Free Without Saying a Word by Amanda Ward Page A

freezing.” Then he turned away from her. As she watched him walk away, her heart sank. She knew she needed him
    “Rhean. Rhean,” Laura called.
    He stopped and turned around to face her.
    “Laura?” Rhean’s eyes never left hers, as she walked toward him and put her arms around his waist. She felt so young compared to him, so small and feminine too in his arms. She needed for him to understand what was going on in her head as well as her heart.
    “Rhean, I’m sorry.” She looked up into his face, and saw unshed tears glistening in the moonlight that would have fallen, if she called their engagement off.
    “I panicked, that’s all. I needed some time to put things into perspective. Our relationship has just gone way too fast for me. . A few weeks ago we were friends, good friends, and now as you said in a matter of weeks we are going to be married.” She started to cry.
    “Is that what you want? To slow it down?” Rhean tightened his arms around her.
    “No, I don’t.” Laura sniffed into his chest. “My head is telling me to slow down, and take it one step at a time.” She held on tighter, needing his strength. She reached up with her hands and pulled his face down to hers. She kissed him gently, hoping and praying Rhean would understand.
    Rhean pulled away slowly and shook his head.
    “I’m sorry Laura. Call me male, but I really don’t understand. Just tell me!” His voice held a note of desperation. “Tell me please, Laura, if we are still engaged and that you want to spend the rest of your life with me.” His voice broke. “I don’t play games; I don’t know how to.” He stepped away from her.
    Laura looked down at the ring on her finger. She desperately wanted to slow things down, afraid to be hurt again. With Rhean, her heart told her that she would never be hurt. He would look after her and treat her the way she so rightly deserved. Her mind and heart spoke for her.
    “Yes, Rhean...I’ll marry you.”
    “Yes!” he whooped. He picked her up and, as in the musicals she’d watched as a child, swung her around. Then he stopped and kissed her deeply and passionately, sealing their vow.
    Laura shivered with cold and the aftereffects of her anxiety attack. She leaned into him, absorbing his strength.
    “This ring is a promise that I will never hurt you or the kids for as long as there is a breath in me. ’Tusa gan aon duine eile,’ I belong to you, no one else,” Rhean told her solemnly. His hand held hers tightly. Laura felt the intensity and the beauty of the Gaelic language, and they comforted her like a prayer.
    “Back in the car ‘bean mo chroi,’“ Rhean said in an exaggerated Irish accent.
    Laura turned toward him. “What does that mean?”
    “Woman of my heart. Something my mother told me.” He smiled at her through the dim light of the car.
    “You sound like Liam Neeson,” she said, teasing him. The Irish accent he used turned her  to mush. He seemed so accepting of her, no matter what emotional ride she was on.
    “Are you angry with me?” Laura asked. Rhean took her left hand and kissed it.
    “You had a meltdown, that’s all.”
    “I almost called off the....”
    He put a finger to her lips. “You panicked. I gave you space to work things through. We worked through it together.” Rhean dropped a gentle kiss on her lips and started the car. “Roll on New Year’s Eve,” he muttered as they drove off into the night.
    The car drew up to the curb and came to a stop outside their cottages. They got out and holding hands, walked up the path. Just before she inserted the key Rhean turned her ʼround so that she faced him. He gently lifted her face and leaned down to kiss her gently.
    “You will have to get used to me kissing you, because I love the feel of your mouth on mine,” he said in a quiet voice. “Let’s go in and face the rabble. I know we are back much earlier than expected. I just thought you may feel better at home after what’s just happened.”
    The