Page 21 of Highland Guard
The Village
Naomi and Kieran walkedin total silence the entire way to the village, and it was awkward between them. Naomi gathered the three items Sorcha listed. Kieran silently took the items from her and placed them in a boist then trailed behind her.
Then Naomi had a brilliant idea. “Kieran. Do you mind if we stop at the tavern for some refreshment? I could use a drink.”
Kieran seemed surprised that she had spoken to him at all. He agreed, and they made their way to the tavern. He found them a seat, as it was crowded and noisy. While waiting for their ale, Naomi said, “Kieran, I just need to step outside for a moment and visit the privy. I’ll not be long.”
He gave her a strange expression, then masked it. “Aye but be sure to stay in my line of sight.”
Naomi smiled, nodded then made her way outside, but not before she had a quick exchange with a serving woman. “Do you mind asking the man over there what he would like to eat? Here’s a coin for your troubles.”
The woman took the coin and nodded, then made her way over to Kieran. Naomi hurried outside towards the outhouse and kept glancing back, waiting for the right moment. When the serving woman reached Kieran and he was distracted, Naomi changed directions and sprinted behind the tavern, then backtracked her way through the crowded village.
After checking several times over her shoulder, she timed it would take Kieran at least fifteen minutes till he suspected anything was amiss and that would mean she could wander at her leisure without being seen. For the first time since seeing Kieran outside Yesenda’s cottage, Naomi felt carefree. She would take a leisurely stroll via theRiver Coe.
Naomi imagined Kieran’s anger once he figured out she had left, and she was grinning to herself, a feeling of victory coming over her. She had just turned off the busy village street towards a wooded path when she was startled by a voice from behind. “Going somewhere, wench?”
It was Kieran, casually leaning against a tree with a smirk on his face.
“What are you doing here?” she gasped in surprise.
“The question is, what are you doing here?” he replied.
“Well ... ah, I think I may have taken a wrong turn.”
“Aye, it would seem so, considering you’re about a mile away from the tavern.”
“How did you know?”
Kieran pushed away from the tree and Naomi could not help but notice how his muscles rippled as he stalked towards her. When he was close, he replied, “Yesenda pulled the same trick on me once. I’ll not be fooled again.”
Naomi cursed to herself.
Kieran stared down at Naomi for several moments and said nothing. His eyes roamed her face and then rested on her plump lips. Naomi felt the heady sensation of being so close to him. She felt almost breathless as time stood still.Was he going to kiss her?
She held her breath before he abruptly snapped his head up and stepped away. Kieran shook his head then growled, “We best be getting back. I’ve wasted enough time on your childish games.” It would have caused less damage if he had physically slapped her. It was enough to douse the flame of attraction between them. Then, once again, they walked back in complete silence.
***
LATER THAT EVENING, everyone gathered in the great hall for a meal. Naomi had bathed in the river beforehand and felt refreshed and hungry. She sat with Iain and Yesenda while baby Oban slept quietly in her arms. Sorcha was on the main dais with Bram and their son Cináed while Bram’s niece, Mysie and nephews, Domhnall and Michael, sat beside Naomi. They were very talkative, and Naomi was finding it difficult to keep up with all their conversations. Having grown up in the abbey, she was used to silence at mealtimes, but she did not mind so much.
It was after the meal. The men gathered at the trestle tables and the women and children remained on the dais. Naomi was feeling tired after her long day. But she was content to hold baby Oban.
She quietly listened to Yesenda spin an interesting story which had the children enthralled. Naomi also noted Iain watching his wife with a smile. Yesenda blossomed under his gaze. Naomi was so happy for her friend and realized this is what they had missed growing up. A family, a proper family that loved and laughed and shared a life together.
Naomi craved it, but it was a reminder she would never experience something similar. Her path in life was a lonely road.
***
KIERAN SAT QUIETLY, drinking his mead, and listening to the men discuss concerns about the Keep. Now and then he could not help it. He would glance at the dais and specifically upon Naomi. Watching her carrying Oban pierced his heart. He had to take a deep breath. It had taken all his willpower during their walk back from the village to not reach out for her. Kieran was fighting his attraction to her. He knew there was no way he could escort the lass to Dunsinane. She made him feel things he did not welcome. He decided he would tell Bram in the morning that he could not be her guard.
Kieran’s thoughts were interrupted when he heard Dermid, a fellow guardsman remark, “She is bonnie.” He hadn’t realized Dermid was beside him.
“Who?”
“The lass from the abbey.”
“Haud yer wheesht, she is sworn to the church.”
