Page 72 of Taylor’s Warrior

It appeared that Rhys’ mother was also a hugger, and after she’d greeted her son with an enthusiastic embrace, she lavished similar attention on Taylor. His father also welcomed her—albeit in a somewhat less physical way—as he took their coats.

Whatever Taylor might have imagined for the interior of the farmhouse, reality knocked her on her ass. While it might have been bright and modern, it was still warm and welcoming, and full of character from the wood burner in the huge fireplace, to the large leather couch and matching armchairs in front of it. She was still warming her hands when Rhys’ mother brought in a tray of coffee cups and set them down on the low table.

Taylor straightened up, grateful for Rhys’ arm around her waist as the two of them faced his parents.

“Mam, Dad, I’d like you to meet Taylor Markham. Taylor, my mother, Catrin, and my father, Iestyn.”

This was it. She’d practiced and practiced, ever since she’d decided to do this, and thanked heaven yet again that Rhys had written everything down for her phonetically—who knew that a word that sounded like Yes-tin would be spelled I-E-S-T-Y-N? That had only been the start of it.

So, with only a small amount of hesitation, she told Rhys’ parents how delighted she was to meet them, in what Rhys had told her was the family’s first language. Their reaction told her she hadn’t made the mess she’d feared she would, but what warmed her most was the look of pride on Rhys’ face.

“Welcome to the family,” Catrin said. “And none of this Mr. and Mrs. Dalton—for now, you can call us Catrin and Iestyn.”

For now? Taylor was a little confused, but she’d take the win. She was also relieved to return to speaking English. “Thank you. Rhys is trying to teach me more Welsh, but I’m a slow learner.”

“You sound fine to me,” Catrin insisted. “And we appreciate you making the effort.”

They made small talk over coffee, with Rhys doing a lot of the talking for both of them. Taylor didn’t mind—it had been a long day, and she was looking forward to an opportunity to relax. She was also pretty sure neither of his parents missed how their son liked to maintain physical contact with her.

“Now,” Catrin said eventually, “I dare say you’re both exhausted after traveling all this way. We’ve put you in the Mountain View Shepherd’s Hut. It’s far enough from the house to give you some privacy, but close enough for you to come for breakfast, or any other meals, because you’re more than welcome.”

Taylor wasn’t sure whether to be grateful or alarmed. Maybe a little of both. The offer of food sounded wonderful, but if their accommodation was a shepherd’s hut…?

“Thanks, Mam. You don’t have any bookings for it, then?” Rhys asked.

“No, it’s virtually the end of the season now. Why don’t you two go and make yourselves at home? The fridge and freezer are stocked, and you’ll find the other essentials in the kitchen. Dinner’ll be ready in about an hour and a half—as I said, you’re welcome to join us, but if you’d rather rest, that’s fine. Just let me know once you’ve settled in. Iestyn, you going to take them over there now?”

“Aye. Rhys, you get your bags, and I’ll escort your young lady to the hut. You remember where it is?”

Rhys grinned. “I remember, Dad. About two hundred meters in the direction of the waterfall.”

“That’s the one. We’ll see you over there.”

Taylor glanced at Rhys, reassured when he gave her an encouraging nod and smile before he disappeared through the door.

“So, how was your journey?” Iestyn asked once they were on their way, following a gravel path away from the farmhouse.

“Long and tiring,” she replied with a faint smile. “Three flights in one day is more than I’ve done before. The last flight was delayed too, which didn’t help. Still, we arrived in one piece, which Rhys tells me is always good.”

“Aye, he’s seen his share of the bad ones, and no mistake. He’s a good lad, my son. You’re not going to hurt him, are you?”

Taylor almost stopped in her tracks. There was being blunt… and then there was Olympic-standard being blunt, and Iestyn Dalton had just taken the gold. However, there was only one way to react to such bluntness, and that was with honesty and respect. “Your son is the best man I know, sir. It’s true that we didn’t get along when we first met, but that changed for both of us when we had to spend some time together. I love Rhys. He means the world to me, and I’d die before I’d see him hurt. I give you my word.”

What she’d said was true, every last word, and it was a truth that bled all the way through to her soul.

Iestyn nodded. “I believe you. I saw the way you were looking at him just now. And no need to call me ‘sir.’ Not much further now, blodyn. Just around the next bend.”

Taylor made a mental note to ask Rhys about whatever his father had just called her. She hoped his almost affectionate tone meant it wasn’t a bad thing.

“Shepherd’s Hut” had conjured up images of a ramshackle building on the verge of collapse—it had not prepared her for the relatively palatial accommodation that came into view as they rounded the bend. Set on its own small plot of land, which itself was beautifully landscaped, it was comprised of a number of structures and open-air features, including seating, a picnic table, and even a grill. As they drew near, Taylor realized that one of the structures was actually a roof and screening for a hot tub.

“Oh wow. It looks amazing.”

Her comment seemed to please him. “You haven’t seen it yet. You’ll be sleeping in here.”

Taylor followed him up the small wooden staircase to the central entrance of a wooden trailer-type unit on wheels. He unlocked the door and stood aside to let her enter first.

Yes, it was cozy—there was little more than room for the bed, a wood burner, and a couple of chairs—but it was all too easy to imagine sharing it with Rhys. All her misgivings evaporated. “I love it.”