Shepherd by Joan Hunter Holly

Author:Joan Hunter Holly [Holly, Joan Hunter]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0373720556
Publisher: Laser Books (Harlequin Enterprises)
Published: 1977-01-31T21:00:00+00:00

With the catharsis of the fever behind her, Laine made the decision to handle Bretton just as she had been doing, which meant warily and at arm’s length. She claimed that having Dainig aware of the situation and available to her would make it easier.

Since he had never been able to change her mind, he didn’t try now. He directed the rest of the day into quiet pleasures, relieved to see the strain leave her face and finally to hear her laugh at Peter’s antics. What he felt when he looked at her in those moments could be nothing less than love, and he knew it. He wished the feeling had the power to spill out from him and renew her spirit too.

After a hot supper by the hearth, they put Peter to bed on the sofa. He looked like an elf tucked under the great blanket, and when he demanded a good-night kiss from Laine, she didn’t resist. “Will that do for the night?” she asked him.

“Maybe. Do you know that you’re softer than Danny? You’re like my Mama was. You smell like her, too. Only you’re nicer because you kiss me and can even laugh. I love you just like Danny does, do you know that?”

She drew in her breath quickly, surprised and gratified. “Thank you, Peter. I love you, too. Both of you.”

“Then, if Danny is my new Daddy. I think you will be my new Mama. All right? I need both, so I choose you, Laine.”

“And who could ever refuse?” She kissed him again.

“When you decide you love us well enough, we can all be here together.”

“No more talking, little boy,” Dainig said as he tucked the blanket in again. “Close those brown eyes and go to sleep. I need you wide awake and strong when it’s time to move the sheep to their winter quarters.”

“Yes, because I have to count them,” Peter said.

Dainig restrained a laugh. With Peter counting the sheep when he had yet to master counting to 15, they would have a strangely numbered flock. Wishing the child a good night, he searched out the wool shawl Betty had left for Laine and took her into the chill autumn air where they passed the evening talking about inconsequential things.

Too soon, it was time to say good night, and it was just as difficult for him as it had been for the little boy. He wanted to stay with her, to envelope her and complete their union, feeling it might somehow give her a sure anchor to grasp when she returned to the city and her duel with Bretton. But she made no sign, so he kissed her and entered his own room.

The thoughts nagged at him as he undressed until they were too great to deny. Nothing but his body was capable of communicating his love for her now, and she needed the proof of it.

He draped a towel around his waist and walked barefoot to her door and opened it without knocking. She was standing by the bed, and when she saw him, there was no reproach in her eyes.

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