by Mary Morgan
“Truly?” He almost barked out in laugher. The place should have been destroyed eons ago.
She laced her fingers through his. “Where are ye from? What place do ye call home? Ye never did say.”
Ye are my hearth and home, Meggie. Turning, he walked outside of the rubble, keeping her hand safe within his. “I live near Thurso. A town called Hurshflynn.” Would she believe the untruth?
All she did was nod, staring at him as if waiting for more. The wind whipped at her curls as she turned her head away from him. “Did we mean anything to each other, Adam? Ye say we met only once, but I ken there’s more,” she commented while keeping her gaze on a lone squirrel sitting on a fallen tree branch.
Seizing the moment, Adam released her hand and cupped her chin. Her skin enchantingly soft against his rough hand—warm, inviting. When those lavender eyes met his, it took all his control not to tell her the truth. “Would ye be frightened if I told ye that we did?”
“From one day?” she uttered softly. “Aye,” she said with more meaning.
Sadly, Adam released his hold and moved away from her. “Dinnae fear, Meggie, for our families surely would have kept us apart.”
“Now why would ye say such a thing? Ye have yet to meet my other cousins.” Meggie marched over and faced his glare.
All he could do was shrug. “Ye must remember on your own Meggie. I will nae force the memories into your mind.”
Her eyes blazed with fury. “So ye keep it locked within ye? Do ye ken how these past few years have been without knowing anything? Ye look at me…” She paused and turned around. “Oh, I want naught to do with ye! Finish your meandering on your own. I will wait in the jeep.”
Adam watched as she made her way back down the hill, all the while grumbling and cursing. He fisted his hands on his hips. “Ye will come to me willingly or not at all, Meggie. I want all of your heart, body, and mind. If I cannae give ye your memories, then I will give ye new ones, but they come with a price. Your love.”
****
The journey back to Castle Aonach was a quiet one. Not one word passed from her lips. More like grunts and dismissive shrugs. The speed seemed to greatly increase, and Adam gritted his teeth on several occasions when their jeep nearly collided with another passing vehicle. Was she trying to get them killed with the way she maneuvered the beast?
A strange country—his new Scotland.
Perchance if he stole Meggie off to the stones, they would be able to return to their own time. Once there—in her own home, surely she would recall everything. Being in this century did naught for her. She needed to return to familiar sights to restore her lost memories. Adam never considered that he might be the one to bring her back home. Their home.
Another strategy to ponder over later.
As they rounded the bend in the road, Castle Aonach loomed before them. Meggie brought the black beast to an abrupt halt in front of the entrance. Jumping out, she slammed the door and walked into the castle.
“God’s teeth, woman,” he hissed as he tried to remove the strap from around his body. Finally stepping free from the beast, Adam deemed it wise to visit the stables first. He had no wish to confront an angry Meggie. Furthermore, he needed solace with his own beast—Ciar. The journey to Leomhann had been peaceful, until they returned in a frenzied rush.
Ciar greeted him, and Adam stroked his mane. Fetching a carrot from the bin, he watched the animal munch on the treat from his outstretched hand. “Ye have no idea the journey I have taken, my friend. Ye and I have raced many a time over the land, but ye should have seen the beast I was in today. Some may call it a wonder, but I shall remain with ye.” Chuckling softly, Adam gave a slight affectionate smack to his horse and strode slowly to the castle.
Once inside, he thought it best to retire for the evening. Though his belly protested loudly, he could wait until later in the evening. However, Adam only made it past the entryway, when Archie came strolling in his direction.
“Ahh…you have arrived safely back to Aonach, and early, if I might add. We did not expect you until night. How was your visit to Leomhann?” inquired Archie.
“I believe the next time I venture to Leomhann, I shall take my horse. As for my visit, I was at a loss for words over the destruction of a once and proud home,” Adam replied tersely.
Archie coughed into his fist to hide the laughter. “We should have warned you about Meggie’s driving. I must say, she has improved. However, if she’s angry or upset, the lass should not be behind the wheel.”
“Aye, ye should have warned me,” agreed Adam. “We came close to being killed on our return.”
This time Archie barked out in laughter. “You must have made her quite angry, Adam. I assume you don’t like to travel fast, or have others maneuvering the roads at vast speeds? “
“My first time in one of the beasts,” Adam growled.
Archie’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “I see.” He moved forward and placed a firm hand on Adam’s shoulder. “Ye can sit next to me, and we’ll talk more about Leomhann. Perhaps this will help to ease the memory of the drive.”
All he wanted was a little peace. Everything was too new, and he didn’t want to be near Meggie. He was not one to court and spew pretty words. His heart yearned for the old Meggie, but in this strange, different world, his grasp of what to do was unreachable. Adam only understood his own time. This world she lived in confused and baffled him.
The smell of food drifted past Adam, and his belly grumbled once again.
Archie leaned closer. “I fear we are only having leftovers. Yet, I do smell fresh baked bread. We thought Meggie would take you to The Red Branch for a meal.”
“Any food will be welcomed,” replied Adam as he walked into the kitchen.
All talking ceased from Lena and Meggie. The woman had a hand on Meggie’s shoulder as if in comfort.
Meggie glanced his way, her face marked with loathing. Adam didn’t know whether to flee or toss her over his shoulder and leave this place.
“Help yourself to a beer, Adam. Dinner will be ready shortly,” commented Lena, giving him a brief smile.
Reaching for one of the beers on the table, Adam was about to take a long draw, when the front doors crashed open. Shouts of joy could be heard, along with the loud bantering of two men.
Turning around, Adam was unprepared for the wee lad who came scampering into the kitchen, waving a wooden sword held high in front of him.
“Mama! Look what Scott bought for me!” he exclaimed rushing toward Meggie.
“Mama?” whispered Adam in disbelief, while clenching the bottle of beer.
“Jamie,” laughed Meggie with outstretched hands. Hugging him fiercely, she touched the tip of the sword. “That’s a big sword for a brawn Highlander, my wee son.”
“Och, aye!” He waved it about. “I can train to fight the evil and protect ye, Mama.”
Frowning, Meggie touched his cheek. “There is no evil here, my love.”
“One must always be prepared,” he argued.
“Mama?” demanded Adam with more force.
Jamie glanced over his shoulder. His eyes narrowed and then he marched over to Adam. “Aye, she is my mama. Who the hell are ye?” he demanded and smacked Adam on the leg with his sword.
Adam crossed his arms over his chest. “Adam MacFhearguis,” he growled.
The lad crossed his arms over his chest exactly like Adam and jutted out his chin. “My name is James William MacKay.”
“Never charge forward and strike a man with your sword unless ye are prepared to do battle, wee Jamie.”
The boy’s eyes flashed from fear to outrage within seconds, and Adam fought his own rage when he realized that the lad reminded him of another, a man he despised, especially when the eyes turned the color of amber.
Angus MacKay!
Chapter Ten
“Be wary of making false assumptions, for the dragon will trip you with the blunt end of her tail.”
“James,” warned M
eggie, rushing to her son’s side. “This man is our guest, and ye will not speak in that tone.” She glared at the two other men standing by Adam’s side. “Have ye been swearing in front of my son?”
The two men glanced up at the ceiling, avoiding her accusations.
“Well, Scott? Bruce? I can see by your lack of response that I am correct. Men,” she spat out.
She turned toward Adam. “Yes, I am his mama—mother. Don’t look so shocked.”
Adam guzzled the entire bottle of beer and then slammed it down on the table. “Shocked would not be the word I would choose,” he retorted, reaching for another beer.
“Who is this man, Adam?” asked Scott harshly.
“Adam is a new hire and will be assisting Meggie with the animals,” interrupted Lena. “Why don’t we move into the Great Hall where we can eat and get to know one another better.”
“I’m famished,” announced Jamie.
“You just finished off the last of the meat pies, Jamie,” interjected Bruce.
“I’m a growing lad. Soon, I’ll be taller than all of you.”
Again, he waved his sword about and Meggie yanked it free from his hand. “I think we’ll put this away until tomorrow.”
His bottom lip started to quiver. “But a man always sleeps with his sword.” He turned to Adam. “True?”
Adam wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Aye, always.” He glanced at Meggie. “Would ye deny the lad his sword?”
Meggie wanted to smack the disapproving look from Adam’s face. Her own anger simmered below the surface over the day’s events, but now he was siding with her son against her. All men are idiots, save my son.
She knelt down on one knee. “Go tuck it within your covers. But if I see ye striking anyone again, the sword will remain with the other weapons until ye are older.”
He gave his mother a broad smile and wrapped his arms around her neck. “Deal.”
She handed the sword back. Jamie proceeded to run out of the kitchen, but came to an abrupt halt. Walking back to Adam, he saluted him with the sword. “Thank ye kindly, Sir Knight.” With a quick wink, Jamie dashed out of the kitchen, sword held high.
A hushed silence descended within the room. All eyes on Adam.
“Is that fresh baked bread, Lena?” shouted Lucas, as he came striding into the kitchen whistling a tune. “Oh, I see we’re all gathered to take in the newcomer.” He reached for a beer. “Adam, meet my other cousins, Scott and Bruce.”
Both Scott and Bruce shifted, giving a curt nod and grunt.
“We have met,” snarled Adam reaching for two more beers.
“Bloody hell!” roared Scott. “Are those my new boots and clothing the man has on?”
“Fine boots, indeed,” mocked Adam.
“By the hounds! There’s too much male energy in here,” complained Meggie. Moving past all the hulking men, she grabbed a basket of bread and made a quick exit. “If any of ye want to eat, ye best stop glaring at one another and help Lena bring the food into the hall,” she shouted over her shoulder.
Meggie could hear the grumbling and shuffling of feet, but at least she was able to break the tension. Rubbing a hand across her brow, she couldn’t fathom why Adam would be bothered by her son. His look of outrage shocked and bewildered her. Perhaps the man didn’t like children. She thought maybe it would be best if Jamie stayed clear of him.
“You’re an irritating man, Adam MacFhearguis,” she muttered, slamming down the basket of bread.
“Now what’s the matter?” Lena nudged Meggie in the arm. “Are you going to be trading barbs at the dinner table?”
Meggie chewed at her bottom lip. “Did ye see Adam’s scowl when Jamie came running into the kitchen? ’Tis as if the hounds of Cuchulainn were after him.”
Lena blew out an exasperated breath. “No. What I witnessed was a look of shock and confusion. He was unprepared to find out you’re a mother. Any man who has the hots for a woman might find it an inconvenience.”
“The hots?” asked a bemused Meggie.
Her cousin leaned near and whispered, “The man likes you. Any fool can see by the way his eyes roam over you when you’re not watching. He devours you with one look.”
She pinched Lena’s arm. “He does not!”
“Ouch!” Her cousin rubbed her hand over her arm. “And any fool can see that your eyes love to look over the gorgeous man when he’s not watching. I caught you gazing at his fine arse.” She suppressed a giggle. “Did you know that Archie had to show him how the jeans zipped together? Now that’s a sight I would have loved to witness.”
Meggie grabbed one of the beers and drank fully. Before she had a chance to counter what Lena had said, all the men came strolling in, each carrying a food or drink item. Jamie rushed in almost sloshing his milk out of his glass and proceeded to sit next to Adam—the enemy.
“Jamie, don’t ye want to sit next to me and tell me everything you did while on your adventure?” Meggie patted the seat next to her.
“Nae. I want to sit next to Sir Knight.” Jamie glanced up smiling at Adam. “Ye must tell me of your travels.”
“This should be interesting,” chimed in Lucas.
“Naught to tell,” stated Adam as he scooped out some stew into his bowl.
“There are some stories too sad to speak of,” muttered Jamie, reaching for some bread.
Adam’s hand hovered over his bowl. “How old are ye lad?”
Jamie’s chest puffed out proudly. “Three winters in February.”
“He’s advanced for his age,” interrupted Meggie, seeing Adam’s eyes narrow. “I have decided to have him schooled here with the help of Archie.”
“A wise choice,” agreed Archie through mouthfuls of stew.
Chewing on some bread, Jamie mirrored what Adam did, and Meggie wanted to reprimand her son for wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “They say ye came here on a horse. Why?” asked Jamie.
Arching a brow, Adam replied, glancing Meggie’s way. “Why not? Ciar has been my most faithful companion these many years. I would have no other.”
What the hell did he mean by faithful? His gaze was one filled with accusation, and Meggie defied his hard stare with one of her own. “Ye must be scared to drive, since it was your first time today being in any type of vehicle.”
“Mama, the man is a knight. He has no need for cars.” Jamie nodded to Adam in understanding.
Scott, Bruce, and Lucas each snorted their disapproval but kept silent as they ate.
The rest of the meal was spent in broken conversations, mostly with Jamie chattering about something to Adam and the man giving a grunt, nod, or one word answers. It was clear to Meggie that the man found Jamie an annoyance. Keeping the boy away from Adam would be a difficult task, she feared.
“It has been a long day, Jamie.” Standing, Meggie held out her hand. “Say good-night to everyone.”
As Jamie hopped down from his chair, he rushed to Meggie’s side. Tugging on her shirt, she shrugged her shoulders. “What?”
“Bend down so I can speak in your ear,” he pleaded.
Instead, Meggie scooped him up in her arms. She angled her head to the side. “Whisper your secret, Jamie.”
The young lad cupped his hand over her ear. “Can I have Adam tell me a story before bed?”
She glanced at Adam and then back to her son. Placing a kiss along his brow, she whispered into his ear. “Why don’t we wait until tomorrow eve to ask Adam? It was a long day for everyone, including Adam.”
He cupped her face with his chubby hands. “Deal?”
She lowered her head against his forehead. “Deal.”
Placing him down, Meggie watched him say good-night to everyone saving Adam for last. As he stood before the towering man, she watched in awe as Adam bent down on one knee.
“Remember, a knight must learn to use his mind,” he tapped Jamie’s head with his finger and continued, “before he can take up the sword.”
“Verra wise, Sir K
night. I will remember your words.” Jamie flung himself into Adam’s arms, and Meggie saw pain reflected in Adam's eyes. But it vanished before they both stood.
“Go choose a book and I will be there shortly, Jamie.”
The lad dashed out of the hall.
“Sleep well, Adam,” she uttered softly.
He said nothing at her dismissal but instead brushed past her and left. Within moments, she heard the doors to the entrance crash open.
Walking slowly up the stairs, Meggie shivered from the cold, night air—torn between fury and hurt.
****
The Red Branch Tavern—Urquhart Glen
“Do you think he’ll show?” asked Rory, taking another sip from his beer. “You do understand that he has not set foot inside this tavern since the Battle of Culloden.”
“Aye, he’ll come. I made it an urgent request.” Liam gazed at the pint waiting for their Fenian brother. “We all lost many during the battle.” He shoved his own pint away and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Agreed. But Conn was guardian to many Scots during that century. More so, than you or I. He vowed never to set foot inside a place where the memories were too painful.”
Both men glanced out of the booth where they were sitting when the door to the tavern opened, only to groan when it wasn’t the man they were expecting.
“Damn,” hissed Liam. “I had hoped he would put aside his feelings and come because of my appeal.”
“He’s over an hour late,” stated Rory. “I’ll get us some more beers. Then you can think of another plan.”
Liam reached for his glass and downed the entire contents. “My plan would have fared better if there were three of us.”
Rory shrugged. “Well, I’m with you.” Saluting his brother, he walked away.
Rubbing the back of his neck in frustration, Liam knew the risk was great, but his fate was still undetermined. He had manipulated the veil of time and brought Aidan Kerrigan back in time to rescue his daughter, Aileen. Furthermore, no one could have foreseen Aidan’s death. As a result, a death sentence hung over Liam each day, and he deemed the Fae were determined to keep him waiting before they summoned him before the council.
