After Justin took Catherin and Rachel back to their cottage and Anna went to bed, Connor wanted to know how Rachel got back in.
Kevin shook his head. "I do not believe you heard a word I said. You challenged Rachel's courage and her honesty." He sighed. "You fight well, but you do not yet understand people. Justin is a wise lad, because he learned to see what is in a lad's heart by watching his eyes and carefully listening to his words. You would be wise to do the same. As for Rachel, you will have to learn the hard way and we will all enjoy watching it. My wife and I have made a wager. I think she will marry you. Anna does not think Rachel will let you live that long."
Justin slept late the next morning. When he opened his eyes, Catherin had her head on his chest. From the beginning, Catherin liked to listen to his heart when she was frightened. She found comfort in it and he certainly didn't mind. It gave him plenty of excuses to hold her, especially before she finally agreed to be his wife.
She was a complicated woman with dark memories that sometimes clouded her mind and invaded her sleep. By rights, she could justify a mountain of self-pity, but Catherin was a strong woman who made up her mind to have a happy life, and for the most part, they were both content. It was just that sometimes, she needed to hear his heart. He wrapped both arms around her.
"If you move, I will never cook for you again."
He smiled. "You know we will protect you from the Fergusons, so it must be something else. Is it Rachel?"
"Anna thinks Rachel is beginning to remember. I think something frightened her. Do you know what it was?"
"Rachel believes she is afraid of nothing, but I will ask Connor. He is never far from her."
Catherin smiled. "They are fun to watch. Does Kevin say it was fun to watch us fall in love? Anna laughs about it."
"We must have been quite a sight. I was in love with you the moment you kissed my neck. You took a bit longer."
"A whole year longer and then I was not quite convinced. If you had not let me hear your heart whenever I wanted, it would have taken a lot longer."
"I would have let you break my head if I thought it would help. Where is Rachel?"
"Gone. She left to look for the arrows she lost in the moat last night."
"Do you intend to keep all those clothes on?"