Who Is My Husband
Scene 23

The past few days have gone by slowly and boring. True to his word Trey has not made love to her again. He would hold her body close at night and k**s her gently but would not go further than that. Kailee was unsure how she felt about it. On one hand she was missing being intimate with him. But on the other she felt like it was giving her time to think clearly. One thing was certain though her connection to him was still growing stronger. She was starting to feel for him what she imagined should take months or even years. She kept her feelings tucked in her heart safely but was enjoying this new fuzzy feeling that was taking over.

Kailee walked down the hall towards the dining area. She opened the hall door and smiled as she saw Grum. She had learned that Grum was a more quiet and sometimes scary guy. He had an edge about him that was laced with danger. At the same time, he was always watching out for danger and checking to make sure Kailee was okay. She decided he was just an awkward sweet guy.

“Good morning Grum.” Kailee grinned as she bounded up to him.

“Morning.” Grum said tersely.

Kailee grabbed onto his arm and looked up to him. “Are you excited about going into the village today?”

“Thrilled.” Grum said with no emotions.

“That’s the spirit Grum.” She bit her bottom l*p and smiled at him.

“You are full of energy today aren’t you?” Grum looked down at her with a frown.

“Yes, I am excited. I bet the village is bustling with the upcoming festival preparations.”

“Just don’t go and get yourself into trouble.” Grum said as he rubbed his forehead.

The two walked into the dining area where Reggie and Lance were already sitting. Lance smiled up at Kailee warmly and she left Reggie’s side to skip over to him.

“I see you are full of excitement.” Lance patted the chair next to him and she hurriedly sat.

“Good morning Lancey!” Kailee said, making him chuckle.

“Hey! Where is my good morning?” Reggie said with a frown.

Kailee giggled. “Good morning to you Reggie.”

“Well don’t make it obvious who your favorite is among us or anything.” Reggie snuffed out.

Lance chuckled and placed his arm on Kailee’s shoulder. “Maybe start treating her better.”

“I do treat her well.” Reggie protested.

“You treat her like a piece of meat.” Lance scoffed.

“Well, she is a little rabbit.” Reggie looked at her and winked. “Besides, she knows I am just a perpetual flirt. I can’t help myself. She is a beautiful female, and her m-m-male counterpart isn’t here.” He coughed a bit as he almost said something he shouldn’t have.

“You need to replace yourself a girl.” Grum said as he stared down at his food and quietly ate.

“Well maybe after Mister Hero quits playing champion of the world, I will have time to.” Reggie grumbled out as he stabbed his fork in his sausage.

“I had time to.” Lance grinned at him provoking a low growl from Reggie.

“Okay okay okay boys. Let’s all get along and have fun today. And I’d love to meet your wife sometime soon.” Kailee brushed her shoulder into Lance’s side playfully and smiled at him happily.

“Hopefully you’ll be able to soon.” Lance smiled back at her.

These few days she has become really close to the three men. It felt like what she imagined having older brothers would be like. And they have all worked their way into her heart differently. Though none of them held the spot that was Trey’s. It was like Trey was the one actually holding her heart. She was never complete until she saw him again. Or at least felt his presence at night.

Trey has been gone late. He would leave before the sun rose and come back after it fell again. He was exhausted when he got back. So, while she was able to feel his arms around her they haven’t gotten to speak much. And she didn’t push for it either. She could hear how tired he was in his voice. She would scoot into his chest, and he would wrap his arms around her. He would k**s her forehead and ask her briefly about her day. The way he held her was as if she was his precious treasure. He would always bury his head in her neck and relax his breathing into her. She could feel his whole body relax when he did this, and it made her feel good to know she had that effect on him.

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Kailee pouted with her arms over her chest as she sat in the carriage next to Lance. She had wanted to walk to the village again. And it seemed like Reggie and Lance were going to let her have her way too. But all Grum said was a simple ‘no’ and that was it. He didn’t argue it, it was just how it was. And no amount of pouting, begging and pleading worked on him. He was like a statue. She sat in the carriage with her brows furrowed and she sighed loudly.

“You’ve made our little bunny angry. Guess I am moving up on the ladder.” Reggie grinned as he nudged Grum.

“Don’t.” Grum looked at him annoyed with a side eye. Reggie raised his hands in surrender and scooted a bit away from him. He raised his eyebrows and gave Grum a crooked grin.

“Don’t worry Kailee. There will be plenty of walking to do in the village.” Lance nudged her with a gentle smile.

“What do you guys usually do for the festival?” Kailee asked and turned her attention to Lance.

“It depends. Sometimes we spend it in the village, sometimes back at the estate and other times at parties. I think Trey is going to a party this year. The Lord of Ivanclaw is hosting a party as a celebration. Ironically he is having a masquerade.” Lance chuckled.

Kailee sat there quietly for a moment and then looked up to see Reggie looking at her closely. “Well what are we going to be doing then?”

“I imagine Trey will be taking the little bunny with him.” Reggie looked over to Lance who also nodded his head.

“I can’t imagine him not bringing you too. It would look weird for him to go without you after all. And he can’t not go. It would be considered insulting not to attend a party a Lord invited you to.” Lance said with a small smile.

“You are the lady of Clover estate; you will both have to go.” Grum said quietly as he looked outside the window.

Kailee frowned. She had never been to a formal party before. “Will you guys be coming?”

“Yep, we will go wherever you go in order to keep you safe.” Reggie said with a wide smile.

“Trey will be with her, so she won’t need you though.” Lance said smugly with a crooked smile.

“Well, you never know where business will take him. He might get led away from our little lamb so we will have to protect her from the wolves.” Reggie smirked and leaned back into his seat.

Grum sighed in annoyance. He was looking out the window and then straightened up. “Finally, we are here. You guys talk too much.”

“Maybe you should just try talking more?” Kailee said with a grin, and he turned and smiled back at her. It was a rare treat for her, and she relished in it.

Grum reached his hand out and helped Kailee out of the carriage. She stepped out and looked around the village. It was bustling with villagers who were all chatting with excitement.

Reggie took a few steps out and then immediately wrapped his arm around Kailee’s shoulders. She looked up at him, but he was scanning over the area.

“I’m heading over to the mill really quick. I’ll meet up with you in the village center.” Lance said with a small wave.

She watched Lance walk away and then directed her attention to the people. They were all happy and laughing. Children were running and chasing each other. Little food stands were getting set up in preparation for the upcoming event. It was still a couple of days away, but the anticipation was rising.

“Reggie!”

Kailee turned her head to see a familiar face. She remembered seeing him the last time they were in town.

“Will!” Reggie dropped his arm from her shoulder and took a few steps towards the man.

“You haven’t been over to see me yet. I’ve been waiting for you. I got some new alcohol that I can’t wait for you to try. It is going to lay you out.” Will beamed as Reggie laughed.

“I don’t think they make alcohol strong enough to lay me out. But I’ll put it to the test.” Reggie and Will then engaged in boring small talk conversation. They were talking about hunting and axe throwing.

Kailee looked up at Grum who looked like he was hearing the same thing she was. ‘Blah blah blah blah blah’. Kailee tugged on his arm and grinned. “Come on.” She mouthed so as not to draw attention. Grum smiled at her again and shook his head.

They managed to escape into the crowded village and then Kailee giggled. “Was that not the most boring conversation ever?!”

Grum chuckled. “It was soul sucking.”

“Come on let’s sneak away farther and make him cry when he realizes we are gone.” Kailee giggled but Grum quirked his eyebrow at her, giving her a stern look.

“We are here to protect you. It doesn’t do us any good if we aren’t around you to protect.”

“But I have you with me. So I don’t need the others right?” Kailee said as she smiled, biting her bottom l*p and blinking her eyelashes at him.

Grum chuckled. “We won’t go back but we aren’t hiding from him either.”

“Fine. I guess I’ll have to take it. Let’s go get a snack from one of these carts. There are so many amazing smells.” Kailee said as her eyes dashed faster then her mind could keep up.

“Now food is something I can go for.” Grum looked up ahead and pointed to a cart in the distance. “Those meat sticks are delicious. Have you ever had some?”

Kailee shook her head no. And Grum looked like an excited child. “You are in for a special treat. They are amazing. Come on Kailee.”

She couldn’t help but smile up at him. She could see he was excited to show her something and she rarely saw this cute side of him. He handed her a stick as he took one himself. He watched her with wide eyed anticipation, and she giggled. She slowly took a small bite. Her eyes immediately began to water, and she started coughing. Her eyes began to tear, and she shook her head.

“I need a drink.” She gasped out. She started coughing and rubbing her throat with her hand. Tears started streaming down her face as her lips felt numb.

“Here” A stranger’s voice said as he held a cup out to her.

Kailee grabbed the cup and downed the water. She then leaned down on her knees as she tried to control her breathing. She slowly raised her eyes to look at Grum who was giving her a sheepish smile.

“Sorry Kailee. I didn’t realize they were that spicy.” Grum apologized with a small smile. It looked like he was trying to contain his laughter.

“You do realize that I owe you one now.” Kailee shook her head. “Tsk Tsk. And here I trusted you Grum.” She then turned her attention to the stranger who had brought her a drink. She looked at him as she tried to place his face. She had seen him before.