Sara grasped hold of his hand resting at her stomach. “You want more children?”
“Don’t you?” he asked, hoping she wished to build a home and family as much as he did. He wanted to leave his old life behind and start anew, and they could do that in America.
“I always wanted as many children as possible,” she said eagerly.
He continued to nibble at her neck, and now patted her stomach. “Then I will give them to you. Our child could already be growing inside you.”
She sighed and joined her hand with his. “That would be wonderful. Alexander would have a sibling to play and grow with.”
“And more to follow.”
She laughed softly. “You intend to keep me busy.”
“All the time,” he growled as he nuzzled her neck and moved to her mouth, abruptly stopping. “It pains me to see your lip swollen.”
“It was worth it,” she assured him.
“I would argue it was foolish, but I know better. You keep your wits about you even in the most difficult of circumstances and speak boldly when needed.”
“That worries you?” she asked.
“I have concerns, but it’s more for what we may face in the next week or more. We need to work together to make sure that you and Alexander are deposited safely on my brother’s ship.”
“Along with you,” Sara said firmly, casting a questionable glance at him.
“I will join you after I see to Balford.”
“Is that absolutely necessary?” she asked.
He didn’t intend to argue with her. This was his decision and he would see it through, and he knew it was now more necessary than ever.
“Balford is an unforgiving man,” Cullen informed her.
“We will be gone from Scotland—”
“But your family won’t be,” he finished.
Sara turned in his arms. “He would hurt them?”
“He will need to take his anger out on someone whether he or she is guilty or not. Revenge is simply his way. He will want someone to suffer, and if we’re not here, he will choose someone close to either of us. And being I have no family left here—”
“He will go after my family.”
“I would count on it,” Cullen confirmed.
Sara stroked his face with a single finger. “I understand when something is necessary, though it doesn’t mean I like it, and it doesn’t mean I don’t fear for your safety. I will help make sure you remain safe.”
He tapped her nose. “I will do this on my own.”
“You will not,” Sara said, poking his chest.
“I won’t argue this with you, Sara.”
“You’re right. You won’t. I will help you.”
There was no point in debating the matter with her; she was a stubborn one and determined to have it her way. However, as far as he was concerned, though he would not argue it with her, he would see to it that would happen as he wished. He would not take even the smallest of chances that Balford would get his hands on Sara.
Balford was for him and him alone to face. She would have no part in it.
“Your silence warns me that I will need to keep a good eye on you, lest you sneak away and do something foolish,” Sara said.
“I’m not the one with the swollen lip,” he reminded.
“And you will remain without wounds if I have anything to say about it.”
His laughter rippled around them. “I doubt anyone could stop you from saying what you wish.”
“Make fun all you want, husband,” she said sternly. “I’ll still have it my way.”
“We’ll see,” he said, kissing her cheek.
“Don’t think to distract me,” she warned with a pointed finger.
“Never,” he said with feigned shock, and kissed the tip of her nose.
“I will have it my way,” she cautioned, though on a softer note.
The gentle kisses he planted over her face did the trick. She grew silent while her body grew limp in his arms, and with her guard down, yawns attacked her one after the other until she drifted off to sleep, her face snuggled against his chest.
Exhaustion was fast overtaking him as well, and as he drifted off her words resonated in his head and raised concern. She was stubborn enough to try to have it her way, and that could prove fatal for her.
He couldn’t lose another love.
He couldn’t lose Sara.
She proved more special to him than he had ever thought possible, and besides, he was waiting for just the right moment to tell her how he felt about her. It had to be a perfect moment so she would believe him and know without a doubt how very much he loved her.
Chapter 34
Sara followed quietly behind her husband. It had been a tiresome and worrisome week reaching St. Andrew Harbor, and now, though they were finally here, it was still not over. Soldiers filled the harbor town, hassling almost everyone in search of Cullen and the babe.