“If ’tis difficulties that keep ye here against yer will, then ye need my help all the more,” he grinned as if all had been decided.
Of all the—! Her chin came up and she gave him a steadfast stare. “Nae! I dinnae need anyone’s help. The things I must do, I must do alone. I’m grateful for yer concern, Sean McCulloch, but nae. As I said before, ye must continue yer journey, andIshall continue mine. Alone.”
“Sean will do,” he smiled at her as if indulging a child's whim.
Infuriating. As soon as he delivered her home, and she delivered him the sorely-regretted promised meal, she’d do whatever it took to get rid of him. Her situation was difficult enough. She couldnae have him peering over her shoulder. She’d already submitted to one rescue that resulted in a wasted day. She couldnae afford another.
And she was far too worried and weary to indulge in any more battles of will. She conjured a convincing yawn and laid her head on Sean’s shoulder, shocked at how good it felt to rest her cheek against the soft wool of his plaid. Just part of the ruse, she told herself, refusing to explore how being cradled in his arms and tucked so snugly against his chest had shifted from annoying, to comforting.
She closed her eyes to further her ploy of sleeping so he’d quit talking and inserting himself into her life, and surrendered to the gentle sway of Sean’s stride.
* * *
Sean pausedon the outskirts of the small village to study the fascinating lass sleeping in his arms. Beautiful, stubborn, mysterious, and far-too-serious, Kenna Kincaid. With difficulty, he resisted the urge to press a kiss to her forehead, loathe to wake her.
He wanted a few moments more to memorize the details of her face. Her pretty mouth, soft in sleep, her long, burnished lashes; spread like delicate fans. Her nose, small and slender. Cheeks, pale and peachy against her magnificent mass of copper curls.
He’d yearned to sketch her from the moment he’d seen her pacing at the outer kirk wall, but instinctively kenned her denial. Any sketch of the lovely Kenna would have to be done from memory.
If only he could burn her image into his mind. ’Twas already implausibly branded on his heart. It must be. Why else would he feel such regret at the thought of leaving her, he’d pressed the idea of seeing her to back to her home village, despite her protests? But despite his disappointment, he wasnae quite blackguard enough to foist even his innocent attentions on an objecting lass.
And, just as she’d said, he had his own journey to pursue. But he wouldnae forget her and he’d never regret stopping to help her, despite her protests every step of the way.
His smile tightened his cheeks. Aye, a stubborn lass, this. And devilishly charming. ’Twould take a strong man to tame her. Though he wasnae sure she should be. ’Twas her feisty, independent spirit that drew him to her.
But someone would charm the lass. His throat constricted, knowing it wouldnae be him. Mayhap some lad had already claimed a place in her life. If so, he dinnae wish to know. He selfishly wanted to walk away with the illusion that if circumstances were different, that lucky man might have been him.
Giving in, he touched his lips to her forehead, her cheek, and only barely suppressed the urge to capture her lips. “Kenna. Wake, lass. We’re at the edge of town and I dinnae ken where ye live.”
She stirred, blinked several times, and licked those lovely lips. When finally, her eyes fully opened and locked with his, Sean saw her momentary confusion, a flash of fear as her muscles tensed.
“Easy, lass. All is well. We’ve reached yer village.”
She glanced at her surroundings and on a shuddering sigh, relaxed slightly, lifting the hand she’d previously tucked against his chest, to rub her throat. “I’m sorry. I was dreaming.” A small shudder rippled her shoulders as she visibly pulled herself free of whatever images still troubled her.
He wanted to ask her about the dream, dispel the haunted look still lingering in her eyes, but he refrained. Regretfully, ’twas no’ his business.
Hoping to ease the tug on his heart, he lifted his gaze to the village. “I wouldnae have awakened ye, but I dinnae ken where tae take ye.”
The sounds suddenly seem louder than just moments ago. More intrusive. Beyond the sparse houses, several vehicles came and went on the main road into town. And between the structures lining what appeared to be a single row of merchant buildings, Sean glimpsed people moving along the street.
“There.” Kenna pointed to the back of one of the businesses where outside stairs lead to a second level. “That’s Owen’s Bakery. I do deliveries for him in the mornings and some clean up at night, and he lets me stay in the wee apartment above his shop.”
Pushing away from Sean’s chest, she shifted into a rigid position. “Ye can put me down now. I’m sure ye’re exhausted. I ken I can make it the rest of the way.”
“Dinnae be ridiculous. I havnae come this far tae dump ye the last hundred yards. Especially since, I’ll wager, yer knees are even stiffer now, than before. Besides,” he added, seeing her chin come up and that already familiar, stubborn look enter her eyes, “ye promised me a meal and I fully intend tae collect.” He gave her a teasing grin and a wink, and with long strides, headed for the stairs she’d pointed out, tucking her firmly against his chest, once more. “Dinnae ken ye’ll be getting’ oot ’o that!”
With her protest still ringing in his ears, he closed the distance and mounted the stairs. He couldnae pretend carrying Kenna this distance hadnae taken a toll. His legs, arms and back ached mightily, but he’d die before admitting so.
He’d turn around and carry her to the kirk and back again if it meant discovering what tormented her.Somethinghaunted Kenna and plagued her dreams. What had she searched for so desperately? More than anything since Soncerae had gifted him a new life, Sean wished to find a way to help Kenna. To somehow ease her burden.
But what of the promise he’d already made? The penance he owed?
In the rubble of his last life, he’d lost his own treasure.His honor. With enough atonement, he hoped to restore it again. Until then, he had naught to offer a woman. Especially a woman like Kenna.
Chapter Five
“Nowwill ye put me down?” Kenna pressed, as they reached the landing at the top of the long staircase. “I have tae unlock the door.” She cast him a disgruntled look. “Ye’re an impossibly stubborn man, Sean McCulloch. I see ye’re used tae doing exactly as ye please.”
