He sat up quickly. “Shay? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I wanted to make sure you were here. I had a dream.”
“I’m here. Are you okay?”
She nodded, but then shook her head. “No,” she whispered.
“Come here,” he said, pulling back the covers and scooting over to make room.
She didn’t hesitate, but crawled in beside him, settling in the spot already warm from his body. He flipped the blanket over her and pulled her close, tucking his body around hers. She snuggled into his chest, letting his warmth and scent comfort her. He wore underwear, and it almost made her cry, because she knew he’d left them on in case he needed to go to her.
She was tired. She had to sleep. Just for a minute.
She woke several times during the night, once screaming, once shaking quietly, face soaked with tears. Cody was there each time, holding her close, trying to absorb her pain.
She woke to an empty bed. The sky was tinged with the pink of dawn. She heard noises downstairs and quickly dressed. The kitchen was like a train station. Some eating, some carrying luggage, some doing both.
“Did you sleep okay?” Bree asked.
“Finally.” She glanced around the kitchen, but Cody wasn’t there.
“He’s at Nina’s checking on something.” Bree rubbed Shay’s arm. “You’ll be fine. Let him help you through it. He needs it as much as you do.”
She didn’t need to ask who
“The men are loading the vehicles. We’re waiting for Lachlan. He went to drag some poor veterinarian out of bed to give the cat its shots so he could take it to Scotland with us.”
“He’s taking the cat to Scotland?”
“Ronan’s going to leave it there at the castle until things calm down.” She closed the catch on her suitcase. “We’re flying out of D.C. Marcas is going to take us there in the small plane to save driving time.” Bree leaned closer. “My mother’s here. She arrived last night. She was on the way home from the wedding and found out we’d been in an accident. She thinks we’re going back to the castle so you and I can recover. She doesn’t know about the warriors or this.” Bree touched her stomach.
“Got it.”
Bree picked up a suitcase, and Faelan appeared, like a growling genie, and removed it, complaining that it was too heavy for someone with a concussion. He patted Shay on the head as he went by. The gesture was oddly endearing. All these people, strangers, really, but they had dropped everything, weddings, honeymoons, battles, to come and help her.
A woman entered the kitchen. She looked elegant and graceful, even at this hour.
“Shay, this is my mother, Orla Kirkland.” Orla was nothing like Bree, who was relaxed and laid back. This woman was as proper and refined as a queen.
“Good morning, Shay. I heard about your trouble. I’m so glad you’re okay. Could I get you a cup of tea? Cody has some lovely Earl Grey.”
“No, thank you.” She had no appetite, not even for tea.
“Brodie, dear, do sit down and eat. Your food won’t digest properly with you rushing around. What is that? Oh heavens. Cookies? At this hour?” Orla threw her hands in the air. “I give up,” she said, and Brodie bolted out the door. “Are you sure you’re both up to this? I can’t imagine what your doctors are thinking, letting you travel after the accident and Shay’s kidnapping.” Orla moved about the kitchen as if she owned it. “Why don’t you both come home with me? Let me take care of you.”
“No, Mother. They’re expecting us at the castle,” Bree said.
Orla sighed. “Coira is a wonderful cook, and the castle was just lovely. Perhaps I should go with you.”
“You know how you hate exploring. Shay and I were going to visit some ruins,” Bree said.
Shay kept her eyebrows in place.
“Ruins?” Orla gave a delicate grimace. “You shouldn’t be exploring while you’re recuperating.”
“They’re close to the castle. Faelan and Cody won’t let us get hurt. You go home and rest. You’ve been so busy with the wedding and helping Faelan restore the house. I’ll bring him for a visit soon.”
Orla brightened at that. “Ah, here he is now, my son-in-law,” she announced as if introducing the president. “Faelan, would you carry my suitcase to the car?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
“You’ll take care of her for me, won’t you?” Orla asked.
“Aye. I’ll do my best.” He raised his eyebrows at Bree in warning.
“And keep an eye on Shay,” Orla added. “She looks pale.”
“She’d put him in for knighthood if she knew about the baby,” Bree whispered to Shay after Orla moved out of earshot.
“She remodeled your house?” Shay couldn’t see Orla doing much remodeling.
“She provided the ideas. Faelan and the clan carpenters provided the brawn. It was my wedding gift from him. And the clan’s way of showing their appreciation, since I brought him home to them.”
“That’s impressive. The clan has carpenters?”
