Chapter Ten

The sleeping arrangements sorted out, they all sat down to a wonderful dinner. One Erin couldn’t help but brag a bit in how he had aided Heather in the chore.

“So young lady, will you please tell me how you managed to circumvent my security system?” Ian asked.

Her face flushed a glorious shade of red, as she nodded. “Um, sure. I’m afraid there’s a major flaw in the design. It’s—um—not something just anyone would be able to find, but I knew a guy who used to work on them, and he sort of showed me a few things.”

“What guy?” Erin asked, unable to hide the irritation in his voice. She was his, and any thought of another man in her life burned deep in his belly.

She cast him a subtle glare. “Just a guy.”

“I see, and is this flaw repairable?” Ian asked.

She turned her gaze back to his uncle. “Yes, actually, it is. I can show you later, if you like.”

He shook his head. “Thank you, but tomorrow is soon enough.”

Heather laid her fork aside and nibbled at her lip a moment. “Look, I—um—I really want to apologize for, well, everything. You don’t know me, you have no idea what my intentions were, but I never ever meant any harm. I never take anything when I leave, I even replace the food that I’ve eaten. Honestly, I’m not a bad person. It’s—it’s just how I’ve lived for the past few years.” She dropped her chin and sat back with a heavy sigh. “I can’t explain it, but I am sorry.”

“And what of you, young man?” Ian asked Burt. “Is this how you live as well?”

“Uh.” He glanced at Heather, a worried look on his face.

“Tell them the truth, Burt,” she said. “They deserve it.”

“But—”

She sat forward, her lips in a firm line. “The truth. All of it.”

Erin knew the reason for the lad’s concern. He feared Ian and Jenny would send him back to the orphanage, but Erin doubted that would be the case. He had told his godparents all he knew over the telephone. This, he suspected, was more for his uncle’s interest in seeing how well the boy could manage the truth, and he would prefer to hear of the lad’s past from his own lips, no doubt.

Burt muttered and stuttered for a moment, then told Erin’s aunt and uncle about his beginnings, the orphanage, his mishaps along the way, and how he came to be in their home.

Erin was proud of the lad. He’d maintained eye contact with his uncle and not once did he waver in responding to the many direct questions he was asked. It proved what he’d thought from the beginning, Burt was a good lad, one who knew the value of honor and of protecting those he cared for.

Once all the questions were answered, the apologies and confessions made, the odd tenseness that had hovered over the house since his godparents’ arrival lifted, and they enjoyed the rest of their meal.

Afterward, everyone pitched in to clean up the kitchen, then Ian challenged Burt and Erin to a game in the den. As the men battled in their make-believe world, Jenny and Heather enjoyed a bit of a chat over a glass of wine. It was an unexpected scene before Erin’s eyes, and yet not unlike the many evenings he’d spent in his father’s solar with his family in the past. One would think they’d all been friends and family for ages.

The hour grew late. Erin lost his taste for the game and sat back to observe the scene and enjoy the fine dram of whiskey his uncle had poured. He could live this way, with this family, although he missed his own. But his duty lay in the past, a fact he could not forget.

“Well, I’m off to bed,” Heather said, rising from a plush chair. “Ian, Jenny, thank you. Thank you for everything.”

“Our pleasure,” Jenny replied.

Heather’s gaze caught Erin’s and held for one long sizzling moment, then she turned and left the room. Although it wasn’t an invitation to follow her, he had no choice. He would have a goodnight kiss from her, even if he had to beg, for he did not know how much time he had with her, and wished to savor every moment.

“Leannan,” he called, and she paused on the first stair. “You would leave me without a goodnight?”

She turned and placed one hand on the rail while she thrust the other out. “You keep your distance MacLean.”

“Och, now where would be the fun in that?”

“I mean it. You just go back in there and do whatever,” she said, waving her hand in the direction of the den.”

He placed his hand around her waist, relishing her lack of resistance. “I wish to do whatever with you, lass.”

“You know what I mean. Your godparents don’t need a repeat performance of this afternoon.”

“Maybe no’, but I do.”

He pressed his lips to hers, and within moments she opened to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She tasted of fine wine and so much more. It was all he could do to not carry her up the stairs to his bed.

Her soft hands slid to his shoulders then slowly pushed him back, breaking the kiss. He reluctantly allowed it.

“That shouldn’t have happened,” she said, her lips still close to his, her heat still warming his skin.

“It should happen and often. But I willna push for more. Goodnight, leannan.” He kissed her again, barely a brush against her sweet lips, then returned to the den.

He took a place beside his aunt without a word but knew the silence would not last for long.

“It’s plain to see you’re in love with her,” Jenny said, her voice low so Burt and Ian couldn’t hear.

“Aye. Are you surprised?”

She laughed. “No. Ian was right, I believe falling in love quickly is a family trait.”

“Aye, that it is.”

“But you’re afraid she won’t understand your life.”

He could only nod, the fear of her reaction to the truth too strong to voice.

“We’ll break it to her when she’s ready. And you forget, we can prove it.”

“Proof doesna always bring what we desire.”

With that realization, he made his way to bed, hoping and praying that Heather would understand about the traveling and about his time. That she would accept it all, and most importantly, know why he had to return and become the clan laird when his father was ready. And yet, deep in his heart he knew she would not wish to stay in the past with him. It would be too much for her, even if that is where she came from, and he did not think he could bring himself to ask it of her. This was her world, it was all she truly remembered, and would be where she would wish to stay.

****

Morning came, as did thoughts of Heather and a renewed ache in Erin’s chest, as well as a wee bit lower. He’d spent a hellish night with thoughts of how she would react to the truth but knew worrying over it would do him little good.

He made his way to the kitchen to break his fast and smiled at what he found. Heather was reminding Burt about his manners, while his aunt couldn’t contain her grin as she tended to the frying meat upon the large griddle. The sights, sounds, and smells lifted his heart and made his mouth water. It felt like home.

After a round of greetings, he took his place at the table with a fresh cup of coffee in hand.

His uncle strode into the room wearing a wide smile. “Good morning, all.”

He pressed a quick kiss to Jenny’s cheek, then stood at the head of the table. “I have an announcement. One that concerns all of you.”

Heather and Burt stiffened, but Erin knew whatever it was would do them no harm. And yet he understood their worry, it was how they lived, never sure of people, never able to trust.

His uncle cleared his throat. “I spoke with a friend and managed to pull a string or two, but the decision ultimately lies with you, Burt.”

The boy’s face lost all color as he squeaked out a word. “Me?”

Heather placed her hand over his and gave him a reassuring smile. No matter what happened, he knew that Burt would always be part of her life, she would always look out for the lad, and he loved her all the more for her compassion.

“If you like,” his uncle continued. “You may remain here with us. We are, if you are willing, to act as your foster parents. I realize you hardly know us, my boy, but we are in earnest.”

Erin could barely contain his grin at the lad’s stunned face, or that of Heather’s. He’d suspected his aunt and uncle would do something of this nature, especially after the discussions over dinner last eve.

“I—I don’t know what to say,” Burt said, his usually joyful voice barely a whisper.

Heather smiled with tears in her eyes. “Say yes, sweetie.”

He looked to her, then to Erin, who gave him a wink and a nod, then back to Jenny and Ian standing at the head of the table awaiting his decision.

“Before I answer, can I ask a question?”

“Of course, sweetheart,” Jenny said.

“Why? Why me?”

A wry grin stole over Ian’s lips. “My own childhood was not all that pleasant. My mother died when I was small, and my father did not want me. You could say I was left to my own devices, much like yourself.” He smiled and crossed his arms over his chest. “Besides, you cannot leave until I beat you at War of Cantor.”

Burt grinned for a moment, then the edges of his mouth fell, as he looked at Heather. “I’ll stay, if Heather can stay.”

Her mouth fell agape for a moment as tears seeped from the corners of her eyes.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Jenny said with a sigh. “Of course she can. Heather is welcome here for however long she wishes to stay.”

Heather snagged Burt by the scruff of his neck and yanked him in for a hug. “You goofball,” she murmured through happy tears.

Erin slapped him on the back. “Congratulations, Burt. ’Tis a grand thing to be part of a family, but I hope you know what you’re in for.” He looked to his uncle. “Do you plan to trounce the lad below stairs as you did me in the lists so many years ago?”

Jenny opened her mouth, but Ian quickly intercepted what was sure to be an argument in the making. “If the boy wishes to learn the hard way, then so be it. But I am not certain his head is as hard as yours.”

Over the chortles, Burt asked, his eyes bright with excitement, “You mean with the swords and stuff?”

“Aye, my boy. Are you game to learn the old ways?”

“You bet!”

“You’re not serious, are you?” Heather looked at Ian then at Erin. “He’s kidding, right?”

“Nay, lass. ’Tis how I learned, and if the lad chooses, there is no better teacher.”

“Don’t let your father hear you say that,” Jenny said with a giggle. “But don’t worry, Heather. He’ll be fine. Although I dislike the sport, I dislike all things related to violence, Ian is the best.”

Ian pecked a kiss upon Jenny’s brow and motioned for Burt to follow him below stairs. “We shall break our fast once we have completed a few lessons, love.”

The lad nearly tripped over his own two feet, he couldn’t move fast enough.

“Still,” Jenny continued. “I wouldn’t mention this to anyone at the orphanage. It would have undesirable consequences, to be sure,” she said, and returned to the meat on the stove.

“I won’t say a word, but—”

Erin rose to follow his uncle. “All will be well, leannan.” He pressed a light kiss to her temple and joined the men.

Heather couldn’t do much but sit there and blink. She was stunned by so many changes and revelations, and all before she’d managed to finish her first cup of coffee.

“Maybe Erin’s not so bad for me after all,” she muttered.

“I heard that,” Jenny said with a giggle.

“Oh, sorry.” She took a long sip of her coffee and did all she could to not make eye contact with Jenny.

“No need to apologize. You’re absolutely correct in your deduction. Erin is very good for you.” She placed the bacon onto a paper towel and looked at her. “He’s a prime specimen. You couldn’t ask for a more honest man, a better protector, a devout defender of his clan, and—I think I’ll leave my last observation alone. But all around, he is good for you.”

She chuckled in her coffee, nearly snorting it through her nose. “A paragon of perfection?”

“Okay, so I may be a bit biased in my opinion, but I helped bring him into this world and can claim his parents as more than friends. They are, as the locals say, good folks.”

“Did you do the medieval thing too?”

She paused for a moment then nodded. “I did the medieval thing too.”

“I’m not so sure I could handle that. No electricity, no running water.”

“You’d be surprised how many modern conveniences they have, only in a more rudimentary fashion. But let’s not talk about that.” She put a cover over the bacon and placed it in the oven. After putting the dial on warm, she poured a cup of coffee and sat across from her. “Let’s talk about you.”

“Oh, well, there’s not much to tell. I mean, I told you most of it last night.”

She rested her elbows on the table and eyed her over her mug. “I doubt that.”

“I may have left out a few things.”

“As I surmised. So why not start at the beginning? Where were you born?”

Heather smiled. She knew an interrogation when she heard one, but this wasn’t the hateful kind. Jenny was Erin’s godmother and wanted all the facts about her since it was obvious she and Erin had a thing brewing. Spilling her life’s story out wasn’t a big deal. After all, they’d forgiven her for breaking into their house, the worst thing she’d ever done—well had done to several other people, but they knew the worst already. So she told her everything, even about Bo, but she did avoid any direct questions about Erin.

“That’s all there is,” Heather said, and refilled her cup.

Jenny rose and pulled out the bread and the butter. “You have an unusual background.”

She gave a half-hearted chuckle. “Yeah, that’s not the word I’d use, but it’ll do.”

“Did you perchance tell Erin about your husband?”

She shook her head. “You mean ex, we never actually married, we just said we were, and no. It never came up. I don’t usually tell anyone about him. Not my favorite story, but you have a knack for getting information.”

“I’m a scientist; it’s part of the package. But I do have one last question, and I promise to stop.”

Heather cracked some eggs and added milk to a dish for French toast. “Okay, shoot.”

“Is Blanchard your given name or your faux married name?”

“Oh, that was my ex’s name. It made things easier, and at the time I thought it would keep the orphanage from looking for me. Then it just became habit. My real name is Campbell. All I remember when they found me was my name. Heather Mary Gorin Campbell. I’ve never liked the name, so I stuck with just Heather Blanchard.”

She glanced at Jenny, noting her sudden silence, then followed her wide gaze to the doorway, where Erin stood like a statue, his lips a grim line.

“What’s got you in such a good mood? Ian kick your butt?” she asked, with a half laugh.

His strong jaw clenched. “Did you just say your true name is Campbell? Gorin Campbell?”

She cocked one hand on her hip, not caring for the stern tone of his voice. “You got a problem with that?”

His gaze narrowed, then with an abrupt about face, he marched across the den and back down the stairs. Ian appeared and looked at Jenny, exchanging some sort of silent communication that royally ticked her off.

Crossing her arms, she stood her ground before them. “Okay, someone better tell me what the hell is going on.”