Page 26 of Chivalry in the Meadow (Hope Runs Deep #2)

Chapter Nine

“Breakfast is served,” Alaric called as he carried in their food.

Lilly and Mia both woke up. Lilly sat up immediately and Mia rubbed her eyes.

Sir Elias had taken his place inside the tent watching over the women and he stood. Pulling a trunk over between the cots he said, “This will do I think.”

He told Lilly, “I’ll escort you to the porta potty and back, once you’re ready.”

“Yes,” Lilly stuck her shoes on quickly. “More than ready.”

Sir Elias laughed. “Thought you might be.” He opened the tent flap for her. “Did you sleep well?”

“Like a log,” she said as she stepped out.

“She’s lucky that way,” Mia said. “I slept once you were holding me, and I didn’t dream at all.” She yawned.

“I’m glad,” Alaric said. “Do you want to eat now or head to the porta potty?”

“Porta potty,” Mia said. “You know women. Always have to go. I know it’s a pain for you guys.”

“Why would your need to go be a pain for me,” he said.

“Oh.” She sat up and put her shoes on. “Well, it was for my ex. Any time we took a day drive anywhere it was a major deal if I need to stop two hours down the road.”

“Your ex sounds like an ass,” he said. “Unless a woman is keeping a man from going when he needs to go, there is literally no pain for the man.” He shook his head.

She laughed. “Well, now that you put it that way. Okay I’m ready.” She stood. “But if it’s daylight, why do we need an escort?”

“You’ll need one while you’re here,” he said. “Should have realized that before.”

“That girl, her name was Nessie. Did they ever find her?”

He shook his head. “No.”

Soon they had eaten breakfast, said their goodbyes and there was nothing left to do but put their bags in the car and head out.

Sir Elias loaded the bags in the back and then came around to Lilly and took her into his arms. “I want you to drive carefully,” he said. “And let me know when you’re home.”

“I will,” she said.

Then he kissed her.

Mia smiled watching them. “It’s good to see her happy. He seems like a good man.”

“He is,” Alaric said. “I wish you’d had a safer environment this weekend. And I hope the good will outweigh the bad.”

“Well, I met you, and that part has been all good,” she said.

He smiled down at her and said, may I kiss you milady?”

“Yes, you may.”

He slid his arms around her and dipped her in a kiss which took her breath away. She kissed him back as if her life depended on it. And because she didn’t want to leave him though she did want to leave this place.

They came up for air, and then he let her go and said, “I’m glad you’ll be home safe soon. You’ll call me once you get home.”

It wasn’t a demand, for he wasn’t bossy, or a request, because he wasn’t wimpy. It was more a quiet expectation that of course she would.

“Yes,” Mia suddenly burrowed in close as she could get, next to his chest and within his arms. “The minute I get home.”

He gave her a big squeeze and said, “After you’ve locked all your doors and secured all your windows.”

She raised her head leaned back and looked at him.

“What? You thought your knight knows nothing of modern security?” He laughed. “We need to get to know each other in the mundane modern world as well, my love.”

“What if we find out we aren’t suited for each other in the mundane world?’

He smiled down at her with love in his eyes. “In any age and era, I could love you Mia Louise Harkness. Your heart and soul are ageless, and love doesn’t care what year it is.”

“You are the most romantic man I have ever met,” she said, smiling up at him with tears in her eyes. “How did I ever get so lucky?’

“I’m the lucky one,” he said. “And I’ll never forget it.”

“Come on, you guys,” Lilly called from the driver’s seat. “We do need to get on the road.”

They pulled apart and then, placing his hands on each side of her face, he bent to kiss her, soft, gentle, sweet. A kiss with as much love and caring that he could put inside, to hold until they could get together and do it again.

Mia didn’t remember much of what came after that, other than the silly smile she’d carried with her to her side of the car, as she’d gotten in, and waving to him as he stood there watching and waving back.

She had a new boyfriend who was a real honest to God knight, not a man playing a knight for a movie or on the stage. Not a man pretending anything. He’d always been honest with her.

He’d chosen her and she’d chosen him. She didn’t know what the future held for them, but she knew he would protect her if he could, and he would be there for her when he could.

That seemed an almost impossible thing to find in the modern world and she felt like the luckiest woman alive.

Mia was living her dream.

THE END