Page 86 of The Eagle

Some new homes had been finished. Others were still in process. But the men made sure each new roof was rainproof.

She looked to Stuart who stared intently in the direction of the sea. “Look,” she said, pointing just off the coast where a pair of small boats bobbed. “Life is going back to normal. It is the way of things in a seaside village. These are resilient people.”

He turned and met her gaze. “Ye are like them. Strong and brave. I would not be alive if it was not for yer determination. Mother told me she’d asked that ye allow me to die and ye would not accept it.”

“She feels horrible,” Cait replied. “It was painful either way. To see ye suffering was almost more horrible than the idea of ye dying.”

His hand covered hers and he leaned forward to kiss her. “Ye seem different.”

Cait cocked her head to the side. “Do I?” She gave him a warm smile, knowing he’d wonder what she left unsaid.

Since he’d woken, she’d not found the opportunity to tell him about their child. They’d yet to make love and she couldn’t help but wonder if Stuart found he could not.

That night, she vowed to reassure him that all would be well. Even if they could no longer make love, not in the traditional way, they were blessed with a child and her love for him would never diminish.

Upon their arrival at the house on the hill, Bree welcomed them with a warm smile as Tom, his younger brother, Ian, and the dog raced out of the house to find adventure. She threaded her arm through Cait’s, and they headed to the sitting room. While Stuart went in search of Artair—who’d traveled ahead—and Dougal. The men were to meet regularly to go over village concerns.

“How are ye doing?” Bree asked. “Have ye felt the babe move yet? It should be like the fluttering of butterfly wings.”

Bree had a son, who was almost twenty. The young man had remained behind at Keep Ross working.

“I think so,” Cait said automatically placing her hand over her stomach. “I have decided to tell Stuart tonight.”

Bree smiled. “Take yer time. Ye have both been through a great ordeal.” Her friend looked out through the window. “I worry about the lads. They have their sad moments and Tom is overly protective of Ian.”

“They are fortunate to have ye and Dougal as parents now,” Cait reassured her. “I am sure they will never forget their first parents, but ye will be their new mother. It was nice to see the smiles on their faces just now.”

They spent the rest of the day there. When Cait and Bree walked through the village, it was reassuring to see that the people had settled back into their daily lives.

On the ride back, Cait told Stuart what she’d learned from Bree about how the women of the village were setting up a new market. “They need a covered structure, so their goods are not exposed to the weather.”

He nodded. “I will be sure to tell Dougal, though I am certain he will hear of it from his own wife.”

“Cait?” Stuart reached for her hand. “Why do ye sleep with yer back to me?”

Her eyes widened not sure how to respond. She’d turned away so that he would not see the look of disappointment when he didn’t attempt to make love to her. He did pull her close, but other than a quick kiss, he’d not done more.

“Ye are recovering I know ye need time to gain yer strength. I had to sleep with my back to ye while ye were… ill.”

“Is there something ye are not telling me? Did seeing me without the ability to speak or see ye change yer feelings toward me?”

“No!” Cait threw her arms around him. “I love ye more each day.”

Stuart’s body slumped with relief and he pressed his mouth to hers, kissing her with so much desperation, she could scarcely breathe.

“I want ye.” The huskiness in his voice brought tingles of awareness and Cait pressed kisses to his neck, enjoying his sounds of encouragement.

He pushed away and peered out grunting with annoyance. “I never thought the ride home to be so long.”

Upon arriving, they dashed past a startled Grace who announced last meal would be a bit late as they’d not expected them to return until the following day.

Later Cait would be mortified at the woman’s chuckle. In that moment, however, all she wanted was to be alone with her husband.

Stuart had lost weight, but he was still magnificent when unclothed. When he stalked to the bed where she lay, Cait did not hide her appreciation of what she saw.

He climbed into bed and peered down at her. It was exciting and somewhat a bit disconcerting to be so exposed to him. However, when Stuart trailed his hands from her shoulders over her breasts and down her stomach, Cait lost all inhibitions and reached for him.

There wasn’t any need for a longer preamble, Stuart drove into her and both moaned at the joining. When he began to thrust Cait urged him on, lifting her hips to meet each thrust.