Page 52 of Highland Seasons

“Clean first, then we’ll see about everything else, husband.” She grinned to soften her words, but he had no doubt he wouldn’t change her mind. She was bent on taking care of him, and relaxing in a hot tub was always high on her own list.

Still, he had to try. He wrapped a hand around the back of her neck and pulled her to him for a kiss. She clung to him, heedless now of the dirt and smoke stench of his days in the cave. Her head lifted, giving him access to her throat, telling him she wanted more. He deepened the kiss, his need for her becoming more and more heated as she gave voice to soft cries and caressed his face. He thought he might be making progress until he realized Caitrin’s face was wet with tears.

“Lass!” This time, his tone was quite different from when he’d said the word only moments before. “Whatfashesye? I’m here, safe and sound, love.”

“I thought I’d lost ye,” she admitted, her gaze on his chest. She lifted her reddened eyes. “All I could think of was how could I go on without ye? How could I be the clan’s laird without ye at my side?”

“Ye dinna have to. I’ll be by yer side.”

“Ye’d best always be!”

He chuckled, but she frowned.

“I will be with ye, Caitrin. I will never willingly leave ye. Ye ken that.”

“I thought I did.” She set about removing his soiled clothing and tossing it aside. “I ken ye will have to go away from me at times. But I hope in those times I will ken where ye are and that ye are warm and safe.”

Once he was bare, she gave him a hungry look, but pointed toward the tub. “In.”

“Yes, my laird,” he answered and obeyed, but a smile played around the corners of his lips. “Ye ken ’tis almost the Yule.”

“Of course, I do. I’ve been counting the hours while ye were gone. Lady Madeleine kept me from riding out, joining the search for ye.”

“Thank the saints for Lady Madeleine. I wouldna have been able to live with myself had ye disappeared.” He paused and cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry I had to leave ye.”

“I ken ye are, love. She reminded me, too, of what it would mean to ye if I got lost. She talked me out of going, and she was right. My place is here, helping da. And yers is here helping me.”

“And the clan, lass.”

“I ken it.” She picked up a cloth and a bit of soap and began washing him.

Jamie leaned back in the tub with a sigh of contentment. “This is almost worth all the time I spent in that cold cave.”

“Almost? What could possibly be worth more than saving poor Magnus’s life?”

“This!” Jamie said and, grabbing her arms, pulled her into the tub with him.

Caitrin shrieked, but then she laughed and Jamie laughed with her.

All was well. He was home, everyone was safe, and Yuletide would proceed with relief and gratitude. And especially, with joy.