LOCH MORAR, SCOTLAND
The Past
Three chapters in and after several questions asked by Gavin with his eyes still shut, Paige closed the book.
His eyes opened and he looked at her.
“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.” She marked the 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?” She pointed down the hall.
“Nay, I do no mind.”
“Good.” Paige 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, her heart thumped a little faster. “I can do that.” It wasn’t like she hadn’t done that very same thing while she was in the past the first time. And secretly, she was actually hoping doing familiar things would trigger his memory and he would actually remember that he did care for her.
♦
Once the water was heated and the tub filled enough to bathe, Paige wiped her hands off. “It’s as good as it is going to get, I think.”
Gavin finished removing his clothing, and with her 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 she had gotten while the water was warming, she picked them up and made her 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 Paige tried to busy herself with inane tasks waiting for him to tell her 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.”
“Ye may start.”
“Of course, Master.” Dipping the rag into the water, Paige rubbed soap on it until suds formed on the top.
“Master?” Gavin repeated. “I like the sound of that.”
“I just bet you do.” She reached down in the water and grabbed hold of his foot.
Gavin pulled his foot back down, and water splashed up onto her gown.
“Not the bottom, lass,” he said. “Ye will need ta start with my hair.”
“Right…” she 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,” she said, with just as much snark as her last comment and then added under her breath, “If I don’t’ drown you first.”
Grabbing the shampoo off the table, Paige put a nice glob onto her hand and smacked it down on top of his head with verve.
Gavin, let out a moaning sigh, “That feels nice, lass.”
She rolled her eyes.