"Aye, but I can die trying."
*
When she woke up, she was lying on one plaid and was covered with another at the edge of the meadow. She rolled from her side to her back and was soon reminded of her sore head. Before long, Connor was at her side offering his hand to help her sit up. In his other hand, he held a bowl of the best smelling stew she had ever seen. She couldn't get to it fast enough and didn't care what she looked like eating it. Three mouthfuls later, she looked around.
Most of the men were still in the meadow with her. Some were sitting, some were lying down and others were standing -- waiting for some sign that the Fergusons were coming out. Justin came over and wanted to see her injury. When he touched it, it hurt, but not as much as before.
"Did you see who did this, Lass?"
"Nay."
Justin patted her arm. "When you are ready, Connor will take you to your mother. She and your sister have been on their knees praying for so long they are in more pain than you are."
Rachel smiled and then nodded.
Justin kissed her on the forehead and walked back to Kevin. As soon as she finished eating, she felt much better. She dreaded getting on a horse again and when she looked around, Threcher was nowhere in sight. She wrinkled her brow and wondered if she dreamed the whole thing.
*
It took longer to get to the Cameron hold than it normally would have. Rachel was so sore from riding the day before, she was having a hard time sitting. "Can we walk for a while?"
"We can do anything you like."
"Anything?"
Connor wasn't quite sure what he might be agreeing to so he didn't answer. He got off his horse, walked around to hers and lifted her down. He didn't let go of her waist and waited to see what she would do about it. It was possible she didn't remember a lot about what happened the night before. He wanted to hold her and kiss her again, but he wasn't sure how she would feel about it.
She looked up into his eyes, "I dreamed you kissed me."
"It was not a dream."
She slipped her hands around his neck. "Do you plan to kiss me again anytime soon?"
"Very soon." The moment she touched him, he felt like his heart would beat out of his chest. "Is now soon enough?"
Rachel wanted him to kiss her very much, but she wanted to tell him something first. With her fingertips, she brushed a lock of hair off his forehead and took a deep breath. "I was so alone and all I could think about was you. I wanted you to put another flower on my head and I wanted you to hold me and never let me go. I was frightened I would never see you again."