Kenna pushed her way out of the stranger’s arms. How could she have been so foolish as to blurt that out? His kindness had made her vulnerable. ’Twas a trick she must take care not to fall for again.
On a hitched sob, she leaned back against the kirk wall and shoved her mass of curls from her face with both hands. “Forgive me. I…misspoke.”
Think, Kenna! Ye must correct yer blunder!
“I experienced a terrible dream last night and I suppose the torment has stayed with me. I imagine ’twas that and lack of sleep that made me blurt out such a preposterous thing. Please. Ignore what I said.”
The stranger looked at her with clear skepticism. “All of it?”
“Aye. All. I ken fatigue, along with my fall has rendered me a bit off-balance today, in both thought and deed.” She held out her wounded hands. “As ye’ve observed.”
“Hmm. Ignore all,” he muttered. “Then yer name isnae McKenna Kincaid, after all?”
“Of course it is.” Frowning and far too weary for a battle of wits, she met his gaze. “Ye’re purposefully misconstruing my words. ’Tis unkind of ye.”
His careful study of her face made her uncomfortable. Mayhap she had mud on her nose and chin from her fall. She fought the urge to wipe them clean along with the desire to look away from his penetrating gold eyes. Instead, she lifted her chin—as her mother had instructed her to do in moments of vulnerability—determined to hold her own. Let the far-too-attractive stranger and his disconcerting stare, be the first to look away.
“ ’Tis my turn tae ask for forgiveness,” he finally admitted. “As ye observed, ’twas a jest, but poorly rendered. I apologize.”
If only he would look away, they could be done with this ridiculous standoff. “Accepted.”
“And my offer of help? Will ye accept that, as well? I’d be happy tae help ye recover whatever ye lost. And then, I mean tae see ye safely home.”
’Twas clear the stranger—Sean was it?—wasnae going to go away without playing the hero. Chivalrous as that was, she needed privacy, not interference. She bristled at the delay, but ’twas no use for it. She’d have to find a way to get rid of him before she could proceed with her search. The idea that she might lose yet another day, made her stomach turn over. One more day could be one day too late.
Bugger the inconvenience and delay her clumsiness and this man’s good intentions were costing her!
Hoping to send him on his way, she rolled a sore shoulder. “My knees and shoulder do seem tae be stiffening up.” Unfortunately, ’twas more the truth than she wished. Everything seemed to throb in concert with her heartbeat. “I believe I’ll return home to clean up, after all.”
“Aye, lass. Ye must be hurting terribly. Let’s get ye home and cared for properly.”
Ashamed of her unkind thoughts when he’d been naught but caring and considerate, Kenna gave him the sincerest smile she could manage.
“Please dinnae fash yerself, further. Ye’ve already done me a great service. If I’m not back in good time, my landlord will come looking for me. He has a vehicle, which will make the trip much more comfortable. So, you see, there’s naught tae keep ye here. I’m fine and will soon be home, tended and at rest.”
Sean’s brow wrinkled over a troubled expression. Did he doubt her?
“Please,” Kenna pressed. “Continue your journey. I thank ye for your help, but further assistance is no longer needed.” She threw in another smile to soften her directive.
When Sean rose to his knees and tucked his flask away, she hid her sigh of relief. As soon as he was gone, she’d somehow make her way back down the hill to continue her search. Far too much time had been lost, already.
“Nae,” he declared. “I’ll no’ hear of it. Yer wounds need tending now, no’ later when, or if, yer landlord discovers ye missing. Ye’re still bleeding. I’ll see ye safely home. My mind is set on it.”
He tucked his sketch book away, looked around for any forgotten items and before she could form a gasp, bent and scooped her into his arms.
“I must protest.” She sputtered, grasping his shoulders to keep from tumbling to the ground.
He gave her a tiny toss, stealing her breath as he settled her firmly against his chest. “If ye must, then proceed. But ’twill no’ change the outcome.”
Sudden panic engulfed her, and she braced her hands against his brawny chest. “Now, wait a minute,” she demanded. “I dinnae ken anything about ye and I certainly dinnae trust ye. I’ve no intention of letting a perfect stranger take me anywhere!”
Sean stopped short and the look on his face both shocked and shamed her. Very gently, he placed her back on the ground, straightened and took a step back. Almost as an afterthought, he retrieved his flask and placed it beside her.
“ ’Tis only a wee bit of water left, but ye may have need of it before yer landlord comes for ye.” He backed away; his wounded expression still stark on his face. “I wish ye well, Kenna Kincaid. I hope yer injuries heal soon and ye’re able tae recover whatever ye lost.” He studied her a moment longer as the sting of her words swirled around them. “ ’Twas my hope tae serve ye, never tae harm or frighten ye.”
Before she could gather her wits, he’d rounded the corner of the kirk. Her chest felt both hollow and heavy; the unsettled sensation she always felt when she’d done something bad, or hurtful.Conscience, her mither had called it. ’Twas a bloody nuisance, if ye asked her—nagging at yer soul until ye’re forced to do things contrary to yer wishes!
A heavy sigh came from the depths of her being. Might as well get on wi’ repairin’ the damage she’d done. ’Twas the only way to be rid of the stone in her chest. She filled her lungs with air and bellowed his name.
