My Dark Highlander

by Badger, Nancy Lee

  “Let me give you directions. It’s not far.”

  Before Jenny could speak, Rae slid a finger down her cheek, whispering, “Doono’ fret, lass. Balfour knows the way.”

  Jake most likely rode along the trails that meandered along the riverbank and through the forest. He had given Balfour to her, and she trusted Rae’s way of thinking.

  “I’d appreciate that, Rae. Gavin?” Turning toward the silent Highlander, she shivered at the darkness marring his expressive face. When he closed his eyes, and his jaw clenched, she worried she had offended him in some way. Or, had Rae? By touching her? “Are you upset with me?”

  His eyes flew open. “Nay, lass. I am…lost.”

  That simple admission could mean many things, but she wouldn’t leave him behind. “Come with us. Denise is giving me a ride home.”

  Gavin sighed, then clasped her hands in his.

  “Young love. How romantic,” Denise said. Clasping her hands together beneath her chin, she sighed, mockingly.

  “We are not in love!” Gavin and Jenny answered.

  When Gavin laughed, Jenny relaxed, but when he pressed their joined hands to his chest, the sensitive skin between her thighs dampened, and she trembled with want, as she inhaled his manly scent. No fast-moving river could wash away his intoxicating smell. The longer she touched him, the larger the bulge beneath his sporran grew, and pressed against her abdomen.

  Finding the courage to step away, she turned to her friend. “Denise, we’d better go.”

  Denise chuckled as she opened the driver’s door. “You two can sit in the back and neck, for all I care.”

  “Neck?” Gavin reached out and rested a hand on the back of Jenny’s neck, then slowly massaged the skin and sore muscles.

  “Never mind. I’ll sit in front. There’s more room for you in the back. Watch that sword.”

  He blinked, then a slow smile cracked his face.

  Poor choice of words.

  “Well, I hope you enjoyed your day off. Back to work, tomorrow.” Denise slid into the driver’s seat.

  Rolling her eyes, Jenny waited until Gavin climbed in the back. When she settled in the front seat, and locked her seatbelt over her chest, she used the quiet moment to wonder what she would cook for dinner. She had no idea what she had in the house to eat, and she assumed her three guests were ravenous.

  To her, traveling to ancient Scotland encompassed several weeks. To Denise, she’d only been away a day.

  When Denise started the engine, Gavin gasped. His fingers curled around the back of her seat, and his knuckles turned white.

  “Calm down. Denise is a very good driver,” she said, patting his hand.

  “Better than you,” Denise said, and chuckled, “because I heard you had your truck towed to Kelley’s Auto Body. You never told me what happened.”

  “Oh, that. I lent it to Izzy, and the man she met at the games offered to drive her home. A deer jumped in front of them, and they ended up in the river. Guess I need to call Mr. Kelley and get the estimate.”

  “You don’t think it’s totaled?”

  “Hope not. I love that little truck.”

  “Truck? Totaled? ‘Tis an odd language.”

  “Gavin, I will explain it all later.” She turned to Denise. “I suppose I’ll have to feed you all. It’ll be dinnertime once Rae gets back with Balfour.”

  “Mutton, crusty bannock, and a tankard of ale would suffice,” Gavin interjected.

  The wheel turned abruptly, crossing the centerline. Denise regained control of the car, and stared at Jenny. “What did he say?”

  Jenny glared at Gavin, who closed his mouth, and settled back into the SUV’s back seat. “He’s kidding. How about I order pizza?”

  “Better order three. These guys look hungry.”

  Jenny glanced at Gavin again, but he was staring at the passing landscape. A dark stand of pine covered the right side of the road with shadow, and the rock-filled river followed them on the left. Very little traffic headed north. Most visitors to the games would head south, toward downtown Lincoln, then hit the highway to drive home.

  They headed toward her home, a large farmhouse divided into four apartments. Jake used to live in one, and Izzy in another. She hadn’t met the girl in the fourth apartment who’d moved in during the summer. Jenny had ignored so much, in order to hide her ability. If Dorcas was correct, and she could learn to control when and where auras appeared, she might finally enjoy a normal life. Who was she kidding? She had time-traveled to ancient Scotland!

  Nothing in my life will ever be the same.

  ***

  Gavin peered out of the roomy vehicle that moved without beasts of burden, and recognized the path they followed. After he arrived here weeks ago, he had used his magical senses and had walked until he found the home of his betrothed, Isobel MacHamish.

  My Izzy. Nay, she is mine no longer. Izzy fell in love with the Buchanan warrior.

  Gavin felt nothing for her. He had never felt anything more than the urge to gain her property through marriage. Like an idiot, he had marched along this modern road, and assumed that after he located her, she would follow him back to Scotland. What he’d found was a half-naked man in her doorway.

  Both he and Izzy were passionate people, but not with each other. Izzy had given him her body, and he had demanded what he deemed destined to be his, but they both erred.

  Bull forgave him, and had decided to stay in 1603 Scotland, so Izzy was happy. Gavin had a life there, as well. He would ensure Jenny’s safety by removing the threat, then return home and resume his search for Niall, and their father.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” Denise asked.

  He laughed, and Jenny joined in. How similar the world was, in certain aspects. “I was wondering where ye plan to stash Rae and myself, tonight. If I sleep in the barn, I will need additional clothing. Mine is still damp.”

  “Gavin! You will not sleep in a barn!” Denise winked at him in a small mirror hanging between her and Jenny. “If Jenny can’t fit you in her bed, there’s always mine.”

  He waited to see if Jenny offered him a place in her bed. Should he accept? It was safer to keep her within reach. Danger lurked, yet if they were together through the night, would they rekindle the passion that seared them in Izzy’s barn? He had fought all night to keep his kisses and hands to her face, neck, and breasts. No farther.

  ‘Twas a torture no man can survive a second time.

  Jenny mumbled something to Denise, and her friend chuckled.

  When she had settled down, she turned to him and said, “You can stay in Izzy’s place and Rae can sleep at Jake’s. Neither of those tenants plan to return from…” Her voice trailed off.

  Denise gave her a quizzical look, but he knew Jenny dare not share too much of what had happened to her friends, with someone from this time. She would come up with a story to satisfy Denise’s curiosity. She was strong, in that regard.

  Considering what he had observed of Jenny in Scotland, she was strong in several ways. Only after a momentary weakness, and a day filled with battles and rescues, she had fallen into his arms. She would not beg him again to hold her until they fell asleep. She would never do anything that might make her recall their cold, fear-filled night spent in Izzy’s barn.

  Denise turned the vehicle at a break in the trees, and the forest gave way to a large open area that included a big house that he recalled finding during his last trip, and a barn and paddock. Falcon stood beside the open barn door.

  “Is that your horse?” Denise asked.

  “Aye, ‘tis Falcon. I shall see to his care, then join ye inside.” The moment the strange vehicle slid to a stop, he bolted. Falcon whinnied his greeting, and Gavin patted the beast’s shoulder. “Glad to see ye, friend. Yer dry, but I bet yer famished. I am.”

  “There’s grain in the bucket inside, and fresh straw in the stalls. Take the second one. Balfour likes the first stall.” Jenny was suddenly next to him.

  Her scent rushed u
p to grab hold of him, tightening his groin and damning his future. His body trembled, and his fingers clenched, as he fought the urge to kiss her. She was a woman of this time. Would he ever find another woman to release this hold she had upon his battle-weary heart?

  “My thanks, lass,” he whispered, then led Falcon inside. The barn was clean and dry, and after settling Falcon in a stall, he slipped off the bridle. As he started to remove the saddle, dread swept over him. He was glad to see the sheathed sword still hung from its side, but the satchel carrying his potions was gone.

  CHAPTER 13

  The satchel must have washed downstream. Without the potions Gavin had carefully created at Lana’s cottage, how would he return home? His planning had fallen in disarray simply because he and his mount had time-traveled into the middle of a stream. He would need alternative magical help, if he were to return to Scotland. He thought about the stone Dorcas had placed in his hand. Safely hidden in his boot, it could be a substitute to his missing potions, if he could unravel Dorcas Swann’s words. The brownie could also aid them if, in fact, he was no longer their enemy.

  Too many unknowns.

  He patted Falcon’s rump, then scooped grain into his feed-bucket. When he located a cistern by the outer wall, he filled another bucket with water. After removing the saddle, he spent some time brushing the beast’s sleek black coat with an odd brush he found hanging from a nail. His own shoulders relaxed with every stroke.

  Patting the animal’s black neck once more, he closed the sturdy stall gate, and strode toward the larger building. The clop of hooves had him glancing toward the trees. Rae and Balfour appeared out of the forest.

  Gavin crossed his arms, and waited for Rae to dismount. The farmer removed the bridle, and patted the barebacked beast. Balfour lumbered into the barn and into his stall.

  “I shall feed and water him,” Gavin said. It was an excuse to keep his distance from Jenny. Nothing good would come of their union. Too bad his swelling member felt differently.

  “If ye insist. I shall see what the lasses are up to.” Rae wiggled his eyebrows, and Gavin used every fiber of his being not to draw his dirk, and slice off the man’s bollocks. If Rae turned on his charm, would Jenny fall beneath his spell?

  ‘Tis nothing to me, he lied.

  After caring for Balfour, he headed for the big house once again. A door was open, and he peered inside. Music blared from somewhere, and laughter echoed from farther inside her home. Stepping through the open doorway, he followed the sounds to where Jenny stood talking into a small box by her ear.

  “Three. Large and loaded. You have the address. Thanks.”

  “Who be ye talking too, love?”

  Jenny smiled at him. “I ordered food. Pizza. You’ll love it. Want a beer? Ale, I mean?”

  “Aye.” Perhaps he could lose himself in drink, forget the lovely curve of her lips, and drive away her flowery fragrance by guzzling a tankard of ale.

  “I’ll get the drinks!” Denise opened a large box. Cool air flowed out, its interior magically lit. She grabbed several brown bottles, and handed him one.

  “ ‘Tis cold.” The large bottle reminding him of the clear potion bottles that were no longer strapped to Falcon’s saddle. A headache formed between his eyes.

  “It’s a twist-open,” Denise said. Her strange words did not register until she turned the metal cap on her bottle, and it popped off.

  “Magic!” He bobbled the bottle in his hand, and Jenny grabbed for it. She missed, and it flew up in the air. Another hand reached out and captured it, before it hit the ground.

  “Take care, friend.” Rae handed it back to him.

  Gavin grunted, and wondered if he had stepped inside a sorcerer’s quarters. As he gazed around the room searching for other signs of witchery, he twisted the cap the way Denise had. Ale spurted from the bottle in a burst of foam and cold liquid. “What is this magic?”

  Jenny thrust a bit of linen at him, and he wiped his hand and chest. Lifting the bottle to his lips, he drank what remained. The taste was odd, and colder than ale brewed at either Castle Ruadh, or his home, but his parched throat welcomed every drop.

  “Sorry, I should have warned you. Shaking the bottle causes it to fizz.” Jenny took the linen from him, and stroked his forearm.

  His body hardened, and he dropped the hand not holding the bottle, keeping his plaid flat beneath his leather sporran. The woman was a walking aphrodisiac, and she stood too close. If he wanted to keep his sanity, he would gather his wits, secure her safety, then leave.

  “Better?” Jenny’s eyes glistened, as if she held back tears.

  Why? Had he hurt her in some way? “I be fine, love. ‘Tis only my second dunking of the day. ‘Tis nothing ye did to cause this. Neither time, aye?”

  “I guess.” She turned to Rae. “Did I thank you for pulling Randy from the river?”

  Rae stepped closer, bent, and presented his cheek for Jenny’s kiss. She giggled and shoved him toward the hall. You’re still wet. Get out of that damp wool.”

  “Wait just a minute…” All three turned and glared at him. What could he say that did not sound as if he did not approve of Jenny tending to the other man?

  “Calm down, Gavin. There are clean clothes that might fit both of you on the bed. First door on the left. They belong to Jake.”

  Gavin’s fist clenched around the bottle, but he forced his fingers to loosen. It made no sense to make more of a mess, by spraying glass shards about the place. “Why are Jake’s clothes here?”

  “He asked me to do his laundry while he volunteered at the Highland Games, but he left town before I could return them. He told me where he hides his key, so I can take what you don’t borrow, back to his place.”

  A plausible explanation, for Jake was now with Skye Gunn, in Scotland. He was a good friend to Bull and Izzy. He might have had feelings for Jenny, but did it matter if they once were lovers?

  Nay. Jenny means nothing to me.

  Why the lies kept appearing in his head, he had no idea. His mission was to make sure no harm came to Jenny. Threats had arisen, due to her relationship with him. Someone had spied on them, and if they knew he had spent the night with the lass, their assumption was understandable.

  Hurt her, in order to hurt me.

  While the others passed the time, sharing stories about the day’s events, Gavin’s own thoughts hinged on how to protect Jenny. He could not allow anyone to hurt her. The brownie was suspect since he was here, in this time. Others like him, or mercenaries aided by a sorcerer, might arrive as well. If he kept Jenny safely ensconced in this building, they all might live.

  “Hello? Anyone here?”

  Gavin pulled his dirk from his sheath, and turned toward the open front door.

  “Stand down, Gavin. The pizza’s here.” Jenny grabbed a small bag from the table, and headed to the front door. Holding the dirk behind him, he followed.

  “Miss Morgan?” the man asked. The aroma of cheese, meat, and spices wafted up from the three large boxes in his arms.

  She nodded and pulled folded paper from her bag. The man darted a quick glance at Gavin, then down his naked chest to his damp plaid, before returning his smile to Jenny.

  “Keep the change,” Jenny said.

  The transaction was over in a moment, and as Jenny carried the boxes back to the others, Gavin stood in the open doorway. The stranger walked to his small vehicle and drove away. Gavin swung the door closed, and twisted what he assumed was the lock. He had been foolish not to close it after entering, but Jenny’s laughter had made everything else fade.

  Leading with my cock could mean our deaths.

  The woman was a hindrance. If he returned to Tulac Castle and learned that Niall was forever lost to his clan, he would continue as laird. If he placed Jenny Morgan at his side, disaster could strike them all down. His attention would forever stray to her lips and breasts. He had yet to explore her hidden silky depths, but could still taste her kisses. His body stiffened as a hunger f
or all of her grabbed hold.

  “Hungry?” she asked.

  An image of her moonlit skin flashed through his mind, until he realized she stood before him in her home, holding a round white plate. Accepting it, he was startled at its flimsy construction.

  ‘Tis as light as parchment.

  She had placed a wedge upon it that smelled like Heaven. “Is this food?”

  “It’s pizza,” she whispered. “Cheese, beef, and tomatoes on a kind of bannock.”

  Denise and Rae chewed their own wedges, and he leaned down to inhale the myriad of scents. He bit into the hot food, and hissed when he burned the top of his mouth.

  Jenny laughed. “Sorry. Should have warned you. It’s hot.”

  He nodded as he chewed, the flavors bursting on his tongue. He must have smiled, because Jenny smiled widely at him. Though a pretty lass, she was beautiful when she smiled, but he would not succumb. His body had reacted to her beauty, but his mind was set. He would not kiss her again, nor would he attempt to bed her. Ever.

  He swallowed. “ ‘Tis verra’ good.”

  “He acts like he’s never had pizza before,” Denise said.

  “Rae and Gavin have never had New England style pizza.” Jenny offered him a small square of paper, and he watched as she wiped her mouth with hers.

  An odd century, this, but he would adjust long enough to survive here. Until I leave.

  Leaving, once Jenny was safe, was preordained. The stars were against them, for he had not planned for this unreasonable attraction to one woman. In all his nearly thirty years, he had shared the beds of several competent, strong, and lovely clanswomen. He always warned them that their relationships were brief interludes, a way to pass the night in pleasures of the flesh. He left them satisfied, and if they yearned for more, he shunned them. He never kissed them, either.

  Except for Jenny. Why had he kissed Jenny that night in Izzy’s barn? What made him act out of character? He had hunted for Izzy in order to bring her home and settle their differences. An attack forced him to whisk Jenny to safety, which separated him from Izzy, Bull, Niall, and the attacking mercenaries. Once she was his responsibility, things had rapidly changed. When Jenny found out he and Izzy were betrothed, he read the pain in her tear-filled eyes. He had assumed she would never wish to see him again.