Rescued by a Highlander(28)

Several of Kenneth’s men had often leered at her, making her uncomfortable. Kenneth laughed at how timid she was with men, and she expected Alex’s men would act the same way. She may as well be in a convent. At least then she need not fear being groped by the nearest male.

Did she really want to spend her life feeling anxious all the time? What type of life would have her always worry about who would be coming around the corner? Would this fear of men ever go away? Mayhap she would always carry this burden.

Except for Alex. She never feared him. Even when he was in a tirade, she somehow knew he would never hurt her. He had touched her when they rode back to the keep, and it hadn’t bothered her. In fact, she had loved having his arms around her. She didn’t understand that. There was even a time when she had rested her hand on his arm without flinching.

A knock sounded at the door, and two servant lads rushed in with the tub, followed by a few more carrying buckets of steaming water. She turned her head and swiped at her tears. After they left, Madeline reached to bolt the door when a knock startled her.

She opened the door to see wee Jennie smiling at her. “May I come in, Maddie?”

“Of course, Jennie, I was about to soak in the tub, but you may stay and keep me company. My mother always said it was good to keep fresh wounds clean.”

Jennie entered and Maddie bolted the door behind her. She removed her dirty clothes and linen strips and slipped into the tub. “Oh, this feels so good!”

Jennie washed Maddie’s back, using extreme care for one so young.

“Do your wounds still hurt you, Maddie? Is that why you were crying?” Jennie’s innocent curiosity reflected in her eyes.

“Nay, Jennie, they don’t hurt enough to make me cry. They still ache sometimes.”

“Then why were you crying? Do you no’ like it here?”

“It seems I cry too much of late, please forgive me as I know not why. I am very happy here, lass. But this is not my home. My feelings are all jumbled. I do not know what goes on inside me anymore. But I am so glad you came to visit me. Why don’t you tell me all about your pets?” Maddie hoped to distract the young lass, uncomfortable discussing her feelings with one so young.

“Alex gave me my first puppy after Mama went to heaven. We named her ‘Hope.’ Da said Mama would like that name. Then after my da went to heaven, Alex gave me ‘Faith’ because he said mama and papa could watch over me through the dogs. He said they would never leave my side just like my dogs. I love Hope and Faith very much. Don’t tell Alex but they sleep with me sometimes. Brenna knows but she doesn’t tell.”

Jennie’s smile was contagious. What a wonderful thing Alex had done for his sister. She couldn’t believe a man would have the foresight to help a wee lass deal with the loss of her parents by filling her time with a new puppy. She shook her head at the thought, unable to conjure up an image of Kenneth or Niles doing anything with such deliberation or consideration.

“Jennie, I imagine you miss your mother a great deal. It is difficult to lose your parents anytime, but you are so young,” Maddie whispered as she looked at Jennie through tear stained lashes.

“Aye, I miss my mama and da very much. Sometimes I dream of sitting on my da’s lap, or hugging mama like I used to. Those are my favorite dreams because I wake up and can still feel them. But Alex and Brenna and Brodie and Robbie have been so good to me. I know they are spoiling me sometimes, but I like it. Promise me you will not give my secret away, Maddie MacD. I like it when they spoil me. Especially Alex. He is big like my da was. He always lets me sit on his lap, and sometimes I pretend he is my da even though I know he is not. Some of the servants tell me I am too big to be sitting on his lap, but I don’t care. I like Alex’s lap, I always feel safe there.”

Maddie couldn’t prevent the sigh from escaping her lips. She understood exactly how Jennie felt. Riding on Alex’s lap was the only place she had been able to truly relax since her parents’ death. Strong and comforting, he had not relaxed his grip. He was tender and protective, preventing any pain from her wounds. For a moment, Maddie had experienced this strange feeling that being in Alex’s arms was where she belonged. She was safe there, just like Jennie had said. However, that was not reality.

Maddie winked at Jennie’s smiling face. “Well, now you have another lap you may sit on too, lass. You are always welcome to sit on my lap, and I do not think you are too old.”

Jennie helped Maddie out of the tub and handed her the linen. “I hope you like it here, Maddie. I want you to stay with us. You can be part of our family now. Please say you will stay!”