My Tempting Highlander (Highland Hearts #3) (15 page)

Ronan squinted against the sun’s sparkling reflection atop the thin crust of snow. Scattered clouds, wisps of pure white brushing across the saltire blue of the sky, promised a clear day ahead. He stretched his arms wide and filled his lungs with the crisp clean air. Not for the first time since meeting his sweet Mairi, a sense of peace flowed through him.

“Thank you for finding my boots.” Mairi came out from behind a tangled cluster of young rowans, straightening her clothes as she walked.

“Yer quite welcome.” Ronan loved the way the cold air heightened the color of Mairi’s cheeks. “I like yer hair loose.” He smoothed a windswept curl out of her face then combed his fingers to the nape of her neck and pulled her close. He breathed in the delicious scent of her and pressed a kiss to her temple.

“It reminds me of how ye look when ye lie beneath me,” he whispered against her cheek. A hungry groan escaped him as he brushed his lips against the sweet softness of the skin below her ear.

Mairi melted against him then cleared her throat and gently pushed away. “We really need to get to the keep.” She pressed one hand just beneath her throat and shivered with a quick intake of breath. The tip of her tongue raced across her barely parted lips. A pleasant knowing warmed Ronan’s heart.
Aye. She hungers for me too
.

“Aye, we best go.” Ronan reluctantly forced himself to concentrate on the frozen landscape around them. Mairi was nay accustomed to traveling in such a manner. She needed shelter. She needed food. Loving could come after. Ronan glanced up at the position of the sun then turned north. “The keep lies a bit farther beyond that stand of trees. Just a wee stretch of the legs.”

Mairi shielded her eyes and looked to where Ronan pointed. “I think I see smoke rising past those treetops. Is that the keep?”

A familiar howl interrupted them, echoing down the mountainside behind them. The chilling cry rose to a high pitch then tapered off to a soft whisper.
Máthair.
Ronan scanned the rough terrain, paying particularly close attention to the cluster of boulders and low-growing scrub just above them. The howl sounded again, deeper this time, and ended with a sharp yip. Nay. Not
Máthair
. One of her older charges.

“Is that a wolf?” Mairi blew into her cupped gloved hands as she peered worriedly toward the sound.

“Aye, but dinna fear. They’ll no’ harm ye.” Ronan tensed against the deep primal urge burning within. His wolf strained to emerge and howl to the winds that at long last he’d found his true mate. He couldna shift. Not now. He couldna bear what would be lost if he broke Mairi’s trust again.

Mairi kept her gaze glued higher up the mountain. “It sounds like there’s more than one. What makes you so sure they’re not looking for breakfast?” She edged closer to Ronan. “I’d love to see a wolf but not if I’m on the menu.”

The lads were but welcoming them back, but Ronan couldna verra well share that truth with Mairi. “I doubt they’ll come out into the open. A wolf is e’ercautious when humans are about. The cry ye hear is nothing more than a call to assemble the pack.”

“To look for breakfast?” Mairi tugged on Ronan’s sleeve. “Come on.” Mairi cast another nervous glance up the hillside. “Let’s get going.”

Ronan slid his hand around Mairi’s upper arm as she skidded across a patch of ice. “Take care, lass. There’s no need to hurry so. I promise ye. The wolves willna attack.”

“I’m not running because I’m scared….” Mairi held tight to Ronan’s sleeve and urged him forward. “I’m hungry too.”

Ronan picked up his pace and ducked his chin to hide a smile. Although Mairi would never admit it, she feared the wolves. He could smell it. An ever louder rumble echoing up from the valley pulled his attention away from Mairi’s false bravado.

Ronan pulled Mairi to a stop and stepped in front of her. He held her firmly behind him against her vain attempts to wriggle around his side. “Stay behind me ’til I can tell who yon riders be.”

Mairi twisted around him once more.

Ronan lifted her up by the shoulders and firmly settled her behind him again. “ ’Tis neither the time nor place to test me, woman. Stay behind me or I’ll tan yer arse once I’m finished protectin’ ye.”

Mairi opened her mouth but quickly closed it and slid behind Ronan as the riders topped the last snow-covered rise.

The pair of dusky black horses thundered closer, their massive strides eating up the ground. Their wild shaggy manes rippled in the wind and their long tails fluttered like dark, threatening banners. The riders resembled great hulking bears. Woolly hides were lashed about their calves and draped across their shoulders. A flash of tartan tied to the horses’ bridles eased Ronan’s mind. MacKenna colors. Granny Sinclair must ha’ sent the riders in search of them after hearing the thunder of the time portal.

As the two men drew closer, Ronan tensed again. The rider on the left resembled one of the dreaded marauding Vikings of the north. Aye, and for sure, ’twas the verra man himself. Colum Garrison. His fiery brows knotted into a murderous scowl as he locked an unblinking stare on Ronan.

The black-haired rider on the right pulled his mount to a stop. The huge warhorse pranced sideways, snorting out great huffs of mist as his hairy hooves dusted the air with loose snow. “Hail, Sutherland.” Gray MacKenna nodded then turned and smiled down at Mairi. “Welcome home, my good sister.”

Mairi edged closer to Ronan. His heart warmed as she leaned into him, silently trusting him to protect her. Mairi shielded her eyes against the sun’s glare as she looked up at Gray. “You must be Gray?”

“Aye.” Gray held out a hand toward the other rider. “And this is Colum. Husband to yer sister Kenna. Another brother well pleased to finally meet ye.”

Ronan tightened his arm around Mairi’s waist. The man didna look pleased. He looked as though someone had pissed in his ale.

Colum slowly tore his narrow-eyed glare away from Ronan and looked at Mairi. His face immediately softened, lightening to a less angry shade of red as he smiled. “Welcome, Mistress Mairi. My wife will be overjoyed to see ye.”

“I can’t wait to see her either.” Mairi’s smile faded a bit as she looked first at Colum then up at Ronan. “What’s…” She paused as though struggling to find the right words. “What’s the deal between you two?”

“I’m sure the
fine
chieftain will explain it once ye’ve had a chance to settle and warm yourselves.” Colum turned and nodded toward another rider, leading two additional horses toward them. “Diarmuid brings yer mounts this verra minute.”

Ronan bit the inside of his cheek to keep from rising to the bait. The way Colum spit out the word
fine
left no doubt as to how the man felt about Ronan. He nodded toward Colum. “Yer good brother and I share a wee bit of history.”

Mairi arched a brow.

“I’ll explain it all t’ye later.” Ronan turned Mairi toward the small roan-colored mare Diarmuid led over to them. “Allow me to help ye mount so we can be on our way.”

Mairi backed away from the approaching horse, her eyes growing wider with each step. “I’ve never ridden a horse before.”

The docile animal grunted out a low, soft nicker and stretched an inquisitive nose toward Mairi.

Ronan eased Mairi closer, pulled the glove off her hand, and held her curled fingers out to the horse. “See? The wee lass merely wishes t’greet ye. Let her have a bit of a snort so she’ll know ye better.”

“You want me to what?” Mairi turned and stared at Ronan as though he’d just suggested she jump off a cliff.

Ronan hugged Mairi back against his chest then gently walked her closer to the horse. With one arm around her waist, he slid his other hand up beneath Mairi’s right arm and held her hand palm-up to the horse. He pressed his cheek against the side of her face, breathing in the delicious scent of her as he whispered, “Let the lass smell ye. She needs to know the sweet scent of the woman she’s meant to serve.”

The gentle mare whickered again as she stretched her whisker-covered nose closer.

Mairi’s hand tightened over Ronan’s at her waist. “She’s just so…” Mairi’s voice trailed off as the horse buried her nose in the palm of Mairi’s hand. “She’s…prickly. And soft.” Mairi giggled and rubbed the horse’s nose.

Ronan gently released Mairi as she stepped forward and smoothed her hand up the horse’s reddish brown cheek. Mairi’s smile and her soft laugh fair warmed his soul.
Lore a’mighty.
How had he survived so many centuries without her?

“She’s just like her sisters. They had ne’er been around horses either.” Gray propped his hands atop the rise of his saddle and leaned forward. “Did ye see any of those glowing-eyed monstrosities they ride in the future?”

“Aye.” Ronan suppressed a shudder. “Strange, stinking creatures risen from the pits o’ hell.”

“Agreed.” Gray motioned toward the much larger blue dun horse waiting patiently beside the mare. “Mother Sinclair thought ye’d prefer
Airgead
.”

Ronan smoothed an appraising hand down the horse’s silver gray flank. “Aye. He’s a fine one.” He turned back to Mairi. “Are ye ready to give the wee lass a try or will ye be ridin’ with me?”

Mairi glanced first at the mare then down the length of the rolling hillside. She caught her lower lip between her teeth and took a step back. “It’s awfully far for my first time on horseback.” She twisted her gloves between her hands as she turned and looked up at Gray. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the thought, but I’d rather ride with Ronan if you’re sure it wouldn’t be too much for the horse to carry.”

Gray grinned and shook his head. “I’m sure
Airgead
willna mind carrying the both of ye.”

Colum turned his mount back toward the keep and nodded for Diarmuid to fetch the mare. “Come. We dare not tarry. I dinna care to leave our women untended this long.”

“Why?” Mairi sidestepped her way around Diarmuid and the mare, shielding herself from the horse’s swishing tail as she made her way over to Ronan.

“Never walk behind a horse.” Colum frowned down at Mairi then shifted his gaze to Ronan. “Guard yer woman and treat her well. She is my kin and I willna allow my wife to stay my blade this time.”

“What is he talking about?” Mairi tugged on Ronan’s sleeve as Colum and Diarmuid urged their horses into a gallop and thundered down the hillside.

“Ye risk a painful kick when ye walk behind a horse.” All merriment had left Gray’s voice as he watched his men ride away. “I agree with Colum. Let us make haste to the keep.” He didn’t look back as his great black horse stretched into a hard run.

“Ronan?” Mairi eased her hand to the center of Ronan’s chest and patted. “What did Colum mean about the blade? Why are they both afraid to leave my sisters and Granny alone? Is it the evil Eliza spoke of?”

Ronan clenched his teeth against the telling of the past. How could he explain the staged duel with Colum to restore the stubborn man’s pride while at the same time freeing Ronan from the unconsummated marriage to the Lady Kenna?
Aye.
He sorely dreaded that telling. How would Mairi react when she discovered her sister had once been his wife? He avoided looking Mairi full in the face. Instead, he wrapped both hands around her narrow waist and lifted her up onto the saddle. “Aye, ’tis most likely the evil that makes them uneasy.”

“Ronan—the part about the blade?” Mairi’s tone shifted to the pitch Ronan now recognized as a clear warning his dark-haired lass was nearing the end of her verra short patience.

Ronan remained silent. Best let her rant and keep herself occupied with the scoldin’ of him. Better to listen to a nettling stream of threats than face Mairi’s silence or her tears when he tried to make her understand all that had come to pass. He knew he had to tell her everything sooner or later, and right now, later was a great deal more appealing. Ronan’s heart grew heavy. How the hell could he even begin to explain to Mairi all she had yet to discover?

Ronan pulled himself up into the saddle and settled Mairi in front of him. He wrapped one arm about her waist and snugged her firm round arse nice tight against his cock. As he rocked forward with the horse’s gate, Ronan sent up a silent prayer of thanks that Mairi had never learned to ride.

Ronan’s deep laughter vibrated against Mairi’s back as he leaned in and gave
Airgead
his head. Mairi clutched Ronan’s arm to her chest, bit her lip, and closed her eyes. The icy wind ripped at her hair as she turned her face aside. Racing down the hillside atop the biggest damn horse she’d ever seen was too much like a high-speed roller coaster at the fair.

Mairi dug her nails into Ronan’s arm. “Slow this damn thing down!” She hated heights and she hated speed. If Ronan didn’t slow the horse down, he was going to find himself sitting in a wet saddle.

“As ye wish.” Ronan chuckled into her hair.

Airgead
immediately settled back into a smooth, ground-eating canter.

Mairi risked opening her eyes and turning away from Ronan’s protective shoulder.
Much better. Well…a little better.
She still sat up so high she risked a nosebleed but at least she no longer felt as though she needed to be belted in and wearing a crash helmet. She never realized horses were so big. She thought only Clydesdale horses were this huge. “What kind of horse is
Airgead
?”

“A fine warhorse.” Ronan shifted in the saddle and the horse slowed even more. He directed Mairi’s attention straight ahead. “There. If ye look beyond that rise, ye will see the top of the stone arch. We have arrived at MacKenna Keep.”

Ronan’s announcement set a billion nervous butterflies into a tailspin in Mairi’s stomach. She stretched to see more of the keep in hopes of settling her churning innards. The grand fortress, weathered stone bleached a weary gray, sat perched atop a crag jutting out into the center of a narrow firth. Cold dark waves white-capped against the jagged stones, protecting the perimeter of the keep better than any army ever could.

A stone bridge spanned the deep ravine separating the keep from the mainland. Mairi snuggled tighter against Ronan. The icy wind from the sea cut through her—or was it something else chilling her to the bone? Why was she so nervous? It was Granny, Trulie, and Kenna. To be excited? Yes. Perfectly normal. It had been a long while since she’d seen her family face-to-face rather than through the fire portal. But why this nervous dread? Mairi swallowed hard against the knot in her throat and then it all became quite clear. She and Granny hadn’t exactly left things on good terms during their last conversation through the fire portal. And hell had no fury nor nearly as good a memory as Granny when she got pissed.

Mairi relaxed a bit as
Airgead
clip-clopped beneath the wide stone arch and they rode into the shelter of the bailey. The wide top step of the stone entryway to the towering keep overflowed with Sinclair women. Stone pedestals topped with carved statues of proud fierce dragons flanked Mairi’s smiling sisters and a hopping child that had to be the niece that Mairi had enjoyed watching through the fire portal. Trulie sharing Chloe’s milestones: crawling, walking, learning to read. It was the best reality show by far. The unusual site of a majestic owl perched close to the animated toddler didn’t surprise Mairi a bit. Little Chloe was the eldest time-runner daughter of the next generation. The owl was her birthright guardian.

Mairi stretched and searched the wide doorway more closely. Nervous tension twisted the knots in Mairi’s stomach tighter. Where the heck was Granny?

Mairi bounced in the saddle, willing
Airgead
to stop. “Hurry. Get me down.” She didn’t care that she sounded like a child determined to hurry and ride every ride at the fair. A flood of emotions washed through her as she waved at her family. She hadn’t realized just how much she’d really missed them.

As soon as her feet touched the ground, Mairi scurried across the courtyard and vaulted into the arms of her waiting sisters. “I’ve missed you both so much.” Happy tears warmed her face as they hugged and patted, kissed and laughed, then hugged and patted some more.

“Look at you.” Trulie nudged Kenna out of the way and held Mairi at arm’s length. “Where did that awkward teenager go? You’ve grown into such a beautiful young woman.”

Mairi laughed as she gently patted her sister’s enormously rounded stomach. “Look at me? Look at you. You didn’t tell me you were pregnant again. When are you due?”

Trulie smiled with a weary sigh, rubbing the mound of her swollen middle as though it were a wishing stone. “Any day now my little Chloe will officially become a big sister.”

“Where is she?” Mairi searched among the wide skirts of her sisters.

“I right here.” A shining head covered with dark auburn ringlets pushed out from behind the sea of wool skirts. “Mama, is dis really Maywee from da fire?”

Trulie bent, scooped the smiling tot up into her arms, then smiled as Chloe settled comfortably on her hip and propped one chubby little leg across her protruding stomach. “Yes. This is your auntie Mairi. She’s
finally
come to see you in person.”

Mairi ignored the way Trulie stressed the word finally. Apparently Trulie was taking lessons in guilt-tripping from Granny. “I’m so excited to meet you, Chloe. Can I hold you and give you a hug?”

“Nah.” Chloe shook her head until her glistening curls bounced, then ducked her head beneath her mother’s chin. “Ye ha’ to wait ’til ye know me better. Mama says I shy.”

Mairi held her breath to keep from laughing. Instead she nodded solemnly and held out her hand. “I understand completely. How about if we just pinky shake for now?”

“Wha’s a pinky shake?” Chloe popped out from under the protection of her mother’s chin, her bright blue eyes sparkling with interest.

Mairi held up her crooked pinky finger and wiggled it. “Loop your pinky with mine.”

Chloe leaned forward and hooked her tiny finger with Mairi’s. “Now what?”

“Now we shake.” Mairi wiggled their hands back and forth until Chloe chortled out a pleased giggle.

“Do dis one.” Chloe squirmed in Trulie’s arms and held out her other pinky.

“You can do that one later. You’re too heavy to hold if you’re going to wiggle.” Trulie slid Chloe down to the step then affectionately swatted her rump. “Why don’t you go and properly greet your da? You know how sad it makes him if you don’t hug him hello.”

Chloe bounded down the front steps, splitting the air with a high-pitched squeal of some sort of gibberish.

“What is she saying?” Mairi strained to decipher the words as Chloe shouted them over and over.

“It’s the MacKenna battle cry. It’s Gaelic. Well, Chloe’s version of Gaelic. Courtesy of her father.” Trulie waved to Gray, then pointed out Chloe barreling toward him across the courtyard.

Turning to her other smiling sister, Mairi wrapped an arm around Kenna’s thin shoulders. “And how are you?” Mairi was almost afraid to ask because Kenna did not look well at all.

Kenna smiled and patted Mairi’s hand. “I’m fine. I know I look like crap, but trust me, I’m fine.” Kenna turned toward the doorway and motioned.

Granny slowly eased out of the shadows, a swaddled bundle in each arm. “I’m afraid we must blame these fine lads for the weary appearance of their mother.” Granny nodded to the sleeping baby in the crook of her right arm. “This peaceful boy is Jamie.” Then she turned to the squirming bundle grunting and growling at her left side. “And this bottomless pit is Caedan. He is always hungry.”

“Another set of twins to terrorize the family tree.” Mairi eased Caedan out of Granny’s arm and cuddled him close. Tiny Caedan wriggled and fought his blanket, rootling for a breast.

“Sorry, little one. My faucets are dry.” Mairi held him higher. She couldn’t help but giggle as his tiny face grew redder by the minute and wrinkled into a furious scowl. “Uh-oh. I think someone is getting ready to have a fit.”

“Give him here.” Kenna held out her arms with a heavy sigh. “He’s got his redheaded father’s temper.” She held the growling baby against one shoulder as she pecked a quick kiss to Mairi’s cheek. “I’m going to feed the bottomless pit. Don’t talk about anything good until I get back.”

A smiling young girl bounced out through the doorway, scurried over to Granny, and scooped the still-sleeping Jamie out of her arms. She paused a moment in front of Mairi and held the child out for her to inspect. “Wee Master James is e’er the sleepy-eyed angel. We ha’ to wake the boy to get him to eat.”

“I’m sure he’ll outgrow that.” Mairi smoothed a hand across the baby’s velvety head and smiled down into his sleeping face.

“By the by, I be Coira and I tend to the needs of all the Sinclair ladies. After I finish helpin’ Mistress Kenna wi’ the babes, I’ll scurry up to yer chambers and get ye all unpacked and settled.” Coira bobbed with a smile and a quick curtsy then disappeared back into the keep.

“Well?”

Mairi suppressed a shiver as she turned and faced Granny. “Well what?” Might as well get the ass chewing over with; dreading it was almost as bad as taking it.

“You don’t have a hug for your grandmother?” Granny held her thin arms wide.

A wave of guilt washed over Mairi. Granny might be stubborn and manipulative but when all was said and done, Granny loved her with the ferocity of a Highland storm. Mairi rushed into Granny’s arms.

“I’ve missed you, gal. I’ve truly missed you.” Granny gently rocked her back and forth, hugging and rubbing Mairi’s back as though trying to convince herself Mairi was real.

“I’ve missed you too, Granny.” Mairi closed her eyes against the sting of more happy tears. It had been so long since they’d all been together, and even now, Lilia’s absence pulled at Mairi’s heart. “I wish Lilia were here. Then we’d have a complete reunion.”

Granny released her with a sniff and a nod. She pulled a square of linen out from the bell of her sleeve then eased her wire-rimmed spectacles out of the way and pressed the linen to her eyes. “Yes. I miss Lilia too, but her time has not yet arrived.”

Mairi’s heart sank. And there it was. The crux of the matter. Granny’s grand plan for each of her granddaughters. Mairi took a deep breath and eased a step back. Might as well grab the bull by the horns and lay down how things were going to be. “I’m only here to heal Ronan’s mother and his friend. Once the curse is lifted and everyone’s guaranteed their happily ever after, I’m going back to the future. My place isn’t here.”

Trulie mouthed a silent
oh shit
and stole a quick glance at Granny. “I’ll go make sure Chloe isn’t throwing horse manure at the stable boys again.” Grabbing her skirts in one hand, Trulie trundled down the steps and hurriedly waddled across the courtyard. She glanced back over one shoulder and gave a reassuring smile and a thumb’s-up to Mairi.

Coward.
Mairi glared at Trulie’s retreating back then returned her attention to Granny, who stood with her bony arms folded across her chest, glaring at Mairi as though she were about to send her to cut a willow switch. Unconsciously, Mairi flexed her butt cheeks. Growing up, she’d endured many a spanking for misbehaving. She’d never been as good at covering her tracks as her sisters were.

Granny’s face puckered into an even more displeased scowl as she nodded toward the men standing across the bailey. “And what does your Chieftain Sutherland think of this grand idea of yours?”

“He knows my plans. He knows I don’t belong here.” Mairi flinched at the quiver in her voice. Damnation, she sounded as though she was still trying to convince herself.

“Does he now?” Granny’s eyes narrowed as she turned and studied Ronan and Gray, standing across the bailey beside the stone watering trough. “You do realize he is destined to remain here.”

A nauseating ache erupted dead center of Mairi’s chest and flip-flopped with a disheartening thud. No. She did not realize that. And she wasn’t even certain it was the truth. Granny had been known to twist details to suit her plans.

Ronan had successfully traveled both forward and back across the web of time. Mairi saw no reason why he couldn’t do it again and settle down in whatever century they chose. “He’s more than welcome to travel back with me. I don’t see any reason why he can’t.” Mairi swallowed hard. “If he wants to.”

Granny huffed and emitted the annoying clucking sound she always made right before she slam-dunked an argument. She shook her head and pointed at Ronan. “The Fates granted Ronan permission to travel the web for one reason.” Granny swung her pointing finger to within a few inches of Mairi’s nose and shook it. “Ronan belongs in this time. He’ll not be allowed to travel to the future again. Mark. My. Words. He doesn’t belong in the twenty-first century, and you already know the truth of that whether you’ll admit it or not. The future is not his destiny.”

Oh Lord. The dreaded “mark my words.”
Mairi stole a glance across the courtyard and leaned back against the low stone wall hemming in the wide top step of the keep. Ronan and Gray were still deep in conversation, nodding and pointing toward a pair of horses meandering about the paddock. “You sent Eliza forward and she adapted just fine to the future without being a time runner. Ronan could do the same.” Mairi huffed out a deep sigh. She hadn’t meant to get into this inevitable battle right off the bat. Why was every conversation with Granny like a strategic game of chess?

“Eliza is a woman.” Granny turned and settled beside Mairi against the wall. She jabbed a bent finger in the air as she spoke, punctuating each phrase with a flamboyant wave of her gnarled, blue-veined hand. “And Eliza is also a witch. Few males have been able to adapt to a new era for extended periods of time. It’s a rare man that can switch centuries permanently.”

Mairi massaged the gritty corners of her eyes. She was tired and hungry. What little sleep she’d gotten on the cold hard ground had done little to recharge her for the day ahead. Couldn’t they hash this out later?

Granny twisted the square of linen between her hands, frowning as she stared down at the bit of material. “I’m telling you the truth, Mairi. I’m not trying to manipulate your decision. If you choose to return to the future, you will travel there alone and leave a great deal of heartache in your wake. The future is not Ronan’s destiny.”

“Yeah. You said that. Twice now.” Mairi pushed away from the railing. “Look—I can’t do this right now.” A wave of nausea knocked her balance off kilter and sent her stumbling sideways.