ll deliver it here.”
He looked doubtful, shaking his head, “Ye daena hae tae cook it in the hearth?”
“Nope, I don’t have to do anything. But we should warn the guard and I’ll go get cleaned up. Too much crying.”
I returned a bit later,my face washed, freshened up with some makeup, wearing clean clothes, to find Torin sitting stiffly in the chair on the porch with Dude on his lap.
I came out, the screen door slamming behind me. “Waiting for the food?”
“Aye, I hae tae be ready for the man tae come tae the gates.”
