Page 10 of A Heart Worth Loving

Her blush deepened. “Of course, you do.” She retreated three more paces, then her gaze shifted to a basket sitting on the table. “Oh, I nearly forgot.”

She started toward the table, giving him a wide berth, as if she expected him to eat her. He was tempted. She passed him, reached the table, scooped up the basket, then spun and took the two steps to where he stood.

She thrust the basket into his belly— and said, “I brought you muffins.” She released the basket and he caught it. “Good day.”

She spun and fled toward the door, but at the last moment, she veered toward the window. Ewan watched in fascination as she hiked up her skirts, then swung first one leg, then the other over the sill, dropped onto the ground, and raced away. He stared at the window. She hadn’t asked about her keys. He pulled back the cloth on the basket to reveal a dozen apple-oat muffins. He bit into one and gave a slow nod of approval. A beautiful ghost who left a room through windows and could bake. Not such a bad neighbor.

By the time he’d reached the path leading to the stables, he’d eaten three of the muffins. Who could blame him? They were better fare than he and the others managed. None of them were good cooks. Maybe they could pay the lass to bake for them on a regular basis. If she preferred delivering them at night, perhaps she might like a little love-play. Those round buttocks would fit quite nicely in his hands as she rode him.

His cock twitched with interest. Ewan drew a deep breath and released it. A fine fantasy. Nothing more. He wasn’t going to act on this or any other impulse that might entice her to spread those lovely legs for him. He grimaced when his cock refused to submit to better sense and continued to harden. Christ, he didn’t have time to deal with this nonsense. A mental picture flashed of Miss Kyla Brodrick, eyes flashing as she pulled him to her. He slowed on the path. If he didn’t want to announce to his brother and fellow soldiers exactly what was on his mind, then he’d better quit fantasizing about the wench.

The roar of a pistol brought him to a sudden stop.

Shouts—too many to distinguish—filled his ears. He drew in a harsh breath tinged with gunpowder and swiped at the sweat that trickled into his eyes. The clash of swords rang nearby, but he couldn’t see the soldiers. Where were they? Ewan squinted into the smoke-filled surroundings. A cannonball whizzed past his ear. He stumbled back as the cannonball dug into the ground five feet away and kicked dirt onto his boots.

“Help me,” someone cried.

Ewan spun to face the voice, but another whispered, “I shouldn’t be here.”

“God help me,” another pled.

He dropped to his knees and jammed his hands over his ears, but whispers engulfed him.

A hand clamped down on his shoulder. Ewan spun. His brother’s face swam before him. For an instant, he thought—

“Ewan,” Liam’s sharp voice broke the spell.

His brother stood before him, brow furrowed in worry as it so often was these days. Ewan caught sight of the basket of muffins, on its side, half the muffins on the ground beside it.

“Rhys shot a rabbit for dinner.” Liam held up the rabbit by its ears. “I told him he was using the weapon too close to the abbey.”

Ewan shook his head. “Nae, that will be the best dinner we’ve had in a fortnight.” He scooped up the basket, then picked up the muffins and tossed them inside.

“Did you do some baking?” Liam asked.

“You know I cannae cook to save my life—save for rabbit stew. Our neighbor brought the muffins.”

Liam’s brows shot up. “You mean one of our neighbors actually likes us?”

Ewan shook his head. “It is more likely she was looking for the keys she left behind last night.”

“Keys she left behind? What the devil are you talking about?”

“I encountered her in the refectory last night.”

His brother’s eyes sharpened. “Encountered her, eh?”

Ewan kept his expression somber. “I did not bed her, Liam.” Though, God knew, the thought had kept him awake last night. “She was there when I went to the refectory,” he said.

His brother’s amusement vanished. “What was she doing on our property?”

“I didn’t have the chance to ask. This morning, she said she was looking for her dog. I imagine she was looking for him last night, as well.”

“Looking for a dog in the refectory both last night and this morning? Ye don’t find that strange?”

Ewan grunted. “Aye, but what woman isn’t strange?”

Liam gave a slow shake of his head.