Och! He couldnae fash about that now. No’ with this lass near the end of her strength and her family anxiously waiting at the top. ’Twas of no consequence, anyway.
The sun was easing toward the west hills, when Reginald finally helped Deidre, exhausted and trembling, up the last few feet and into the arms of her aunt and sisters.
Phoebe immediately wrapped her in a blanket as she and Julia led her a short distance away.
Lauren threw her arms around Reginald’s neck, her warm tears on his cheek, a stark contrast to the cold mist he’d endured.
“Thank you for bringing her back to us. I love you, Reggie.” She hugged him even tighter. “I love you!”
With a kiss to his cheek, she left to join her family.
Drew handed him a blanket. “Go with her. Sit and rest a spell, while I gather the rope. You’ve earned it.”
Though Reginald hated to admit it, resting his legs and back sounded very appealing.
“I cannae thank ye enough, Drew. I couldnae have gotten her out, by myself.”
“What the devil happened, anyway?” Drew asked. “Julia told me there’d been a fire in the shed and for some unknown reason, Deidre ranhereof all places.”
Reginald’s mouth twisted. “She was in the barn having a good cry, about Phillip leaving, I ken, and overheard us talkin’. When she learned he was bored by us, she took it tae mean, her, specifically.” He turned to look at her and the others, all hugging and fussing over her. “But I ken ’twas no’ just that, but a combination of a lot of things.”
He clapped Drew on the shoulder. “We were lucky, though. And thanks tae ye, we got her back, safe. It could have turned out verra bad.” He peeled off the gloves, wincing only a little. “These saved me. I’m grateful ye thought o’ ’em.”
“I didn’t. Lauren did. She told me to come fast, bring all the rope I could find, along with blankets, gloves and any repelling gear I had.”
He frowned. “I’m not a climber, so this is all I had. We thought about calling Search and Rescue, but it would have taken a lot longer. We would have, though, if you hadn’t already gone after her. We would have, even then, if it didn’t look like you had things under control. You saved her, Reginald. That’s a pretty big deal.”
“ ’Tis ye, who saved us both,” he argued. “Deidre wouldnae have lasted much longer on that ledge, and neither of us would have made it back wi’out yer help.”
“Fine,” Drew chuckled. “We’ll call it a draw just so you’ll get off your feet. You’re exhausted. Go. Sit with your lady, while I finish up, here. I’ll join you when I get this rope collected.”
“Aye,” he sighed. “I ken I will.”
He’d only taken a few strides when a thought struck him. “Drew. Do ye mind leavin’ the rope for a day or so? I’ve a…curiosity, tae scratch.”
“Not at all.” Drew looked at him curiously. “Use it as long as you like.”
“Gloves, too?”
Drew shrugged. “Sure. And anything else you need.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “I’ll just coil the rope under the tree and tuck the gloves beneath it. But,” he gestured toward Reginald’s hands. “…you may want to get those bandaged first.”
Reginald looked at his scorched, torn hands, like he hadnae seen them before. “I will. Thank ye.”
Finally, he strode toward the woman who’d captured his heart, filled his thoughts, and all but taken over his senses. Lauren looked up and smiled. For as long as he lived, he’d ne’er forget the tender look in her eyes.
He sank to the ground beside her and slipped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, wanting desperately to bask in her declaration of love, wi’ out any thought of tomorrow. He’d barely had time to absorb such a miracle, let alone glory in it.
Today reminded him how quickly you could lose someone. Even to benign things.
Love dinnae come wi’ guarantees.
He pressed a kiss to Lauren’s temple.Especially, theirs.
Chapter Sixteen
Phoebe patted Deidre’s shoulder and tucked the blanket a little tighter. “We should get you home, dear, if you’re rested enough. You’ll get a chill soaked as you are, and we need to tend to those cuts and scratches.”
She looked over at Reginald, just as Drew joined them, choosing a space next to Julia. “And your hands need looking after, too.” She tsk’d her displeasure at the open sores.
