Page 10 of Hearts Bound By Time

“Dinnae fear my sweet, I’ll nae leave ye. Come. I think I see things to make a shower.”

“Robert, ye cannae possibly believe ye’ll make one.”

“Do ye doubt me, Irene?”

“Nae,” she admitted. “I ken when ye decide to do something that ye’ll move heaven and earth to do it.” As they walked, Robert stopped at a wall of books. “Irene. Can ye believe it. Do ye see all the books?”

“Aye, Robert. I do.”

He searched each title and then exclaimed, “Here. ’Tis a book I can use.” Robert happily grabbed the book and held on tightly, a huge grin on his handsome face. “Look Irene, it says, ‘Plumbing.’ ’Tis what Angus called the workings of the shower.”

“Can ye nae make a room without a roof?” Irene tipped her head in question.

“Nae roof?” Robert was puzzled by her question.

“Aye. Then when it rains ye can stand in it and ’twill be like yer fancy shower that ye love so much.” Irene giggled and Robert knew she was teasing him.

He broke into laughter so loud that others in the store turned to look at them. “Come let’s purchase this book.”

Robert continued walking, searching for someone to help him buy the book. Eventually he saw a man wearing an apron, who looked as good as anyone to speak with.

“Sir. I wish to purchase this book.”

“Aye. I can help ye,” the man answered.

“Edna Campbell requested that ye put it on her bill.”

“If ye’ll come with me, I’ll take care of it.” He reached for the book, but Robert wasn’t about to let it leave his grasp. The man shook his head and gave Robert an odd look, but turned and walked away. “Follow me.”

He led them to the front of the store where he stood behind a counter and punched buttons on some strange contraption that Robert found fascinating. The man reached a hand out for the book and again Robert held onto it tightly. “Sir, I need the book so I can ring it up for ye.”

“I don’t understand,” Robert said.

Irene elbowed him in the side and nodded her head in the man’s direction. Robert reluctantly handed the book over and the man passed some strange wand over it before handing it right back to Robert. “Here ye go. This will appear on Mrs. Campbell’s bill. Ye must be one of her out of town guests,” the man observed.

“We are indeed,” Robert responded.

“Well, enjoy yer stay. If ye need anything else, please come back and see us.”

“I may be back. I wish to build a shower.”

“We have everything ye’d need for that, sir.”

“Good.” Robert took Irene’s hand and tucked it in his as he walked away with his book.

***

“Where shall we go next,” Irene asked. She was thoroughly enjoying herself and the company of her husband. “The children are fine with Edna and I’ve no wish to go back yet.”

“I’ve no idea where to go next, love. Let’s just walk.” Robert led her down the street where they peered into the store windows as they passed by. It was beginning to get dark and the fairy lights strung up and down the street went on, causing Irene to gasp at their beauty. “Robert, arenae they wonderful. Yet another thing I’d like to bring back to Breaghacraig.”

“I’ll ask Angus about them. Mayhap they have them at the hardware store.” He pulled Irene closer. “Are ye warm enough, Irene?”

“Aye. I’m always warm when ye’ve yer arm wrapped around me.”

He sweetly kissed the top of her head. This is a rare time fer us. ’Tis not often that we are completely alone.”

“I’d forgotten what it could be like.” Robert was right. The business of running Breaghacraig, caring for their children and Robert’s position as Laird of the clan meant their lives were quite busy and filled with children and castle residents who were always in need of something. Before they married, they’d had much more time to themselves and it was nice they’d been given this opportunity to reacquaint themselves with each other. “I’d like to do something nice for Edna and Angus. Ye ken to thank them for all of this.”