Page 43 of Her Reluctant Highlander Husband

“We’ve three, and one is on the way.” He froze for a moment. “I’ll thank you to forget that last part until Kenna tells her sister. She’s waiting until after Mari delivers.”

Bryce grinned. “I swear, I’ll be the most surprised.”

Lach frowned, probably remembering how bad Bryce was at acting.

Looking down at his sleeping wife, he thought of her growing large with his child, the glow of motherhood on her cheeks pulled up in a constant smile. He also allowed a moment to think of her breasts, larger and filling his palms as he caressed them.

Christ. He needed to get a hold of himself. He’d sworn not to touch her again. He’d given in to his lust once. He couldn’t do it ever again. It was too great a risk. He might keep his broken heart safe from his wife, but he’d never be able to shut out a child.

She’d nearly died this week, and he knew he’d already become more attached to her than he’d planned. He needed to be careful and guard what was left of his heart before it was too late.

…

Dorie woke to find a clean-shaven Bryce sleeping on a chair near the bed where she lay. His fingers were twined loosely through hers and she smiled at the warmth, remembering it had been her beacon when she’d been so cold.

It was dark, the house quiet. When she shifted to stretch, she was reminded of the wound in her chest. A bandage held her arm firmly to her side.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t wait. She needed to get up now or embarrass herself. That thought made her wonder how she’d managed the last few days. It was clear by the stiffness in her muscles that she’d been in bed a long time.

Deciding not to think of what might have happened while she was unconscious, she focused on what needed to happen now. Careful not to wake her sleeping husband, she edged up the bandage enough that she could move her arm slightly. Testing it, she found it wasn’t too painful…until she leaned on it.

Letting her free hand slip out of Bryce’s, she waited a beat to make sure she hadn’t woken him, then used it to lever herself up to a sitting position. She threw her legs over the side of the bed and gave herself a moment for her vision to clear and her breathing to catch up.

Rascal lifted his head and whined.

“Shhh,” she commanded as Bryce shifted but didn’t wake.

When she stood, her dog dragged himself slowly from the bed to come stand in front of her. She bent to check him over, patting his head. “Come along then if you must protect me,” she whispered. “But I must go out.”

She paused after opening the door. Fortunately the brand new hinges on the door were quiet. She was able to make her way down the steps and out into the trees to relieve herself. Her dog made use of the next tree over to do the same.

She didn’t make it back to the house before Bryce was outside calling her name.

“What are you doing? You’re not supposed to be out of bed,” he scolded, coming to help her back into the house.

While she didn’t really need help walking, she allowed him to assist her since it meant he had to touch her and stand close.

“Thank you,” she offered when he tucked her back in bed.

“If you need anything, let me know. I’ll take care of you.” He ran a hand through her hair and leaned in to press a kiss to her temple.

She’d seen Lachlan and Cameron do the same with their wives. A simple touch of lips to a fairly innocuous part of the body. But the way it made her feel was something else. As if she was treasured and cared for. His green eyes held worry, but the usual irritation in them was gone.

While she hoped she’d never be shot again, she had to admit there were some advantages.

As she settled back in bed, she thought of the last time she’d been able to walk around. Before she was shot by an arrow.

“It was the McCurdys,” she whispered.

“Aye. I know.” Earlier he had apologized for not telling her of the danger she was in. She recalled his pained words.

“Wallace,” she stated with a grimace.

Bryce nodded as if he wasn’t surprised. “I’m sorry. It must be hell to know your own brother tried to kill you.”

She shrugged and regretted it instantly. She hissed but relaxed a bit as the pain lessened. At least the sting in her chest did. The ache in her heart remained.

“He’s not really my brother.” She’d known since she was nine that Wallace was not blood. His mother had died when he was young, and they didn’t truly share a father.