Page 32 of The Wolf Laird's Obsession
Sorcha allowed herself to be pulled, the weight she’d been feeling slowly lifting at the warmth of Elspeth’s hand.
The keep was surprisingly busy at this hour, servants walking up and down the corridors. Elspeth moved quickly as she guided them through the keep.
“Does he go to the pond every mornin’?” Sorcha asked.
Elspeth nodded. “Aye. His ma will get mad at him if he doesnae.”
Flora hid a smile behind her hand.
The refreshing cool air kissed their skin as they stepped outside. A few men crossed the yard carrying tools, pausing briefly to bow their heads as they passed.
I feel so out of place, seeing these strangers bow to me. After last night, I daenae feel like the lady of this keep.
They continued down a narrow path that curved behind the keep, the pond coming into view. It lay tucked beneath a willow tree, the surface of the water shimmering softly under the morning glow.
“We’re here, Mr. Turtle!” Elspeth announced excitedly.
She let go of Sorcha’s hand and hurried towards the water’s edge. She crouched down and gently placed the turtle on the muddy bank. Mr. Turtle stuck his head out for a moment, looking side to side, before sticking out his arms and legs and scurrying into the water.
“There he goes,” Flora said as the turtle swam to the rocks in the middle of the pond, where the rest of his family waited.
Elspeth clapped her hands quietly. “Look how happy he is.”
Sorcha felt another smile tug at her lips. She took a deep breath as she spun slowly to admire the view. It was unusually sunny, with fluffy clouds scattered across the blue sky.
“Hard to feel bad with weather like this, aye?” Flora asked cheerfully, looking up.
“Aye,” Sorcha agreed, the tension in her chest easing a little. “I needed this.”
Elspeth suddenly pointed across the pond. “There! That one is his braither.”
Sorcha crouched down, leaning closer to her. “I didnae realize he had such a big family.”
“Aye. He has a ma, a da, and lots of braithers and sisters!” Elspeth suddenly sobered. “He’s lucky,” she said, swirling the edge of the water with her finger as she watched Mr. Turtle. “I only have Da.”
Sorcha’s heart ached at that.
I ken that emptiness too well.
A deep-seated pain she had pushed away, a pain that existed long before Rowan had come into her life, bubbled up.
She had once had a full home as well, but those voices had fallen silent years ago. Not all at once. Not gently.
After that night, everything had changed. Callan became Laird before he had finished grieving, and the halls of their home had never sounded quite the same again.
At least I never faced the silence alone. Nae like Elspeth.
“Well,” she said softly, “that still makes ye very fortunate.”
Elspeth looked up at her. “How?”
“Because yer da loves ye.” Sorcha patted her head softly. “And ye have me too.”
“And me too,” Flora chimed in, standing behind them.
Elspeth beamed at them before turning back to the pond. “I told Mr. Turtle ye were nice.”
Sorcha couldn’t help the warmth that bloomed in her heart as she watched Mr. Turtle paddle between the rocks and listened to stories of his adventures. Beside her, Flora was leaning against the willow trunk, indulging in Elspeth’s tales.
