[The Mackalls of Dunnet Head 01.0] Her Trusted Highlander

by Jennae Vale

  “I’d have my cape and that blanket to keep me warm.” He gestured with his hands towards both items.

  He had her there. She could force him to sleep by the fire, but that hardly seemed right. “Fine, but keep your hands and other body parts to yourself.”

  “As ye wish, m’lady.” He leaned back against the tree, arms folded across his chest and closed his eyes.

  Kat waited for him to fall asleep and then planned on giving it a bit more time before she put her plan in motion.

  * * *

  The lass was up to something. He was sure of it. He was a light sleeper, so whatever she was about, he’d know it quickly enough to stop it. He’d slept fitfully and uncomfortably for a few hours when he felt her move away from him. At first little by little she put space between them. He kept his eyes closed, curious to see what she was going to do. Next he felt the cape slowly moving across his body. Once it was completely removed, he moved onto his side, facing her, eyes stilled closed. Katriona became very still and waited. Exactly what he would’ve done if he were her. She made her move shortly thereafter and crept out of the tent. He peeked through one open eye to see her heading for his horse. She glanced around trying to find a way to mount the eighteen-hand beast and spying a nearby tree stump, silently led the horse to it and with some difficulty mounted the horse bareback.

  This was a disaster waiting to happen. “Where do ye think yer going to, lass?”

  Katriona jumped at the sound of his voice and quickly glanced over her shoulder at Nick, urging the horse forward into a gallop. “I’m sorry,” she yelled as she sped out of their camp.

  Nick almost laughed. He’d gotten Laoch from the MacKenzies who’d trained all their horses to return to them with just a whistle. He had to get her back before she hurt herself and the horse. Galloping through a heavily wooded area was never a good idea. Placing his fingers in his mouth he let loose a loud shrill whistle and watched as the horse spun back his way. Katriona had all she could do to hold on, but she did and he could hear her cursing all the way back.

  “Damn you,” she yelled as the horse came to a dead stop right in front of Nick.

  “Damn me? Ye were the one stealing my horse.” Nick reached up and pulled her kicking and screaming from the horse’s back. Once her feet hit the ground he let her go. “I’ve told ye I’ll not harm ye and I meant it. I ken ye dinnae believe me, but that is nae fer me to worry over.” Nick took the horse from her and began saddling him. “Now that ye’ve had me wake the dead with my whistle, we’d best be moving on. If those that chase ye are nearby, they likely heard me and will begin their search early.”

  Nick quickly gathered all of his things and put them in the saddlebag. Once everything was ready, he mounted his horse and held a hand out to Katriona, which she reluctantly took. He pulled her up to sit behind him. “Ye’d best hold on to me. We’ll be riding at a good clip until I’m sure we’re safe. Without the falling snow, we’ll have nothing to cover our tracks.”

  Katriona gingerly placed her hands around Nick’s waist, but once he urged his horse forward, she tightened her hold to keep from falling. He smiled to himself. This lass would not get the better of him, no matter how hard she might try.

  Chapter 4

  Teeth chattering and hands like blocks of ice, Katriona managed to squeeze out from between locked jaws, “Can we stop, please?”

  They had just arrived at a small icy creek. It wasn’t completely frozen over, but the areas near the banks showed signs of ice here and there.

  “We’ll cross first and then we’ll stop for a short while. Laoch needs water and a rest, as do we.” Nick expertly guided the horse to a low spot in the creek and urged the skeptical horse across. Once on the other side, he dismounted after prying Katriona’s hands loose from his waist. He reached up to help her down, but her feet were so cold, she could barely feel them beneath her and she wobbled on them as they touched the ground. Nick steadied her and guided her to a nearby rock. “Sit here. I’ll get a small fire going to warm ye and while I do, mayhap ye can tell me why yer running away.”

  Katriona had expertly avoided this subject until now, by sleeping or being in a genuinely bad mood, but she imagined she should give him some sort of explanation. The truth was pretty unbelievable, but she could doctor it up so that she only told him the things that would make sense. “There’s not much to tell,” she started.

  “Where are ye from?” Nick asked. He had gathered some wood and dried brush and placed it in a clear spot near where she sat. As he knelt and got to work, he occasionally glanced up at her, awaiting his answer.

  “Edinburgh.” That was partly true. She had been born there, but grew up in London and until only recently, still lived there. If anything, she hoped to get to Edinburgh in order to seek help to get back to her own time. Where she might find that help was another question she hadn’t yet answered.

  “Ye dinnae sound like yer from Edinburgh,” Nick noted.

  “Well, that’s because I was born there, but raised in London.” That should satisfy his curiosity.

  “And how did ye get all this way from London?” He was trying to lead her into telling him her story and she was busy rewriting it in her head.

  “I was traveling with my family and we were on our way to visit relatives in Sutherland when we were attacked by highwaymen.” Was that the correct term for them? Would they have been called that in the sixteenth century? She wished she could be sure. The last thing she wanted was to draw his suspicion. Kat was an expert in medieval artifacts. She could identify every pot, sword, shoe or shield, why it was used and who would have used it, but since being transported to this time period she’d had more than one moment of doubt about her knowledge of the time. She was second guessing everything she said and did, fearing the outcome for her if she were wrong.

  “I see.” Nick had an ember started and was blowing on it to get the fire going. After a moment or two, it flared up and the surrounding brush and wood were engulfed in flames.

  Katriona breathed a sigh of relief as she moved closer to the fire, practically putting her frozen feet on the flames. To her surprise and before she could stop him, Nick grabbed her feet and removing her boots, placed them near the fire. He began vigorously rubbing her feet to get her blood circulating. “Thank you.” That was really nice of him and while it was an odd thing for a stranger to do for her, she was grateful.

  “Back to yer story, lass. I’m fascinated to this point.” Was he being serious or was he teasing her? He continued warming her feet and when he was done, put her lovely warmed boots back on and reached for her hands, which she gladly let him take. His hands were large and warm and the heat he was creating with the friction of rubbing them was astonishing, but very much appreciated.

  “Well, I ran and hid in the brush,” she continued. “Everyone was killed, but the highwaymen couldn’t find me. I could hear them yelling to each other as they searched and then they fled for fear of being discovered, taking all of our belongings with them. I didn’t know what to do or where to go. I was terrified, so I continued wandering through the woods. Night fell and I curled myself into a ball to sleep. At some point during the night I felt a boot nudging my thigh. I opened my eyes to see a man standing over me.” From this point on, the story she would share was true. “I was terrified, thinking the men had come back to kill me too, but this man, Earnan Gibb was his name, reassured me that he wouldn’t hurt me, much as you did and I, being desperate for help, believed him. He told me he’d help me get to safety and I again believed him.” Her voice took on an angry edge. “Little did I know that he planned to sell me to Bearach Calhoun for a small fortune. The Laird apparently needed a wife and for reasons which quickly became apparent, I now understand why no one would have him.” She gazed up into Nick’s very interested face and was drawn in by the warmth of his gaze, losing her train of thought.

  “Go on,” Nick encouraged.

  “Where was I?” She was in serious trouble here. Nick Macka
ll and his feet and hand rubbing, along with that face and that physique, were having a very curious effect on her.

  “Bearach Calhoun needed a wife,” Nick reminded her.

  “Oh, right. Well, you see, he needs an heir and so, since no one else would have him, he bought me from Earnan Gibb and I was forced to marry him. On our wedding night, I had about all that I could stand, so I refused him, what according to him were his husbandly rights. Besides being a vile and disgusting human being, he is also a very violent man and he beat me when I told him it would be a cold day in hell before I allowed him to touch me. I have the marks all over my body to prove it, as you’ve seen.”

  “And ye tried to kill the man.” It wasn’t so much a question as a statement.

  “I tried, but unfortunately, I failed. I was scared to death and I decided to run while I could still get away. I stole a horse and I don’t even know which direction I headed in. All I knew was that I had to get away. If he catches me, I’m afraid of what he’ll do to me.” She stared into the flames, no longer even aware of the warmth slowly thawing her extremities.

  “That is quite the tale,” Nick wrapped her in the plaid from his saddle bag. “I’m going to boil some water. I’ve some food in my bags. I’ll get it for ye.”

  Kat sat perfectly still, reliving the nightmare of Laird Calhoun and her wedding night. Hopelessness was a feeling she’d had a lot over the last few days, but Nick was giving her back a glimmer of hope as he took care of her now. Her jaded heart found it hard to believe he was really going to help her and that he wasn’t perhaps exactly the same as the man who had offered her aid that night in the woods. What could she do? He wouldn’t let her get away and he was taking her somewhere - to his home, he said. Only time would tell what awaited her; she hoped it would be as Nick had promised her.

  * * *

  “We’ll be at my home before dark and then ye’ll have a full belly and a warm bed. Ye need to rest and me mother and sisters will be happy to see to yer care.” Nick was concerned as he watched Katriona sit silently, staring into the flames. She had been through a horrible ordeal and mentally she appeared to be struggling to deal with it. It was obvious she didn’t fully trust him and now that he’d heard her story, he understood why. He’d do his best to be gentle and kind, causing her not a moment’s worry, if he could. “Was it all of yer family that ye lost that day, lass?”

  “Yes. All of them.” Her answer was short and clipped.

  Poor lass must still be in shock. Nick couldn’t imagine how painful that must be for her. He hadn’t seen his family in over two years, but they were still alive and well, or at least he hoped so. The excitement he felt at seeing them again was tempered by the fact that Katriona would never have the experience of seeing her family ever again. He’d be careful not to upset her with talk of the Mackalls. “I’m so verra sorry, lass.” And he was.

  Katriona acknowledged him with a slight nod of her head, which she then dropped to her chest in obvious sorrow.

  Leaving her side, Nick retrieved a small pot and filled it with water from the creek. He placed it in the flames and then sat back down beside Katriona. He wanted to place a reassuring arm around her shoulder, but he doubted she’d allow it, so instead he sat as close as he could without making her feel uncomfortable.

  Katriona surprisingly slumped into his side and he found that he had no choice but to put his arm around her to comfort her. She sniffled quietly into his shoulder and he stroked her hair with his free hand. “’Tis all right, lass. I’m here. I willnae allow anyone to harm ye.”

  * * *

  Kat wasn’t sure what to do with her hands, so she folded them in her lap. She was feeling quite safe and secure in the arms of this strong highlander. When he told her he wouldn’t allow anyone to hurt her, she believed him wholeheartedly. Maybe she could trust this man. She’d reserve judgment for just a while longer. If he was true to his word and he brought her to his home without incident, then she’d rethink this whole trust issue she had.

  She gazed up at him through tear-filled eyes and was surprised to meet his concerned face, staring down at her. He tipped her chin up with his finger. His eyes were saying something she couldn’t quite read, but they were saying it with an intensity she hadn’t seen before now and she quickly glanced down. She didn’t have a lot of experience with men, so reading them was beyond her capability. Her job kept her pretty busy and so her social life was lacking. The only men she knew were the ones she worked with and none of them were at all appealing to her. Joel Prewitt, her immediate supervisor asked her out a few times and she’d gone. As her best friend Allie always told her, you’ll never know if you don’t put yourself out there. Joel was sweet, but he was also not the strong man she wanted and needed. He was terrified of their boss, Malcolm Granger, and would never stand up for himself. Katriona felt badly for him. He worked his butt off for the man, but never got any recognition for it and instead usually was left feeling as if he were going to be fired at any moment. Mr. Granger had always been pleasant to her, but he was also condescending in his treatment because she was a woman and in his corporate world, she couldn’t possibly measure up to the men who worked for him. Not that she wanted to move up in the company. She enjoyed being out in the field. That was her passion, not sitting in an office and being yelled at by her boss.

  Nick disentangled himself from her and checked on the water. “I think that’s hot enough,” he offered, wrapping his cape around the handle and removing it from the fire. He briefly placed it in the icy creek. Kat was fascinated. He’d just taken all that time to heat the water, why was he putting it in the creek. She realized as he handed it to her, it had been to cool the pan and the water just enough for her to drink. The warm water felt wonderful as it hit her mouth and then her throat. She was so cold, she couldn’t imagine ever being warm again.

  “Is that better?” Nick asked, a worried expression crossing his face.

  “Yes, much.” She handed the small pot back to him and he drank from it and then gave it back to her. “Thank you for all of this.” Her gratitude was heartfelt and she wanted to make it clear to him.

  “There’s no need to thank me. What kind of man would I be if I had left ye alone to fend fer yerself in the woods?” He smiled, lighting up his face and she thought how handsome he was. She didn’t want to be attracted to him. Hadn’t he told her he was to marry? Besides, she was probably just feeling grateful to him for saving her. It would pass as soon as she found herself among other people. And what then? That was the question; just how was she going to find her way back to her own time, or was she doomed to stay here forever? The thought made her shudder and Nick, mistaking it for her being cold, pulled her close and covered as much of her as he could with his cape and body.

  * * *

  Nick was feeling inexplicably attracted to this young woman. She was a beauty. He’d recognized that when he’d first set eyes on her, but there was something else about her that attracted him. She was obviously a damsel in distress, but that couldn’t be it, because despite the fact that she needed his help, she was a strong woman who obviously had taken her escape from servitude into her own hands. She needed him right now, but he knew that as soon as they found their way safely to Dunaill, she would have plenty of others to be of assistance and he would cease to be the rock to which she attached herself.

  He couldn’t deny he was enjoying the way she leaned into him as they sat by the fire. Touching her feet and hands had brought him sensations that travelled from his hands to his heart and then throughout the rest of his body, which then found him sitting awkwardly in order to conceal his body’s reaction to the closeness he was feeling with Kat. He found that despite the fact they’d just met and he really knew very little about her, he liked her and he wanted to know everything about her. He’d need patience though. She did not seem the type of lass who would tell him all her secrets so soon. The women he’d met in San Francisco had been the exact opposite, telling him every little detail of the
ir lives and leaving Nick wishing he was anywhere but with them.

  What was he thinking, he was to be married. Or at least he thought he was. Two years was a long time for someone to wait for a person who had disappeared. For all he knew, they’d given up on him. Thought him dead. He’d know soon enough. Nick imagined as soon as he got home, word would spread to the surrounding areas that he had returned and his wife-to-be would hear that he was back and if she hadn’t found another, his fate would be sealed. The thought of it made him sad and he was sadder still when he looked down and found Kat gazing up at him with the sweetest expression. He wondered what she was thinking, but didn’t dare to ask.

  “We should go.” Nick gathered their things and then led Katriona to the horse. He mounted and this time he pulled her up in front of him. “’Twill be much easier for me to keep ye warm this way,” he said, by way of explanation. Katriona didn’t seem to mind one bit as she settled in and rested her head on his chest. Nick couldn’t lie. He was enjoying the feel of her body so close to his. This was going to be one enjoyably torturous ride to his family castle in Dunnet Head.

  Chapter 5

  Malcolm Granger awoke in a most confused state. He had no idea where he was or, for that matter, how he’d gotten there. His arms and legs felt as stiff as stone, and as he tentatively moved them, he heard the sounds of crumbling rock hitting the ground. A light shone from behind him and with great effort he turned his head to see a sword glowing with an iridescence which lit the cavern and cast out the darkness from every corner. The sword… The Twin Sword! He’d been searching for it for most of his adult life and here it was, entombed in this rock prison along with him. Piecing together the fragments of memory he could recall, Malcolm remembered he’d time-travelled from twenty-first century San Francisco to sixteenth-century Scotland with the express purpose of finding this sword. He’d snuck through the portal of fog created when that Scottish bastard, Nick Mackall, travelled back to his own time. His memory was cloudy as to the details - how did he come to be locked in this dark cave with the glowing sword he’d come to retrieve? His memory was not serving him well at this point, but the one thing he did know was he wanted that sword and it was now within easy reach. Now that he’d found it, how would he ever be able to get out of this tomb? He had to get out and return to the twenty-first century with his prize. That would mean breaking through these stone walls and then finding Mackall and forcing him to bring him back to San Francisco.