by Sarah Hoss
“What else?”
She sighed. Putting the piece of pie on a plate, she sat it on the table in front of his chair. “Umm, the main guy, I think his name was Colyn, got off his horse and walked up to me. He asked for you. I told him you would be right back. When I asked his name, he didn’t give it right away, but said you were friends and that they were just wanting to speak to you since they’d been over this way.”
“Is there anything else? Did they touch ye? Did they come back?”
“No and no.” She eyed him for a minute, trying to read him. It was time he started talking—she wanted answers. “Alex, please tell me what’s going on. Who was he?”
A hush fell over the room.
“Why don’t you sit down first, Alex? Have some pie and I’ll get you a drink. You must need it after your trip.” She worked and he sat down. Tension was thick. What could have happened between the two men to cause such hostility? She waited eagerly to hear the story.
Placing the drink in front of him, Marlana moved over to the other side of the table and sat down. His mouth twitched ever so slightly. He was not looking forward to this.
Alexander took a couple bites, then pushed it away. “Thank ye. Ye did well on the pie.” He gave her a long look, then started.
“Colyn is from Clan Comyn. They are a neighboring clan and we’ve never gotten on. I met him when I went to foster with my Uncle. My mother was from Clan Comyn. The marriage between my parents was made in hopes of bringing peace between the clans. Mairi was a cousin to the Comyn clan.”
At her confusion, he explained, “A clan has one major branch. For us, Clan Macpherson is the major branch. Then we have ‘cousins’. So, names like Murdoch and Clark are our cousins. Names associated with our clan.” He glanced off for a moment, then back to Marlana. “My mother was a Comyn, but Mairi was a MacNiven, a cousin to the Comyn’s.”
“Okay, I understand.”
He toyed with his glass. Marlana kept quiet.
“I went to foster as a youth with my Uncle’s family. It is not uncommon to send a son away, to live with another family for a while, though ye may hear of it more with higher classed families, and usually at a younger age. It was during this time that I met Mairi.”
He stared off into the distance, letting his mind bring her image into focus. “She was very bonnie and a sweet-natured lass, way too sweet-natured to be stuck to the likes of Colyn.” He took a drink, then stood to fetch the whisky, pouring two fingers full, and downed it.
“We were ten and eight, fell in love quickly, and we would sneak off and meet. Colyn caught wind of it and he was verra angry. Mairi had never said she wanted Colyn, but in his mind she belonged to him.”
He poured another drink. “We were caught fighting over her one day and the Chief wasna verra happy about it.” He sighed and glanced down at his glass. “So, the Chief decided to use an old Highland custom. He setup the Highland games and a wedding celebration to follow. Whichever man won the games took the bride.”
“I don’t understand the custom, I’m sorry.”
“Och, tis all right, I forget sometimes. The custom was that a man had to prove himself worthy of the bride by winning the games. The custom has faded a bit.”
“Let me guess, you won the games and the girl.”
He peeked at her from behind his glass. A smile creased his lips at her conclusion. “Aye, and Colyn was verra angry.”
“May I ask how long you were married?”
“Five years.” He took another drink.
“That would mean you’re only—”
“Four and twenty.” He studied her as surprise lit her eyes.
“How old are ye, Marlana?”
She blushed. “Umm, truth or a lie?”
He laughed. “Truth.”
“Twenty-two.”
“Ye seem much older than yer years.” He studied her and a need coursed through his veins as a look of want danced across her face. He stood and pushed in his chair. He needed to distance himself from her. He walked to the cabinet and pulled out the bottle of whisky. “I’m going to go outside. Good night.”
Marlana watched him go. She smiled when he looked at her, just before he shut the door, but it quickly faded. She began to understand a little now. The dream of him popped in her head and she wondered, not for the first time, why she was here and why she had the dreams.
She sat by the fire, lost in her thoughts, then dressed for bed. She kept replaying the conversation in her head. She’d been both surprised and happy that he’d opened up to her. She desperately wanted to get to know him, but he was a very guarded person. Deciding to go look for him, she grabbed a lantern and left the house.
When she stepped outside, the wind blew hard and she shivered. She was in her nightgown and had wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, but it wasn’t enough to warm her. Yet, she worried that he might be drunk and passed out somewhere outside.
She strode toward the outhouse to see if she might catch him on a return trip, but to no avail. Turning around and scanning the area, he was nowhere to be found. She heard the sounds of night all around her. The animals were all fast asleep and thinking of them made her decide to try the barn. Maybe he fell asleep on a bale of hay.
Opening the door slowly, not wanting to disturb the barn’s occupants, she stepped inside. The smell of hay and manure drifted to her nose. The only light inside was from the lantern she carried. She shut the door and walked quietly down the middle where she found him leaning against Heather’s stall, an empty whisky bottle at his feet. She stopped a few inches from him. He stood so still, it almost looked as if he were sleeping on his feet. She reached out to touch him, but drew her fingers back. Her gaze took him in, every inch of him. He wore no shirt. Alexander was gorgeous with his tall, muscular body, and black, shoulder-length hair. His kilt hung to his knees, exposing well-muscled calves. She swallowed. She couldn’t help stealing the moment to stare at him.
“Alex,” she whispered.
His gaze moved up and down her body. She drew the blanket around her tighter. The corner of his mouth turned up in a half smile and he shook his head.
She set down the lantern. “Alex, you should go to bed, it’s late.”
“And ye shouldn’t be out here dressed like that.” He stared at her with his shoulder leaning against the stall and his arms crossed over his chest. He cocked on eyebrow.
She glanced down at her nightgown and shrugged. “I’m fine, it’s not cold out here.” Her hands shook, even as they gripped the blanket tighter. The smoldering heat in his eyes told her what he thought of her clothing choice. Her body warmed at the knowledge.
“The cold isn’t what ye should be afraid of.”
He’d turned to face her, but hadn’t stepped any closer. She could see his jaw working. He was studying her with such intensity; she licked her lips. His eyes followed the movement.
“Should I be afraid, Alex?” The attraction between them prickled amidst them like static electricity and she grew bold. She knew he wasn’t talking about any harm coming to her. The sensual look he gave explained everything. Nevertheless, she was shocked at his statement.
He stepped toward her and pulled her to him—sliding one hand around her waist and wrapping the other hand in her hair, forcing her to look up at him. “Ye tell me.”
She smelled whisky on his breath and saw the lust in his eyes, but she didn’t feel afraid of him. This was a man of honor and though he was drowning his sorrows in the bottle, he still wasn’t an evil man. Even drunk, he carried himself well.
She wanted him to kiss her. Being held by him, his mouth only a breath away, made her come alive. Her body begged for it like a drunk begging for his next drink.
“No Alex, I’m not afraid.”
She waited, hoping, wondering. Then someth
ing shifted in his eyes and he let her go. “Ye had best get into the house before something happens here we canna take back.”
“But—”
“Good night, Marlana.” He turned back to lean against Heather’s stall.
Her chin quivered and her vision blurred as tears sprung to life. Her body ached for him; her skin carried the feel of his touch still. It all happened so quickly. How could he be fire and heat in one moment, then turn around and be so cold the next? She swiveled on her heels and ran from the barn, hurt and rejected, hearing Alexander cursing as she did so.
Alexander’s feet had led him to the barn before he realized where he was standing. Heather had whinnied and he’d reached out to pet her, then quickly lost himself in memories. That’s when he heard the barn door open and Marlana approached. He tried to ignore her. She stood so close, he could smell the scent of her perfume, and felt his groin tighten. He wanted her. He hadn’t wanted any woman since Mairi died. Any other temptation and he could’ve shaken it off, but when Marlana was around, it was getting harder and harder.
The soft, musical lilt of her voice, as she whispered his name, almost undid him. He could picture her naked, stretched out beneath him, whispering his name again and again. When he turned to look at her, he had to smile. What a perfect fit to his fantasy. Marlana had been standing before him in nothing but her night rail. There’d been nothing but a thin piece of material between him and all he wanted. Was he being blessed or tortured?
He’d told her to get inside. Was the girl completely daft? What was she thinking to come outside dressed like that? When she glanced down at her clothing, the blanket had slipped from her shoulders and he ached to touch the creamy, smooth skin there. To kiss the pulse that beat at her throat. The pulse that quickened when he pulled her to him. God, it felt good to have her in his arms. Too bad the blanket had been between them, but if he’d had his way, it would have proven to be useful. The moment she said she wasn’t afraid of him and watched him with such trust in her eyes, he swore. He wanted to lay her in the hay and make love to her, but he couldn’t. He wouldn’t take her while he was drunk. So he did the only thing he could. He made her go.
He kicked the stall and grabbed the lantern she’d left behind, cursing. He went back to the house and set the lantern on the table, then went to lie down on his pallet. Hearing her quiet sobs, he cursed again, stood, and walked to her door. Maybe he should talk to her, he hadn’t meant to make her cry.
He stood a moment outside her door, contemplating his options. Finally, he turned and headed to the river for a quick dip, hoping the cool water would sooth his troubled soul.
CHAPTER 13
The house was quiet and Marlana found peace in it. She needed a moment to stop and think about what was going on around her, and she couldn’t do that with Alexander under foot. Not after what happened last night. She needed to figure out something fast. Her heart was becoming attached and she couldn’t let that happen.
When she realized she’d been humming and tapping her foot to the song, “I drove all night,” by Celine Dion, she let out a nervous chuckle. Would she ever see a car again? More importantly, would she ever see home again?
The last year passed by in her mind and looking back now, how could she have ever wasted so much time wallowing in self-pity? So many things she could have done with Lilly and Victoria. How she wished she had gone to the cemetery sooner to visit her parents, instead of putting it off for a month.
Her gaze ventured around the room and she wondered again how she was going to get back home. She needed to correct those things. She needed to travel back to her own time, live the life she was supposed to live.
“This is ridiculous.” Grabbing a glass, she decided to take Alexander a drink. The day was getting warm and he’d been working hard. Sweat dripped from his forehead and he wiped it away with the back of his hand.
“Thank ye.”
“You’re quite welcome, sir.” She ran her hand over Gideon’s back, marveling at the size of him. He was gorgeous and she briefly wondered what he would look like in battle.
“He’s very large and very pretty.”
“Aye, that he is, though pretty isn’t the word I would use.” He laughed and she joined in.
“I suppose not. Okay, how about magnificent?”
“Aye, that’s much better.”
He finished the drink and handed her back the glass. “What have ye been doing this morning?”
“Well ...” she sighed. Taking the glass from him, she answered, “I’ve been going over and over in my mind the events of the day before I came here. Trying to see if there is any way to pin-point how I got here so I can determine how to get home.”
“Humph. Did ye succeed?”
She kicked a stone much harder than necessary. It ricocheted off the barn and she flinched. “No, it had been a very boring day. I can’t remember anything useful.”
“Tell me what ye did that day, lass. Maybe I can help.” He laid down his tools and took a seat on a bale of hay near the fence.
“I read most of the day. It was kind of warm, summer was in bloom and the day seemed to have a charge about it, but it was peaceful. I worked in the flower beds.” She pointed to where they would have been in the future. “In my time, they laid there, under the window. After supper, I lit a fire in the fireplace and before bedtime, I went out to sit under the stars.” She gazed out over the pasture. “There was a shooting star, so I wished on it,” she said, “I always wish on them.” She could feel the blush creeping up her neck. She reached for the pearl pendant. It always seemed to calm her.
“What did ye wish for?” Alexander asked as he stood and took a brush to Gideon’s back.
“Nothing, really.”
“Nothing would make ye blush like that? Ye look as if ye are on fire.”
She tried to give him am angry look, but failed. God, he was gorgeous. The contrast between his steel gray eyes and black, shoulder length hair, was startling. His eyes captivated her and his full lips made her want to forget all about going home, for she thought of nothing but kissing him. She started to walk away, but before she could take two steps, he stopped her with a touch to her arm. She didn’t turn around.
“I’m sorry for embarrassing ye. Ye doona have to tell me.” He let go.
“To tell you what I wished for, I would first have to tell you why I wished for it, and I’m not ready.”
He turned her to look at him. His finger went under her chin and raised her head. “Ye can talk to me anytime ye need.”
Alexander bent over to grab another piece of wood, set it to the post, and pounded in the wedge. Heather and Gideon whinnied back and forth to each other as they ate in the pasture. A gentle wind ruffled the hem of his kilt as he straightened. Testing the strength of the board, he was satisfied.
The day had gone by quickly and he peered out over the horizon. The crisp air smelled clean, with a hint of pine and pasture.
“The sunsets are very beautiful here.”
He turned to Marlana as she sat on the bale of hay, then gazed back at the horizon. “Aye, they are that.”
“I thought I would start supper. Are you hungry?” She made little circles in the dirt with the toe of her shoe.
“Aye, I am.” Straightening, he drew his arm across his sweat-covered forehead. “First, I have something I wish to show you.”
Alexander wiped his hands on his kilt, then reached out for her hand. When she placed her smaller one in his, a moment of peace washed over him. It was a balm to his aching heart. Walking to the right of the barn, where the grove of trees stood, Alexander pointed, presenting his gift to her.
He shifted his gaze to Marlana when he heard her gasp.
“Oh, Alex, is this for me?”
He watched with pride as she walked to the bench he’d made f
rom a birch tree in the woods. The legs were flared at the bottom. On the center of the backrest, he had painstakingly engraved the letter ‘M’. Across the middle of the scalloped back, above the ‘M’, were little circles.
“What are these little circles?”
His eyes followed her hand as she brushed them across the design. “Pearls, like the one in your necklace.”
Marlana turned toward him, tears dancing on her eyelashes.
Feeling uncomfortable at making her cry, he rushed to explain. “Ye are always sitting in the doorstep. It canna be very comfortable and ye are always playing with your necklace.”
Her hand flew to her mouth and her eyes grew wide, making Alexander brace himself.
“What?”
“Alex, I thought you knew. As I said, I was sitting in the doorstep when I wished on that star and was transported here. I figured if I repeated it, and searched for a star, I could wish to go home.”
Alexander expected her to be pleased with the gift. Did he really think she had been sitting out there enjoying the night sky? This whole time, she’d been trying to get home. He had to face the real fact that she could disappear as easily as she’d appeared. Even though he’d told himself that he needed to find a way to get her home, hearing her say it out loud saddened him.
He straightened his shoulders. This was for the best.
Not finding the right words to say, he smiled weakly, then turned around and headed back to the barn.
