Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Kendra and he had hoped for a slew of children, since both were only children while most families had more than they could feed. Fate, however, had different plans for them, but Kendra wanted him happy and, before she died, had insisted that he find love again.
She had taught him how unselfish true love was and only recently had he begun to realize the wisdom of her legacy.
“Admiring your wife from afar?” Derek asked, joining him under the shade of the tree.
“She is a beauty,” Rogan said with a smile.
“You are a lucky man.”
“So you’re the one who was elected to speak with me?”
Derek looked affronted.
“Do not bother to deny it. I know the clan has gotten together with the intention of trying to keep Aliss and me together.”
“Good, then I can speak my mind.”
Rogan coughed though it sounded like a laugh.
“All right, so I always speak my mind,” Derek said. “You are an idiot.”
Rogan grabbed his shoulder. “That was a hit.”
“It is your heart that is going to suffer the damage.”
“It already has,” Rogan admitted reluctantly.
“Then do something.”
“I intend to.”
“The clan is content here and—” Derek shook his head. “You do?”
“A plan has bubbled and stewed in my head since we’ve landed here.”
Derek rubbed his hands together. “Has it finished brewing?”
“Just about.”
“Tell me,” Derek urged in a whisper.
“No!”
Derek fell back, affronted. “Why not?”
“Because you will tell another then he will tell another and another until—” He threw his hands up. “It will be common knowledge to the whole clan.”
“You accuse me of gossiping?”
“I most certainly do,” Rogan said with a laugh.
“At least you intend to take care of it or else I would have to—” Derek smiled and shook a fist at him.
“Is that a threat?” Rogan asked.
“You threaten your chieftain, Derek?”
Derek spun around and Rogan jumped to his feet. Neither man had heard Aliss approach.
“He needs it now and again.” Derek grinned.
“Perhaps he does,” Aliss said.
“A woman who knows her husband. You would do well to remember that, Rogan.” Derek grinned again and with a nod bade them good day.
“Why do you rub your shoulder?” Aliss asked as Derek drifted off.
“Is that what brought you over here? Concern for my shoulder?”
“Is something wrong with it?”
He thought to lie but then that was what had got him into this mess in the first place. He was better off with the truth.
“No. There is nothing wrong with it.”
She turned to go as he expected she would. He reached out and took hold of her hand. “Sit with me for a moment.”
“I have work to do.”
He tugged her gently under the tree. “Just for a moment.”
Aliss obliged reluctantly.
They settled in the shade of the towering oak in tense silence. Rogan knew she would jump up any second and be off. He knew she was afraid to open her heart to him again. After all, he had damaged it once; why would she take another chance? So he intended to court her, treat her extra special, and let her know how very much he admired, respected, and loved her. He would do anything and everything to repair the damage to her heart and help her to love again.
“It is wonderful news about Anna and John.”
She beamed with delight. “I couldn’t be happier for them.”
“It is always good when another babe joins the clan.”
“A birth is a joy everyone can share in.”
“And this birth has the distinction of being the first in our new home,” he said, holding her glance with his. “Or is there a chance that you could be first?” He had to know. Ever since he had heard of Anna, he had wondered if Aliss was with child. Surely, she would know by now.
Her silence made him even more curious. “Is there something you want to tell me?”
“There is nothing for me to tell you.”
“While I am sorry to hear that, I am also relieved,” Rogan rushed to explain, seeing her startled expression. “I am eager for you to have my child, for I have no doubt you will be an excellent mother. First, however, I want to make certain you are secure with my love and know that you are my life, my breath, my being. Then I will get you with child.”
Aliss stared at him speechless then simply turned and walked away.
He watched her go and knew that there was no way he could watch her walk out of his life. His heart already ached from the distance that had been forged between them even though every night she slept in his arms.
His plan was set and placed into action. He would advance forward as an army of one and conquer her. He jumped to his feet, gave a quick look around, and spied what he wanted. He gave it a swift pluck and followed Aliss until he caught up with her. There in front of the cottage where she did her healing, he attempted to begin to heal her heart.