by Willa Blair
That interview had gotten Ian’s face on every entertainment rag within minutes. It had been great for publicity, but he’d had to do major damage control in his personal life.
He spun around to look at her. “But Abby, I called you before the interview even aired to make sure you knew that it wasn’t true! She was on the outs with her man of the month and figured she’d make him jealous. I thought you were okay with it. What changed your mind?”
Anger flashed in her eyes. “I tried to reach you in your hotel one night until midnight. She answered the phone, and she sounded out of breath. I figured I had the wrong room. But then I heard her say, ‘Ian, darling, come rub my back when you’re done.’ That’s when I hung up.”
What? When the hell had that happened? He knew he was innocent of any wrongdoing, and even he thought it sounded suspicious.
He closed his eyes, trying to recall why Julie would have ever been in his room. He’d purposely kept his distance from her because she’d started coming on to him with increasing regularity. Wait—there was one time. Was it possible that was the night she’d called him?
“Abby, I swear to you that nothing happened between Julie and me. There was only one time she was ever in my room. We were on the set late that night, and she followed me back to borrow something. I don’t even remember what it was—a book or something. I was rummaging for it when the phone rang. She told me that the other person had hung up. I gave her whatever it was she’d wanted and sent her on her way.”
He took her hand and stared into her stormy eyes. “Abby, here and now I have no way to prove that I’m telling the truth. When we return home, we’ll track her down and you can ask her if she and I had an affair. But for now, you have to believe me. You have to trust me.” Please let her trust me.
She sighed deeply, whispering, “I do believe you, Ian.” She smiled slightly. “You were always a terrible liar, and I know you well enough, even after all this time, to know you’re not lying now. I just wish I’d had more faith in you back then.”
He closed his eyes as relief washed over him. Maybe there was a chance for them after all. “As you said, we were separated by thousands of miles of ocean for a long time. Any doubts and insecurities would have been called into play. I should have taken the time to come see you, regardless of what the producers said, rather than waiting until filming was over. When you slammed the door in my face that day—well, that was the worst moment of my life. Until you disappeared at Loch Ness, that is.”
She looked up at him with steel-blue eyes filled with tears. “All that time wasted…”
“Abby, listen to me. We both screwed up, but this is our second chance. Here and now. We can’t get back those four years, but we have all the years ahead of us to make up for them. We tried it apart, and we were both miserable.
“I don’t think it was coincidence or chance that you came back to Scotland to find peace after your parents died and instead you found me. Don’t you see that we have what most people spend their lives wishin’ they had? A do-over. A fresh start. We were young and foolish four years ago, and we both made mistakes. But here we are, together again, with all the misunderstandings explained.”
“But…”
“Abby, I never stopped loving you. I spent these past years seein’ your face in every crowd, hearin’ your voice on the street. I tried to make a go of it with women who reminded me of you, but they were nothing more than a shade of the woman you are. I want only you, mo mhùirnìn.”
Tears flowed from her eyes. “Don’t leave me, Ian,” she sobbed. “I’m so sorry for everything. I love you so much. Please don’t leave me alone.”
Never. “I’m not leavin’ you, Abby, even if it means we’re trapped here forever.” He pulled her into his arms and held her while she wept for four years of lost time.
CHAPTER 16
“Thomas, you were supposed to stand guard, not sleep out here, you fool!”
The sound of Ewan’s angry voice outside the cottage jolted Abby and Ian from what was rapidly turning into another heated embrace.
“Quick, Abby, finish getting dressed. It’s too late for you to sneak out, but we can at least pretend you just got here.”
Ian whipped the plaid from around his shoulders and laid it out on the floor, hurriedly pleating it. Though he loved the sense of pride he felt when he wore the Great Kilt, it was a bitch to put on. But he was on tenuous ground with the Frasers already; it really wouldn’t do for them to find Abby in here with him naked early in the morning.
He looked down at the hastily-gathered pleats. Oh well. Better to do a half-assed job and fix it later than get caught bare-assed when Ewan came in. He lay on his back on the pleats and draped each side across his legs. Then his hands moved to his hips.
“Shit! Abby, hand me that belt.”
“Lift up.” Clutching the plaid at his hips, Ian obligingly raised his butt off the floor, and Abby scooted the belt under his waist. He quickly buckled it in place and got to his feet, fumbling behind him for the extra yards of wool. He brought the sides up around his shoulders like a shawl just as there was a knock on the door.
“Mackenzie, you awake?”
Ian gestured for Abby to sit at the table and went to open the door. Ewan beat him to it, pushing the door open before he could reach it.
“I trust that yon bed was better than the floor of the…Abby? What the hell are you doing here?” Ewan had started speaking in Gaelic, but switched to English without batting an eyelash when he saw her at the table. “Mackenzie, what is she doing in here? And what are you doing half-dressed with her here?” He glared at Ian.
“I’m sorry, Ewan. Is it a problem? I woke up early this morning and wanted to make sure Ian was all right.”
“Thomas didn’t mention you were here.”
“Oh, well, that’s because he was asleep. He didn’t hear me knock on the door.”
“Aye, and I was sleeping too,” added Ian, “so that’s why I had to get dressed quickly. I wasn’t expectin’ company at the crack of dawn.”
Ewan looked at Ian and Abby in turn, giving each of them a once-over with narrowed eyes. “Right. I came here this morning to ask for your help, Mackenzie.”
“My help? With what?” Ian was surprised that Ewan Fraser would ask him for anything, given the face that they were enemies until proven otherwise.
“I’ve a horse that I bought a few months ago. He’s a fine-lookin’ beast, but a real bastard. Won’t let anyone get close to him. I’ve had to keep him far away from the other horses because he drives them daft with his carryin’ on. I saw how you handled that black devil of yours. Thought perhaps you’d have a wee look at this horse of mine, see what you think.” He grinned suddenly, surprising them both. “Of course, Abby was the first one to tame the wild beast, so perhaps she should help me instead. What say you, lass?”
“No way, Ewan. I was able to get close to Jack because he knows me. Ian is definitely your man for this.”
Ewan furrowed his brow, no doubt puzzled by Abby’s modern speech. Ian quickly jumped in. “Aye, of course I’ll help.” Even if Ian had no talent with horses, he would have said yes to Ewan, recognizing the opportunity to prove himself to the other man.
“Good. I’ve a few things to do first, so I’ll meet you back here in two hours. Perhaps you can persuade Alannah to feed you.”
He left in a swish of plaid, and Abby turned to Ian. “Do you think Ewan suspects that I was here all night?”
“Hard to say, but the man is no fool. We’d better tread carefully around him, and that includes watching what we say. I don’t relish the idea of getting thrown back into that cellar in chains. Now that I’m not in a crazy rush, let me re-do my plaid and then we can go to Alannah’s. Hand me my shirt so that if Ewan should decide to return, I’m not naked.”
****
They rode to Alannah’s cottage, followed closely by two of Ewan’s men. When they arrived, she opened the door and grabbed Abby’s hand, yanking her inside. Ian
remained outside to tend to the horses.
“What were you thinkin’, to sneak out like that?” Alannah hissed, her blue eyes narrowed with anger.
Abby felt her face flush with shame. “I’m sorry for worrying you, Alannah. But I needed to see Ian. There were things I had to say to him that couldn’t wait.”
Alannah busied herself with stirring the pot of porridge that dangled over the fire. “Would you set that plate of oatcakes and the bowl of honey on the table?” Abby did as she asked, noting that Alannah had made more than usual, no doubt anticipating that Ian would be joining them.
“Your man is on very shaky ground here, Abby. You would do well to remember that, or your actions may put both of you in jeopardy. Did Ewan see you there?”
“Yes, just now. But I told him I’d just gotten there.”
“Did he believe you? He’s not daft, you know.”
“He didn’t question what we told him, but I know we need to be more careful next time. He asked Ian to help him this morning with some horse of his.”
Alannah stopped stirring the porridge and looked up, surprised. “Did he really? He must have been very impressed with Ian, then. Ewan is no small talent with horses himself, but that colt has been a thorn in his side since the day he bought him. It’ll be very good for Ian if he can help.”
Ian came in moments later, and they sat down to eat. Alannah reiterated her warning to tread carefully, and when they finished eating and cleaning up, they all rode back to the village to meet Ewan.
They left their horses in the barn and followed Ewan to a fenced-in paddock situated behind the cottages. As they approached, there was a shrill neigh, and a dappled gray horse charged the fence. He pulled up at the very last minute and pawed the ground, tossing his head and blowing loudly through flared nostrils.
“He reminds me of Jack,” murmured Abby.
“Aye,” muttered Ian, his attention focused on the gray horse, who was now pacing back and forth along the fence.
Ewan nodded in satisfaction. “Aye, that’s why I asked for your help, Ian.”
Ian positioned himself so that the slight breeze would carry his scent to the colt, but he didn’t approach the fence. He tuned out the murmured voices of his companions and simply watched the horse. After awhile, the horse became accustomed to his scent and relaxed, lowering his head to graze. Ian moved ever closer to the fence, freezing in place if the horse showed any sign of agitation and moving forward again once the horse relaxed.
Finally, Ian reached the fence. The horse looked up from his grazing, but did not retreat. Ian turned a bit, so that he wasn’t directly facing the horse, and dug in his sporran, withdrawing an apple he’d nicked from Alannah’s table. He took a bite, and chewed slowly, glancing at the horse in his peripheral vision. The animal was looking at him with his head held high, his ears pricked forward.
Ian took another bite, knowing that the breeze was now carrying the sweet scent of apple to the curious horse. Sure enough, the animal started slowly walking toward Ian. He paused every few feet, tossing his head and pawing the ground nervously, but before long, he was standing at the fence just inches away from Ian. He whickered softly, and Ian turned to face him.
The colt was rangy and big-boned; his long legs, large nostrils, and broad chest indicating that he could run like hell. His coat was filthy from rolling in the dirt but he looked as though he would be lovely when he was cleaned up. The mane and tail were long and tangled and almost black in color. A fine animal, indeed.
Ian bit off a chunk of apple and took it out of his mouth. He held the offering in the palm of his hand, slowly extending it toward the horse. After a moment, the animal took a step closer, and Ian pulled his hand slightly back. He wanted the horse to come to him. Each time the gray muzzle inched toward Ian’s hand, he pulled it back an inch.
Finally, the horse tired of the game and took the last step forward. Ian held his hand steady, and the horse lowered his head. He sniffed at the piece of fruit and then delicately lipped it up, the whiskers on his muzzle tickling Ian’s hand. As soon as the apple was in his mouth, he pulled his head up and took a step back while he chewed.
Ian offered another piece of apple in the same manner, and it took less time for the horse to come forward and accept the offering, this time without backing away. Ian held out the remainder of the fruit, and when the horse slurped the last piece into his mouth, Ian reached his hand ever so slowly toward the gray head.
The horse rolled his eye nervously and stamped his foot, but he stayed where he was. His ears remained upright, not laid back in a sign of aggression. Ian laid his hand lightly on the animal’s damp neck, and though a shudder went through the big body, the horse did not shake him off. He tentatively stroked the neck, moving his hand up to scratch behind the velvety ears. The horse relaxed, closing his eyes and appearing to enjoy the attention.
After running his hands all over the horse’s head and neck, Ian blew into the animal’s nostrils so he would know his scent in the future. Then he bestowed one last pat on the strong neck and turned away from the fence, returning to the others, who’d remained where he’d left them. Each looked as though they’d witnessed a miracle.
“Well, I’ll be buggered,” breathed Ewan. “That was bloody brilliant!”
“He’s just skittish around people. You need to be patient with him, let him slowly get used to you so that he understands you mean him no harm. I think we should leave him be for now, but later this afternoon or tomorrow, I should come back. Once he seems to be all right with me, you can come with me, and we’ll let him get used to you as well. But we shouldn’t rush it. He’s a fine animal, and he should be treated as such.”
“Aye, I agree. My thanks to you, Mackenzie. That was a fine display of horsemanship.”
“Can I ask a favor in return, Ewan?”
“You can ask,” Ewan said noncommittally.
“I’d like to go riding with Abby. Is that all right with you?”
“I cannot let you go alone, Mackenzie, so either I accompany you, or my answer is nay.”
“I’ll take what I can get.”
****
As the mid-day sunshine bathed them in its warmth, Ian and Abby rode their horses along the shore of Loch Ness, Ewan and two of his men following closely behind as they had the day before. Alannah had begged off in favor of doing some chores.
Ian felt Abby’s eyes upon him and looked over to where she rode at his left side. She looked so bonny with the sunlight shining down on her. She was staring appreciatively at him, a secret smile curving her full lips.
“What are you thinking right now, Abby?”
“I was just thinking that I had forgotten how handsome you look in your plaid with your beautiful hair shining like black silk in the sunlight.” She grinned wickedly and lowered her voice. “I’m having a hard time keeping my hands off you, Ian Mackenzie.”
Ian sucked in a breath at the hot rush of desire that accompanied her words. “I’ll be right back.” He wheeled Jack around and rode up alongside Ewan and his men. The bearded man looked at him warily. “Ewan, is there any way you can let us have some privacy for a bit? I had thought Abby was lost to me, and I just…I just want to be alone with her for a short while. You have my word that we will not try to leave.”
Ewan began to shake his head no. Ian quickly cut him off before he could speak. “Please, Ewan. Let us run our horses up to that grove over there.” He pointed to a stand of trees about a mile away. “I want this feud ended as much as you do, for my father’s sake. I swear we won’t leave.”
Ewan studied Ian for a moment. “She’s your betrothed, aye?”
“Aye, she is,” Ian replied, keeping with the story they’d already told Ewan.
Ewan gazed thoughtfully at him for a moment and then nodded his head in assent. “All right. I have much to do, so I’ll return to the village. Andrew Fraser, Abby’s grandda, is due to arrive by this evening.”
He laid his hand on Ian’s forearm, sque
ezing hard enough to get Ian’s full attention. “I’m goin’ against my better judgment by lettin’ you be alone with her when you’re not wed. If you’re not back by dinnertime to greet the man with his long-lost granddaughter, there will be hell to pay. I will hunt you down and then have you beaten in front of your lass. I know these lands like the back of my hand, and I will find you. Do you understand me?”
Ian suppressed the urge to shudder at the menacing look in Ewan’s eyes. “Aye, I do understand. As I said, I want this feud ended.”
Ewan nodded curtly. He glanced up at the sky for a moment. “Your ride may be shorter than you wish. It looks like it’s going to rain.” With that, he and his men headed back to the village. Puzzled, Ian looked up. Sure enough, the blue sky was quickly being swallowed up by ominous black clouds. He returned to Abby’s side.
“What’s going on? Why are they turning back?”
“Ewan agreed to let us ride alone. I swore up and down that I want the feud ended as much as he does, and I promised not to run off. He threatened me with extensive physical damage if I don’t have you back in time for Andrew’s arrival. I thought we’d ride to that grove over there.” Ian looked into Abby’s eyes, and smiled at the flare of desire he saw there.
“Let’s go.” They galloped north along the shore of the loch. The water looked almost black as the clouds began to thicken overhead.
“Abby, it’s about to pour. Do you want to turn back?”
“No. I’m not afraid of a little rain.”
It began to drizzle as they reached the grove. They rode their horses under the thick canopy of leaves, which blocked most of the drops from reaching them. A few minutes later, Ian reined in Jack and dismounted, tying the reins to a low branch. Abby handed him Bonny’s reins and he tied them to a second branch.
He reached up for her, letting her body slide along the front of his as he lowered her to the ground. The sensation of her body brushing down the length of his sent a jolt of desire through him.
