Page 21 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander

Sure, that was one way of describing the situation. Astrid was his healer, whom he employed and thus cared for. It made perfect sense. Yet, for some reason, he felt as if he were keeping a great secret.

“Aye, she’ll be paid for her services,” Thomas answered. “But I would appreciate it if ye could keep Reid away from her.”

“Ye ken as well as I do that yer braither will go where he pleases. He’s like a cat—have ye ever noticed that?” Alba asked.

The question confused Thomas.

Yes, his mother was growing old and still had a good bit of her wits about her. But ever so often, she’d say something that would throw him for a loop.

Never once would he liken Reid to a cat. A dog, absolutely, seeing the way he goes through life carefree with a goofy grin on his face. But Thomas couldn’t afford those luxuries, not since his father handed him the keys to the castle and made him swear to protect and lead the clan.

“Nay, but I think ye might need a bit of fresh air, Maither,” Thomas suggested as he helped his mother to her feet.

The confusion on her face shifted as she shrugged, plucked a scone off her plate, and made her way to the side door.

Thomas watched as his mother strolled casually out the double doors and onto the terrace.

“She’s nae havin’ another spell too, is she?” Eileen asked, startling him.

“Nay,” Thomas answered. “I dinnae think we have to worry about Maither. She’ll nae have the same ailment that Faither has.”

“True, but still. I think her mind slips sometimes,” Eileen noted.

“Well, yers would too if ye had a son like Reid,” Thomas scoffed as he watched his younger brother strut into the Great Hall as if he was trying to impress everyone.

“And where there is smoke…” Eileen chuckled.

“Aye,” Thomas uttered as she patted him on the shoulder.

“I’m goin’ to go check on Maither,” Eileen said.

Before Thomas could even bid her a good day, Reid was at his right-hand side. The overpowering scent of his cologne turned Thomas’s stomach.

“What are ye wearin’? Ode of Skunk?” Thomas teased as he pushed him back.

“For yer information, it’s musky, and the lasses love it. They cannae get enough of it.”

“Is that so? Let me guess, ye thought ye’d see how it works on Astrid?” Thomas asked as he tried to comprehend his brother’s thought process.

“Have ye seen her? I thought I’d take her to the loch today and maybe have a picnic of sorts,” Reid said confidently.

Thomas pressed his lips into a tight line as he towered over his brother. “What did I tell ye?” he scolded. “Ye’re to leave her alone. Is that understood? She dinnae need any of yer wild schemes. She’s been through enough as it is, and I’ll nae tell ye again.”

“Ye’re nae Faither. Besides, we had a moment in the hall last night. In fact, I think I made quite the impression,” Reid said as he lifted his chin and puffed out his chest.

Whatever conversation Reid had with Astrid, Thomas was certain it wasn’t nearly as profound as his brother was making it out to be.

“So did I,” Thomas retorted. “Only, our conversation lasted longer than what yer limited attention span could tolerate. And she loved it.”

“Ye’re lyin’.”

“Am I?” Thomas challenged.

Reid studied him for a moment, not sure if Thomas was telling the truth or spinning a tall tale.

“I cannae tell if ye’re tellin’ the truth or nae.”

“I’m tellin’ ye right now to abandon yer quest for Astrid. She’ll chew ye up and spit ye out for breakfast,” Thomas warned.