BLOWING ROCK, NORTH CAROLINA
The Cottage Property- Present Day
The following week leading up to their trip to the Highland Games, I busied myself with setting things to rights at the cottage, like stopping the mail, etc. and filling all my orders on the off chance we somehow figured out a way to get back in the past. And even though I was busy, every day, I couldn’t help but notice how withdrawn Gavin had become. It made my heart hurt.
I was hoping with him being in my time that it would bring us closer together but it ended up having the opposite effect. We hadn’t even slept together, in the physical sense, since the night he had woken me up in such a state that I had to wonder if he was having a nightmare. I asked him about it, but he just brushed away my comment saying he just had a lot on his mind. I had a feeling there was more to it than that, but I was too wrapped up in setting the cottage to rights to bother pressing him on the on the subject.
When I could, I did more research on his missing men, but didn’t find anything useful and as for the witch, the one that the King tortured and ordered to have killed, I couldn’t even find the article I had read, which was just odd.
♦
When September arrived, with the help of Gavin, the car was loaded down with our clothes, toiletries and a snack bag. I bought extra jeans, t-shirts, boxer briefs, shorts, and sweats— the works for him to wear for the trip, which he said he didn’t need but I couldn’t seem to help myself.
After boxing up the last of the orders for my buyers, I stood in the kitchen looking around to see if I had forgotten anything.
“I don’t much care for these,” he said, walking out from the bathroom, showing off his new pair of jeans.
As usual, my mouth dropped open of its own accord.
“If ye don’t close yer mouth, lass, something is bound ta fly into it.” A twinkle entered his eyes as he smiled mischievously.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” I said with a combination of relief and irritation. I was relieved he was acting like the Gavin I had grown to love in such a short time and irritated with the effect he had over me.
“Och, lass, I was only playing.”
“You seem to be doing that a lot lately.” I grabbed up the bag with all my makeup inside.
“I can no help it,” he said, still smiling.
“Grab that bag and let’s go.” I turned to walk away but he placed his hand on my arm and pulled me back.
“I want ye ta know…” he began, all humor gone from his expression.
My heart started pounding faster. “What?”
“I’ve enjoyed our time together.”
“We have more time,” I said, trying to keep the quivering edge from my voice.
“Aye, that we do,” he agreed, his eyes sliding to her lips.
I bit my lip—a nervous habit I had when I was feeling anxious.
He groaned. “Och, lass, if ye keep doing that we won’t ever get to our destination.”
A glimmer of hope unfurled inside of me. “Maybe we should wait…” As soon as that suggestion was out of my mouth, his entire demeanor changed.
“Nay, lass.” He shook his head solemnly back and forth. “I wish I could, but I cannot.”
“Of course, you can’t.” I pushed against his chest, trying to get past him. “What was I thinking,” I muttered.
He didn’t move.
My stomach flipped over on itself; just like it did every other time I was this close to him. “We better get going,” I said quickly, just in case I started bawling like an idiot.
“Aye,” he agreed. “I suppose we should.”
He lifted the last bag off the table and placed it over his shoulder. With one last look around the cottage, he headed outside.
Once he was out of sight, I let out a blubbering sob. “Get it together, Paige.”
Sniffing, I wiped my eyes with my shirtsleeve and then followed Gavin outside.