His furry dimples showed. “You have my attention.”
Sliding next to him, I positioned myself to throw, made a final adjustment to my wrist to how much power I would offer, then I let go and launched. The sack flew.
Swoosh.
Dead in the barrel, no rim.
Chris jumped, pulling on my skirts. I heard Wycliff clapping. “Well done, Ruth.”
I gave them each a curtsy.
Wycliff took my hand, and I had Chris’s.
“Impressive, my dear,” the baron’s whisper tickled my ear. “I suppose, persevering after a few failures is the correct course.”
“It is.” Confident from my win, I led them out of the crowd. Half up a grassy knoll, I stopped in place. “I don’t know where to go next.”
Yawning, my baby wobbled onto my emerald slippers.
“Wilky, I think our champion should take a rest in the shade.”
Wycliff’s arm wrapped about my waist, and I came to him. The embrace was gentle and reassuring. “You ready for a rest, Ruth?”
No, but I was ready for things to be different.
“What is it, Ruthy?”
“Lead me.”
His hand found mine, our fingers entwined. We walked in step like we’d done this for years. He headed us toward the trees.
I didn’t want to be near the woods, or Dark Walk, as it was called, but Wycliff and Chris stood with me.
Trust filled my chest, until I heard buttons being undone.
A gasp stuck in my throat, but it was Wycliff’s coat.
“Ruth, I’m laying down my cloak for you.”
He eased me to sit.
I couldn’t stand not seeing anymore. I tore into my reticule and found my spectacles. With them on, I glanced at Wycliff and Chris.
The baron spun my boy around and around then set him to the ground.
“Chris, stay put. Take care of your mother. I’ll get us refreshments.”
My baby was so happy, grinning and giggling. He’d had the best day ever.
With another yawn, he laid his head on my thigh. I stroked his short curls. “Love you, baby. You are my world. You are perfect.”
I saw his toothy smile as his eyes closed. In my soul, I promised to give him more memories like this.
Soon, Wycliff walked toward us. His hands were full of things, but it was Adam’s swagger that choked me up.
He moved the way my love had when he’d come to me on the docks, or that last night at the inn when we’d been turned out.
I couldn’t speak or breathe.
