Time of the Draig (17 page)

Jeff shook his head. “You are definitely getting better at sneaking up on us.”

Faolan laughed. “Mayhap you no longer fear my presence, so your guard is relaxed.” He turned to look at Samantha. “I was going to ride and check on my lands. Come with me and see the beauty of the countryside.”

“Great idea, get her away from her”—Jeff paused before continuing—“her tools.”

Before Samantha could argue, Faolan asked, “Unless you wish to sleep. I can see the exhaustion in your eyes.”

“I couldn’t sleep now if I tried. There’s too much in my head to even pretend to rest,” Samantha admitted.

Faolan offered her a warm smile and pushed her subtly toward the kitchens. “Then let us see if we can find a meal to pack and enjoy in the sunshine.”

Jeff’s hand stopped their progress, and she took the item he offered. “Every man has one. While off duty, I don’t see a need to leave anyone alone or at risk.”

She used the clip on the device to attach the communicator to the side lacing of her dress. “Good thinking.” Then she allowed Faolan to lead her out of the hall.

In the late morning, Samantha was surprised to find the kitchen almost deserted. Only Dana remained. The older woman asked, “Have you eaten?”

Why hasn’t anyone asked if I solved the problem?
Samantha wondered. She shook her head and immediately found herself seated at the island with fresh bread and dried fruit in front of her.

While she ate, Faolan asked for a meal to be packed, and Dana obliged without delay. She warned, “The evening meal will be a bit late tonight. Everyone has most of the day off.”

“Then we can enjoy the afternoon without fear of your wrath.”

Dana laughed. “Always fear my wrath, but there’s no need to worry about being late for dinner.”

Samantha missed whatever Dana whispered to Faolan, but it didn’t matter. Both smiled, and she assumed it had nothing to do with her. When her plate was empty, Dana wished them a nice day and shooed them out of her domain.

The day was bright with no trace of yesterday’s storm. The air held warmth and the promise of a beautiful afternoon.

As they entered the stable, Samantha inhaled the sweet smell of hay. Faolan chuckled. “Verra few enjoy the scent of the animals.”

She smiled at the notice and watched as he led two horses out into the courtyard. The tack was different than what she had used in the past, and it had been a long time since she had been anywhere near a horse.

The animal had no issue with her presence and nuzzled into the hand she offered. Samantha asked, “What’s her name?”

Faolan stroked the animal’s flank and said, “Fire, it means fire in Gaelic.”

For the first time she hated the ability of verbal understanding the quantum door had afforded her. She wondered what the name sounded like in the native tongue.

“She has a wild spirit but a generous nature, and I think she is perfect for you,” Faolan added with a wink. She allowed him to lift her onto the blanket that served as a saddle and took the reins in hand. Once the issue of how to bunch the skirts was settled, he let go of her sides.

Heat flooded her blood of its own accord as Faolan mounted his horse in a single fluid motion. His shirt fluttered in the light breeze and drew her attention to the strong muscled chest. The leather pants fit him like a second skin and showcased his powerful legs. None of these attributes were new to her, as she had lived most of her life surrounded by fit and strong men, but they were far more noticeable on him.

The longer hair was new to her. All the men she knew had the standard buzz cut. Faolan’s light brown hair was tied back in a strip of rawhide. That left his chiseled features exposed. Samantha sighed as she appreciated the raw masculine perfection that was Faolan.

“I will keep a slow pace until you are ready for more.”

She nodded and watched how he sat on the horse and noted the technique used to control the animal. They had only made it beyond the gate when she heard her name being called. Samantha looked up to see Weiler, Jensen, and Kagen perched on top of the stonewall that guarded the keep. She also saw the binoculars that passed between them.

“Why are you sharing tech with Kagen?”

Weiler called down, “Captain said it was okay as long as we kept possession.”

Captain Harrison must have missed the part where I insisted on not exposing these people to modern marvels.

Kagen shouted, “Faolan, you must see this with your own eyes. I can see the land at the edge of your sight as if it were where I stood.”

Samantha shouted back, “At least pretend you’re looking for trouble.”

Jensen added, “This beats walking in circles on patrol. Don’t worry. We’ll swear him to secrecy.”

Then Samantha saw four other warriors climb to the top of the wall with the ladder and ask for a turn. She shifted to see Faolan. “We need to leave now before I kill my men for sharing what they shouldn’t.”

Faolan waved to the men and replied to her, “See, there is one advantage to time coming to an end. None of it matters. Put it from your mind.” With that said, he trotted down the path that led away from the keep.

Samantha caught up. “I’m ready when you are.” She spurred the horse into a run on the open field. Despite her desire to outrun him, she let Faolan take the lead and followed him into the woods.

Faolan stopped at the edge of another field. “‘Tis is my far pasture and marks a boundary to my lands.”

Samantha looked around a saw a small wooden shack on the far side. “Who lives there?”

“‘Tis for the herdsmen to use when the sheep graze here. Given the recent theft of my animals, all graze in closer pastures,” Faolan explained.

On instinct, Samantha prodded the horse for a closer inspection of the hut. There were clear signs of recent use. She hopped off the animal and held her hand over the remnants of a fire. “This is still a bit warm. I think someone has been here.”

Faolan joined her on the ground and confirmed her observation. He drew the sword from his back and pushed open the cottage door with his foot. After a quick inspection of the small space, he came out and said, “Someone was here, but I sense no danger. My guess is someone took shelter from the storm and used a fire to dry their clothes. The cottage is once again deserted.”

Samantha nodded in agreement and wished she had thought to bring a pair of binoculars.

When she said as much, Faolan replied, “We can circle the area and look for signs of intruders.” He studied her. “Unless you are tired now.”

“No, I’m fine. Let’s keep going,” Samantha answered.

Faolan rewarded her with a smile. “I had a fine spot in mind for a meal, but we need to ride for a bit.”

Without delay, he stepped behind to lift her onto the horse. She felt the light kiss to her hair and grinned like a fool as she once again sat with skirts bunched up on the horse.

When on his animal, he offered a wink and urged his horse into a run. Samantha laughed and followed.

Trees blurred as they raced through the forest. Time had no meaning as they rode and only focused on the trail. She ducked under branches and pulled the reins to jump fallen logs. For a while, no other thought entered her mind.

Faolan stopped ahead of her and quickly dismounted. She reined the horse next to his. “Why have we stopped?”

His hand reached out to lift her from the saddle and raised her into the air before pulling her close to slide down his chest. Samantha could only watch him in wonder as his hands kept a tight grip on her hips.

“‘Tis where we stop,” Faolan said as he stared down at her. “Does it please you?”

With a small step backward, she surveyed the area. They were in a small clearing surrounded by large old-growth trees. The high branches formed a partial covering overhead. Leaves had opened in the last few days, and the sky was only visible in the center of the grassy area. Ten feet away, a small stream gurgled over rocks. Small bushes bloomed with tiny white flowers that perfumed the area.

It was Faolan who answered the question. “I can see it pleases you. Mayhap later in the summer we can return. The field will be covered in heather. ‘Tis a wondrous sight to behold.”

Samantha smiled into the brown eyes that studied her reaction. “It’s a sight to behold now.”

His hand cupped her cheek. “A fine sight indeed.” Then he tilted her head and placed a soft kiss to her lips.

All too soon, he released his hold and tied the horses near the stream. He returned to her side with the bag of food and a blanket. Faolan stepped to the middle of the small clearing and spread the blanket in the sunshine. He offered, “The ground is still wet from the rain, but the cloth will keep you dry.” As he sat, he asked, “Are you hungry?”

On cue, her stomach rumbled. She had missed dinner the night before, and breakfast had been too light. He insisted on setting out the food Dana had packed and presented her with a cloth loaded with her new favorites: smoked meats, fresh bread, and the dried fruit.

While they ate, Faolan asked, “Would you like to talk about it?”

There wasn’t much to say, as there was still no valid option for returning to her lab. Samantha talked even though she doubted he understood. Faolan nodded as she spoke of the probabilities she experimented with. He listened while she babbled about her methodology and remained attentive as she went through the theories that remained to be tested. When she was done, she said, “I’m sorry, you didn’t want to hear all of that.”

Faolan leaned forward. “If it concerns you, I wish to hear it. I enjoy that you share all with only me.”

That was a new thought for her. She did only share all of it with him, and she wondered why. Faolan had no concept of what she meant, but no one really did. Boomer had always listened, but they had been together in their goal. Somehow Faolan was a safe place in her mind, no judgment, no counter-theories, and no expectations. He simply listened.

“You’re right, I do seem to tell you everything. Thank you for listening,” Samantha said, taking another bite. She pushed aside the fact that, while she shared so much with him, there had been omissions. Some probabilities were better left unspoken.

Faolan waited for her to finish the food and packed up the remains. With the bag to the side of the blanket, he said, “I can see you are tired.”

Samantha wiped her hand over her eyes and agreed. “Yes, but I’m used to missing some sleep. Maybe when this is done, I’ll just go to bed for a week.” She looked around at the tranquil scene and asked, “When should we head back?”

Faolan laughed and shifted to lie on his back. “Do you truly wish to go back? I dinna. If we return, there will be matters to tend, problems to solve, and too many people to disturb us. A day of rest is rare, so enjoy it.” With that said, Faolan pulled the tie from his hair and settled back against the blanket.

A day of rest was a concept so foreign it almost had no meaning. Once there had been leaves from the military and a day off a week, mandatory. After martial law, leaves vanished, and she was too paranoid to step away from the lab. She explained it all to Faolan.

“Then you need rest more than I do,” Faolan said as he gazed up into sky.

“Do you do this often?”

Faolan chuckled. “I have never spent a quiet afternoon with a beautiful lass who controls time and has more wisdom than I can comprehend.”

The blush spread over her cheeks at the compliments, and she stole a glance at the man who rested by her side. With a laugh for the wink he offered, she asked, “I meant do you take a day off from work often?”

Faolan sighed and admitted, “Rarely. In the weeks since my father died, ‘tis the first time I have taken for my own pleasure.”

She listened as he spoke of the duties that had become his: the safety of the clan, training the warriors, the welfare of all within the village, the crops currently being planted, and the management of the keep. There was no complaint, only a simple accounting of the responsibility to which he had been born and raised.

“Though Gran oversees most of the household tasks,” Faolan finished.

“You need some help,” Samantha offered, not sure how one man could effectively handle all those tasks.

“You speak only truth, Samantha,” Faolan replied. With a small grin, he added, “A wife would be a fine thing to aid in the care of the clan.”

Samantha shifted her gaze back to the sky and teased, “I can see where your men could use a superior trainer.”

The smile had left his voice as he said, “When you are ready, we will continue the conversation. For now, I am pleased to spend the day with you.”

There was no need to look at him; the hurt was clear in his tone. It still came back to the question of why he was so insistent they be married. Her men had made themselves at home within his walls and trained with his men, not to mention the whole sanitation project. In a way he had what he wanted, the replacement for his lost warriors.

Yet while he teased and flirted, she only seemed to insult him, even if her intent had been to spare him from what she knew and kept inside.

“Faolan, I can’t focus on anything other than my work right now. Too much is at stake,” Samantha offered in an attempt to explain her uncertainty.

She felt his gaze as if he had commanded her to look over at him. It said he didn’t believe her, but his nod accepted her weak explanation.

Faolan turned away and asked, “What do you see in the clouds?”

Samantha tilted her neck from her seated position to view the clouds between the branches and said, “Light cirrus clouds formed by—”

Faolan’s laughter cut off the explanation. He glanced at her and said, “Spare me the lesson and look at the sky. What patterns do you see? Can you find pictures to share with me?”

“What do you mean?” She asked, bewildered by his request.

Faolan lifted enough to prop up on an elbow and asked, “Have you never looked for beauty in the clouds, for the image of an animal or something familiar?”

Samantha thought about the question. “No.”

“No wonder you think so much.” He patted the blanket and said, “Lie down, and I will teach you.”

When she hesitated, Faolan crawled to her side. His hand lifted her braid and slid the rubber band off. His fingers made quick work of freeing her hair and let it settle down her back. She heard his sigh while his hand stroked the hair into place.