Of course, the question hit him then—what was she doing in the barn?
He shook his head again. She wouldn’t be poking anyone but him and they didn’t poke, they made love. Still, the foolish thought nagged at him as he took silent steps inside.
He had always found the thickest, freshest, and sweetest smelling pile of hay to lay in with a woman. That was why he had always made certain the barn was cleaned often. The pleasant scent in the air told him this barn had been recently cleaned. The door was open and enough light filtered in, even with the overcast sky, to allow him to see where he stepped.
Arran heard and saw nothing, then after taking several more steps he heard a quick scurrying, a rushing away of sorts. His wife suddenly appeared, brushing hay off her garments and plucking some stuck in her hair.
“You chased him away,” Purity accused.
“WHO?” he demanded, ready to kill.
“King.” She smiled and whispered, “He fancies a female cat and was trying to get her to warm up to him.”
Arran wasn’t sure he laughed from relief or the thought that struck him and spilled right out of his mouth. “So now you’re watching cats mate in the barn?”
She jabbed him in the arm. “I am not and I wouldn’t do that to King.”
“But you did it to me,” he teased, “though I can’t blame you since I certainly presented a more enjoyable sight.”
Purity was about to give his arm another jab when she realized he had laughed and his words teased as he once had done. Signs of the old Arran continued to return, which meant he continued to heal. It was a thought that filled her heart with joy and got her thinking.
She gasped and slapped her hand to her chest. “How cruel of you, husband, to remind me of your coupling exploits.”
Arran didn’t know what to say. How could he have been so rude and thoughtless? He grew more upset when she turned her head, sniffling back tears. Words failed him and he wasn’t even sure if he should reach out and touch her.
Finally, he forced himself to speak, to do something that had become unfamiliar to him—he apologized. “I’m so sorry, Purity, that was cruel of me.” She sniffled again and it tore at his heart. “Please forgive me. I’m a thoughtless wretch.”
Did he hear her chuckle?
Purity couldn’t hold back her laughter and it burst out of her. “What a delight it is to tease you, husband.”
She thought differently when she turned and looked at him. Her laughter died abruptly when she saw the heavy scowl he wore and the way his arms were folded tightly across his chest. He took a step toward her and she took a step back.
“Harmless teasing, that’s all it was,” she said as if it explained it away. She took another step back when he once again stepped forward. “I’m truly sorry,” she rushed to say. I meant no harm.” There wasn’t a shred of forgiveness in his dark eyes.
He lurched at her and she yelped and hurried back away from him only to lose her footing and tumble back.
Arran’s hand reached out and snatched her by the arm and stopped her from falling. He lowered his head until their noses almost touched and smiled. “Never tease someone who is a master at it.”
She slapped his arm, her heart beating wildly. “You frightened me.”
He stole a quick kiss. “Why would you feel frightened when you know I’d never hurt you?” His brow narrowed. “You do know I’d never hurt you?”
“Aye, I do,” she said and shook her head, “but you scared me so much that I didn’t think about that.”
“Never let your fear stop you from seeing the truth,” he cautioned. “I would never hurt you, on that you have my word. I love you far too much to ever intentionally cause you a moment of pain.”
Her breath caught briefly. “You truly do love me?” When he did nothing but stare at her, his mouth appearing as if he would speak, yet didn’t, she smiled and teased, “Can’t find the words?”
Arran shook his head, feeling a fool, a fool in love. “You’re right, I can’t find the words to express how much I love you. Maybe it’s because I never thought to fall in love or cared to fall in love, and God knows these last five years had me come to believe there wasn’t an ounce of love in the world. Then you came along and loved me even though I didn’t return that love. Through you, I came to know love, feel it, relish it, and cherish what I found with you. The three simple words I love you seem inadequate to express how I feel, but it’s the belief and the courage to recognize it and admit it that gives them so much meaning. So, wife, you will hear me say it often and know how much I mean it—I love you.”