Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90574 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“It has and I must admit I like it.”
“Fiona will adjust to her new sister and be proud of her,” Raynor said then stretched to a stand.
Aliss popped off the bench with a smile. “Not without protest.”
Raynor agreed with a nod and a grin. “See to the injured idiots and then I will see you later at supper.”
“I may be occupied,” Aliss said without thinking, and turned bright red.
Raynor laughed. “I’ll be an uncle soon enough again.”
Her hand went to her stomach after Raynor turned and walked away. He was right, he just might be an uncle soon.
Clouds drifted overhead and gathered in number as Rogan walked to the keep. A storm approached, he could smell it, and it wasn’t far off. He hoped Aliss would finish soon so she wouldn’t get caught in the rain, but then he actually hoped she’d finish soon so that they could get lost in a couple of hours of endless lovemaking.
She stirred his passion, refused to leave his thoughts, and was forever a part of his soul, and it felt wonderful.
Margaret acknowledged him with a smile and a nod when he entered the hall. She was busy instructing a couple of young girls at a table. His decision to place Margaret in charge of the keep had been a logical one. She was alone, with time on her hands, and she loved to cook. She had been honored and thrilled when he had asked her and had not hesitated to accept.
He was pleased that it had proven to be a good choice for all concerned. Meals were excellent, the keep was kept clean, his wife was free to heal, and Margaret was happy.
He climbed the wooden steps, noticing that the weak and broken steps had finally been replaced. There was much yet to be done in the keep and the village itself, but day by day more repairs and improvements were being made.
The Wolf clan finally had a home they took pride in, and he had finally settled into a life with a wife he loved dearly. Of course, there was the bargain to consider. Aliss had not let him free of it yet, but all indications assured him that she would. He longed to hear her tell him that she loved him. He had heard it too few times before he was robbed of the pleasure. Soon, if he remained hopeful, he would hear her say “I love you” again and again.
He shut the bedchamber door closed behind him and stopped for a moment to look out the window. He had dreamed of this day, of looking out over his land, and now that it was here it was not how he had imagined it.
What had once been of first importance to him now took second place to his feelings for Aliss. She mattered more to him now than anything else in his life, and he did not even try to make sense of it all. He did not want to. He simply wanted to share his life with his wife, have a slew of children with her, and grow old with her.
He walked to the bed, stripping off his shirt and tossing it to the chair as he went. Then he took off his sandals and stretched out on the bed. He recalled how lonely his father had been through the years, missing his wife more and more as the years passed.
He didn’t know how his father had managed. He had hurt so badly when Kendra died, but then death had claimed her; he had no say in the matter. Not so with his mother. She chose to leave to protect him and his father. She had been alive all those years but they had never gotten to see her.
He could not live like that again. Those years had been difficult, and he could not imagine walking away from Aliss never to see her again, yet knowing she was alive and well.
He shook his head.
There was no way that would happen. He and Aliss were meant to be together, and in time, she would understand that and realize how much they truly loved each other. All would go well for them, he was sure of it.
And the rest of his plan?
Again, he shook his head.
If he chose to proceed with it, it would surely cause a rift between his wife and him that might never be mended. He could not take that chance, and he truly believed his mother would not have wanted revenge that would hurt so many. He was finally in possession of his inheritance and now his mother would want him to be happy with the woman he loved.
Thunder shook the heavens, lightning struck the ground and sent it smoldering while rain pounded the earth. Rogan listened to the downpour nourish nature.