by Mary Morgan
“Humph!” Ann moved back to the stove.
“Can I help with anything?”
Ann glanced over her shoulder and chuckled. “You can brush the dirt from the mushrooms.”
Meggie grabbed an apron from the pin on the wall and a towel. Walking to the sink, she proceeded to clean the mushrooms, glad for the work. As far as she was concerned, Archie could tend to the man upstairs. She wanted nothing more to do with him.
“How is our patient doing?” asked Ann as she stirred the stew.
I don’t want to talk about him, she screamed silently. Pretending like the woman hadn’t spoken, Meggie picked up a large mushroom, wiping away the grime from within its cap. Feeling Ann’s glare on her back, Meggie grimaced. “Still sleeping. Surely from too much to drink.”
“I think we can count out the drink,” interjected Archie as he strolled into the kitchen. “Rory says that not one newcomer has passed through The Red Branch. He suggested you call the nearby inn.”
Meggie snorted. “Umm…we found no car on the grounds and unless he came by horse, the nearest inn is over twenty-five miles away.”
Seeing the mirth in Archie’s eyes, she dropped the mushroom back in the basket. “What?”
Archie pointed a thumb over his shoulder. “Well, another visitor has arrived. And this one is grazing on the lawn. I believe the animal belongs to the man.”
“Ye are joking, right?”
“When have you known me to jest, Meggie?”
“Never,” stated Ann, smiling.
“This I’ve got to see,” Meggie muttered, tearing the apron free from her body.
Brushing past Archie, she stormed out of the kitchen. Throwing open the front door, she marched outside. Blinking several times, she took in the form of the giant beast munching on their lawn. The horse was magnificent. Sleek, dark, and massive. Just like your owner.
Meggie slowed her steps and begin to hum. The animal lifted his head, gave out a loud snort, and trotted over to her. The horse stopped in front of her and nuzzled her outstretched hand. “Have we met?” she asked softly, as a tremor went through her. The horse pawed at the ground as if in answer to her question. “But how can that be? I would have remembered a glorious animal as yourself.”
The horse gave another snort and trotted around her. Meggie smiled, watching the animal continue his dance. Once again, he halted in front of her. “I’m sorry, for I don’t remember our meeting. My memories have vanished from an accident, which I cannae recall.” She leaned into the horse, stroking his mane. “Do ye belong to him?”
Her new-found friend remained silent. “Would ye like to have some proper food and water?”
The horse gave a soft whinny and nodded.
“Good. Follow me.” Meggie moved toward the stables, knowing the glorious beast would follow.
Upon entering the stables, she waved to Lucas who tended to a young foal and its mother in one of the stalls. “I’ll place this beauty in the back stall away from the others. Apparently, he belongs to our passed out visitor.”
Lucas stood and leaned against the gate. “Och, what a splendid animal. Is the man still in bed? Should we ring for a doctor?”
Meggie waved her cousin off. “Nae. I still believe he’s under the influence of too much drink.”
Her cousin chuckled and rubbed a hand over his face. “Tsk, tsk. Rory should have known better than to send a man off on his horse with too much drink in him.”
Putting fresh water into the trough, Meggie reached for the fresh hay off to the side of the stall. “He wasn’t at The Red Branch. Archie called and spoke with Rory.”
“Then what’s attached to the man’s saddle? Was he part of a play or reenactment?”
Meggie brushed her fingers over the leather pouch. “It feels empty.”
“Are you not tempted to take a wee look inside?”
She snatched her hand back. “I’m not peering inside the man’s belongings. As soon as he wakes, he and his horse can leave.” Giving the horse a firm pat, Meggie walked out of the stall and away from her smirking cousin—only to run smack into her other cousin, Lena.
“Blast,” snapped Meggie, grabbing her cousin by the arm to help steady them both. “Sorry, didn’t see ye.” Seeing the excitement in Lena’s eyes, she stepped back. “What?”
“I hear you have a Highlander in the guest room,” she replied, giving Meggie a wink. “Are you going to share?”
Meggie placed her hands on her hips. “He’s not my Highlander. Feel free to have him, though as soon as he wakes he’s gone from here.”
Lucas strode out of the stables, wiping his hand on a cloth. “I think I’ll go introduce myself, since I think this man bothers you. You keep stating he must leave as soon as he wakes.”
Lena pushed her cousin aside. “No, Lucas. I will go check on him.”
“Ye are both crazy,” protested Meggie. “He’s just a man.” Stepping past them both, she marched away from the stables.
Approaching the entrance of the castle, her nerves tingled and the air cooled. Halting on the gravel courtyard, she slowly glanced up at the guest bedroom window. Gazing down at her was the dark Highlander. His hands were braced on either side of the glass, and Meggie could swear for an instant, she recognized him from somewhere. A dream, perhaps? The look he gave her pierced her soul, and she shivered.
“Impossible,” she muttered. “I don’t dream. And ye are leaving now.”
Breaking from his stare, Meggie entered the castle, almost running up the stairs. By the time she reached the guest room, her hands were shaking. Not even bothering to knock, she pushed open the door and stormed inside.
Her mouth became dry, unable to form the words to order this giant out of her home. His bulk blocked the light from the window as he leaned against the ledge staring at her. She was not one prone to swoon at men—any man, but this one made her a jumbled mess. Moving to the table, she picked up his sword and took it over to him. His eyes widened when she approached, and she fell into their dark blue depths.
“I…um…” she stammered before continuing. “Ye should leave.” There, she’d gotten the words out.
Instead of reaching for his sword, the man lifted two fingers and caressed her cheek. She gasped, the touch searing her skin, and she took a step back. She could see the look of shock pass over his features, as if he felt the same reaction.
Meggie shoved the sword into his arms and ran for the door. Yet, when her hand touched the handle, she heard him speak.
“Dinnae leave me again, Meggie.”
Chapter Four
“The druids say one can live many lifetimes, though remember only one.”
Adam dropped the sword and ran after Meggie. Why had she bolted from the chamber the moment he uttered her name? If this was Heaven, why did she not recognize him? She appeared frightened. Hell, she had told him to leave. He would swear on his life this was his Meggie, but something was wrong. For one, she was wearing trews and an odd-looking tunic.
Halting in the corridor, he gazed at the strange light coming from behind the glass attached to the wall. Tapping it with his finger, he marveled at the lack of heat. “’Tis a beauty.” Hearing doors slamming, he quickly resumed his quest.
His steps hastened, and when he reached the bottom of the stairs, he glanced in all directions. Tapestries lined the walls with more lights along the corridor. He reached out again in awe. Never had he witnessed such wonder.
“They’re just lights.”
Adam turned at the sound of a male voice and instinctively placed his hand where his sword should have been.
“Preparing for a fight?” asked the man, smiling.
Flexing his hand, he shook his head. “Nae.”
The man continued to stare at Adam and then finally took a step forward. Extending his hand, he said, “Welcome to Castle Aonach. I’m Lucas MacKay.”
Adam stiffened. He took in the man’s strange clothing, and he knew of no Castle Aonach in this part of the glen. Had they b
uilt this keep in his absence? Peering over the man’s shoulder, Adam half-expected Meggie’s brothers to walk into the hall at any moment. “Since when does a MacKay welcome a MacFhearguis into his home?” Yet, did not his brothers say that were now working together?
Lucas smirked. “We are good friends with the MacFhearguis clan. Are you related to them?”
“Humph! I dinnae believe Meggie’s brothers would be happy to see me.” Adam shifted slightly. “I am Adam MacFhearguis.”
The MacKay lowered his hand. “Margaret has no brothers.”
Adam narrowed his eyes at the man, until he saw Meggie in the bailey on a horse. Pointing a finger at her, he snapped, “Angus, Duncan, Stephen, and Alastair MacKay would be verra upset to hear ye spout those words. Do they ken she lives?”
“Those MacKays are long gone. Again, Margaret has no living brothers. Furthermore, she has no memory, except of the past few years. You might want to explain why you’re in these parts, dressed in medieval garb, and riding a horse.”
“Are ye daft? What other way would I travel, and there’s naught wrong with my clothing. Ye are the ones with outlandish clothing and a woman wearing trews. If ye claim she has no memory, then how do ye ken she has no brothers?” When Adam saw Meggie depart, he shoved Lucas out of the way.
However, Lucas was swifter and grabbed Adam by the arm. “A word of caution…do not attempt to go after Margaret. She has given you hospitality, believing you were injured or drunk, but now I believe it’s wise you should leave.”
“Remove your hand,” he demanded.
Releasing his grip, the man took a few steps back. “You might want to retrieve your sword before you leave.”
Gritting his teeth, Adam moved toward the stairs. He would leave this place, but only with Meggie at his side. Halting at the steps, he turned to the MacKay. “What happened to Meggie?”
Lucas shrugged. “We do not know. She came to us with only her name, and that is all I’m going to share with you. Obviously, she bears a striking resemblance to a woman you know. However, I don’t want you bothering her.”
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Adam let out a frustrated breath. “Ye speak in words I dinnae ken.” Wiping a hand across his face, he turned to the man. “Hear my words, MacKay. No one tells me what to do.” Margaret MacKay is mine—my Meggie.
“Arrogant bastard!” shouted Lucas as Adam ran up the stairs.
“Ahh…a true MacKay, always spouting curses,” he muttered as he walked into the chamber. Retrieving the sword from the floor, he quickly sheathed the blade and gathered his cloak. Before leaving, he looked around the room. The place was sparsely furnished but glowed with dazzling colors. He fingered the soft velvet covering on the bed.
“Is this your chamber, Meggie? What happened to ye?” Questions to which no one could give him answers.
Hastily leaving the chamber, he ran all the way to the stables, ignoring MacKay’s gaze when he passed him and others outside. Striding quickly, he found Ciar and led the horse out of the stables. He gave a short nod to the MacKay and urged his horse out of this strange place.
Scanning the area ahead, Adam would bet his own sword where his Meggie was headed. In times past, whenever she was troubled, he would find her by the stream beyond the birch trees. It was often her haven and on one occasion, she took him to her special place.
“They will never let us marry, Adam,” she sobbed. “I have tried to reason with Angus, but he’s as stubborn as our ram.”
Cupping her face, he wiped away her tears with his thumbs. “Shh…my leannan.”
She hiccupped and leaned into him. “Did ye ken he locked me in my room for days? He is a cruel man.”
“Then we shall have to marry without our families’ blessing,” he whispered into her ear as he stroked her hair.
“’Tis what I feared.”
He tipped her chin up with his finger. “Will ye leave this place, Meggie? Can ye leave your home?”
She grasped his hand firmly and placed a kiss on his palm. “If ye are by my side, Adam, then I am home.”
Sighing, Adam closed the door on the painful memory.
After an hour, he saw the birch trees in the distance. Frowning, he slowed Ciar. These were not the trees he remembered from a few years ago. Now, there were many and scattered apart. He did not recognize the place. Yet, it was the spot. The massive gray boulder stood as a lone guardian before the trees—that had not changed.
He passed through the trees and smiled. “There ye are, Meggie.”
Quietly dismounting from his horse, he patted him softly and moved toward the stream. Meggie faced the water—her curling tresses tumbling down her back. Again, he would bet his sword that she rode like the beasts of hell with her hair flying about her. He paused to take in her rigid stance by the edge of the water. She kept clenching and unclenching her hands.
“So like your brothers,” he whispered. Yet Lucas had stated she had no brothers. Although the man never answered his question on how he came to this knowledge.
Picking up a stone, Adam tossed it lightly into the air. “If I cast the stone across the water five times, will ye tell me what ails ye?”
Meggie turned sharply at his words. He could see the anger flash across her eyes. “How dare ye follow me!” She gave a sharp whistle. Instantly, a flash of white and black fur ran to her side. The dog gave a low growl when Adam approached.
Halting, he clasped his hands behind his back. “Have I offended ye? If so, pray tell me what grievances I have done to ye.”
“Ye had no cause to follow me here.” She crossed her arms over her chest, and Adam recognized the bold look. He would have to be patient if she was going to trust him, and he knew the only way to Meggie was to win the loyalty of her dog.
Bending down on one knee, Adam patted the ground. “We have not been properly presented,” he said to the dog.
The animal let out a sharp bark.
“My name is Adam MacFhearguis,” he stated in a firm voice.
Meggie snorted, but Adam kept his gaze on the dog. “Will ye not come and greet me?”
Again, the dog let out a bark.
Adam sighed. “I can see ye want me to sit on the ground, aye?” Resting his hands over his bent knees, he waited.
Ever so slowly, the dog moved toward him until he was only a few feet away. Adam nodded in greeting. “Ye are a beauty.”
“Her name is Skye,” revealed Meggie.
“Ahh…from the cloud island—An t-Eilean Sgitheanach.” He held out his hand, palm up.
“Ye can speak the Gaelic?” she asked, stunned.
“Why would I not?”
“Because most do not,” she protested.
“’Tis a strange place,” he muttered. Adam watched as the dog sniffed his hand and then proceeded to lick his fingers. He heard Meggie’s indrawn breath, but he remained still, letting the animal greet him. Soon, Skye was sitting to his left, gazing at her mistress.
Meggie gave another short whistle, but this time, Adam’s horse trotted over to her and not Skye. Taking the reins, she cooed softly to the great warhorse, stroking his thick mane.
Adam chuckled softly and stood. He peered down at the dog who kept looking up at him and then to her mistress. “It would seem your lady has switched alliances.”
“Skye knows me well. I love all animals, even your great beast. Ye have traveled far…” Meggie’s hand stilled. “Aye,” she whispered softly.
“Are ye speaking with the horse or me?”
She ignored his question. “Can ye really skip the stone five times?”
“The lady issues a challenge,” he replied, tossing the stone into the air and catching it, while keeping his eyes steady on hers.
“Ye were the one that stated ye could do so,” she chided. Meggie waved her hand out toward the water. “’Tis all yours.”
Adam walked toward the stream, but when he passed by Meggie, his steps stilled. Holding the rock in his hand, he held it out to her. “Will ye kiss it f
or luck?” Like ye did the first time I skipped a stone across the waters in front of ye.
Her lips parted, but no sound came forth. Adam saw confusion cross her face by the frown on her forehead. The soft breeze blew a lock over her eyes, and she brushed it out of the way. He waited patiently.
“I suppose if I don’t, you’ll blame me for not giving ye your luck.”
Adam shrugged. “Or I could blame ye for putting a curse on the stone with your lips.”
Narrowing her eyes, she fought to control the laughter he saw at the corners of her mouth. “Bloody man,” she hissed, grabbing the stone from his hand and placing a kiss on it, before smacking it back into his palm.
Rubbing his thumb over the cool surface of the stone, Adam watched as she marched down by the water’s edge. Ye should not be wearing trews, Meggie, he thought as his eyes roamed over her bottom.
“I’m waiting,” she yelled out over her shoulder.
Wandering over to the water’s edge, Adam placed a kiss on the stone. Lifting his arm, he flung the stone outward and watched as it bounced across the surface five times. Turning around, he found her mouth slack from awe.
“That was amazing,” she whispered.
“Now, what ails ye, Meggie?” he asked.
“What ails me?” she barked.
“Aye,” replied Adam. “I made the stone skip five times, so tell me.”
Meggie pointed a finger at him. “Ye are what ails me! Ye act like ye ken me. When ye look at me…” She threw up her hands in frustration. “Please, just get on your horse and leave, medieval man. Ye speak and look like someone from times past. Your clothing is wrong and your hair far too long.”
“Meggie—”
“Stop! My name is Margaret!” She stomped her foot in frustration. “Ciar, return Adam wherever he came from, because…” Meggie swallowed.
“Ciar will no more do your bidding than mine.” Adam moved forward slowly. “Though, I am glad to find ye still have the gift of speaking with the animals.”
Meggie was breathing heavily, her eyes wide in fear. “How…do yo…you know this?”
Tread carefully Adam.Ye dinnae want to scare her. “Ye are Margaret Aine MacKay—Meggie. I am here to help ye regain your memories.”
