Did he kiss her?
He wanted to. He had since they’d fallen in the sand the night before.
No, he had noticed her kissable lips when he first saw her but kept forcing them from his mind, and then they had fallen out of the hammock and she had filled his dreams.
But if he did kiss her, it could create all manner of difficulties.
He must worry about the French, the British invasion and the children, not Tempest’s lips, or her legs, or any other part of her anatomy.
Maybe when they were safe, but he could not afford to be distracted now.
However, before he could step back as he should, she spoke. “We should leave.”
“Yes…” He had to clear his throat because the answer came out croaked. “Yes. And search for another place for you and your sisters to hide.”
Tempest gave a nod, stepped around Rhys and exited the cave.
He had been about to kiss her. Of that she was certain.
Or maybe not.
He had been thinking about it and she had wanted him to until she realized that it would only bring a complication. She needed to protect her sisters and keep them safe and not think about kissing Rhys.
Unlike their walk while they searched for a cave, nothing was said on the return and when they rounded the corner of the house, stopped to find all five girls sitting outside.
“Do you see how easily we came upon you? What if we would have been French soldiers?” he demanded.
“We would have hidden.”
“It would have been too late.”
“No, it would not have.” Margaret grinned.
“Why not?” Rhys demanded.
“Because we have taken turns looking out the window at the back of the hut just so nobody sneaks up on us.”
“Who was supposed to be watching the window now since you are all out here?”
“Nobody. I saw you coming and told the others,” Ann announced.
Tempest smirked. “I told you that there was no need to worry.”
“Yes, well, they still…I still do not have a shelter.”
Margaret stood and fisted her hands on her hips. “You were not looking for shelter, Mr. McNaught.”
“I was not?” At least he appeared perplexed, but Margaret was her one sister who was too intelligent for her own good, and more so than anyone else in the family.
“You were searching for a place where we could hide but did not want to frighten us.”
Tempest arched a brow daring him to contradict Margaret’s assessment as he did hers.
“Yes…well…you need a place to do so.”
“We agree,” Ann said as she stood. “And we have found it.”
“How?” Tempest demanded. “You were not to leave the terrasse if you came out of the house.”
