“Really?”
“Really.” She lowered her head, an embarrassed smile playing over her lips.
“You’re a fast reader.”
“Oh aye.” She hesitated, then her smile widened. “I admit, I stayed up most of the night after you gave it to me.”
“You must have been tired the next day.”
“I was, but reading it was worth the loss of sleep.” She pulled her cloak around her tighter. “I promise I’ll return it to you when I finish this time.”
“I don’t want it back.”
“You don’t?”
When she turned her wide eyes upon him, he suddenly felt like he was drowning in their depths and couldn’t come up for a breath.
What was it about this woman that made him react this way?
He scrambled to find his breath and his sanity. He had to remain in control of himself and of the situation.
“I can’t keep it,” she persisted.
“It’s a gift, Alannah.” Somehow his words came out calmer than he felt.
“And I can’t be taking gifts from you either.” Her tone held a note of chastisement. “Your mother won’t be liking that—”
“Mam’s not making life miserable for you, is she?”
“No, she’s not said a word to me all week.”
“Good.”
“You know what they say: A storm is always brewing on the horizon.”
“You know what they also say: Sunshine always follows the rain.”
She laughed again lightly.
He liked listening to her laugh, liked seeing her smile, liked knowing he could make her happy with something as simple as a book. He’d have to get another for her.
She was quiet for a long moment, the gentle rustle of the breeze in the grass filling the lull.
He felt strangely content lying beside her.
She shot him a sideways glance. “Miss Douglas came by earlier this evening looking for you.”
The comment was like a bucket of cold well water dumping over him and waking him up to real life. He didn’t want the reminder of Shelia. He didn’t want to think about her or Liam or the upcoming engagement party.
Alannah seemed to be holding her breath.
He forced down a brusque retort. He couldn’t take out his frustration on her.
“I’m sorry for bringing it up, so I am.” She spoke hesitantly. “The gossip is none of my concern—”
“What is the gossip these days?” He couldn’t keep the bitterness from his tone.
“We can talk about something else.”
