Highland Temptation (Highland Pride)
Page 23
“’Tis all right, kitten. He approves.” He wasn’t sure if he should be looking at her eyes, her assets, or telling her to get her clothes on before someone walked by.
“Ye spoke to him? He is happy for us?”
“Aye.”
She threw her arms around him and nearly knocked him over.
“I love ye, Kirstie.” He’d been afraid to voice it until now, until he knew that speaking the words wouldn’t rip her from him.
“I love ye,” she said as he drew her in tighter.
Pulling back, he glanced at her naked state again, pleased he would wake to her this way every day from now on. Tamping down the desire she stirred, he said, “Now, get dressed and let’s go home.”
Epilogue
After brushing down Poseidon, Kirstie closed his door and walked down the line of stalls toward the exit of the stables. Although it was her last run-through of the day, a warm glow from the setting October sun still cast bright beams through the windows and doors, leaving hints of gold floating through the air.
She still found it hard to believe she was back at Kentillie and that Wallace had asked her to take over because he’d been suffering with a bad back. He’d said, “Yer the only person I trust,” and Lachlan had agreed to let her run the stables.
A large dog ran in through the front door, speeding straight down the aisle; she turned as it passed and watched it scoot through the open back door. Brodie, her cousin, yelled from somewhere outside, “Raghnall.”
She laughed and was about to turn to leave when arms swept around her, pulling her back into a hard, familiar body smelling of woods and spice.
“Did ye miss me?” Alan whispered in her ear before nipping at it, eliciting a response she had become well familiar with.
“More than ye can ken.” Twisting, she wrapped her arms around his waist and drew him as close as her stomach would allow for a long, deep kiss. Resting her head on his shoulder, she snuggled in and asked, “Is it done?”
“Aye. The inn is rebuilt, bigger and better than before.” A satisfied smile turned his lips up. She was happy that he, Lachlan, and a large group of Cameron men had been able to help the innkeepers, especially with Alan’s guilt over the loss of the couple’s livelihood.
“And they were pleased?”
“They even invited us to stay anytime we want.”
“’Twas nice of them, but I think no’. This is the only place I belong.” She kissed his cheek.
“I havenae been able to sleep without ye by my side and reading to me before bed.”
“I missed ye.”
Releasing her, he reached down into a satchel she’d not noticed before. “I missed ye, too, so I brought ye something.”
“Books!” she squealed as he drew out three bound leather volumes.
Draping his arm around her as her fingers traced the gold lettering on the cover of the volume on top, he guided her through the door and out into the waning daylight. “Now let’s go home. I need my wife, a warm bed, and a good story.”
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Acknowledgments
Special thanks to:
Robin Haseltine, for her guidance and diligent attention to detail, her continued faith in me, and all the hard work and time she has dedicated to making the Highland Pride series the best it can be. She is a truly gifted editor.
Jessica Watterson, who will drop other things to have wine and cheese with me. She has been my advocate and sounding board. Fate found a way to bring us together, despite my poor choice in footwear, and I will be forever grateful you are my agent.
My best friend, my husband, for his love, support, and for understanding when the story calls and I forget what we’re talking about that I still love him and he will always be my real-life hero.
My kids and my parents, Jo Ann and David Bailey, for encouraging me and being proud of what I do.
Eliza Knight and Madeline Martin. There is no way to voice how much these two women mean to me. I treasure our special bond and how we support each other every day. I love you guys.
My writing tribe, for sharing their enthusiasm, love of the craft, and wisdom along with keeping me motivated and on track. I will always be eternally grateful to: Michele Sandiford, Harper Kincaid, Denny S. Bryce, Jennifer McKeone, Nadine Monaco, Keely Thrall, Gabriel Ross, Jessica Snyder, and everyone in WRWDC.
And as always, for you, the reader, who picked up this book and gave me a chance to share a piece of my heart.
About the Author
Lori Ann Bailey is a winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award and Holt Medallion for Best First Book and Best Historical. She has a romantic soul and believes the best in everyone. Sappy commercials and proud mommy moments make her cry.
She sobs uncontrollably and feels emotionally drained when reading sad books, so she started reading romance for the Happily Ever Afters. She was hooked.
Then, the characters and scenes running around in her head as she attempted to sleep at night begged to be let out. Looking back now, her favorite class in high school was the one where a professor pulled a desk to the center of the room and told her to write two paragraphs about it and the college English class taught by a redheaded Birkenstock wearing girl, not much older than she, who introduced her to Jack Kerouac. After working in business and years spent as a stay-at-home mom she has found something in addition to her family to be passionate about, her books.
When not writing, Lori enjoys time with her real-life hero and four kids or spending time walking or drinking wine with her friends.
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