Away With the Fairies (The Swallow Barn Cottage Series, Book 2)

Will Opens a Box

"Yes?" she said without opening her eyes.

"Are you alright?" he asked, and she felt his presence near her.

She shook her head frantically.

"What's the matter?" he asked in a tense tone.

She opened her eyes and saw his face right in front of her. She didn't say anything and just leaned ahead, wrapping her arms around his neck. He let her, and she was grateful. Oh god, thank you for Will Holyoake. Thank you for him. For him being here. For him coming back from the war. For him just letting me hug him. Thank you for his hand on my back, and his heart beating so close to mine. She felt hot tears run down her cheeks, and she moved away from him and wiped them hastily.

"What's wrong?" he asked sharply.

"It's... alright," she answered and gave him a shaky smile. "Honestly. I swear, I am alright." She sniffled and wiped the rest of the tears. "I just got a text from Nate, and it's just– hit me, you know. It's like– like a whistle for a well-trained dog. But I'm alright now. Thank you," she added earnestly.

"For what?" he asked.

His face was dark, and a deep crinkle lay between his eyebrows. He pressed his lips in a thin line, and she brushed her thumb to the bottom one, hoping to ease his discontent.

"For being– you," she said. "For being– I don't know how to describe it. It's like– like I said, everything just starts making sense around you. Maybe it's just because you're so calm, and so... real."

"Fiona, I–" he started, but she pressed her fingers across his lips.

"I'm sorry you have to deal with this," she said. "I honestly–"

He jerked his neck, shaking her hand off his lips.

"You need to stop apologising," he barked, and she winced away from him. It didn't feel like his anger was aimed at her - but he was definitely angry. "What do you think this is?" he asked.

Is this a rhetorical question? No, he's actually asking. Look at that snarl!

"What 'this?'" she asked in a small voice.

"You and me. Is this just shag? Am I not allowed to– care?" he spat out. "Did it come to your bloody mind that maybe I want to 'deal with it?!'"

"What 'it?'" she said again, completely confused. Stop being daft. Pull yourself together.

"You!" he said - and jerked away from her and rose. He was now looming over her, and she shrank in her chair. "Your problems! And– a fucking text from your fucking husband!"

"You want to deal with a– text from my husband," she repeated, and he spat out a dirty swearing. "Please, don't be angry with me," she whined in a begging voice. "I honestly don't understand what you're saying. Why are you angry? What did I–"

"Don't say 'do wrong,'" he interrupted her.

"Alright," she agreed hurriedly. "Will, I–"

"God, why are you so– so–"

She saw him grit his teeth, and everything inside her shook. What's it going to be? 'Stupid?' 'Clueless?' 'Mental?' 'Annoying?' 'Disgusting?'

"So–" He once again didn't finish, and she saw him fist his massive right hand.

There's definitely something wrong with you, Fiona. Why aren't you scared of him?

"So patient!" he finally roared. "And– understanding!"