Page 99 of Wedded to the Devilish Highlander
“I told ye that I wouldnae let him have ye,” Archer said. “Ye’re safe now.”
“Aye, I am,” she sniffed.
I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
“I feel so alive.” Eileen let out a watery laugh. “I tried to have hope, but it all felt lost. I’ve never felt so euphoric.”
“Hold yer tongue for now,” Archer said. “I have a surprise for ye back at the castle.”
29
“Reid!” Eileen screamed.
She ran to the bed, slowing down before she got there and holding herself back from leaping atop him. She froze before him, the excitement coursing through her battling against her relief as she held back the tears—something she’d done a lot of over the past few days.
“I see someone,” Reid said weakly, reaching out an arm toward her. “A vision before me. Is it one of me delusions? A ghost come to haunt me? Am I bein’ drawn to the afterlife again?”
Eileen let out a choked cry. She fell to her knees by the bed, placing her hand on the sheets, but not daring to reach out and touch him as his eyes struggled to open.
“Reid, it’s me,” she said softly. “Eileen. Yer sister. Ye’ve been wounded badly.”
“Eileen?” Reid echoed slowly. “I’m tryin’ to remember. Me sister?”
Eileen leaned in close. “Aye, Reid, yer sister. I’m here with ye.”
“Eileen, aye,” he croaked. “I remember… I remember ye.”
“Just take yer time, Reid,” Eileen soothed. “Dinnae force yerself.”
“Ye’re the one… ye’re the one…”
“What, Reid? What is it?”
“Ye’re the ugly crier, are ye nae?” he asked, his eyes opening fully and his smile blossoming wide.
“Och, ye rascal!” Eileen slapped him on the arm.
“Ow!” Reid winced. “Please dinnae hit me, Eileen. I’m still sore, but I couldnae help meself.”
“Och, ye had me believin’ that ye were on death’s door! Are ye really well?”
“Aye, I’m fine,” Reid said. “I still need to get me strength back, but I’m nae goin’ anywhere.”
Eileen studied her brother. He was already scarred, and he would have more to add to his collection. The bandages on his chest had been changed recently, and while there were some red spots, they were mostly clear. There was a weariness in his eyes, but he smiled through it all.
“Can I give ye a hug?” Eileen asked.
“Aye, I would like that,” Reid replied.
He sat up in the bed, propping himself with one arm. Eileen leaned closer and gently wrapped her arms around him. He moved his free hand to her back and patted it gently as he used to do.
Her heart was torn. She needed to be with her brother, nurse him back to health, and then take him home. But she also needed to be with Archer; she was indebted to him.
She sniffed and gave a wobbly smile. “I thought I had lost ye, Reid.”
Reid pulled back a little but held her there so he could take a proper look at her. “It’ll take a lot more than that to get rid of me,” he told her.
“What happened?” she asked.
