“Ouch hey.” Kedryn faked a hurt arm “It looks nice.”
“Thanks.” Lara said as she took something off from around her neck and said “Here” as she tossed it to him.
“Where was it?” he asked as he slipped the chain around his neck.
“I found it in my pack. I didn’t think you ever took it off.” she said as she leaned back and almost started as the chair rocked back and forth.
“Never again. No matter what anyone says. I think it’s cool.”
He thought of Lisa and how she said it looked ugly, old and decrepit. She was just too new age for him he decided. Kedryn took the Celtic cross that was sitting around his neck and examined it. He remembered the falcon amulet in his pocket and pulled it out and put it on the chain next to the cross.
“Thanks. It felt weird not having it.”
Lara was about to ask him about why he even took it off and what he had just put on his chain as someone knocked softly at the door interrupting her. Lara rocked forward to stand up and saw the door slightly open and Shanna stepped through.
“Apologies for interrupting. It is almost time for the evening meal.”
“I’m going to put a couple of things away and I’ll be there.” Lara stood up and walked over and caught Shanna as she was almost out of the door.
“Thank you for the dress and boots.”
“I am happy to see they fit. My sister had left some of her things here and I thought she was about your size. Anything of mine would have been too short on you.” Shanna said and they both walked back over to the fireplace.
As Shanna looked Lara over she thought that if her instincts were right Aodhan’s eyes are going to pop right out of his head. That man needed to have a serious talk with a certain person out of the nonsense he was forced into. She noticed how they looked at each other neither one even really realizing it.
Lara looked at Shanna as she was in her own thoughts. She was a petite strawberry blonde haired and blue eyed woman. And just about five foot tall. She had a dimpled chin, tiny nose and beautiful slanted eyes. Lara noticed she also had a light dusting of freckles across her nose. Annie was going to grow up looking just like her. Only with Carrick’s puppy dog eyes.
“You must have inherited the petite gene in your family. Is your mother short and your father tall?” Lara asked and smiled thinking about her sister Teagan. Short petite and seriously gorgeous. All of the guys just drooled over her. The men were always shocked to learn that she was also a brilliant pediatric surgeon. Amazingly she had a steady of hand while in it in the hospital and a complete klutz outside of it. Everyone adored her.
“How did you guess?”
“It is that way in my family. My sister Teagan inherited the petite gene and looks like my mother. I got my father’s tallness and likeness. I have always been jealous of that.”
Shanna crossed her arms in front of her and looked at Lara amused. “Why on earth would you be jealous?”
Lara laughed and changed the subject. “How about I tell you what we will have tonight to drink instead of keeping you suspense?”
Shanna stepped away from the door and clasped her hands together in excitement “Yes please.”
“Great. I’ve got some special hot chocolate, different flavors, you will love it.”
Shanna gave her the hugest grin. “I haven’t had hot chocolate in years! Annie is going to have a treat tonight.”
Another soft knock was heard at the door. “Come in.” they all said at the same time.
“Jinx, you owe me a coke.” Kedryn and Lara said at the same time and started laughing.
Shanna looked at them questioning and started to laugh too. Emma walked through the door and gave them all a confused look. Which for some unknown reason made them laugh even harder. Kedryn was laughing so hard he hiccupped and that made tears start rolling down Shanna’s cheeks. Emma cracked a smile. She hadn’t seen Shanna laugh like that since the war had started.
“Apologies for interrupting. Annie is asking for you.” She looked at Kedryn, blushed and walked back out.
“Talkative. Isn’t she.” Kedryn said as he stood up out of the cushy chair by the fire. He walked over to the entryway where his mom and Shanna were standing.
Lara reached over and pinched his cheek “She’s just shy and probably thinks you’re cute leaving the girl speechless.”
“Awe mom!” He said as he ran his fingers through his shaggy hair embarrassed and grinned at her.
“I should see to Annie and make sure supper is ready to be put on the table. Kedryn, could you please go and make sure the men are getting ready?” Shanna asked as she stepped over to the door.
“I’ll head over there now. Later mom.” He walked out the door with Shanna and Lara shut it behind them.
Lara went back in the bedroom and started putting her things away. She picked up her leather covered journal and sketchbook that she recorded digs in. Rummaging through her pack she found a set of rubber banded prisma color pencils and pens that she used to draw sketches of the object placements. Lara put them to the side and placed everything else back in her pack. She picked up what she had set aside and brought them to the table in the kitchen.
As an afterthought she went back to the bedroom and grabbed the small leather pouch with the hot chocolate in it out of her pack and walked back to the kitchen and set it down on the counter. Lara walked over to the table and sat down pulling her hair pins out annoyed at her hair. She decided to start to write in her journal thinking if she ever saw her brother Shane again he just might be interested.
Lara paused from writing and decided to look and see how many pages were left in her sketch book. She leafed through her sketches from the last dig she had started and ended up at the page with the pressed Orchid in it feeling herself grow agitated.
She sighed and decided that she would have to start sketching the beautiful landscape and the people. Setting the sketch book down and picking up the notebook Lara started writing again. Thinking of her family and friends gave her a small pang in the pit of her stomach.
Another knock sounded at the door. She said quietly “Grand Central Station”.
Looking up from her notebook she said loud enough for the person knocking could hear her. “Come in.” and looked up to see Aodhan walk through the door.
“Hi.” Lara said flatly as she looked up. “Just let me write a couple of things down.” she bent back over her journal intent on ignoring Aodhan and finishing up the paragraph she had just started.
He walked over to where she was sitting and picked up her leather sketchbook off of the table. Aodhan thumbed through it and stopped. There in front of him was an orchid pressed into the pages. He quickly put it back down and was touched and confused at the thought that she had kept the flower. Aodhan glanced at Lara as she was bent over a book writing not noticing what he had just done.
“What are you writing?” he asked and walked over behind her to look over her shoulder.
“I’ve decided to start keeping a journal of everything.” she said turned halfway in the chair to face him. “From just getting home from the dig to a crazy Irish man crashing into my house. My brother Shane is a well known author back home. If I ever see him again this might interest him.”
“Crazy Irish man?” Aodhan said with a smirk on his face and watched as she turned back around and marked her place in the journal before she closed it.
“Absolutely nuts. Is everyone ready to go and eat?”
“Shanna sent me for you and the chocolate.” he said and quickly backed away as she scooted the chair she was sitting in back.
Lara stood and turned to face him. Aodhan for the first time realized she was wearing a dress and that she wore it well.
“I’ll get the hot chocolate.” Lara said and walked over to the counter.
As Lara turned to walk back to the door she ran smack into Aodhan. Lara gave him an annoyed look and started to step around him. Aodhan grabbed her by the waist and spun her right ba
ck into him. He pulled her close and leaned over and kissed her gently on one cheek and the other.
“Ta tu go h-alainnh. You are beautiful.” He said in her ear as he inhaled her scent. “And you smell soo good.”
Lara stood as still as she could manage and wondered if the perfume was a good idea. Aodhan turned his head and lightly brushed his lips against hers. Lara stiffened and felt her heart skip another beat. She tried to catch her breath as she looked into his eyes.
The bag in her hand fell and the soft thud on the wood floor made her blink. Lara’s head cleared a little as she took in a shaky breath. Pushing his hands off her waist she took a step back. Lara let out a huge sigh or Silent Scream as she called them sometimes. Why was it that she got all muddle headed around him. She should be furious at him. Lara walked around him and started to head to the door.
“You dropped something.” he said trying to hide the shakiness in his voice.
Lara turned to him and watched as he scooped up the leather pouch. She walked up to Aodhan and snatched it out of his hands tying the strings onto her belt. He stood watching her as she finished tying the pouch and crossed her arms in front of her looking seriously upset. What he did not know was that she was more upset at herself than at him.
“We can’t and shouldn’t even think of. Of this.” she said and stepped up to him. Lara reached up and touched his lips. He kissed her fingers and she took her hand away.
“Why not?” He asked and it hit him. “Bevin right? It is an arranged marriage. Neither of us wishes to be married at least to each other anyway.”
“You may not like the fact that you are and it does not matter. You are going to be married. I am NOT going to be the other woman. It’s just not right. It might seem selfish to you but I want the man I end up with to want to be with me. Only me. I don’t share.”
Aodhan gave her a pained look. “You are not selfish. I believe in being loyal to just one woman. This is a bit more complicated than that.” he took a step back from her so he wouldn’t upset her anymore.
She turned to the door. “I just can’t. I have to focus on what is happening now. My son, training and the battle. I don’t need any more complications.”
Lara walked out. He followed her out closing the door behind him. As he walked behind her Aodhan noticed a little something on her left shoulder peeking out through both sides of one of the straps. As upset as she was. Now was not the time to bring it up and he really didn’t know what came over him. Scratch that he did. Aodhan thought to himself that it has got to be too soon to feel like this. He wondered if it was because they have been through so much together in such a short amount of time. Aodhan decided to think on it later when his head was clearer.
As Lara pulled the handle to the front door she stopped and turned to Aodhan. He had to sidestep to make sure he didn’t bump into her.
“There is a favor I would like to ask of you.”
“Really? What type of favor?” he asked and stepped closer raising an eyebrow.
She rolled her eyes at him and let out a huge sigh. “It’s for Kedryn.”
“Anything for Kedryn. What do you need me to do?”
“Tomorrow is his seventeenth birthday. I don’t have anything for him and his gift is kind of in another realm.” she said as she gnawed on the side of her lower lip looking seriously annoyed.
Aodhan reached up and ran his thumb over her lip. “With everything going on I am surprised you have been able to keep track.”
She pushed his hand away and nervously wrung her hands. “I made sure I kept track. Especially since we stepped through the portal.”
“Leave it to me. There are a couple of items I can think of that Kedryn needs. Carrick will have to get Shanna’s permission but I believe that she will let them go sentimental or not.”
Lara leaned into Aodhan kissing him full on the lips and backed away. “Thanks.” she said and turned a little pink as she realized what she had just done. Lara quickly turned and walked through the doors.
Aodhan watched her walk through to the entryway and said under his breath.
“Anytime.”
Chapter 14
As Lara stepped through to the entryway she studied the inside of the main house. The more she looked around the more she fell in love with it. Every room was beautifully decorated. She hadn’t noticed the first time she came through the doors. Aodhan walked through the door past her to the fireplace where all of the men were sitting.
“I must have been really concentrating on getting that bath to not notice this.” she said.
The carved doorways and crown molding had delicate floral detail in the open kitchen where Shanna and Annie were arranging food on large platters. The design changed into carved Celtic knot work in the living area where the stone fireplace was. She walked over to the side of the fireplace and studied the mantle which had a carved Celtic knot design and a cross carved into the stone.
Her eyes roamed to an open door to what could be considered a den off to the side. The doorway was intricately carved with what looked to be tall oak trees surrounding it. Her eyes drifted from the carved wood work to the furniture and to the people surrounding her.
“Where is Emma?”
“She is going to stay at her Aunt’s while you are here. Emma usually stays in the cottage.” Shanna answered as she walked out of the kitchen.
“I didn’t mean to kick her out. I can always move my things to the barracks.”
“Emma is just fine at her aunts. She has a room there where she stays when we have company. It’s not a problem at all.”
“As long as you are sure.” she said and gave Shanna a relieved smile.
“Please, this way to the dining room.” Shanna grabbed Annie’s hand and led them through the kitchen into a room with a long dark oak table and chairs.
Lara looked up at a huge crystal, antler and candle lit chandelier that would be the envy of some of the well off curators she knew. She sat down and before they ate Shanna gave an Irish Blessing.
“May love and laughter light your days and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours wherever you may roam. May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!”
“Praise God. Let’s eat!” Carrick said.
Shanna went all out with the spread. There was pheasant, pork, potatoes, greens, rolls, gravy and more heaped onto the table. Even white and red wine and milk on the table.
“Shanna you outdid yourself. I have not eaten this good in a very, very long time.” Eion said.
“Thank you. I did have a little help from Emma and Annie. Emma’s the one that suggested the milk for Kedryn.” she said and winked at Kedryn and reached over to fill Carrick’s goblet as he turned to Eion.
“After we are done here Eion would you tell us one of your tales? Annie hasn’t had the pleasure of hearing you spin one yet. That is an experience I would like her to have. The finest storyteller of all three lands.” Carrick said
“You flatter me. Of course I will.” Eion said.
The conversation was minimal since they were all ravenously hungry after the day of training and the emotional drain. Kedryn noticed that Aodhan’s eyes kept roaming over to Lara and that his mom was avoiding looking at him. He leaned close to Eion so that only he could hear.
“You seeing what I’m seeing?” Kedryn asked looking from his mom to Aodhan.
“I hope it does not complicate things.” Eion whispered back.
“It won’t. Mom is pretty stubborn that way. Besides if what I overheard is true. If Aodhan is engaged, she will pull away from him as fast as possible.”
Scanlon leaned over to Kedryn and said loud enough for him and Eion to hear.
“If you’re not going to share. Enough of the whispering.” He gave a sly grin at them knowing exactly what was being discussed.
Once everyone had eaten their fill and were all leaning back heavy in their chairs Shanna stood and started clearing away the plates. She stacked as much as
she could and took them into the kitchen. Annie followed close behind with a goblet in each hand. Lara stood up to help.
“Let me help you with those." Lara said as she grabbed hers, Kedryn’s and Eion’s plate. She purposefully avoided Aodhan who was holding his up for her. As she walked into the kitchen she heard Scanlon let out a little laugh.
“Shut up scout boy.” Aodhan said.
Shanna watched as Lara walked into the kitchen with some plates and politely scolded her.
“I appreciate the help. You are our guest and should go and relax.” Shanna took the plates from her.
“I insist. I need something to do keep my mind off a couple things.” Lara said and she felt a tug on the pouch that she had tied to her belt and looked down to see Annie standing beside her.
“Can we please have the chocolate now?” Annie asked.
Shanna leaned over and picked her up and kissed her on the cheek. “As soon as the table is clear you can help Lara make it.”
Lara followed Shanna back into the dining room. She took Scanlon’s and reluctantly Aodhan’s plate and walked back into the kitchen. Lara untied the pouch from the belt around her dress and set it down on the small round table in the kitchen. She took the packets, lined them up and showed them to Annie.
“Annie being a bright little girl I’m thinking you know your colors right?” Lara looked at the little girl beside her nod her head seriously.
“Great. You see the purple packet is raspberry, the green is mint and the brown is just plain chocolate.” Lara heard Annie repeat after her and smiled.
Lara was honestly enjoying Annie’s company. Kedryn was forever bothering her for a sister or brother. It even got to the point where she seriously considered adopting a little girl. She had seen so many orphaned children during her digs and lectures that she wanted to adopt them all even though it wasn’t possible. Instead she set up fund raisers and donated as much money as she was able to for orphanages around the world. She felt Annie poke her arm and giggle.
Celtic Rain (The Battle Raven Series) Page 17