His Heart's Desire

by Kristi Ahlers

  “Stand back!” Her voice was high-pitched; her panic clearly evident, if the frown on Braden’s face was any indication.

  “Lass? You fear me?” He held out his hand. “I would never cause you harm.”

  Catrìona shook her head in an attempt to clear the muzzy feeling that suddenly overtook her. He was right. She knew him in her dreams. And in her dreams he’d always been generous and loving. Still, she couldn’t shake the closed off feeling she had, surrounded by so much testosterone. Cat needed air. She glanced down at her bag and tried to judge the distance between it and the men’s location in the room. “No . . . yes. It’s all very confusing.”

  “Why?” Braden offered a small smile.

  Why indeed? She took a deep breath and inhaled pine and male. Very male. Her heart pounded a furious rhythm. She was afraid all right. Afraid she’d throw herself at him and beg him to have his wicked way with her. Oh, yeah, that was not going to work. She feared herself and her reactions to him. Ignoring the pained expression her knight wore, she tried to get control of herself. First things first, she needed space put between them. A lot of space.

  “I want you and your friend to move over to the fireplace.”

  She watched as they exchanged a glance before Braden moved toward her.

  “Stop! Please, just do as I ask. Don’t make me call for help.”

  “No one will hear you, lass,” said the other man. “The keep is empty.”

  Catrìona clenched her fists. Well, that wasn’t good. If they knew she was alone, they could take their sweet time. No one else knew she was here except Elspeth, and Catrìona doubted she’d come and check on her. Shoot! She was being exactly the kind of woman she despised in romance novels. A too-stupid-to-live flake who didn’t ensure her own safety as she boldly walked into a vipers’ nest.

  “I warn you; people know I’m here. If I don’t return, they’ll call the police.”

  “We aren’t going to hurt you, Catrìona.” Mystery man held his hands out to his side. She watched out of the corner of her eye as Braden came closer.

  Was it warm, or was it just her? She wasn’t reacting very well to her situation. Not well at all. Part of her was thrilled he was here, and another part of her was terrified. She took another deep breath in an attempt to calm down, but instead of this working for her, the room began to spin.

  “I think the lass is breathing too fast.”

  A ringing took place in her ears. Was she hyperventilating? She’d never done that before. Maybe she should have had something to eat before coming tonight. Her stomach was growing very nauseous.

  “She’s going to fall over any minute, Braden.”

  Who was that man who kept talking? She wasn’t going to fall over. She’d never fainted in her life. And Cat had every intention of telling him that. After she fainted, that is.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Braden dashed the short distance across his bedchamber and caught Catrìona in his arms before she hit the stone floor. He held her close, relishing her weight against him. Bending, he placed his lips against her forehead. “Ah, lass.”

  “That went well.” Alec moved around the room lifting things and putting them back down.

  “Will you be quiet?” Braden gently placed his precious armful down on his old bed. He brushed the hair off her face and sat beside her on the mattress then looked over his shoulder. “I imagine seeing the two of us was quite a shock. Go and see if you can find me some water.”

  “You think?” Alec blew out the candles that Catrìona had lit.

  “What I think is you have adopted a strange way of talking.”

  “It’s sarcasm. I learned by watching television. Digital cable is what they call it. A wonderful invention!”

  Braden clenched his jaw, something he’d been doing a great deal of in the last few weeks. “You think?”

  Alec laughed. “Ah, you’re learning. I think we will blend into this new century with few problems. I look forward to finding me a wench and having her introduce me to all the wonders this time period has to offer.”

  Braden closed his eyes. “God help us.”

  The pallor of Catrìona’s skin concerned him, and he wished there was some way to soften the shock of his and Alec’s arrival. Alec could be a shock to the system even when he was expected.

  Braden stood and moved about his old chamber. His favorite chair sat beside the hearth. He raised the lid on his chest, which still rested against the wall. Inside he found several plaids, his brooch, and several of his small knives. Little had changed in the centuries that had passed. For whatever reason, he was pleased that his possessions had been cared for.

  “We need to find garments and food,” Alec grumbled from across the room. “I’m hungry.”

  “You’re always hungry.”

  “Aye.”

  “My first concern is not your belly. It’s Catrìona. I fear that performing the ceremony taxed her more than she thought it would.”

  “Very well. You stay here and play nursemaid. I will go and seek food.”

  Braden took his eyes off Catrìona. “Take care not to frighten anyone else, Alec. This is a new world and even your cocky nature might not be enough to ease your way.” Before Alec could leave, Braden called out, “And don’t forget to seek out water.”

  “I’ll be back anon with food and water.” The door closed behind Alec with a quiet snick.

  Braden moved a brace of candles closer to the bed and resumed his seat beside his lass. “Wake up, Catrìona. There is nothing here to fear.”

  He chaffed her cold hands between his larger ones, working hard to warm her icy skin. “Come, mo chridh, open your beautiful amethyst eyes.”

  This wasn’t how he wanted their reunion to happen. When he’d dreamed of this day, he had planned on spending the night in her arms, loving her as he’d longed to do for centuries. Unfortunately, his worry over the fear she’d experienced was all too real.

  “Hmm.” Catrìona raised a hand to her head. “What happened?” she asked in a breathy whisper.

  “You fainted, lass.” Braden gently brushed a hand over her hair. “Rest, you’ve had a shock.”

  Her eyes blinked open then widened with alarm. She tried unsuccessfully to move away from him.

  He gently held her down. “Shh. I won’t hurt you, Catrìona. Never would I harm a hair on your head.”

  “This can’t be happening. You’re not supposed to be here.”

  “Here,” he traced a finger down her petal soft cheek, “is the only place I want to be.”

  “But . . .”

  Braden placed a finger over her mouth. “A great deal has happened, and I will explain it all. But you must promise you will stay quiet so I may tell you my—our story. Will you do that?”

  Catrìona nodded her head, and he removed his hand.

  “Let me introduce myself. I am Laird Braden Ross of the Clan Ross.”

  Catrìona looked around the room. “There were two of you. Where is your half-naked friend?”

  Braden smiled. “He is off tending to his manly needs.”

  Catrìona’s face blanched. “Please tell me he’s not off pillaging and raping. That won’t go over well in this time period.”

  “Nae, lass. Alec would never hurt a woman. He is looking for food.”

  Just then Alec stormed into the room and slammed the heavy oak door behind him. “You’ll never believe it, Braden. There is no food or drink in the bloody keep!”

  “Do you have to bellow like that? You’re going to scare the lass, and I just got her to believe you were harmless.” Braden stood in a protective stance in front of Catrìona. “She is overwrought, just as I feared.”

  “The lass can speak for herself.” She shoved Braden in the back.

  Alec smiled. “I told you she was made of strong stuff.” He bowed to her. “Alec Ross at your service, my lady.”

  “You’re related to Braden?”

  “Aye. We are cousins.”

  “Hmm. Interesting,”
she murmured to herself. “I didn’t dream about you.”

  “I should hope not!” Braden didn’t care for the idea of his Catrìona dreaming such vivid thoughts about his kinsman.

  “Now look who’s bellowing.” Alec sat down in a chair by the fireplace. “You’re going to set the fair maiden to swooning again.”

  Catrìona moved around Braden and frowned at both men. “Oh, for goodness sake. I’m not a fair maiden and, despite all evidence to the contrary, I’m not one to faint at the slightest raised voice. We need to get out of here before security comes around and arrests us for trespassing.”

  “We’re no’ trespassing, lass. This is my home.”

  Catrìona picked up the candles and stuffed them into her bag. “Not anymore, Braden. Castle Ross is now a national landmark and is open for tours.”

  “Tours. What is this? Why would my clan turn their home into a landmark?” Braden turned to follow her progress around the room.

  “People come a long way to travel back in time, as it were. Living history, you know. They come to see the artwork and other historic finds here.”

  Braden frowned. If this wasn’t his home any longer, where was he supposed to live? What was he supposed to do?

  “Come with me. We’ll get you some food and then figure out what we’ll do. You both need clothes—there’s no way you can blend in looking as you do.”

  Braden looked down at himself. He was properly clothed. What was wrong with what he was wearing? Any good Scot felt pride in wearing his clan’s colors.

  “You have a story to tell, and I can help you and your friend with this time period. Let’s get going and start your transformation into a modern Scot.”

  Alec shrugged his shoulders and followed Catrìona. Braden growled low in his throat and took up the rear. No, this was not the way he’d planned his first night with his Catrìona. Things were going to change. Once he had some food and Alec found a place to rest his head, he was going to finally spend time with the only woman he’d ever love. He rubbed his hands together as he followed the swaying backside of the woman he’d defied time to be with. She was worth the centuries he’d spent in the fade with his rambling cousin. Aye. Well worth it.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Okay, so here she was in her rental car. She didn’t know how well this would go since this would be their first time in a car.

  “Braden, look, ‘tis a car.” Alec ran his hand over the hood of the car. “I have been looking forward to this.” He walked to the back of the car and opened a door.

  “How did you do that?” Braden asked as he looked at the handle.

  Alec came around the car and opened the door. “It’s called watching television; it teaches you things.”

  Cat tried not to laugh at the expression on Braden’s face as Alec’s returned to his side of the car and got in.

  This was going to be fun. She hadn’t planned on passengers, or passengers that were well over six foot. This was going to be cozy in the tiny car, crammed full with two Highland warriors. Cat was over her scare, but couldn’t shake the fact she was in over her head. She looked at Braden now seated beside her and then glanced back at Alec. Both men were folded in half, their knees practically up their necks—too large for the small compact.

  “Where are the horses?” Alec asked as he adjusted himself in the cramped backseat. “‘Tis most uncomfortable. This strange material is sticking to my legs.”

  “Will you cease your whining?” Braden pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “This is how we get about in this time period. I thought you watched television. Haven’t you seen commercials for automobiles?” Cat said.

  “Aye, but I didn’t think I’d ever be in one.” Alec pulled at the seat belt strap and frowned.

  “I’m sorry you’re so cramped, but I didn’t know I was going to be driving you both around.” Catrìona turned the key in the ignition and was getting ready to put the car in gear when both men yelled.

  “What devil’s device is this?” Braden looked around frantically. “Open my door, Alec. This metal beast is alive.”

  Catrìona broke out in laughter. It wasn’t really funny but the facial expressions on these two fearless knights were hilarious. “It’s okay, Braden. I promise no harm will come to you.”

  “Aye. If you’d watch more television, you’d ken that they make noise.” Alec leaned forward and smiled. “See, something good did come from my viewing.”

  Braden gave them both a disgruntled look before he settled back in his seat. “I will put my faith and trust in you, my lady. I see this beast doesna breathe.”

  Catrìona resisted the urge to smile at him. “Thank you, sir knight.”

  Once she was satisfied they were going to stay put, she said, “Now this car is going to move. You must promise me you’ll not open the doors until I tell you it’s okay to do so.”

  “We promise.” Braden looked at her.

  His words sent warmth coursing through her body. The burr of his accent danced across her senses. She could easily get used to such faith and trust. The feeling was heady, and she didn’t want to do anything that would break that trust.

  “This is going to seem strange, but we don’t have far to go.”

  Carefully she put the car in reverse and eased up on the clutch while depressing the gas.

  “Sweet Mary!” Alec cried as he gripped the front seat.

  “It moves, Alec. Remember?” Braden teased.

  “Now he decides to use sarcasm,” Alec groused from the back.

  Ignoring his outburst, Catrìona backed up and turned the wheel. She wasn’t looking forward to the next few minutes driving down from the cliff. “Maybe you better close your eyes. The road is rough.”

  “Aye, we know the path well, lass.” Braden braced his hands on the front dash.

  “Very well, but remember it’s not going to be like riding a horse,” she said as she put the car in gear and eased the vehicle into motion.

  They spent the first few minutes in total silence. That was more nerve-wracking than their asking questions. A bump in the road bounced the car, and the once silent compact was filled with very loud Gaelic curses.

  Catrìona cringed at the volume of their voices and tightened her hands on the steering wheel. They wound through a few more hairpin turns before they reached a stretch of the gravel road that was straight, if not narrow. Rather than increase her speed, she kept the car well below the posted limit, trying not to cause her passengers any more angst than they already felt.

  “We’re almost off the mountain.” Catrìona glanced quickly at Braden. He was pale in the moonlight, but other than that he didn’t display too much emotion. That probably came from being a laird who was not permitted to let his expression say much for him.

  Catrìona concentrated on driving and turned onto the stretch of motorway which led her to her hotel. She made the drive quickly and, with the exception of a few comments from the backseat, in silence.

  Once the car was parked, she took a deep breath. “Here we are.”

  “Where exactly is here?” Braden said as he gazed out the window.

  “This is my hotel.” Catrìona unbuckled her seatbelt and gathered her bag. “We’ll sleep here for the night and then figure something out.”

  “Ah.” Braden remained seated. “How do I make this contraption work?”

  “Didnae you watch when I did it earlier?” Alec asked.

  “Wait one second.” Catrìona reached over his body and opened the door. “See, you pull this black handle.” Alec pulled and shoved at the same time and fell out onto the pavement. “Cursed machine.” He stood and dusted the dirt and rock off his plaid. “Give me a mount anytime. One must be comfortable when you travel.”

  “I’m sorry. This is a compact. I didn’t know I’d have company on my trip. There are bigger cars, I assure you, but they come with bigger price tags to boot.”

  Braden stepped out of the car and planted his hands on his hips. “We are fair starving.
Does your accommodation have food?”

  Catrìona slapped a hand to her forehead. “Food. Shoot, I forgot. Let’s get you set up in the room and then I’ll go and find something to eat.”

  The three of them made their way along the corridor with only a few strange looks cast their way. Catrìona fed the slim keycard into the door and the red light blinked to green. She shoved the door open and walked inside with Braden and Alec both hot on her heels.

  “Here is the bathroom, and here is the remote control for the television. You do know how to use a toilet and what a television is, right?”

  “Aye, lass. We’ve kept up with the new inventions over the years.”

  Under her breath she said, “Of course you have.” Turning, she slammed into Alec’s broad chest. His strong hands gripped her arms as he steadied her. “Careful, lass.”

  She rubbed her abused nose. “Sorry about that.”

  “No harm done.” He moved away from her and picked up the remote control.

  “I’ll be right back. Don’t leave the room for any reason.” She didn’t know how she was going to explain these two new men and their form of dress, but she had little doubt they would attract attention—a great deal of attention.

  “Thank you, Catrìona.” Braden walked up to her and placed a warm kiss on her mouth. His touch shot right through her, leaving her tingling and wanting more.

  With a shy smile, she grabbed her purse and left the room.

  Since it was getting dark and she wasn’t familiar with the area, the woman at the front desk directed her to the nearest Tesco and assured her it was open late.

  The directions were simple, and she found the large shopping complex without any trouble. Now she faced the burden of what to buy. What did you feed two hungry Highland lords? Since she didn’t have a kitchenette in her room, she couldn’t cook.

  Catrìona was pleased to see a deli that served hot food. She decided to buy two roasted chickens, potatoes and gravy. She added water, napkins, plates, plasticware, various snack foods and drinks to the basket, then headed to the checkout. Totally shocked by the cost, she handed over the money.