Alexander stirred.
“He’ll wake soon, hungry. You feed him while I get us something to eat, and promise me,” Teresa said, squeezing Sara’s hand, “you will not dismiss, but at least consider what I’ve suggested.”
Sara nodded. “Do you know how glad I am to have you for my sister?”
Teresa grinned. “You’re lucky to have me as a sister. I got you out of enough trouble through the years.”
“Wait just a minute,” Sara said, smiling and was interrupted by a loud—
“Da!”
The next few hours were a carefree, thought-free time for Sara. She and Teresa talked and talked some more while enjoying playful moments with Alexander. The little boy took an instant like to Sara and managed to win her heart even more than he already had. They had taken him to the creek to throw stones and dunk his feet in the water. He delighted himself with splashes and tumbled around on the grass in sheer joy. He was a happy and content little boy.
“I should get back to the keep,” Sara said a few hours later. “Father wanted to speak with me, and Cullen will want to see Alexander again.”
“Then why leave? Wait until he arrives and return later with him. Father must realize you have a husband now and he comes first.”
“You would think, but Father treats me like a constant thorn in his side that he refuses to remove. He seems to enjoy the pain he insists I bring him.”
“That’s only because you are so much like him and he truly admires you, though refuses to acknowledge the fact.”
“He acknowledged that he liked my husband, though I wonder how he will feel when my husband deserts me, never to return.”
“Perhaps that won’t be the case,” Teresa said, scooping up a yawning Alexander. “Nap time.”
“Do you mind if I remain here awhile? I could use a solitary moment or two,” Sara said.
“Not at all. I’ll be at the cottage.”
Sara sat near the edge of the creek. The last few hours had been so enjoyable, free of worry and thoughts that haunted her much too often. Now, however, they returned to plague her, and though she much preferred to ignore them, she had no choice but to address them.
She still didn’t understand how a simple plan could have gotten so complicated, but then she hadn’t expected love to be thrown into the mix. Sharing her concerns with her sister had helped a great deal, but it now meant making choices she wasn’t certain she was ready to make.
She also couldn’t comprehend her indecisiveness. Practical problems demanded practical solutions, or so she always believed and practiced with direct bluntness. And while the whole situation seemed a practical one, she couldn’t bring herself to make a reasonable decision. Clearly, her heart was interfering.
A sudden familiar stench filled her nostrils, and she got quickly to her feet and turned around. “What do you want, Harken?”
He smiled, a sad mistake since Sara found it hard not to cringe at the sight of his rotten, yellowed teeth, what ones he had left.
“I’ve come to welcome you home,” he said, walking toward her.
Sara backed away, his sweat-stained shirt and grubby plaid adding to the stomach-rolling odor. “I’m married, Harken.”
He nodded. “I heard.”
Sara didn’t trust him. He had a glint in his dark eyes that didn’t bode well. However, he did not appear to be angry with her, and Harken had a temper, especially when things didn’t go his way. Not that she felt threatened by him. She had handled him once before and could do it again if necessary, but she much preferred not to touch him.
“Happily wed?” he asked.
His question disturbed her and warned her that something wasn’t right. “Why would you ask me that?”
He shrugged, his soiled fingers toying with a stick he discarded carelessly. “Something I heard made me wonder.”
What could he have heard? She and Cullen only spoke of their situation when they were alone.
“Your father wanted you wed good and proper, he did, and to wed a man who would remain by your side, though difficult that may be, you being so bold and unattractive.”
Sara had to laugh. “At least I don’t smell like a horse’s ass.”
“Think you’re better than me, don’t you?” he snapped. “If you’re so much better, why couldn’t your father find a single man who would wed you? Even with a generous dowry, no man wanted you. I was the only one with the courage to take on a harping wife like you.”
She couldn’t say that his words or the memory of that time didn’t hurt. They dug deep into her, reminding her of the mockery she had suffered. But that was all behind her and she need not suffer it any longer. She had a good husband and needn’t worry about being forced to wed the likes of Harken McWilliams.