Page 51 of Bride Takes a Charmer
“Nay, I certainly did not. Although your da and I were not close, I respected him. The last thing I wanted was to lose him. I am sorry that you had to witness his…ah, that you were taken away. I wept for two whole days because I could not get to you.”
Gillian pressed her eye to wipe away a tear that gathered. “I did too, Mama. Are you happy now with Laird Shaw?”
“I am very happy. Are you?” Her daughter shrugged. “Do you know what would make me happier? If you would call Laird Shaw ‘Papa’. That would please him mightily. He is a good man and wants to be your father. Will you let him inside your heart as I have in mine?”
“I want to let him into my heart. He makes me laugh.” Gillian stood but fell against her and wrapped her arms around Sorsha’s neck.
Sorsha wanted to weep at the joy that sprang to her heart. “I have never seen you so mirthful and that makes me happy too. Laird Shaw will protect you, Gillian, and ensure that you are always cared for, but more than that, he will bring you joy and love.”
“I feared Da because…” Gillian’s words fell away.
“I understand, sweetheart. He was not an easy man and was sometimes frightful. But alas, we are free now to find happiness. There is no reason to fear anyone now.” She hugged her daughter close and then set her away. “Not even Laird Shaw’s sister. She didn’t mean to scare you and Luthor.”
“I am not fond—”
Sorsha set her hand on her small daughter’s shoulder and caressed her arm with her palm. “You should try to be fond of her, Gillian. She’s your da’s sister and family. We must be patient with Corliss and allow her to get to know us. Can you do that?”
Gillian nodded.
“Now, go on and enjoy the water.”
As soon as Gillian reached the bank, she jumped in and the small waves reached her knees. Shaw grabbed her and whipped her around the surface of the water. Hearing her daughter’s sweet laughter made her smile. What a remarkable change to her daughter’s demeanor. Perhaps the best thing that happened to them was their change in circumstances. Rodick’s death might not have been such an unfortunate happening after all. Immediately, Sorsha pleaded for God to forgive her for such a thought.
Luthor skulked from the water with a pout on his face. “Gillian won’t let me have a turn.”
Sorsha patted the cover and smiled. “Come sit with me for a short moment. Is the water warm?”
He nodded. “I thought ’bout what you asked, Milady.”
“You did? And what is your decision? Will you join our family? I want you as my son, Luthor, but no matter what you decide, I shall still love you.”
His eyebrows furrowed slightly but then his frown turned to a smile. “You love me, Milady?”
“Of course I do. I want to take care of you and know that your mama would want me to make sure you are happy.” Sorsha kept herself from taking his hand. How badly she wanted to offer sympathy or comfort. “And Laird Shaw would so like to call you son. It is our greatest hope that you accept us.”
Luthor swiped his arm across his face. He pulled his knees upward and wrapped his arms around them. “I do, Milady. I want ye as my mama and papa.”
Sorsha tried not to let the tears in her eyes fall, but she had to hastily wipe them away. “You do not know how happy I am. The only thing that would please me more is if you would call us Mama and Papa.”
“I can…Mama.” Luthor rocked on his buttocks and kept his gaze on the water.
“Then let us go and join our family. They look like they are having all the fun.” Sorsha pulled him to stand and took his hand. She ran toward the water and he followed. Her toes scrunched in the sandy, rocky bottom, and she gasped at the chill of it. It wasn’t too cold, but it was not as warm as she’d thought or hoped it would be.
They played in the water for a time but soon got hungry. After they partook of an early afternoon meal and ate the entire chicken and bread, the children lay back upon the cover, drowsy and lethargic for once.
“Take a wee rest, sweet ones,” she said and covered a portion of their bodies with Shaw’s tartan.
Luthor lay on his side and called out to Shaw, “Papa, later will ye show me how to fish?”
Shaw’s eyes widened slightly when Luthor called him Papa. His grin, though, attested to the fact that he was touched. “Aye, I will, son. Take a wee rest as your mama suggested.”
“Papa,” Gillian called. “Me too? Will you show me how to fish?”
“Aww, she’s just a lass and lassies do not fish,” Luthor said.
Shaw chuckled low. “Gilly lass, I will show ye how to fish too. Son, lassies do fish and they can do just about everything we can. I bid ye to remember that.”
Luthor nodded. Gillian grinned.