Page 11 of Entangled With You

“I haena thought of it that way.” He tucked his head into my shoulder again and kissed me on my collarbone.

“It’s a nice way to think about it right? We get to renew ourselves. Constantly shifting and changing. So don’t worry about what you might become, just become the man you are. And you’re a good man. And I love you so much.”

“And I have kept my promise tae ye?”

“With every breath.”

“Thank ye, mo reul-iuil.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I do need tae check in with the security guard.”

“Can I come with you? My heart is still racing. I don’t really want to be alone.”

2 - MAGNUS

The next morning Kaitlyn was still asleep when I jumped beside her on the bed and jiggled her awake.

“Kaitlyn, wake up.”

She startled, “What — everything okay?”

“Aye, daena worry, tis just the day tae get Sunny. I am up already.”

She groaned and patted the bed beside her. “You are not up already. It’s too early for you to be up already. And definitely not because you’re going to get your horse.”

“I am standin’ afore ye, dressed. Zach will have breakfast in a moment. Ye needs be up, ye have tae drive me.”

She smiled. “Are you excited to get Sunny?”

“I am. I haena ridden for a verra long time.”

She said, I think she was teasin’, “You’ve been riding me, I’m not good enough?”

I had a memory slam intae me, Bella, sayin’ — My Magnus, are you comparing your wife to a horse?

“Ye arna...” Bella, in my mind, leering up at me, tryin’ tae entice me. I shook my head trying tae push the memory away. I took a deep breath. “Ye are more than good enough, but ye arna a horse. I need my horse. Can ye be ready soon?”

She threw the covers off sensing my urgency and went tae our bathroom to dress for our day.

3 - KAITLYN

We parked at the end of the stables and Debbie met us to show Magnus to Sunny. It was a blustery cold day. I was bundled in a sweatshirt and a knit cap, mostly because of the wind. Magnus was wearing his kilt and a white thermal henley-style shirt. I gave him a wool scarf that was green tartan plaid.

He said, “I daena think tis cold enough for this.”

“Lean forward.” I wrapped it around his neck. “You can take it off when I’m out of sight. I need to fuss over you a bit.”

The plan was for Magnus to ride along the beach all the way to the north end.

We paid a builder to add a stable for Sunny at our house, so he could live there part time. We didn’t have the permits, but the house was situated in a way that the stable was hidden from view, plus our neighbors were short-term rentals, mostly. I was sure no one would complain, at least for a while, and we would work it out if they did.

And when I saw Magnus nuzzling his face to Sunny’s muzzle, speaking to him softly in Gaelic, I knew this had all been the right decision. Magnus was home. Our house was ready. Our lives were hidden. He needed his horse.

Soon enough his ribs would be healed and we would have to implement the next phase — rescue Quentin.

I hung out and helped Magnus a bit while he curried Sunny and saddled him up. Then I walked with him as he led Sunny down the path to the beach. “Twill nae take me long, mo reul-iuil.”