Leslie released an unladylike snort. “I have no intention of becoming a MacLomain.”
McKayla turned away from their chatter to find Seth standing behind her. Colin slumped against the barn door.
“Are you going to be all right, hon?” Seth asked, seemingly laid-back. But she didn’t miss the pain he tried to hide.
“What do you think?” she asked, determined to give him the response he expected.
Arms akimbo, a challenge in his eyes, he said, “I think you better love him half as much as I love Alana or this shit isn’t going down.”
“As Ilisa would say, like horse and cow manure?”
“Exactly,” he mumbled. But their eyes held. He’d never been more serious.
“Thank you so much for all you’ve done, Seth. I hope Colin said as much.”
“He did. We’re good.” Seth scuffed his foot. “I even like him now. As much as any warlock can really like a wizard that is.”
She chuckled. “Don’t let him hear that.”
“No doubt he already did. The man’s extremely tuned in when it comes to you…lassie.”
Colin continued to lean against the barn door with his head down.
“I have to go to him.”
“And you always will.” Seth pulled her in for a tight hug. “May your life be half as interesting as mine.”
“No doubt it will be,” she managed, fighting a rush of emotions as they pulled apart. “I love you wicked, my friend.”
He squeezed her hand. “Back at ya.”
She smiled. “Time for you to go home to Alana.”
“I can’t wait. You’ve no idea.”
“Yeah I do.”
They walked backwards away from one another. “This isn’t goodbye.”
“Never is,” he said.
“Hey Leslie,” she said, looking over his shoulder.
Her cousin, who had never turned away said, “What?”
“I’m sick of being told what’s what. Let our publisher know that the new title is…” She paused. “Mark of the Highlander. And have a ghost writer rework it a little. Instead of Iosbail being the heroine’s subconscious voice let’s make her a woman that she travels back further in time to consult with.”
When Leslie seemed undecided, McKayla said, “Love you cuz, but this one’s not up to you. If the book’s to be published introduce a wee bit o’ time travel.” She grinned and couldn’t help herself. “And if you’re so inclined maybe a bit of magic?”
Even as she turned away she heard Sheila say, “Ha! Look at her go.”
“A little too assertive if you want my opinion,” Leslie said.
Their voices, however, faded fast when she again focused on Colin. Though he remained standing, it was but barely. Next to him once more she said, “Sorry. They talk a lot.”
He grasped her hand. “McKayla, you dinnae need to do this.”
“Do what?” she said and entwined their hands.
Sweat glistened on his brow. “I want you to be happy.”
Twirling the ring on her finger she said, “Me too. So let’s make that happen.”
Power started to slip and slide around them.
They leaned against the old barn as the world shifted. The sugary smell came and went. The barn was there and it wasn’t. Then it reappeared. This travel through time was different. Precarious almost.
Would they make it?
Then, as if it’d never been there, the barn totally vanished and they fell back. Luckily, his horse was ready to support them. They were back in medieval Scotland. Arms now wrapped around her, Colin whispered. “Why did you return?”
“Because I needed to make sure you were safe.”
“Simple answer.”
She pulled back and looked up at him. “The same answer you gave me.”
“Was it? I dinnae recall,” he murmured, smelling her hair, running his hands over her arms. “I dinnae expect you to stay, lass.”
With a disappointed tone she said, “Well then I’ll see you home safely and be on my way.”
“Aye, if you wish.” But there was a defiant glint in his eyes. His energy and vitality had all but returned.
Her gaze drifted to his abdomen.
Colin understood. “‘Tis a closed circle now. As far as I know, I cannae travel through time anymore.”
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. It was impossible to comprehend how that must make him feel.
“Dinnae be,” he said, pulling her close. “I am where I need to be. And now you are free to be where you need to be as well.” Colin brought her ringed finger against his heart. “‘Tis a fine gift Seth gave you. He’s a good man.”
McKayla tilted back her head and felt the warm highland wind caress her face. Never had she felt as alive as she did now, standing with him in a time only recorded in history books. “You’re right. I am finally free to be where I need to be. I moved from the Cape because I was lost. At the colonial I found myself but only through a book I’d written.” Her eyes met his, reflective. “Then there was you, always you.”
When he started to talk she put a finger to his lips and shook her head. “You will always be on the next page in my book. In the life I want to live. Sure I’ll miss the twenty-first century but what’s the point of all that if you’re not there?”
“So again you sacrifice for me.”
“Is that what this is,” she said, coy eyes on her highlander. “Then I guess I’m more than content offering myself up.”
Colin, her best friend, the love of her life, shook his head. “I am so verra blessed.”
“We are so verra blessed,” she whispered.
When his lips closed over hers, everything seemed to fade away. Beneath his touch, beneath his love, she cherished the journey ahead. In the midst of their never-ending kiss she smiled against his lips, sure she heard the sound of bagpipes. When at last they pulled apart her suspicions were confirmed.
Kilted, little legs crawling along, a flashlight bobbed away to a merry highland jig.
Colin grinned and winked.
McKayla laughed and released a little yelp when he scooped her up and planted her on his horse. Swinging up behind, his husky words came close to her ear. “Do you recall me speaking of the lusting that follows a battle?”
“Aye,” she said softly.
“Well, I’ve had the battle but still I lust.”
“Then we better hurry home, my laird.”
“Aye, we better.”
McKayla held on tight as the horse took off, once more flying around the trees. When it broke free and sailed across the meadow she knew they raced not only toward a magnificent castle but an extraordinary future.
Memories would be created.
Love would flourish.
But best of all, though many chapters in…their story had only just begun.
The End
Continue the series with Vow of the Highlander. (Bradon’s story).
Follow the MacLomains from the beginning in The MacLomain Series- Early Years Boxed Set and then the original MacLomain Series Boxed Set.
Read Seth’s story in The Tudor Revival. Also available in the Calum’s Curse Series Boxed Set.
The Next Generation
Mark of the Highlander (Colin’s story)
Vow of the Highlander (Bradon’s story)
Wrath of the Highlander (Malcolm’s story).
Faith of the Highlander (Grant’s story).
Plight of the Highlander (Torra’s story).
PREVIOUS RELEASES
~The MacLomain Series- Early Years~
Highland Defiance- Book One
Highland Persuasion- Book Two
Highland Mystic- Book Three
~The MacLomain Series~
The King’s Druidess- Prelude
Fate’s Monolith- Book One
Destiny’s Denial- Book Two
Sylvan Mist- Book Three
The MacLomain Series Boxed Set is also available.
~The MacLomain Series
- Next Generation~
Mark of the Highlander- Book One
Vow of the Highlander- Book Two
Wrath of the Highlander- Book Three
Faith of the Highlander- Book Four
Plight of the Highlander- Book Five
~The MacLomain Series- Viking Ancestors~
Viking King- Book One
Viking Claim- Book Two
Viking Heart- Book Three
~The MacLomain Series- Later Years~
Coming late 2015
~Calum’s Curse Series~
The Victorian Lure- Book One
The Georgian Embrace- Book Two
The Tudor Revival- Book Three
Calum’s Curse Series Boxed Set is also available.
~Forsaken Brethren Series~
Darkest Memory- Book One
Heart of Vesuvius- Book Two
Soul of the Viking- Book Three- Coming Soon
~Song of the Muses Series~
Highland Muse
About the Author
Sky Purington is the best-selling author of thirteen novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and bred, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.
Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at [email protected]. Interested in keeping up with Sky's latest news and releases? Visit Sky's website, http://www.skypurington.com to download her free App on iTunes and Android or sign up for her quarterly newsletter. Love social networking? Find Sky on Facebook and Twitter.
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