He eyed her carefully for a moment and then released her face gently.
“I know.”
Chapter Seven
Shock flooded her system, and her jaw dropped. Eyes wide she stared at his face, that was so unlike what she had expected. Amusement tugged at the corner of his lips as he looked down at her.
“How? You have known this entire time?”
“Nearly two weeks before you arrived, I received a letter from my mother, she told me a woman would be arriving not from this time and that she would need my help.”
“And you just accepted it? In a time where witches are feared?”
“I fear you have your years wrong. While black magic is feared throughout our lands, white magic is often sought out. Ever since I was a lad, villagers would come to this castle and seek my mother out for help. When my mother was but a lass, she and her sister were sought out because my aunt has the gift as well.”
“Your mother is a witch?” She had told Carissa that she possessed gifts, but it sounded so strange to hear it confirmed by Garrett.
“Do you fear her?” He wondered. She could see on his face he was willing to defend his mother if necessary and the love for her in his eyes made Carissa’s heart skip.
“No, Garrett. Not at all.”
Garrett let out the breath he had been holding onto.
“So tell me of your time.”
“Carissa smiled. It is very different from this one. We have electricity and indoor plumbing for one. Heaters that warm every room without the need for a fireplace in each one.”
“Electricity?”
“We have lightbulbs instead of flames, they provide much more light than the candles do, and you can turn them on and off with a switch rather than having to light them individually.”
“A switch? You hit them?”
At his confused look, Carissa laughed and touched his arm lightly. She didn’t notice the way he stilled at her touch.
“Not a switch used for hitting, it is a small plastic thing that you lift up or down.”
“That is fascinating. And what of warming a room with no fire?”
“You can set whatever temperature you want your house to be, and it warms or cools it for you.”
Garrett nodded, listening intently while Carissa explained her world to him.
“Why were you sent here?” He wondered once she had finished speaking.
Carissa swallowed hard and closed her eyes.
“If you do not wish to talk about it, that is fine. I do not want to upset you.”
“No, it’s okay Garrett. You have been so kind to us, I want you to know.”
Garrett sat quietly and watched as sadness and anger fought for control over her emotions.
“I have told you that I was with Gabby’s father.”
“But you were not married.”
“No, we weren’t.”
“Is that common in your time?”
“Much more common than it is here I suppose.” She replied, and Garrett nodded again.
“You know he was abusive?”
“I do.” He said with a tight jaw.
“He hadn’t ever been that way toward Gabby. It was always directed only at me. If she cried, he would get angry and tell me to ‘shut her up.'” Carissa’s fists tightened in her lap, and Garrett reached over to touch her hand. “I would take her out of the room until she was quiet and then everything would be fine. But eventually he started yelling at her, and he got more aggressive with me. Before when he would hit me,” she started and closed her eyes on tears, “it would only be after she was asleep, but then he started doing it while she was awake, and eventually he didn’t care whether she was watching or not. I knew I had to leave, knew that if I didn’t, then she would eventually become his target and I couldn’t allow that to happen.
We hadn’t been together since I started showing after we found out I was pregnant. Right before I left, I found out he had been sleeping around.”
“He was bedding other women while you were at home with his babe?”
She nodded, and Garrett stood to pace. “What a miserable man. Not even a man.” He muttered and then quieted so she could continue.
“Once we left, things got better. I had inherited enough money from my parents that as long as I spent wisely, I would be able to stay home with Gabby until she was thirteen. I figured once she started school I might try and find a job as the school’s nurse or at a nearby hospital. When he found us, I thought he was going to kill me.”
“The bruises that covered your face when I found you.”
She nodded and continued. “I managed to lock Gabby, and I in the bedroom and a woman appeared in my room. She told me that she could save us, we only had to trust her. Gabby was screaming, and Parker was beating on the door, so I took her hand and then when I opened my eyes we were in the forest where you found us.”
Garrett took a deep breath and rubbed his hand over the stubble on his jaw. “Carissa, I am so sorry for all you have been through.” Garrett knelt on the ground in front of her and gripped her hands as the tears threatened to come down again.
“I had to save Gabby. It never mattered what happened to me as long as she was alright.”
“It matters to me.” He said softly and lifted her face so he could see her eyes. “Since the day I brought you back here, I have begun to heal. I know without me telling you that you are aware of my past. That I was married before, with a babe on the way.”
She nodded and saw the pain at the thought on his face.
“It shames me that I did not love Eleanora. Not the way I should have for her to have been my wife. I was sad when she died, but the loss of the babe is what sent me over the edge.”
“I’m sorry for what you have been through.” She said softly cupping his face with her hands.
Her breath caught in her chest when she saw the way he was looking at her. She had never been looked at as if she were the only person in the world, and that was what she saw in Garrett’s eyes.
“It wasn’t until you two appeared in my life that I felt happiness again.”
Gabby stirred, and Carissa stood quickly to check on her. Garrett moved out of the way and stood by the door as he watched her check on the sleeping toddler. He had never felt the longing he felt for her toward anyone else. Never felt as if he didn’t make her his, he would surely perish.
She turned and walked back towards the room, and he saw it on her face. She wanted him as well.
Carissa stood staring at Garrett for a moment. She had never met a man who was as kind-hearted as he was and she knew he would never harm her. But how could she go to him now? She hadn’t told him that the reason Parker hadn’t wanted her once she started showing was that her body had changed.
She was no longer the toned woman she had been before. Although she was still thin, her body was soft in places it hadn’t been before, and she had stretch marks on her stomach and thighs. She wasn’t sure she could take rejection from him. It had hurt coming from Parker, but she had known he was cruel before, with Garrett he was so kind she knew it would be more painful.
Carissa took a deep breath and stepped toward him. He moved back into her bedroom, and she followed him.
“Do you wish me to leave?” He asked her, his body tensed.
She knew her answer would define their relationship. It would either bring them closer or push them further apart.
“No.” She whispered and his face lit with a smile. It made her breath catch and her blood pound.
He moved toward her and cupped her face. He lowered his mouth until it was less than an inch from hers and not wanting to wait any longer, she lifted to her toes and closed the distance.
The second his lips touched hers, Carissa felt the shock through her body. Her heart beat faster, and she forgot all about her past. She parted her lips under his tongue, and he took her mouth, savoring every second of it. He groaned against her, and she gripped his arms, afraid he might slip away.
She felt him lift her and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Seconds later she felt the mattress under her back, and his weight settled on top of her. She reached up and ran her hands through his thick hair.
His hand ran up the length of her thigh under her dress, and she began to panic. What was she doing? What if he was disgusted by her?
She pulled back and stared at him.
“Carissa?” His voice was heavy with passion.
“I-I’m not the same.” She tried to scoot away from him, and he sat back watching her.
“What do you mean?”
“Since I had Gabby, I’m not the same.” Tears filled her eyes as she stood.
“I do not understand if you do not want me-” He started, and she reached for him not wanting him to think it was him.
“I want nothing more, Garrett. I just, you won’t want me.” She looked down, and he scooted over to sit on the edge of the bed, settling her between his thighs.
“Carissa I have never needed anything as badly as I need you.”
“But that’s because you can’t see.” She insisted, embarrassed.
“Can’t see what?”
Carissa took a deep breath, ready to get the humiliation over with. She pulled at her dress and undergarments until she stood before him in nothing. Her eyes closed tightly, tears slipped out and fell down her cheeks as she waited for him to disappear.
Suddenly she felt his hands on her hips, and she opened her eyes to look down at him as he kneeled in front of her.
“I see nothing but perfection.” He pressed a kiss to her stomach so she knew he understood why she thought he wouldn’t want her.
“I’m not perfect.”
“That is where you are wrong, love. Why would you think anything different?”
“Parker told me-”
“We won’t speak of that idiot.” He lifted her and carried her back to the bed. “You are magnificent Carissa. These scars,” he touched the marks on her stomach, “show that you are a woman. You got these from carrying Gabby, don’t ever be ashamed.”
“You make me feel beautiful.”
“You are beautiful. The most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
He took her mouth again, and she felt his attraction in the kiss. Parker had never kissed her like this, not even before she got pregnant. Garrett made her feel as if she were the only woman in the world and that he couldn’t breathe without her.
She tugged at his shirt, desperate for the feel of his skin against hers and he moved off of her long enough to pull it over his head. Taut skin was stretched over thick muscle and her mouth watered just looking at him. She reached for him, and he covered her again. She was ready for him and thought she might explode if she had to wait another second for him to claim her.
Carissa arched her hips up into his groin, and she felt his erection where it pressed into her. She moaned with need, and he moved off to remove his kilt.
“Are you sure?” He asked, his voice strained.
“Yes.” She whispered, and he took her mouth as he thrust into her. He was much larger than she would have expected, and it took her a moment to acclimate to him. When he started moving, she met his rhythm with her hips.
The orgasm tore through her, and she cried out. When he stilled inside of her, she urged him on. He began moving again, and when he brought her back up this time, he fell with her.
“Are you alright, love?” He asked her as they lay still on the bed.
She grunted and smiled. “Can I tell you something?”
“Of course.” He pulled her into his side so that he was lying behind her.
“I’ve never had an-”
“Never?” He asked surprised before she could even finish her sentence.
“No.”
“But what about-”
“He never cared.”
“Then I suppose we have some time to make up for.” He grinned and placed a kiss to her breast.
She arched up into him. “I suppose we do.”
He smiled down at her and felt the missing part of his heart slide back into place. She was what he had been waiting for, he knew it. The three of them made a family, and he hadn’t ever imagined he would get so lucky.
Chapter Eight
He looked down where she slept in his arms. He memorized every angle of her face. She was so incredibly beautiful inside and out, and it angered him that she had been made to feel unworthy.
When she had allowed her dress to fall, leaving her standing bare before him, he had nearly lost all train of thought and pulled her down. It had taken every ounce of strength he possessed to kneel tenderly in front of her.
Still, he knew that it would take time before he convinced her of her perfection. He would spend as much time as needed until she realized it, and then more time to make sure she never forgot.
He watched as her face took on a frown. She didn’t know, but he came in and held her every night during her nightmares. Once they were over, and she was soundly back to sleep, he would spend the rest of the night wishing he could kill the man who harmed her.
When his mother had sent him the letter telling him she was coming and that she was not from this time, he had believed she had gone mad. He had known that she and his aunt possessed special gifts, but he hadn’t understood the reach of them, still didn’t in fact.
Why had this woman been sent to him he wondered still? Who had sent her back? His aunt had been missing for years, presumed to have been killed by the man she had been forced to marry as a girl. Garrett’s jaw tightened at the thought. That was another man he would relish in the death of.
Gabby cried out, and Garrett eased out of bed. He pulled his kilt on and walked quickly to the little girl before her mother woke. Carissa deserved a good night sleep.
“Dada,” Gabby said and reached for him. His heart soared at the endearment, and he lifted her.
“Well, hello, wee one.” He smiled at her and walked to the small window that looked out over the countryside. “You are awake early, aren’t you?”
“Got it.” She giggled and leaned her head against him. She had recently begun using that phrase instead of yes, and it amused him. He had never heard such a phrase before.
“Scared.” She said as she burrowed closer to him.
“You need not be afraid, I am here with you.” He kissed her hair. “Did you have a bad dream?”
She shook her head. Carissa had told him that Gabby turned two next month, but she already seemed so much older to him.
“Bad boy come.”
His jaw tightened. “The bad boy won’t come for you, Gabby. Dada will protect you.” He whispered it softly. He hadn’t been the one who taught her to call him that, but he wouldn’t be telling the truth if he denied the enjoyment it brought to him.
“Dank you.”
“You are most welcome, M’iníon.” He used the Irish Gaelic word for daughter and the way Gabby smiled at him sealed the bond he felt with her.
“Thank you,” Carissa said from the doorway.
He turned to face her, and her beauty caught him off guard. His jaw fell slightly as he looked at her. Her sleep tousled blonde hair fell in curls around her face. Her lips were red and swollen from the love they had made and her smile was unguarded.
“No need to thank me.”
“You don’t mind that she calls you dada?” She asked walking toward them.
“Not at all, it makes me happy to think that she sees me that way.”
“You know, Parker never talked to her.”
“Surely he had to have spoken to her at some point.”
“No, not a single time. He talked about her but never to her, and he never held her.”
Garrett looked at her shocked. How could a man deny his child?
“Momma, Dada get me.”
“Dada got you out of bed?” She asked in a cute voice. Hearing that off of her tongue did more for Garrett at that moment then three words spoken could have. She accepted him into their l
ives.
“She’s already back to sleep,” Carissa whispered.
Garrett looked at the small girl and smiled. He laid her gently back into the crib and followed Carissa back to bed.
“How do you feel?” He asked her.
“Wonderful.” She smiled at him, and he leaned down to press his lips to hers.
“Goodnight Carissa.”
“Goodnight Garrett.”
Once he was sure she was asleep, he pressed another kiss to her forehead. “I do believe I’ve fallen in love with you.” He whispered softly and fell asleep cradling her in his arms.
Carissa woke smoothly and stretched. Her body felt wonderful, and for the first time in as long as she could remember, she felt at peace. She rolled over and saw that Garrett had already woken.
She stretched again and stood to check on Gabby. When she got to the edge of the crib, panic set in. Gabby was gone. She told her mind that she knew Garrett had her, but she still felt shaky.
Carissa dressed quickly and bolted down the stairs. She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Gabby’s familiar giggles.
“Momma!” Gabby yelled and ran for her.
“Morning baby, did you sleep well?”
“Got it.” She grinned and then squirmed so Carissa would set her down.
“Good morning, love.” Garrett pulled her into his arms and kissed her lightly. “I trust you slept well?”
“I did, thank you.” She smiled up at him, and when they heard Kettie clear her throat, Carissa tried to step back. Garrett’s arm around her waist held her firm to him.
“Morning you two.” Kettie’s eyes crinkled up in a smile and Carissa blushed.
“Good morning Mrs. McKinley.” Carissa addressed her with a slight curtsy.
“No need to call me that dear, Kettie will do just fine.” She smiled at her again and knelt to accept a hug from Gabby. “Hello, wee lass.” Kettie stood and looked at Carissa. “Would you be open to me watching your little darling for a while today? I would love to spend some time with her here at the castle.”
Carissa felt the nervousness creep into her mind, she had never left Gabby alone with anyone. She looked around, Parker wouldn’t be able to get her here. She couldn’t think of any reason she shouldn’t allow Kettie to watch her.
Their Own Time: A Trio of Time Travel Romance Novelette's Page 4