Free Rogue's Challenge by Jo Barrett Page B

port. It was that or dwell on what they'd said about her safety. She hoped they would find her a pair of glasses. She'd feel better if she could see, and hated missing so much. But that was yet another silly wish, another coin into another fountain.
    "I really should've had Lasik surgery,” she grumbled. Although she was a doctor, knew the procedure to be safe, the thought of having a laser anywhere near her eyes made her nervous.
    "Had what?” Michael asked.
    "Uh, I, uh—"
    Ian chuckled as he stepped up behind her. It wasn't often Jenny was without coherent words. “We have but an hour's wait,” he said.
    She jumped with a turn. “Oh, so soon? How nice,” she said, obviously relieved he had interrupted their conversation.
    He took her arm and guided her to the boat, while Michael followed with the horses. “I know I should not ask, but I cannot let it lie,” he said, too curious for his own good. “What was it that had you stammering so? It is not like you to be without a prompt reply."
    "Oh, you're too funny. As if you don't have an answer for everything. The wrong answer, but an answer nonetheless,” she said with a grin.
    He chuckled, enjoying her wit and the many envious stares cast his way, although he knew he should not. “Tell me. Please. Michael is tending our horses and will not hear."
    She nodded then let him assist her onto the boat. “I was just complaining about something I should've done a long time ago."
    "And that was?” He escorted her to a vacant spot along the rail.
    "Well, if you must know, I was wishing I'd had Lasik Surgery."
    "And what would this surgery accomplish?"
    "It would permanently change the shape of my corneas. The clear covering of the front of the eyes."
    "Amazing. And this would allow you to see without your spectacles, I assume."
    "For the most part. I wouldn't have perfect vision, but I wouldn't be blind either."
    "And why have you not had this surgery?"
    She pulled her gaze from the water and looked at him, her head cocked saucily. “If someone said they were going to cut on your eye with a small dagger, would you let them?"
    "Ah, well, when put in that way, I can see your unease. But is this not a well tested technique performed by skilled men?"
    She smirked. “And women, yes.” Her ire faded quickly. “But it's still scary, no matter how you look at it."
    "Aye, ‘tis a bit unsettling. When you return, are you going to have this procedure performed?"
    She let out a long sigh and looked to the rolling surf. “Probably. If this trip has taught me anything, it's the value of seeing.” A small laugh slipped from her lips with a shake of her head. “You know, I had an extra pair of glasses in my bag in the car. If only I'd carried it with me when Tuck and I snuck into the gardens at Raghnall Castle."
    "You look back too much and too often, mistress. You must look around you at the world you are in, and not through a microscope."
    Her gaze shot to his. “How do you know about microscopes?"
    He grinned and leaned against the rail. “I have had many talks with Amelia over these last months. Her internment has forced her to find other ways of spending her time."
    The soft sweet laugh he enjoyed bubbled from inside her. “I suspect Colin has been after her for some time to take it easy. No wonder my sending her to bed for the rest of her pregnancy ticked her off."
    "Aye, he has done his best to keep her off her feet and resting as much as possible."
    She nodded. “It's a good thing too, she could've delivered too early and lost them."
    "That, I fear, would kill Colin."
    "It wouldn't do Tuck much good either."
    They fell silent for a long time, thoughts of their friends on their minds.
    The ferry began its journey toward the opposite shore, and Ian's contemplation was interrupted. His singular thought lay in putting the slight rocking of the ship from his mind. He did not care for the sea, but felt confident that he would make it across the loch before anything untoward