Chapter 14

14

E rica stirred awake, expecting the warmth of Hunter’s arms around her. Instead, her hand met only cool linen sheets, and her heart sank, a pang of disappointment taking root. She brushed it off, though, reminding herself that Hunter had his duties.

Yet, the desire from last night clung to her, making her crave his presence all the more. With a sigh, she rolled over to see if he’d left anything—a note, a flower… something.

Her eyes landed on a small, delicately wrapped box on the nightstand. She sat up, heart racing with curiosity, and gingerly lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in soft fabric, lay a necklace—a silver chain with a beautiful emerald pendant glinting in the morning light. The green color of the stone was vivid, like the lush hills of the Highlands. She noticed the small note next to it and read it.

This necklace will match your beautiful eyes.

She felt a blush rise to her cheeks, her fingers running over the smooth surface of the pendant. Hunter was thoughtful—more thoughtful than she had expected him to be. Her heart ached at the idea that he might have chosen this just for her. Maybe he hadn’t, but she wanted to believe it. It made her feel cherished, like she was more than just a stranger in his home.

Carefully, she fastened the necklace around her neck and then glanced at herself in the mirror. The emerald sparkled at her throat, catching the light with each small movement.

“What do ye think, Kara?” she asked, turning as her maid walked in.

Something she couldn’t quite place flickered in Kara’s eyes, but the maid quickly covered it with a smile. “It’s lovely, Me Lady,” she said, her voice warm. “It suits ye.”

A laugh bubbled up Erica’s throat. “Do ye think Hunter is gettin’ used to spoilin’ me?” she asked, turning to face her maid fully.

Kara gave a hesitant smile. “Perhaps he is, Me Lady,” she replied. She seemed… distracted.

“Are ye all right, Kara?” Erica asked, frowning with concern. “Ye look a bit troubled.”

Kara waved a hand dismissively, her gaze dropping to the floor. “It’s nothin’, really. Just an upset stomach, I think,” she murmured. “Probably somethin’ I ate.”

Erica nodded, though she made a mental note to check on her later.

If somethin’ is troublin’ her, I need to ken about it.

She had few allies in the castle, and Kara was her closest confidante.

With the necklace secure around her neck, her thoughts shifted to the day ahead, and she felt a thrill of anticipation. It was picnic day.

After gathering everything she needed, Erica enlisted Kara’s help with preparing the food, and soon enough, she was on her way to find Hunter. She spotted him across the castle grounds, his broad figure standing out as he spoke with Calvin near the training yard. He looked up as she approached, his gray eyes softening at the sight of her.

“Hunter,” she called, her heart fluttering despite herself. “I thought it would be nice to spend some time together. The three of us.”

His gaze lingered on her, and she could feel the intensity of it, a pull that made her pulse race. But then, his expression softened, and he gave a slight nod. “A picnic?” he asked, his voice as calm as ever, though she thought she caught a hint of curiosity.

“Aye,” she replied, smiling. “Some fresh air might do us all some good.”

His lips quirked up into a reluctant smile, and for a brief, wonderful moment, she thought she saw a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“Very well,” Hunter said.

Erica felt an all too familiar throbbing between her legs as she remembered how he made her feel the night before.

Christ alive, give me strength.

Her thoughts seemed to stray as he studied her for a moment too long.

He didn’t say it outright, but she could see the hint of mischief in his expression, as well as the silent approval that she’d been hoping for. All of it, all at once, felt like the victory she had been waiting for.

Hunter carried Lily on his shoulders, her laughter filling the air as she clutched at his hair, trying to keep her balance. Erica’s heart swelled at the sight. Her husband was more relaxed here, with them, than she’d ever seen him before.

She had carefully chosen this spot, for it was tucked away under a large oak that stood like a sentinel, offering a blanket of shade to soften the sun’s heat. She spread out the blankets she’d brought and emptied the baskets of food she and Kara had carefully packed that morning.

Hunter stood back at first, watching as she knelt to help Lily unpack her favorite snacks. There was an odd look in his eyes that she couldn’t quite read. But she smiled up at him, determined to include him in this moment.

“Come on, Hunter,” she called, patting the spot beside her. “I promise I willnae bite.”

He arched an eyebrow, his lips twitching slightly as he finally approached and settled down on the blanket beside her. “A dangerous offer,” he murmured, but there was warmth in his voice and a flicker of something softer in his eyes.

Erica poured them each a cup of cider, before passing Lily a smaller one as the girl babbled about she planned to teach them all how to properly enjoy a picnic. Erica felt herself relax, her laughter joining Lily’s as she watched the little girl take control of the afternoon with a mix of childish energy and enthusiasm.

Lily’s first idea, as it turned out, was to play a game of “Seek ‘n Find.” She pointed at the wildflowers, rocks, and distant clouds with a playful authority that made Erica giggle. Hunter, although he tried to maintain his stoic expression, couldn’t help but smile slightly and nod approvingly each time Lily guessed correctly.

After a while, they moved on to her next suggestion—flower crown making. Erica had shown her how to twist together daisies and wildflowers a few days ago, and now Lily was eager to teach Hunter the ‘proper’ way.

Erica leaned in, showing her how to create a strong base for her crown, while Hunter watched, his arms folded across his broad chest, clearly unconvinced.

“Ye dinnae look convinced, Hunter,” she teased, shooting him a playful look. “Come on, are ye too proud to wear a flower crown?”

He gave her a smirk, unfolding his arms. “I wouldnae say ‘proud,’” he replied, glancing skeptically at the half-made crown in her hands. “But I’m nae sure it’s me style.”

“Ach, nonsense!” Erica laughed, passing Lily a finished crown to place atop his head. “If it’s good enough for a fearsome warrior like ye, then it’s good enough for anyone.”

With a flourish, Lily placed the crown on Hunter’s head, looking intensely pleased with herself.

Hunter grimaced for a moment, but something on Lily’s beaming face must have softened him because he didn’t remove it. Instead, he reached out and pulled her onto his lap, surprising Erica with his affection. His arm wrapped protectively around the girl, and she nestled happily against his chest, giggling at her handiwork.

“See, Uncle Hunter,” she said, grinning up at him, “ye look just like the knights in me stories!”

Hunter chuckled, looking down at her with a warmth that made Erica’s heart ache in the best way. She felt as though she were witnessing something rare and precious—his tenderness, usually hidden behind his cold exterior.

“Do I now?” he said, eyeing her crown. “And here I thought I was meant to be a laird.”

“Nay, today ye’re a knight,” Erica murmured, her voice soft as she watched them.

She felt a sudden urge to reach out, to take his hand in hers, but she held back, letting him warm up to this moment on his own.

They spent the next hour sharing food, laughing, and telling Lily stories of Highland heroes and old battles. Erica even managed to draw Hunter into the storytelling, his deep voice adding a dramatic flair to the tales that had Lily on the edge of her seat. Every so often, Erica would catch him glancing at her, his gray eyes softened by something she couldn’t quite name.

At one point, Lily scampered off to pick more wildflowers, leaving Erica and Hunter sitting alone on the blanket. The easy silence between them felt intimate, a comfortable pause that neither seemed in a rush to break.

Erica leaned back, feeling the warmth of the sun on her face as she watched Lily dance around the field, her laughter filling the air. “She adores ye, ye ken,” she said quietly, glancing at Hunter.

He looked away, his gaze distant as he watched his niece, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “She looks just like her faither—me eldest braither,” he admitted. “She’s all I have left,” he murmured, his voice almost inaudible. “And I’d give anythin’ to keep her happy.”

Erica reached out, daring to gently put her hand on his. He stiffened at the touch but didn’t pull away. Instead, he looked down at her hand, his fingers twitching slightly under hers.

“She’s lucky to have ye,” she said softly, her gaze steady as she looked at him. “And so am I, if I’m bein’ honest.”

For a moment, the world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them. The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver through her, his eyes roaming down her face to the very necklace he had gifted her. It was as though he was memorizing every detail of this moment.

Her breath hitched in her throat, heat rising to her cheeks as she followed his eyes, the intensity of his attention almost too much to bear.

But before Erica could say anything more, Lily returned, clutching a handful of flowers and demanding her aunt’s attention. With a reluctant smile, Erica pulled her hand back, though her fingers tingled where they had touched Hunter’s.

The tension between them simmered as his eyes lingered on her. She could feel the heat radiating from him, and the memory of their passionate encounter last night flashed through her mind— the way he’d held her, kissed her, and spoken words she’d longed to hear. She swallowed, trying to steady her breathing, but his proximity was intoxicating.

“Ye look beautiful,” he murmured when Lily scampered away once more, his voice low, for her ears only. His gaze dropped to the necklace again, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Do I?” Eric asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

She wanted to say so much more, to ask him what this all meant. But she held back, savoring the moment instead.

Hunter’s hand brushed against hers, his fingers warm against her skin. It was a subtle touch, but it sent a shiver up her spine, and her heart fluttered with anticipation. She felt as if they were teetering on the edge of something—something profound.

Lily called out to them both from just over the hill, begging them to help her search for flowers. Her pleas pulled them back to the present.

Hunter pushed himself to his feet with impressive agility and offered Erica his hand to help her up. The two walked close enough to sense each other but just far enough not to touch as they met Lily over the hill.

Finally, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the hills, Lily grew sleepy. She leaned against Hunter, her eyes heavy with drowsiness.

Erica couldn’t help but smile at the sight, her heart swelling with affection. She packed up their picnic as Hunter lifted the girl into his arms. Lily yawned and buried her face in his shoulder.

“Come here, lass,” he murmured, and they both chuckled as they walked back up to the castle together.

As they walked down the dim corridors toward Lily’s room, she mumbled something incoherent, then shifted, blinking her eyes open just long enough to look up at her uncle.

“Will ye… stay with me tonight, Uncle Hunter?” she asked sleepily, her small hand clutching his tunic.

Hunter hesitated, glancing at Erica. She could see the uncertainty in his eyes, the lingering shadow of guilt that always seemed to haunt him. But then, he nodded, his expression softening.

“Yes, Lily,” he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to the girl’s forehead. “I’ll stay.”

Lily’s sleepy gaze flicked to Erica. “And ye too, Aunt Erica?”

Erica’s heart melted, and she reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her niece’s face. “Of course,” she replied softly, giving Hunter a reassuring smile.

Together, they carried Lily into her room and tucked her beneath the blankets. But before they could step back, her hand shot out, grabbing hold of Erica’s arm.

“All three of us,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hunter glanced at Erica, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, and she felt a blush rise to her cheeks. But he didn’t protest, and with a quiet nod, he gestured toward the bed.

Erica climbed in beside Lily, feeling a mix of awkwardness and warmth. Hunter settled on the other side, his body a solid, comforting presence beside her.

In the quiet darkness, with Lily’s small hand resting on hers, Erica felt a sense of peace she hadn’t known she needed. And as she lay there, her gaze flicking to Hunter every now and then, she realized just how much she wanted this—all of it.

Not just the quiet moments, but the laughter, the arguments, and the silence that spoke louder than words.