He the Responsible Laird

"You will be having a book signing?"

Those were Duncan's words the moment we were alone in the living room. I was able to finish the last draft of my new book. Now all I need to do is wait for the revisions I have to make.

"Yes. My editor made the arrangements for me. It was supposed to be an online event." I sigh, and I could feel exhaustion slowly creeping in. "I never expected to have an actual audience." 

For the past two months, I have been holed up in my room. I was writing the last few chapters of the newest book that will be published after five months. The one that would have the virtual signing was another new series. This, however, was a children's book.  

Duncan was standing near the window that overlooked the courtyard leading to The Belle. I saw him talking on his phone before I put the kids to sleep. He must have been dealing with his business. For him to cut his meeting short because of me was heartwarming. He drew me into his arms and began to rub my neck in a circular manner so that the nicks he felt would be gone. 

"Where will the event take place?" he asked. 

"At Riley's. It was the best place we can think of. My readers have been requesting a live book signing event. This is the best thing I can think of without leaving the kids." I looked at him with a frown on my face. "I am not comfortable leaving them." 

"Lass, I understand. You do no' have to explain it to me," he replied after kissing me between my eyebrows. "I have complete faith in Claude's abilities to take care of his younger sister, but after spending time with your kids, the thought of leaving them alone makes me uneasy."

"Vic had to arrange this online event in a span of one month," I said. "Between that and making sure that I can follow the deadline, I have worked that poor man to the ground."

"Will your editor be flying here?" he asked me. 

"No. He wanted to, but he had prior engagements." I closed my eyes and listened to his heartbeat. The rhythm was making me languid and relaxed. "Besides, it's a good way to help her complete the sale for the land where the bakery is."

That was the main reason I had an online event. To help Riley so she could own the land where the bakery and her home were. 

I untangled myself from him and sat on the empty sofa. Nicole was not banned from playing on it, she needed to be sure that all her toys were in order before going to bed. 

"Pay? She doesn't need to pay. I own that land. She is debt free." 

I sat up and had to blink several times. Did I hear correctly?  

"What?!" I half shouted at him.  

Duncan looked at me like I suddenly grew another head. I was clearly confused by what I heard. Because of what Riley had told me, she was still paying for the mortgage on the land. If Duncan gave Riley the land free and clear then why was she still paying for it? 

"What do you mean it was yours?" I asked once more. 

"The moment I saw how your kids were happily playing with hers, I made sure that they did not have to worry about their shelter." He replied. I could feel something in him begin to change. The thought that someone was taking money from Riley made him angry. Should I be jealous? Nope, I understood where his anger was coming from. 

He was the laird of these lands. The protector, to hear that one of the people living here was having problems made him look gullible. 

"However, she had been making deposits," I countered, "I saw her, and had to ask her why." 

I could not erase how Riley looked at saving part of her sales for her house mortgage. That was three months ago. At that time, one of her kids was sick. I have told her to ask her landlord to waive the payment that month. 

["I have asked him, Julie. I even begged him. He told me no." She said, her voice full of sadness, but at the same time, there was finality in it. I felt like she had accepted her landlord's decree. 

"Let me talk to Duncan, he is the laird in this land. He could help you," I replied. 

Riley gave me a sweet smile before she answered, "I am not from here, Julie. I do not have any connections nor friends other than you. I am fine. I promise you, I am okay.  The baker has been doing well. I can manage."

"At least let me help you with Andy's medicine. I know what it feels like to be helpless. I have been on that boat before. So please."

Riley reluctantly nodded. I knew that she didn't want to be a burden. For her, asking for and receiving help means people would want something from you in return. ]

To me though, this is how I repay the help that Jane gave to me. I was extending my hand to the people I knew needed help. 

The look of anger on his face made me wince. Whoever was handling this particular land, would be in trouble.

I patted the space beside me, indicating that he needs to sit down and chill. It was a blessing that he never ignored me. The moment he sat though, he drew me onto his lap. 

"Seriously, Duncan?"

"I can't hug my lass?" he countered. 

That made me pause. I slumped against him when I remembered my words that afternoon. 

"My Laird."

In a way, I accepted him. My words. The way I yielded to his kisses made things easy for both of us. The way my body responded to his touch was something new to me. My whole being knew he was the one. Yet not my heart still has doubts.

Not yet. 

He was slowly rubbing my back. A way to reassure me that being on his lap would not result in aggressive behavior. He was that of a man, no matter how much his body reacted, he did not give in to his urges. 

"I will see who has been charging her when she should not be. The pay she gave will be given back to her. He looked at me and said, better?" he asked in a gentle voice. 

I nodded and smiled inwardly, I made him calm.

He was really so warm. I know I sound like a broken record, but I like that I'm always warm when I'm beside him. He was my furnace. My body was always cold, but when I am with Duncan I do not feel that way.

"Thank you." I told him. 

"You don't need to thank me, my lass. She needs to feel secure, like you." Duncan kissed my forehead. "Get some rest. You have been writing since this morning. I wanted to ask to eat first but I do not want to break your momentum." 

I nodded once more. He was right, I had been up before dawn even came. I was too keyed up knowing that I was writing the last five chapters of the book. 

"Sleep, lass. I'm here. You do not have to worry." 

Duncan's words were like a warm blanket that I have never had. As sleep slowly came. my last thoughts were not of Duncan though but of Migs. 

My ex-boyfriend was here. How did he know? And ultimately, why was he here?