Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Horace gave one loud bark, then settled himself in front of the hearth, his attention on Brigid as though he waited to hear her words as well.
Brigid laughed and rubbed his head, then turned her glance on Reena. “I loved my husband very much.”
“Everyone knows that.”
Brigid rubbed her hands together in worry. “I thought with a love that strong I could never possibly love another.”
Reena suddenly realized what troubled Brigid. She remained silent, allowing her to voice her concerns.
“John invaded my every waking thought and often my sleep as well. I could think of nothing but him, the love we shared, the plans we had made, the children that I would never have, but recently—” She stopped and shook her head, tears beginning to fall from her eyes. “I have not thought of him; I think of another.”
“This is good,” Reena said, leaning forward to comfort and encourage her friend with a squeeze of her arm.
“Nay,” Brigid snapped. “How could it be good? If I truly loved my husband, how could I so soon love another?”
“Do you not see,” Reena said. “It is because you loved John so strongly that you can love another. You learned what true love really is and would not dare settle for anything less. You know it and feel it in your heart. John had a good, loving soul as you do, and two loving souls cannot help but love deeply. Thomas has a good, loving soul, and that is why you have fallen in love with him.”
Brigid gasped. “You know?”
Reena grinned. “I have watched you both fall in love in front of my eyes.”
“You think Thomas loves me?”
Reena looked at her oddly. “Has he not told you of his love?”
“Nay, he has made no mention of it. He has not even kissed me, though his touch is gentle, but that is only when he offers help. And then I think perhaps that is why I feel this way about him, he protects me and is good to me.”
“Like your husband was to you.”
Brigid smiled through her tears. “Thomas is actually more tolerant of me than John was. He bakes bread with me and enjoys it. John would never have helped with women’s work.” Tears ran down her face. “But that made no difference, for I loved John.”
“You loved him for who he was, and Thomas loves you for who you are, just as you love him for who he is.” She thought of the advice she offered her friend and thought it was good advice for herself in dealing with the Legend side of Magnus. If she was falling in love with Magnus, then she was falling in love with the Legend as well, and she would need to accept him for who he was.
“He is not big and ugly as some whisper,” Brigid said adamantly in defense of Thomas. She wiped at her tears and giggled. “I like that I can step behind him and no one can see me, and he lifts me with but one arm, yet he is gentle in his enormous strength.”
Reena sat back in her chair, bringing her legs up to tuck beneath her. “I am happy for you and Thomas. You are both good people and deserve to love.”
Brigid shook her head slowly. “But he has made no mention of love to me. I have only realized my feelings toward him and—”
Reena waited, knowing her friend had difficulties with her feelings because she felt she betrayed her dead husband.
With gained courage, Brigid spoke. “I find my feelings growing no matter how hard I try to ignore them. I look forward to seeing him and I do not grow bored of our time together. We always find things to discuss or laugh about, and even silence is comfortable with him.”
“Then love him and be done with it.”
“I feel—”
Reena wasted not a moment; she finished voicing what her friend could not. “Guilty for loving him, when you should not. John would want you to be happy, as you would want the same for him. Do not waste time in doubt and guilt. Love Thomas, Brigid, love him with all your heart.”
“How?” Brigid asked. “He has shown no sign of loving me.”
Reena laughed. “It is obvious.”
“Again you see what others do not.”
“Magnus sees it.”
Brigid brightened. “Perhaps Thomas has made mention of his feelings to him.”
“Would you feel more comfortable with your own feelings toward him if I found out how he felt toward you?”
“Aye, I would. You would not mind inquiring, discreetly of course?” Brigid asked with a grin.
“If I do, what then will you do about it?”
“You challenge me,” Brigid said.
“Aye,” Reena admitted. “Thomas is a shy man with women. He thinks himself ugly, and while he loves you, I think he finds it difficult to believe that you could feel the same for him. So it will be up to you to make your feelings known to him.”