William looked down at him for another long minute before he dismounted. Handsome and as tall as Colin he possessed a strong bearing. Older, perhaps in his late fifties, his tartan was wrapped proud and the notch to his chin even prouder. Based on the look on his face, McKayla suspected this homecoming was bound to go poorly.
She was wrong.
Malcolm was just about to speak when William’s face broke into a wide grin. “I told them from the beginning you were only on a wee bit o’ a journey to find yourself.” He clasped Colin’s shoulders and locked eyes even more securely. “I told them!”
Colin’s hand was yanked from hers when William pulled him in close for a long, heartfelt hug. So strongly did it seem the chieftain felt for him that he clasped the back of his head and didn’t let go until he was good and ready. When at last William pulled back he clasped either side of Colin’s face and laughed, his eyes merry as he again said, “I told them.”
Tension left her shoulders as William released Colin and said to all, “Welcome home Colin MacLomain, our true kin. A man that meant to leave but never really meant to leave at all, aye?”
Iain grinned though strain edged his tired eyes. Malcolm ground his jaw and swung back onto his horse. The others remained silent. No doubt they wouldn’t stay that way long. McKayla guessed the minute each had Colin on their own turf they’d have plenty to say.
Though the chieftain said nothing, his interested wise eyes swept over her and she suspected strongly he’d have words for her later. Not for a moment however, did she think they’d be harsh.
William proceeded to shake Iain’s hand. “‘Twill be a grand celebration this eve, indeed. Your lad is home!”
Iain’s eyes skirted between Colin and William. “Aye, my Laird, Arianna will be most pleased.”
Arianna! She still lived. While McKayla was happy about the news it made the fear she’d felt up until this point seem trivial. Why, she couldn’t be certain.
When William swung back onto his horse and trotted off, most followed. Well, all except for one. She came up alongside McKayla, her savage gaze as harsh as her words. “Let’s see how well ye do here, lassie. Let’s see.”
Even after they all left in a flurry of hooves and dust, Iain remained, his eyes on Colin. She didn’t need to be from this time period to see a father’s sadness. She’d do just about anything not to be here to witness it. The pure heartache Colin had caused was apparent in this highlander’s old gaze. Iain said nothing more, just seemed to soak in the sight of his son before swinging back onto his horse and turning away.
McKayla stood, unable to move, as Iain, like the rest, vanished into the forest. Clenching her teeth, she squeezed her hands and wiggled her toes. Anything she could do to ground herself in this reality. When Colin turned and took her hands, she pulled back. “No.”
Brow lowering he didn’t allow her to flee but grabbed her hand and shook his head. For some reason, the way he looked at her, his pure self-assurance, made her stop short. “Aye, McKayla. You cannae run. I have unintentionally trapped you in a place that willnae make sense to you for some time.”
All of her repressed anxiety released once the threat was gone. There was no way in hell she was going to make this easy for him. So she yanked her hand out of his warm grasp. Good looks and crazy chemistry didn’t make up for all that she’d endured. But damn was the chemistry, crazy. Making him suffer a wee bit was not going to be easy. But suffer he would.
Colin didn’t try to take her hand again but stood, legs slightly spread and arms akimbo. He looked at her, with the mountains behind him, and the wind at his back. Now she saw him as he was always meant to be seen…in the Highlands.
“I never,” she whispered then stopped, determined to speak strongly, determined to make sense. With a deep breath she focused on him, not the land around them and certainly not on all she’d just witnessed. She was exhausted and overwhelmed and couldn’t tame her tongue.
“My cousins didn’t like that I kissed you. In fact, they don’t like you at all…Trevor.”
She’d never quite know why she called him that in the midst of what was so obviously not her home or time but she did. Maybe she needed an anchor. Maybe she needed to make sure he was still the guy who helped her celebrate a book release with a kilt-wearing flashlight.
Or maybe she just needed to find out if she was dreaming.
Not moving any closer, voice gentle, he said, “And you said if the sand ruined the laptop then the words you’d written really didnae matter.”
It was clear he wasn’t overly concerned about what her cousins thought of him. No, he was worried about her and understood that she needed time to ease into this reality. If that meant speaking of the past, so be it. If that meant reflecting on a moment she’d spent with Trevor, so be it. Emotion welled up fast but she tempered it. “I spent all of my money on that computer.”
“You said you meant to stop writing once the sun crested. That it was impossible to see what you’d written once it was broad daylight.”
McKayla closed her eyes. “You said that it was probably best that I didn’t see what I wrote. Only the best stories are those that are hidden, even oftentimes from those who write them.” She nodded to herself. “That statement helped fuel my novel.”
He didn’t come to her, didn’t overpower her. When McKayla opened her eyes, Colin looked right back, eyes unwavering, sad, caring. But most of all he looked concerned, even determined. When he spoke it was with patience and respect. “The next move will always be yours, love.”
She shook her head. He lied. “No, it won’t. I’m here when I shouldn’t be. What are you going to do now?”
“Find a way to fix my wrongs,” he sighed. “Find a way to make all this right.”
“How?” she whispered.
When Colin wrapped his arms around her, McKayla didn’t pull away. It was just as Leslie had said. She had no choice but to rely on him. She should push him away. But she couldn’t. Instead, her body betrayed her. She leaned her head against his chest, and when she shook so hard her teeth chattered he held her even closer.
How had it gone so quickly from her searching for Trevor in him, to needing Colin and the safety he offered? Still shaking, her rage grew. She knew how. When Colin trapped her just as Leslie and Sheila had said. Why hadn’t she agreed with them? Was she really as compliant as they thought? None of this was okay and he bloody well knew it.
“No.” She vehemently tried to push him away.
But he didn’t let go. He didn’t budge an inch.
Blood burning beneath her cheeks, McKayla tried to shove away again but he had her locked tight. “No, Trevor. Let me go!”
“Nay,” he said softly, his deep voice rumbling against her cheek. “Never.”
“Never,” she cried and no matter how half-hearted tried to knee him.
He angled away. “Stop, McKayla.”
Even as she flailed she felt foolish. But she’d been made to feel such! “Bring me home now.”
“Nay.”
“Aye!” She didn’t care if she sounded crazed. She wanted out. This was too much. Suddenly way too much.
With a heavy sigh, he said, “Would it help if I looked like Trevor? Would that ease you, lass?”
Would it? But how bizarre would it be to see Trevor here? She shook her head. “If I see Trevor…I mean you, I think I’ll probably try to kill him…you. Seriously. I almost think I’m angrier at that version of you.”
“Me too,” he whispered.
She mumbled ‘why’ into his unyielding embrace.
“Because he should have been honest with you from the start. He was the verra mask of my deception.”
“Creative way of looking at it,” she said, calmer by the second. But she felt Trevor inside of him and though they looked nothing alike, the inherent comfort she experienced when with her best friend rose to the surface. As such, she wasn’t afraid to tell him what she thought about what he’d said. “But I tend to blame you. Was Trevo
r not your ultimate escape?”
Sensing that she’d relaxed; he pulled back and looked down into her eyes. “As always, you’re perceptive to a fault. Aye, I was a coward going there to begin with, but it took more courage than you can imagine for me to stay once I saw you, Kay. For a man who didnae want much to do with commitment, meeting you was a life-changing moment.” His eyes dropped to her lips. “Everything about you made me reevaluate who I thought I was. That says a lot because rest assured, I am…was…amongst the most arrogant and cocky in my clan.”
McKayla couldn’t help but think of the highlander she’d created for her novel. He too had been arrogant, someone she’d never be overly interested in. Until, that is, she developed his character. Strange how that angle of Plight of the Highlander bore a strong parallel to what was happening now. Granted, in the story the heroine didn’t travel through time but she did have a positive effect on her hero…Colin.
And even though every moment in his arms was having an overwhelming effect on her body, McKayla couldn’t help but ask, “What’s next for me? My anger may have faded some but I’m still scared. If you got me here, why can’t you get me home?”
“Dinnae be scared.” He cupped her cheek. “You’re safe here on this land. You’re safe with me.”
It was impossible not to be aware of every single inch of him. And it didn’t help that she was recalling every tingle, heart palpitation, every bloody emotion he’d made her feel while they were still back home. She had to stop this, or she might go nuts. If she hadn’t already. McKayla inhaled deeply and tried to remain focused. But Colin here, in this place, this time, aroused her even more. She was screwed. Her body and mind were both betraying her. She shook her head and closed her eyes briefly before opening them. “Safe,” she murmured. “Maybe partly.”
She might be safe from would be assassins, but she definitely wasn’t safe from him. And it seemed his body was responding to hers equally. Colin’s voice deepened. “It’s been a verra long time since I’ve had you, lass.”
Oh hell, she really was in trouble now. McKayla’s eyes rounded and she pulled away. This time he let her go. “You didn’t have me. Trevor did. And I don’t think that’s something we should be worrying about right now, do you?”
But she only took one step back, finding it impossible to look away from the hungry desire in his eyes. Had Trevor ever looked at her quite like this? In this predatory fashion? For the life of her she couldn’t remember, didn’t think so. But he must’ve. Though they stood a good foot apart they might as well have been entwined with all the attraction crackling between them.
“You may find this form more enjoyable.” He arched a brow and though he didn’t move toward her, his words certainly yanked her back against him. “More muscles. Far more strength. A tireless perseverance that I promise will make you weep.”
“Tireless,” she whispered.
“Perseverance,” he promised. “Determination.”
She licked her lips and tried to look away. Impossible. He looked so bloody good standing there in a plaid with the mountains cheering him on and the highland wind working fully to his advantage. The idea of sleeping with him made fire ignite beneath her skin. She recalled having sex with Trevor and knew Colin would undoubtedly put his shifter self to shame.
But her mind refused to push away images of her and Trevor together. And with those thoughts came old pain. Pain she didn’t want to relive. “Let us not forget that Trevor chose to end the intimacy.” She narrowed her eyes. “You said it was to keep me safe but it’s gonna take me time to forgive you for that. I loved you. More than you will ever know.” She shook her head and took a deep breath. “You have no idea how hard it was for me to transform those feelings into something platonic. But I did. This. You.” She made a loose gesture in his direction. “Reignites old wounds.”
Colin nodded and instead of continuing to undress her with his practiced eyes he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him. However reluctant she followed, mainly because she had nowhere else to go.
“So let’s start over, Kay, sorry, McKayla.” He cast her a sidelong glance. “I promise not to call you that until I earn back your trust. I don’t deserve that level of closeness. Not yet. But I promise you one day I will. I want to earn back not only what I lost when I ended our relationship but what I lost because of all the lies. While I beg for my clan’s forgiveness, allow me to ask for yours as well, a thousand times over.”
A small shiver rippled through her. Did he really crave her forgiveness as much if not more than those who raised him? His very family? It was hard not to be humbled because she knew he was being truthful. She wasn’t being naïve, not this time. He meant it. Regardless, he wasn’t getting off that easy. “Let’s work at rebuilding the friendship and not worry so much about the relationship, okay?”
Colin nodded and led her into the forest. “Seems like a good start.”
That sounded like he intended the friendship to be a mere formality and for them to pick up where they left off. If he thought she was jumping back into a relationship, he was in for a rude awakening. “Friends, Colin. That’s all I want right now.”
“Aye,” he agreed. “Friends. Once earned.”
Again, something about the way he said it made her think he was a lot more arrogant than he thought he was. About to say as much, her tongue caught when the pine-ridden woods thickened and sunlight streamed through the trees, dappling the pine-needles beneath. While New Hampshire, even Massachusetts woodlands, possessed a certain beauty, McKayla was instantly caught up in the utter enchantment that was medieval Scotland’s forest. “What part of Scotland are we in?”
“Cowal Pennisula, Argyll,” Colin replied, nostalgia in his voice. “The year is 1254.”
Even though she should be nervous if not downright terrified it was impossible not to think of all her research. She’d landed in the exact year of her book! “William Wallace is yet to be born.” Awe infused. “But he will be twenty or so years from now. The guardian of Scotland. How incredible, is that?” McKayla was like a kid in a candy store. She couldn’t take it all in fast enough. So many thoughts were crowding her mind.
“So that means his father Malcolm is alive as we speak. Young but alive!” She shook her head. “And Robert the Bruce! I mean Roibert a Briuis. According to records, he’ll be born exactly twenty years from now. Wow.” She looked around, more and more aware of where she really was. “I’m standing in Scotland before such great men are even born with knowledge of what incredibly important lives they’ll lead. It’s a little overwhelming.”
“Aye,” Colin said, hesitating.
“What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“You remember what they fought for right lass?”
“A number of things, including freedom. I mean the Bruce led this country in the Wars of Scottish Independence against England. Who could forget that?”
“Many. Scottish history is like all history, remembered by those with a passion for remembering. But that’s not what I’m getting at.”
McKayla looked at him, again astounded by his bearing, by the plaid and boots, the small braids woven into his hair. Yet now his expression was bleak, eyes troubled. Then it occurred to her. Scotland, his Scotland, was not his or any other Scotsman’s right now. She’d been firmly plunked in the time that led up to the bold actions and fierce fighting of men like Wallace and Bruce. The English were causing havoc in this country, more so now than any time before.
Shame on her for being so self-centered. “I’m so sorry, Colin. It’s one thing for me to research this time in your country, another altogether to meet someone, you, who lives or who’s lived in such trying times. Forgive my excitement. I was out of line.”
“Nay,” he said easily. “My time. This time-frame, is what you spent months researching. Dinnae think for a second I would fault you for your passion. ‘Tis half of what makes me adore you as I do. McKayla, you were brought here against your will. At the verra least, I w
ant you to enjoy what my country has to offer. Few cherish it as you seem to. Your appreciation will be most welcomed by the MacLomain clan. For this country is part of who we are.”
Offering a slow nod and a tentative smile she said, “Thanks for that. While I might still be mad as heck at you, it’s safe to say being able to see the land I wrote about firsthand is…well, special.” She took a deep breath. “So long as I get home safe…which I will, right?”
“If I have to die getting you there, aye, I’ll get you home, lass.”
Her smile faded. “Well, I’d rather you not die trying.”
“Then I willnae,” he said, eyes solemn even as they twinkled.
Which brought to mind what should have worried her from the start. “I know the first time I traveled back in time it was because of the Lucid Dream mask. How did it happen this time?” She shivered, recalling the thunder before she was deposited here. “And are my cousin’s okay?”
“‘Twas my clan,” he replied. “And I know not why but suspect we soon will find out. It was more than I deserved that they allowed you this time to acclimate.”
“Me?” she said weakly as understanding dawned. They’d brought her here with him on purpose. “Right.”
“But dinnae overly worry. That we are permitted to stroll back alone says much about the level of threat against us.”
Level of threat? Dear Lord. McKayla again worked on breathing evenly. “What of my cousins?”
“They’re safe with Ferchar. Nothing will get near them.” He squeezed her hand in reassurance. “The enemy is after me, not them.”
McKayla cringed. The idea that there were assassins eager to take out Colin scared the hell out of her. And even though he wasn’t saying it she knew she was in as much danger from this enemy as him. Words faded away when the forest soon thinned and something she’d only ever imagined existed slowly appeared. When they reached the edge of the woods, her jaw dropped. Spread out far and wide was a deep green field speckled with purple heather. Children giggled, women worked and warriors trained. But, it was what lay beyond that froze her in her tracks.
Mark of the Highlander (The MacLomain Series: Next Generation, Book 1) Page 10