Maggie dashed at her cheek, not liking his story at all.
“I thought you were Irish, too?" He lifted her chin with finger, peering deep into her eyes. “Can you not guess why I’m not worried about the Sisters?”
Maggie puffed her hair off her forehead. “I suppose I’m more American than I thought.”
“Or you’re not thinking hard enough." Conall kissed her softly. “Maybe I should tell you there are some hereabouts who believe only those closely involved with the wise woman’s magic can see the seventh sister’s return.”
“What are you saying?" Maggie’s heart skittered.
“Only that once the returning is seen, it can be said that the seventh sister’s mortal counterpart has also returned to her beloved homeland. And when she does, she always looks after the others. She tends the stones as if they were living flesh still.”
“Oh, God!" Maggie stared at him. “You can’t mean….”
“Who knows?" His eyes said he did. “But I’ll share something else with you. A few nights ago, a very strange old woman came into Flanagan’s. She had a touch of the fey about her and she was dressed oddly, even wearing-”
“Small black boots with red plaid laces!”
This time Conall looked surprised. But he caught himself and grinned as quickly. “So you’ve seen her?”
Maggie nodded. “Yes, several times. On my first trip here, then more recently outside a friend’s tea room in Pennsylvania. And today when she kept me from leaving after I saw you with that woman. She pushed me forward into sheep field. That’s why I stumbled.”
“Then I say a thousand blessings on her and may she rest well for another seven generations. Or” – he rocked back on his heels – “will you be keeping the poor woman busy by running home to your America?”
“Oh, no, I’m not going anywhere, Conall Flanagan." Maggie hoped it was true. “At least not until I have to fly back to Philly in fourteen days,” she added, needing to hear him say the words.
“Fourteen days?" The glint in his eye told her he was playing along. “That’s the same amount of time we had years ago." He stepped close, sweeping her into his arms. “I’m thinking that’s not nearly long enough for you to enjoy being in Ireland.
“Everyone knows” – he began walking towards the low, thick-walled farmhouse that had belonged to his family for centuries – “it takes longer than that to fully appreciate such a pleasure. A lifetime at my side, as my wife and the only woman I’ve ever loved.”
“Conall!" Maggie squirmed against his chest. “Put me down so I can kiss you!”
“But will you be saying yes?" He set her on her feet and stood back, his arms opened wide. “That’s what I’m waiting to hear.”
“Then yes!" Maggie threw herself at him, her heart almost bursting.
He crushed her to him, kissing her hard and fast. “Then let’s go home, Maggie Gleason. We have a lot of catching up to do.”
Maggie smiled. “Yes, we do.”
She was eager to get started.
They’d waited longer than she’d known.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sue-Ellen Welfonder is a Scotophile whose burning wish to make frequent trips to the land of her dreams led her to a twenty year career with the airlines.
Now a full-time writer, she’s quick to admit that she much prefers wielding a pen to pushing tea and coffee. She makes frequent visits to Scotland, insisting they are a necessity as each trip gives her inspiration for new books.
Proud of her own Hebridean ancestry, she belongs to two clan societies and never misses a chance to attend Highland Games. In addition to Scotland, her greatest passions are medieval history, the paranormal, and dogs. She also has a heart for stray and feral kitties. She rarely watches television, loves haggis, and writes at a four-hundred-and-fifty year old desk that once stood in a Bavarian castle.
Sue-Ellen also writes fun and sexy Scottish paranormals under the pen name Allie Mackay. She is married and currently resides with her husband and Jack Russell terrier in Florida.
Connect with Sue-Ellen Welfonder:
Sue-Ellen's website: www.welfonder.com
Her blog Tartan Ink: www.tartaninkblog.wordpress.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/ SE_Welfonder
If you enjoyed this short story, Sue-Ellen has others available:
FALLING IN TIME
When love calls across the ages...
In Falling In Time, aspiring writer Lindy Lovejoy knows all about happy endings. But when she travels to Scotland to research Celtic myth and lore, she never expected a chance to live her own. Until a stop at mystical Smoo Cave whisks her back in time and into the arms of a Highland hero who’d burn up the pages of the steamiest Scottish romance novel.
For a complete list of Sue-Ellen's books, including a printable list, please visit her website: www.welfonder.com
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