Page 62 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander

It was just two little words, but they felt like a cozy blanket being wrapped around her.

For the first time in a long time, Astrid knew that she would be able to sleep well—perhaps even better than she had in years.

“Wake up. Do ye ken what time it is?”

Melody bounced on the bed, making the world shift and sway at her whim.

Astrid clung to her dream of Thomas as the dawn ripped the image away from her.

“Nay, and I dinnae care. Tavish had me up all night. I’ve barely had any sleep at all,” she said, grabbing one of the free pillows and pulling it over her head.

She wanted to ignore Melody and slip back into the dream. But the more she tried to hold on to it, the quicker it faded.

Frustrated, Astrid threw the pillow off her and peeked through her eyelids. Melody sat beside her, bobbing like a frog learning to jump. The excitement on her face only added to the brightness of the morning.

“Och, Astrid, please get up. Eileen and Olivia will be here any moment. They’re goin’ to teach me how to ride. I want ye tocome and watch. But ye got to get up first,” Melody implored as she pushed and shoved Astrid a bit more to shake the sleep from her bones.

“I’m up.” Astrid giggled as she threw her arms around Melody and pulled her into the piled bedding. “Oh, what is this? The blanket monster is back.”

Melody’s high-pitched squeal made her flinch, but she refused to stop tickling her little knees and ribs.

Movement in the corner of her eye startled her. Astrid froze as she looked at the door of the balcony. She let out a heavy sigh of relief the moment she spotted the shadow through the curtains.

There was no fear, no terror that made her scoop up Melody and flee. No, the shadow belonged to Thomas, and knowing that he was right there made all the difference to her.

“I think there is someone watchin’ us,” Astrid whispered to Melody as she nodded her head toward the balcony.

“Astrid?” Melody’s voice dropped with fear.

Immediately, Astrid regretted her words.

“It’s fine, it’s the Laird. I think he might be wonderin’ what the commotion is about. Shall we let him have a peek?” Astrid asked as she climbed off the bed.

Melody’s eyes widened as she clapped her hands together.

Throwing back the curtain, Astrid caught Thomas standing outside her door on the balcony. The shock on his face only made Melody laugh harder.

“Found ye,” Melody called as she pointed to him. “Och, can we play hide and seek?”

Astrid shook her head as she opened the door for Thomas and gave him a warm, welcoming smile.

“Good day, Me Laird,” she greeted as she stepped aside to let him peer into the room. “Sleep well?”

Thomas arched an eyebrow as he walked into the room, inspecting it as if there were a crime to report. Melody giggled as she watched him move around with an air of importance and pompous arrogance.

“I heard laughter,” he finally said once he had made his way to Melody.

The sternness of his voice made even Astrid wonder if he was playing or not.

“Of course, there is laughter,” Melody answered. “I was bein’ tickled.”

“Is that right? And did ye want to be… tickled?” Thomas asked as he pitched his voice to a more playful note.

“Maybe,” Melody teased as she scrambled to the back of the bed to dodge his quick hands.

Astrid’s heart swelled as she watched them play together. For just a brief moment, she could see a family forming between them.

“What is this?” Olivia asked as she burst through the door to find Thomas tickling the little girl on the bed. “I come to collect her for ridin’ lessons and I find ye havin’ fun? This cannae do.”