Read Online To Wed A Highlander by Michele Sinclair - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Michele Sinclair
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wedding night.”
Colin waited patiently for Crawford to end his intentional pause and finally gave in. “And that was?”
Crawford smiled and slapped Colin on the back. “Now, in trade for your willingness to train my sons, I’m going to give you something more valuable than gold. Your bride, she reminds me of my Trista, bubbling with delight, enchanting all that see her. But she wasn’t always thus.”
“No?” Colin inquired, only slightly curious as to where the burly laird was going, for it was obvious he had a destination with this story.
“No, I’m ashamed to say. It wasn’t until a few months into our marriage that it occurred to me I had only been focusing on what I wanted, needed, and liked in a wife. I never once had considered her desires in a husband.”
Crawford downed a big swig of ale, and Colin sank into a nearby chair, stretching his feet in front of him. Colin assumed the man was done. “I thank you, but I am not sure how that piece of information is so golden or how it applies to me.”
“Because…” Jaime waited until Colin cranked his head to look the Highlander straight in the eye. He was about to call Colin a fool and decided otherwise. A friendly punch to the ribs he could get away with, but assaulting the Highlander’s pride? He would be leaving on his arse regardless of his title.
Crawford took another swig of ale. “It turns out that my Trista wanted the same thing I did. A friend to laugh and grow old with, to raise a family, and live a good life.” Jaimie took a deep breath and exhaled for effect. “I’m just wondering why you married Makenna. We all know Alexander’s reasons for wanting the union, but beyond that, what hopes do you have? What do you want? I’m guessing that whatever it is, Makenna desires the same. Give her that, and you’ll be a happy man every night—even on the nights you fight. And though it may not seem like much now, if you heed my words, you will come to see their extraordinary worth. Now, I think it’s time that I dance with my wife,” Jaimie finished, rubbing his hands together in anticipation as he jigged over to a laughing and eager Trista.
Colin watched as the hefty laird swung his wife around and thought on his counsel. No one had ever really talked to him that way before. Especially someone who knew very little about him. People usually came to Colin for advice, and never did anyone have the nerve to give him unsolicited suggestions about anything. Most assumed that because Colin was previously married, he knew all about the subject. How did Crawford discern the truth? And did the older laird know what he was talking about?
For years, Colin wondered why his parents’ marriage had worked so well. Was this the secret? If so, then what did he want in a marriage? With Deirdre, he had wanted someone to love who loved him. But he soon learned that it was not quite enough. They had love, but never once did they approach the closeness his mother and father had shared.
What, then, was the part of marriage that made the soul happy? What did he truly want?
And the answer struck him so deep down that Colin almost fell out of his chair. He wanted someone to trust and believe in him completely and without reservation. But, more than that, he wanted to be first in someone’s heart, body, and soul.
Could Makenna truly want the same? Did Makenna need someone who trusted and believed in her? Someone who placed her first above all others?
Colin knew a trust was growing between him and his new bride, and though he had never said so, he did believe in her. If Makenna decided to make something happen—or not happen—she persisted until she found a way.
But how could he make her first when he had already given Deirdre his heart?
Pretending to concentrate on the dancing and the music, Makenna peripherally watched as Colin approached her. She had been intensely aware of him all evening. If it had not been for Lady Crawford to anchor her thoughts
Colin waited patiently for Crawford to end his intentional pause and finally gave in. “And that was?”
Crawford smiled and slapped Colin on the back. “Now, in trade for your willingness to train my sons, I’m going to give you something more valuable than gold. Your bride, she reminds me of my Trista, bubbling with delight, enchanting all that see her. But she wasn’t always thus.”
“No?” Colin inquired, only slightly curious as to where the burly laird was going, for it was obvious he had a destination with this story.
“No, I’m ashamed to say. It wasn’t until a few months into our marriage that it occurred to me I had only been focusing on what I wanted, needed, and liked in a wife. I never once had considered her desires in a husband.”
Crawford downed a big swig of ale, and Colin sank into a nearby chair, stretching his feet in front of him. Colin assumed the man was done. “I thank you, but I am not sure how that piece of information is so golden or how it applies to me.”
“Because…” Jaime waited until Colin cranked his head to look the Highlander straight in the eye. He was about to call Colin a fool and decided otherwise. A friendly punch to the ribs he could get away with, but assaulting the Highlander’s pride? He would be leaving on his arse regardless of his title.
Crawford took another swig of ale. “It turns out that my Trista wanted the same thing I did. A friend to laugh and grow old with, to raise a family, and live a good life.” Jaimie took a deep breath and exhaled for effect. “I’m just wondering why you married Makenna. We all know Alexander’s reasons for wanting the union, but beyond that, what hopes do you have? What do you want? I’m guessing that whatever it is, Makenna desires the same. Give her that, and you’ll be a happy man every night—even on the nights you fight. And though it may not seem like much now, if you heed my words, you will come to see their extraordinary worth. Now, I think it’s time that I dance with my wife,” Jaimie finished, rubbing his hands together in anticipation as he jigged over to a laughing and eager Trista.
Colin watched as the hefty laird swung his wife around and thought on his counsel. No one had ever really talked to him that way before. Especially someone who knew very little about him. People usually came to Colin for advice, and never did anyone have the nerve to give him unsolicited suggestions about anything. Most assumed that because Colin was previously married, he knew all about the subject. How did Crawford discern the truth? And did the older laird know what he was talking about?
For years, Colin wondered why his parents’ marriage had worked so well. Was this the secret? If so, then what did he want in a marriage? With Deirdre, he had wanted someone to love who loved him. But he soon learned that it was not quite enough. They had love, but never once did they approach the closeness his mother and father had shared.
What, then, was the part of marriage that made the soul happy? What did he truly want?
And the answer struck him so deep down that Colin almost fell out of his chair. He wanted someone to trust and believe in him completely and without reservation. But, more than that, he wanted to be first in someone’s heart, body, and soul.
Could Makenna truly want the same? Did Makenna need someone who trusted and believed in her? Someone who placed her first above all others?
Colin knew a trust was growing between him and his new bride, and though he had never said so, he did believe in her. If Makenna decided to make something happen—or not happen—she persisted until she found a way.
But how could he make her first when he had already given Deirdre his heart?
Pretending to concentrate on the dancing and the music, Makenna peripherally watched as Colin approached her. She had been intensely aware of him all evening. If it had not been for Lady Crawford to anchor her thoughts
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