The Highlander's Bride

by Donna Fletcher

  He readied the bow and took careful aim as they descended on him. If he took two out then drew his sword on the other two, he’d have a fighting chance. He let loose the arrow, and it hit its mark dead on in the chest, sending the rider toppling to the ground.

  Cullen was quick with the next arrow and took another rider down. But as he grabbed his sword to face the other two, one of them rode into the woods after Sara.

  “I’ll have my fun with her,” he said aloud, wearing a huge grin.

  Cullen nearly went after him, but knew he needed to take the other man down first. He had to trust that Sara could hold her own until he could get to her. They battled from their saddles, swords clashing, and Cullen meanwhile had only one thing in mind: Sara.

  His thought for her safety nearly drove him mad. What if he got to her too late? What if she suffered at the man’s hands? What if she died? He’d never forgive himself.

  His worry fueled his strength, and he fought like a madman, finally driving his sword through the man’s stomach. When the man slumped over, Cullen gave his chest a shove with his sandal to dislodge his sword.

  The man toppled off his horse, dead, as Cullen quickly turned and went after Sara.

  Prayers that he’d be on time fell from his lips as he flew through the woods at breakneck speed in the direction he’d seen her disappear.

  It wasn’t long before he had to slow to almost a crawl, the woods having grown dense. That was when he heard a cry like that of a wounded animal and his heart clinched in his chest.

  Another high-pitched scream had him slipping off his horse and running the rest of the way, scrambling over a boulder and pushing past heavy pine branches to emerge in a small clearing where he came to an abrupt halt.

  “I’m dying,” the man said with an angry glare at Sara, who stood not far from where he sat on the ground, her sword dripping blood.

  “That you are,” she confirmed bluntly. “But didn’t you mean to do the same to me once you had your way with me?”

  “That be different,” he snapped, and held his stomach, blood pouring down over his hands.

  “I don’t think so,” she said. “You got what you deserved, and from a woman nonetheless.”

  “I agree,” Cullen said, stepping beside her.

  “The others have been seen to?” she asked.

  “All taken care of,” he assured her.

  “You got us all?” It was the man’s last words. His eyes rolled back in his head and he fell over dead.

  “I’m glad to see you’re safe,” Cullen said.

  Sara pointed to the dead man with her sword. “His ignorance did him in.”

  Cullen smiled. “You mean he underestimated you.”

  She nodded, then shook her head. “The fool actually laughed when I drew my sword to fight him, and then—” She shook her head, recalling the scene. “Then he proceeds to tremble in fear as he approaches me, telling me he’s so very frightened of me, and when I actually demonstrate my skill with a sword, he gets angry and stupidly charges at me.”

  “Landing right on your sword?” Cullen asked with a grin.

  “Right on it. I didn’t even work up a sweat. The fool did himself in.”

  Cullen laughed and threw his arms around her, hugging her tight. “You’re precious, Sara, precious. And Lord, how relieved I am that you’re safe.”

  Sara stepped away from him to wipe her sword clean on the man’s trousers. “You must have worried that if I died you wouldn’t know where to find your son.”

  Cullen was shocked silent, not by her remark, but because the thought hadn’t entered his head. His concern had been solely for her safety. He hadn’t given a moment’s thought to his son.

  She walked up to him. “I made a promise that I intend to keep. I had thought to keep Alexander safe until his mother returned for him, but now I will see father and son safely out of Scotland, so my promise to Alaina will be fulfilled so she may finally rest in peace.”

  Cullen stared after her and his heart swelled. Sara was a remarkable woman with more courage than some men. She faced life with common sense and personal pride that many lacked, and she did it with no expectations. She was who she was, and she let no one rob her of her character and honor.

  She helped him drag the bodies deeper into the woods. Deciding that the horses would make a nice gift to her father from Cullen, they disposed of their saddles.

  In no time they were on their way again, traveling along the road as if nothing had happened, though the gray clouds continued to follow them.

  Cullen remained silent, with even more on his mind now than before. First, he’d dreamed of Sara and not Alaina, and then he thought of Sara’s safety before that of his son. The woman was beginning to affect him. But why?

  Perhaps if he bedded her and had done with it, his thoughts would once again be his own. He remembered how he could think of nothing but Alaina when he first met her. She plagued his thoughts day and night and—

  Cullen nearly spit out a wicked oath. What was the matter with him? He had fallen in love with Alaina. It was only natural he’d constantly think about her. He wasn’t falling in love with Sara, so why did she haunt his thoughts?

  He glanced over at her, saw that she looked upset and cursed himself for not having given thought to her ordeal. Even though she’d handled herself well, it didn’t mean it hadn’t affected her, especially if…

  “Is he your first kill?” he asked.

  Sara nodded without looking at him. “I never had a reason…”

  “Of course you didn’t. Men are the warriors, not woman.”

  Her head whipped around. “We’re all called on to be warriors one time or another, to defend our beliefs, what we hold dear, or to protect ourselves. For whatever reason, we become warriors out of necessity.”

  She was right. In the end, he realized, Alaina had become a warrior out of necessity. She hadn’t shied away from the fight, but embraced it out of love for him and their son.

  Strange that this woman was teaching him about love when he thought he had known all about it. He’d assumed he had learned it all with Alaina, but could see now that he had merely touched the surface. He hadn’t peeled away the intricate layers and gone deeper. He and Alaina had such a brief time together, they had barely gotten to know, truly know, one another. Short interludes, stolen moments, hurried touches, hungry kisses, and little if no time to talk with each other.

  Still, they fell in love in spite of it all, and he would cherish their love for eternity. Perhaps having experienced that love allowed him to examine love more closely now, he thought, and to seek more from love than he ever thought he could.

  The idea startled him and he quickly pushed it out of his mind. He didn’t need to be thinking about love. He had more important matters to see to, the most important being his son.

  “You are an excellent warrior,” he commended.

  She hesitated as if uncertain. “Thank you.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  She stared at him.

  He could see the ache of uncertainty in her eyes and wanted her to know she could trust him. “You can tell me. We’re friends.”

  After a moment, she nodded as if accepting his friendship and his shoulder to lean on. “I was frightened.”

  “So was I,” he admitted. “Any warrior who enters a battle fearless is a fool.”

  “Then I am a good warrior,” she said, accepting the truth.

  ” I’d be honored to have you by my side in battle any time.”

  She seemed surprised. “It is generous of you to say that.”

  “We’ve both agreed that the truth never remains silent.”

  She nodded slowly and spoke her own truth. “I am glad we are friends.”

  “So am I,” he said, realizing how much it meant to him that she accepted him as a friend. It seemed more important to him than that they were husband and wife.

  Though he hadn’t known the man who raised him as well as he would have liked,
he had taught him that a best friend could be counted on, would always be there for you without question, and would fight by your side to the end.

  Sara was his best friend.

  The thought made him feel good when suddenly another thought struck him hard.

  He had never gotten to be best friends with Alaina.

  Chapter 19

  They came upon a deserted cottage, and after bedding down the horses in a broken-down lean-to for the night, entered the cottage. It had been a long, demanding journey in so many different ways. One more day and it would be over. She would return home after two years and with a husband, her long struggle for freedom at an end.

  “It’s been abandoned for some time,” Cullen said, his glance sweeping the room.

  Sara looked around the one-room cottage and agreed with a nod. The place reeked of emptiness, not a stitch of furnishings or personal belongings. Had a desperate family given up? Had they gathered their things and simply moved out? Had they abandoned home and hearth because they had no choice?

  How many families were making extreme choices out of necessity? Hadn’t she done the same herself? Hard times called for hard choices. She had made her hard choice, and with no regrets.

  “We’ll camp outside,” Cullen said, handing her the rolled bedding. “I’ll see to the fire.”

  Sara took it without thought. They had established a comfortable routine between them and one they could count on. Actually, it spoke volumes. It was an unspoken promise that they could count on each other under any circumstance, as she had counted on Cullen coming to her rescue from the mercenary who attacked her.

  She harbored no doubt or fear that Cullen wouldn’t come to her aid, just as she would come to his. It was strange how they had established an undeclared promise between them. She could believe it was because they were husband and wife and therefore it was his duty to protect her, but she knew better.

  They were friends. They had forged a bond, though neither of them had planned on it. It had developed on its own and with a common goal—to save his son. They had both pledged to see him safe, and the innocent child brought them closer together, as had Alaina.

  Alaina’s strength and courage through the entire ordeal had been a shining example of love at its best. She had been unselfish in her zest to love, and in the end had given unselfishly for that love…

  Alaina had given her life.

  Sara couldn’t imagine a greater love, and she envied Cullen and Alaina what they had shared.

  She yawned as she spread out her blanket on the other side of the campfire from where he had placed his own, then set out dried fish and bread for them to satisfy their hunger.

  “You’re exhausted,” Cullen said, joining her on the blanket.

  “One day and it’s over and I’ll be home in my own bed.”

  “We’ll be home in your bed,” he corrected, “and for a few weeks.”

  Startled by his remark, which was all too true, she simply nodded. How was she going to sleep in the same bed with him for the next few weeks and not expect anything to happen? Actually, she had expected something to happen, but her decision on the matter changed and now posed a problem.

  “I can see you hadn’t thought about that,” he said, a grin flashing across his handsome face.

  “I hadn’t thought it a problem until recently,” she answered honestly. “But we will make the most of it.”

  His grin resurfaced and turned wicked. “I hope so.”

  Sara smiled and shook a finger at him. “Don’t get your hopes up.”

  “Hope is all I have,” he teased.

  Sara laughed and nibbled at the food. “Don’t think you can tease me into your bed.”

  “I want you safe.”

  Her eyes caught with his, and for a moment they locked in silent battle, until Sara took command. “I am safe.”

  “You know you’re not,” he said bluntly. “Protect yourself and seal our vows.”

  It would be easy, so very easy, to surrender and do as he suggested. What did she have to lose?

  Her heart.

  It was foolishness for sure, to think she could fall in love with this man. She barely knew him, and yet had to admit she knew him better than anyone she called friend. They shared common interests, opinions, and courage. He was everything she searched for in a man and more. How did she commit intimately with him and simply walk away?

  “I can take care of myself,” she assured him.

  “You don’t have to. You have a husband to do that.”

  What a wonderful thought that was. That she wasn’t alone; she had someone to look after her, and she him. But it wasn’t real. It was a ruse near over, and then once again she’d be alone. Why torture herself with brief memories? It was better she had none.

  “Not a real husband,” she reminded.

  “As real as you let him be.”

  She reached out a hand to him. She didn’t know why, perhaps because she simply could. “It’s so strange how we were brought together, and even stranger that you are no longer a stranger to me. You are a good man.”

  “I am a better lover.”

  She laughed softly. “You try to tempt me.”

  “Is it working?”

  She shook her head and with a smile said, “Let it be, Cullen. I am fine.”

  He leaned into her and brushed his lips across hers. “Does it make a difference that I want you?”

  Sara’s eyes rounded in surprise. No man had ever wanted her, and while the thought thrilled her, she couldn’t help but wonder if he meant it, or did he merely mean to entice her into his bed and see to sealing their bargain?

  She whispered in his ear, “Does it make a difference that I want more?”

  Cullen kissed her lips gently and pressed his cheek to hers. “I’ll give you what I can.”

  She thought him generous for even trying, and considered that perhaps she was selfish for not accepting his generosity. But she knew she couldn’t. She had had done so much out of necessity that she’d thought bedding Cullen would be easy, but she hadn’t counted on the ache to love and be loved to interfere.

  She wondered why it had, and why she should give it credence.

  Cullen placed a tender hand to her cheek. “Let me love you.”

  “If only you could,” she whispered.

  “One night,” he said.

  His mouth brushed across hers, stealing a kiss and her breath.

  He cupped her face in his hands. “One night, just you, me, and nothing else. Two strangers loving, touching, healing each other, and afterward…?” He kissed her firm on the lips. “Parting with no regrets, only beautiful memories.”

  Wasn’t that what she was afraid of?

  “Don’t think,” he warned in a murmur. “Just let yourself feel.”

  His hand slipped around her neck to take firm hold, and she was soon lost in a kiss that devastated her senses and heated her flesh. While she thought to protest, she didn’t make a move to stop him from lowering her onto the blanket and stretching out beside her.

  “This is right,” he whispered, unlacing her blouse ties to slip his hand inside and cup her generous breasts.

  Did he need to convince himself of his actions? Did he doubt himself?

  Her own misgivings dwindled with each touch. She couldn’t, nor wouldn’t, deny that she liked his touch. His large hand was warm and gentle, and yet so firmly cupped her breast and squeezed lightly, his thumb caressing her nipple to life.

  “So right,” he whispered as he lowered his lips to hers.

  His lips met her palm, and his eyes spread wide open.

  “You wonder if this is right?” she asked, easing away from his mouth and trying desperately to fight the sparks of passion igniting her body.

  Confusion scrambled over his face. “Of course it’s right.”

  “Why?”

  He answered sharply. “We need to seal our vows. You need protection. I want you. Take your pick.”

  She pushed him of
f her with regret but resolve and sat up. “I don’t want to take my pick.”

  He rolled to his feet. “Be reasonable.”

  Sara laughed. “Oh, but I am.”

  “Reasonable is leaving yourself vulnerable to your father?”

  “Reasonable is respecting myself in the morning.”

  Cullen pressed his hand to his cheek. “That stung.”

  “It was meant to,” she assured him firmly.

  “We’re married,” he said, as if making sense of the situation.

  “Precisely.” She nodded sharply. “I need no more from you.”

  He looked about to argue, his mouth dropping open then snapping shut, then moved to the other side of the campfire. “Fine, have it your way.”

  “It’s been my way from the start,” she reminded him.

  “It certainly has, which means if your plan fails, it’s your fault. I still walk away with my son.”

  “You met your end of the bargain. I’ll meet mine.”

  “You’ll get no argument from me.” He dropped to his blanket. “You do realize, though, that people will be expecting us to be a loving couple. That means hugs, kisses, and displays of affection. After all, we’ve just gotten married.”

  “We can manage that since it won’t be long before our marital bliss shows signs of problems. Of course most people will be expecting it,” she said with a resigned sigh.

  “Why?”

  “No one believes me capable of keeping a husband. Even with my father doubling my dowry, few were interested, and those who were lost interest when they realized I would be no—”

  “No malleable wife,” he finished with a chuckle.

  “Not one of them had a backbone—”

  “To stand up to you,” he interrupted again.

  She narrowed her eyes. “And you do? It seems to me you had to marry me.”

  His chuckle grew. “Tongues are going to wag over our rushed wedding.”

  “There’ll be not a smidgen of a chance of me being with child,” she said forcefully, making certain he didn’t detect her regret.

  He responded with equal force. “That’s for the best since I’d never abandon my child.”