Heather's Highlander: Book Club: Heartsgate (Heartsgate Highlanders 1)
Page 10
“I love you too. I’m sure you already know that though…”
“I feel your love for me, but it is nice to have the words spoken aloud.” He stroked her cheek with the back of one finger. “On the morrow, I will discuss with Annie teaching ye to defend yourself. She will know the right way, and then I can worry less.”
“Thank you. I know it’s hard for you to trust that I will be safe without constantly being guarded, but I need to know that I can have some freedom.”
“At least until ye learn to protect yourself, I’d like ye to have someone with ye if ye go on a walk about the loch.”
She smiled. “I’m not sure I’m going to feel like going toward the lake for a good long while.”
He chuckled. “I dinna know lass. Ye seem to feel drawn to it.”
“I do.” She sighed. “The lake is so calming for me. I want to just sit on the banks and watch it.”
“And ye can. As long as Annie is with ye. But only until you have learned to protect yourself. I believe that is as fair on the subject as I can be.”
She laughed. “I’ll take it. I’ll even be happy about it.”
“Good. Because I dinna ken if I can do better than that.”
She kissed him and smiled. “If I can make it through childbirth with no drugs, you can deal with me protecting myself.”
“It is a fair trade…”
It was around a month later when Heather was in her room alone, getting ready for her day. She’d already lost her breakfast to the chamber pot and was as spry as she ever felt.
She turned around to see a familiar purple haired figure in the room with her. “Dr. Lachele!”
Dr. Lachele grinned at her. “I brought Beth her own Kindle and solar charger. I figured she was using yours as much as you were.”
“You knew you were sending me back to another woman from the twenty-first century?”
“Of course, I did. I probably should have told you, but it was more fun my way. You can’t know everything.” Dr. Lachele sat on the edge of Heather’s bed, studying her. “Pregnant already?”
Heather nodded. “I don’t suppose you can send an epidural back in time for me?”
Lachele laughed. “That’s not something I could do. I’d send something else if you wanted it.”
Heather thought about it, but finally shook her head. “Nah. I’m pretty content with what I have. I just have to be careful not to let all of Scotland see the foods I brought back with me.”
“I’m sure. I haven’t seen the future change at all since you came back, so I think you’re doing good.” She looked Heather up and down. “Happy?”
“I am. Very. You found just the perfect man for me.” Heather couldn’t even bring herself to complain about how overprotective he was.
“I know. I’m good at that. Always have been.”
“I see that. Modest too.”
Dr. Lachele raised her arms. “If you’ve got it, flaunt it.”
Heather only laughed. “Thanks for checking on me.”
There was a knock at her door, and Heather called, “Come in.”
Beth walked into the room, and her eyes grew wide. “Dr. Lachele!” She flew into the other woman’s arms. “I cannot tell you how much I’ve missed you and your boobie bumps.”
Dr. Lachele laughed. “I do have a way of worming my way into people’s hearts.”
“You really do.” Beth smiled. “What did you bring us?”
“I didn’t bring anything for Heather, but I brought you this.” Dr. Lachele held out a Kindle and a charger. “I put all kinds of books on it and Candy Crush.”
“Thank you! Now I won’t have to keep stealing Heather’s iPad.”
Dr. Lachele laughed. “I guess you won’t. Anything else you need from me?”
Beth and Heather looked at each other, shaking their heads. “I think we’re good. I mean, I’ve been here for over thirty years, so obviously I’m good,” Beth said, “and Heather is adapting nicely. Indoor plumbing is missed, but we can live without it.”
“I can’t do much about that.”
“No, I know you can’t.” Beth sighed. “Is this the last time I’ll see you?”
“Probably,” Dr. Lachele said softly. “Unless someone else wishes to come here.”
“That would be nice.” Beth shrugged. “Though if the middle ages become populated with too many people from the twenty-first century, things could get weird.”
As they said their goodbyes, Heather realized she needed one more thing from Dr. Lachele. “Let my friends know I’m all right, will you? I know they have to be worried sick about me.”
“I will.” Dr. Lachele raised a hand in a wave goodbye as she faded from view.
Beth put her arm around Heather. “Our last connection to the twenty-first century.”
“I’m starting to like the thirfourteenth century a lot.”
“I like it a little more every day.” Beth smiled. “My children and grandchildren are here as well as the love of my life. Soon you’ll have children here too.”
“I know. It seems so strange, but right at the same time. I’m where I belong.”
Epilogue
Heather looked at her two youngest sons. The twins had been a surprise to her, but she knew Gavin had known all along. He told her some surprises needed to be kept.
They walked together through the meadow, and she smiled happily. The youngest two were only three years old, and Bryson’s powers had yet to manifest. She was glad Bryson and Kendrick weren’t identical, because it was hard enough having twins as it was.
As they walked toward the woods, a wild boar came out, charging at them. She screamed at the top of her lungs and pulled her knife, which was her constant companion.
She never had to use it though. Never before that day anyway.
Bryson raised one hand and said, “Stop!”
She was startled when the beast completely stopped moving. It was as if it had to do what Bryson told it. She hurried to her son and hugged him to her, determined not to let her child be hurt by the animal.
Bryson looked at her and smiled. “Don’t worry, Mama. Boar is my friend.”
“Be careful,” she said as Bryson approached the boar. “It’s not tame.”
He laughed. “Mama is afraid of you, boar. Go back to the woods now.”
The animal turned and trotted away as if it had never intended to hurt anyone.
In Heather’s amazement, she shook her head. How had he known the animal would obey? “Have you talked to animals before?” she asked.
Kendrick laughed. “He talks to animals all the time.”
Heather took a deep breath and shook her head. Her son had found his power. And it was a good one.
Next in The Book Club: Heartsgate Series
The Illusive Inventor
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