"But what?"
She had to turn away so he wouldn't see the twinkle in her eye. "You might find me pleasing someday, but you will never love me."
His heart sank. He should never have told her about the woman on the horse. What kind of man would give his wife no hope of ever being loved? Katie said he already did love her and he had to admit he enjoyed her touch and her company very much. She seemed so open and free with him. Even now, she was able to tell him what she felt. Yes, he might learn to love Anna, but how the hell was he going to get the other woman out of his heart?
*
When they got back inside, he took the time to show her where everything was and then walked her to her bedchamber.
Kevin leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Good night. Wake me if you need anything."
"Kevin?"
"What is it?"
She looked into his eyes and if she could have, she would have looked into his soul. What she was about to say was important to her and she wanted him to remember. "When you kill my father, tell him it is from me."
He studied both her eyes and her words. "You know we are leaving? Who told you?"
"No one." She turned, walked to the bed and sat down. "It is the only way. If you wait until he uses Rachel to draw you out, he will have the advantage."
He was quick to sit down on the bed beside her and take both of her hands in his. "As soon as you told me it was your father, I sent lads to watch him. He may well lead them to Rachel. Try not to worry."
"I will try."
"Good. I will be pleased if you use this time to take good care of yourself and get well. I expect a healthy wife when I return." He kissed her forehead again and got up. Just as he closed the door, he heard her whisper, "Come back to me, Kevin MacGreagor."
He stood outside her door for a while and then went back in. He took her hands and pulled her to her feet. "Listen to my heart and hear my words." He placed his hands the same as before and waited until she rested against him. "Remember the feel of this and be comforted while I am gone." He closed his eyes and memorized it as well.
She stayed close, but this time she felt something deeper than comfort and safety. It was more even than the excitement of being near him. She loved this man.