Captivated by a Highlander

Chapter 14 - Beginning

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≪ Kain ≫
Kain was, in all honesty, lost. Now that he and Christine had both come clean, he wasn't sure what to do. He had never been this deep in love with someone before. Not even once.

Christine, however, seemed to know what she was doing. When they were alone she would touch her small fingertips to his palm and he would grasp her hand. When they were walking through the fields, he would place his hand on the small of her back, guiding her. She knew the right time and the right place to do things or make physical contact. How she knew these things he did not even dare to ask.

Fall was starting to creep into the highlands of Scotland. The trees changed their color and the grasses grew tall and dry. The air was growing chilly and servants were pulling in loads of firewood every day in preparation for the cold winters that were soon to follow. The hours of sunlight were waning slowly.

Autumn was Kain's favorite season. The colors brought everything to life and the orchards that were in bloom in the spring finally bore their sweet fruit. He walked the castle grounds with a wool cloak around his broad shoulders. The wind combed through his dark hair and breathed into his lungs. His feet crunched on the ground as he saw workers up on the farms below in the village, collecting their harvest before the first frost could freeze the ground. He had half the mind to go into town and visit the village, but he was still choosing to wait until the farmers markets opened in the streets. He wanted to take Christine there with him.

As the young woman crossed him mind, he turned and caught a glimpse of her. A blue cloak was pulled around her small shoulders and her summer clothes were exchanged for warmer plaid and many more layers. She had a basket balanced on her left shoulder, held up by her hand, and another balanced on her hip. She was humming to herself, seeming completely oblivious to the wind that tangled her curls and his presence.

A smile came onto his lips. He approached her and took the basket on her shoulder. Startled, Christine jumped a bit and looked up at him with wide eyes. "K-Kain!" She gasped, her now free hand placed on her chest, over her heart. "Wh-What on earth are you doing?"

He couldn't help it. He laughed. "Christine, ye' need to get out of that mind of yers and pay attention to detail. I was standing right over there when ye' walked past." He pointed to the tree that he had been standing under and watched as she turned her gaze to look.

Now it was her turn to laugh. "Forgive me. I guess I was too lost in my thoughts to notice you." However, he noticed a twinge of sorrow in her eyes that he could not ignore. Before she could start walking again to what was surely the kitchens (there was fruit and greens from the garden in the baskets), Kain grasped her gently by her waist. She looked up with surprise as he pulled her close again.

"Kain?" She murmured softly. "What is it?"

He leaned down and kissed the space between her eyes. "Ye' are troubled by something, lass," he said quietly. "I can see it in yer eyes. 'Tis the matter?"
He felt the tensity in her shoulders fade away and she sighed. She stood high on her toes until her lips met his.

Her kiss was gentle and soft, a sensation that only she could give him. The kiss was brief, much too brief for his liking. However, her free hand placed on his chest, holding him back from being able to swoop in for another kiss as she stood back on flat feet.

"I'm fine," she said softly, her deep blue eyes meeting his gaze once more. "Your worries are unnecessary and they will put wrinkles on that handsome face of yours before you reach thirty years."

Now Kain was the one to sigh deeply. She was an excellent liar, but she could not get anything past him and he knew she knew it. But, given the obvious discomfort of the subject, he would not press. He nodded slowly then released her and started to walk to the keep. "Well? Would ye' like to get these baskets to the kitchen before the noonday meal or no?"