LOCH MORAR, SCOTLAND
The Past
Three chapters in and after several questions asked by Gavin with his eyes still shut, I closed the book.
His eyes opened and he looked at me.
“Why did ye stop?”
“I think we should continue this another time. You need your rest.”
“Och, I have been resting for days.”
“True. But you need more rest to get better.”
He grumbled a few incoherent words but finally relented and stood. Stretching, he lifted his arms overhead. “Och, I stink.” He made a face.
“Well, it’s no wonder. You have been sick and haven’t had a proper bath for a while.” I marked my place in the book and stood as well.
“I need a bath and a shave I think.” He rubbed the scruff on his face.
That was true enough. He looked like Grizzly Adams, albeit a very hot Grizzly Adams. “There is a tub in the kitchen. Do you mind bathing in there?” I pointed down the hall.
“Nay, I do no mind.”
“Good.” I lifted up the dagger and started to walk towards the kitchen but then stopped and turned towards him. “Do you need help?”
“I think I can manage but ye may have ta help me bathe.”
At that, my heart thumped a little faster. “I can do that.” It wasn’t like I hadn’t done that very same thing while I was in the past the first time. And secretly, I was actually hoping doing familiar things would trigger his memory and he would actually remember that he did care for me.
♦
Once the water was heated and the tub filled enough to bathe, I wiped my hands off and turned towards Gavin.
“It’s as good as it is going to get, I think.”
Gavin finished removing his clothing, and with my help, stepped into the tub.
“Is it too hot?”
“Nay.” He shook his head.
“Good.” Walking over to the rag and the soap, both of which I had gotten while the water was warming, I picked them up and made my way back to the tub.
Gavin leaned back in the steaming water and let out a little groan of bliss. It had been a long time since he bathed and did not want to rush the simple pleasure of such.
It was hard not to stare at him, so I tried to busy myself with inane tasks waiting for him to tell me to start.
Gavin slanted an eye open at me. “Are ye planning on helping me wash today?”
“Yes.”
“Then why have ye no started?”
“Because I was waiting for you to tell me to start,” I snapped, not meaning to but his rude manner was getting on my nerves.
“Ye may start.”
“Of course, Master.” Dipping the rag into the water, I rubbed soap on it until suds formed on the top.
“Master?” Gavin repeated. “I like the sound of that.”
“I just bet you do.” I reached down in the water and grabbed hold of his foot.
Gavin pulled his foot back down, and water splashed up onto my gown.
“Not the bottom, lass,” he said. “Ye will need ta start with my hair.”
“Right…” I dragged the word. “How could I ever forget that?”
“I do no know, but when ye figure it out, ye will have ta tell me, aye?”
“Sure. I’ll be sure to tell you,” I said, with just as much snark as my last comment and then added under my breath, “If I don’t’ drown you first.”
Grabbing the shampoo off the table, I put a nice glob onto my hand and smacked it down on top of his head with verve.
Gavin, let out a moaning sigh, “That feels nice, lass.”
I rolled my eyes.