“The very reason he is building one, to learn he can’t get out of chores no matter how disastrous his attempts. And I believe you’ll find his building skills improve rapidly.”
Sorrell placed her hand on his warm cheek. “You are a wise man.”
“I am glad you believe that and now you’ll question my decisions no more.” He pressed his finger to her lips to stop her from arguing. “What matters to me right now is you.”
She eased his finger away from her mouth. “And you matter to me, so please do not keep things from me or I will worry endlessly about you, like now. You’ve showed no surprise at the attempt on your life. You know something yet refuse to tell me. I would not keep something so important from you.”
He hadn’t confided anything in anyone in some time. There hadn’t been anyone he could trust, until he met Sorrell.
“My father let it be known that he would pay a handsome price to see me dead. His imminent death had him rethinking his decision. I assume some people haven’t received word as to my father’s change of heart, not that he has one. I will tell you more about it on our journey home.”
Sorrell went to sit up and Ruddock’s arm reached around her and eased her up. She rested her hand on his arm and gave him a gentle kiss.
“I am so sorry your father caused you such suffering. That is a horrible thing for a father to do to his son, and I am glad I will be with you to protect you from him.”
That she even thought she could protect him touched his heart, but then by now nothing she did should surprise him. And the thought that he might have lost her today after having only found her tore at his heart.
“You will not put yourself in harm’s way for me, wife, and that is final. I will not tell you again. You will obey me on this.” He kissed her quick before she could object, then made a hasty retreat to the door, concerned if he remained he’d want to do more than simply kiss her.
“You’ll have a problem if you keep ordering me about and think I will obey,” she called out to him.
Ruddock turned. “And you’ll have a bigger problem if you don’t obey me, for I’ll take a hand to your backside.”
Sorrell gasped. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Ruddock laughed. “Oh, lass, the last thing you want to do is dare me.”
Sorrell stood on the steps of the keep, her sisters to either side of her. The horses waited at the bottom of the steps, departure imminent. She was to ride with Ruddock. He had insisted on it and she hadn’t objected, since it would give them time to talk.
Prince, her horse, would follow behind them, if he should be needed. The animal would be good and follow without a problem, seeing that he wasn’t being separated from her.
However, she was being separated from her sisters and she was sure her heart would shatter. They had never been apart, and she didn’t know how she’d live without seeing them every day. Who would she take her troubles to? Who would tend her when she got ill? Who would laugh with her? Who would hold her tight when she needed comfort?
“Ruddock will be there for you,” Willow said as if she had heard her sister’s thoughts.
Sorrell grabbed Willow and Snow into a tight hug, fighting back tears, fighting the ache in her heart. “This is more difficult than I thought, leaving you both, leaving my home. It breaks my heart.”
“I envy you,” Snow said, surprising both sisters. “You go off to start your own home as it should be, have your own children, watch them grow, and fall more deeply in love with your husband. We’ve talked endlessly about always being together, but I think we knew a day like this would come when fate set us on different paths. We will always be in one another’s hearts and thoughts and we will visit often, but as Mum would have told you… it’s time for you to live your own life now.”
“When did you get so wise?” Sorrell asked.
Snow smiled. “I’ve always been wise. You just never paid heed to it.”
The three sisters laughed as tears trickled down their cheeks.
The three hugged and kissed repeatedly.
“Once I’m settled and see things going well, you’ll come visit,” Sorrell said.
Willow wiped at the tears that refused to stop falling. “You couldn’t keep us away.”
“And I’ll come back and visit often,” Sorrell said, wiping at her own tears.
“My word that you all will see each other as often as you like,” Ruddock said, halfway up the steps.
Sorrell tensed and her sisters gripped her hands.
It was time for her to leave.