The Spellbinder: Highland Eyes

by Marissa St. James

  "You...” an older man shouted. He forced a younger man to retreat a few steps. The girl by his side quickly backed away, wary of the older man's anger. “...will stay away from my daughter! If I ever see you near her again...” His threat hung on the air. He grabbed the girl's arm and shoved her in the direction of their home. “Get yourself in the cabin. Go! Get supper ready.” The burning anger in the man's eyes made it clear he wouldn't believe anything she said.

  She tried anyway. “I haven't done anything wrong. Why do you keep me away from everyone?” The girl pleaded as she glanced toward the young man, then stumbled away and silently retreated to the nearby cabin. Her expressive eyes filled with tears.

  Dinks remained in Meryl's arms, purring softly while she absently stroked his fur. Her attention remained riveted on the scene ten yards away. She pulled the edge of her cloak closer, shielding herself and her cat from the cold air and the angry man's heated words. His glance told her he was aware she had witnessed his daughter's humiliation. Meryl gave him a brief smile and continued to pet Dinks.

  The man turned away and stalked toward his cabin. If looks could create weather conditions, his anger would have set off one terrific thunderstorm. The thought sent Meryl's glance upward.

  Overhead, the darkening sky quietly drew the day to a close. The lowering clouds promised snow soon. Perhaps a white blanket would greet them in the morning. Dinks would love that. Meryl looked to the direction the man had taken and watched him enter a cabin at the end of a row of dwellings. His was closest to the edge of the settlement. The tenseness of his anger lingered in the cold, late afternoon air.

  * * * *

  Pretty Jessica Thorpe, with her long golden hair and deep blue eyes, looked too much like her mother. There, the similarities ended. She paused in front of the hearth and remembered her mother. Katie Thorpe had been an attractive and vivacious woman. She loved social gatherings and the attention they brought her; there were never enough to suit her. She flitted from one group to another, collecting tidbits of gossip, laughing and flirting. Katie was like a butterfly traveling from one flower to the next. Sooner or later, that butterfly would go off in search of other colorful meadows.

  Jessica sighed with regret. So it had been with Katie. It wasn't that she'd been unhappy with her family and life, exactly. She had simply grown bored with her role of wife and mother and done the unthinkable. She sought out new excitement. Katie Thorpe, the most envied woman in the settlement, ran off with a fur trapper. Ten years later people still talked about Katie's disappearance.

  "Why, Mama?” Jessica whispered to herself. “Why did you run off and leave us? Didn't you love us anymore?” Silence was the only response because there would never be any answers. No one knew where Katie and the trapper had gone. No one had seen them again. Jessica took a deep breath to keep the tears away. It wouldn't do to have her father see her crying. She set about preparing the evening meal. “I'll get your supper, Papa."

  "Good.” Jessica's father, Daniel, ducked to avoid hitting his head on the low lintel of the cabin door. He seated himself at the table in sullen silence. Water droplets dripped from his graying hair. The corners of his mouth pulled downward in a perpetual frown. His brown eyes, in a face lined with sorrow, lost their twinkle the day Katie ran off. He leaned his large frame against the back of the chair and studied his daughter. Jessica's features were a constant reminder of the woman Daniel had loved with all his heart, but now wished he could forget. It wasn't Jessica's fault her mother had run off, but Jessica's presence often brought back all the old hurt and memories. She'd be seventeen come Christmastime—old enough to marry. He'd noticed often enough how she had her eye on Alex Winters—or was she just flirting, like her mother used to do?

  "You best keep your mind on the important things and stay away from that Winters boy,” he ordered his daughter in a gruff voice. Maybe women couldn't be trusted, but he wasn't going to let anyone take advantage of his daughter, either. If Winters had any brains, he would heed Daniel's warning and stay away from Jessie. Daniel would see that he did.

  Jessica lowered her eyes, avoiding her father's stern glare. “He loves me,” she said simply. She looked up at him again. “And I love him.” Her tone was firm in her declaration. She wanted to shout at him, I'm not my mother! Instead, Jessica turned away to stir the stew, anything not to see the anger still simmering in his eyes.

  "Don't care what you think you know. You just do as I say if you know what's good for you.” His stern look, as she glanced over her shoulder, warned her not to say another word on the matter. Daniel dismissed thoughts of Alex Winters from his mind and concentrated on the hot meal Jessica set before him. He paid little attention to the mug of ale within his reach, or to the small platter with slices of still warm bread. Jessica had turned out to be a good cook, even better than her mother had been. One day she would make someone a good wife, maybe even that Winters boy. He winced at that thought, and vowed once more it would never happen.

  After Daniel finished his supper, he left the cabin to complete his chores for the day. Jessica needed more firewood for the morning chores; there was sure to be snow tonight. He'd leave extra logs near the hearth for her.

  His thoughts strayed to the earlier confrontation. He hated to admit, even to himself, that Jessica could do no better than Alex Winters. He was a good boy and a hard worker and his attention to Jessica made it more difficult for Daniel to accept the fact his daughter was of marriageable age. He had no reason to stand in her way. Maybe his memories of Katie muddled his thinking. He was too tired and irritated to think clearly on the matter. Tomorrow was another day.

  While her father was out seeing to their small livestock, Jessica finished cleaning up the small room that served as living room and kitchen. When everything was in its place, she climbed the ladder to the loft behind the chimney. A small window under the peak of the roof looked out on the forest beyond the settlement. Jessica leaned against the lower edge and gazed up at the sky with its dark, heavy clouds and shivered. She wondered if her father would ever trust her judgement. She had no idea what she could do to prove to him she was nothing like her mother. Alex might love her now, but he couldn't afford to wait forever for her. Life on the frontier was too hard for that.

  Jessica sighed with longing, then turned away from the cold glass in the window and slipped out of her skirts and petticoats. Her chemise was quickly traded for the warmer nightgown, and she slipped into her bed. The overstuffed mattress lay on the loft floor not far from the back of the chimney. The warmth emanating from the stone and the heavy quilt she pulled up over her shoulders, lulled her into a dreamless sleep.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Meryl moved to the far side of the room and stood in the open doorway for a few moments taking in a breath of cold air. Christmas was only a few weeks away and the fresh scent of pine carried on the crisp, night air. It seemed to her that only a few weeks ago the tenants of Dun Ceathach had celebrated the festive holiday. She always wondered what it would be like to have a rerun of the holiday in a very short time—she was about to find out, provided she didn't get bounced into another time and place before then.

  It was still hot in the kitchen. She wiped her hands on the towel and surveyed the room. Who would ever have expected to find Meryl Spellbinder working in a kitchen, especially one as quaint as this? She laid out everything she needed to make breakfast for the guests. The bread dough sat in a bowl covered with a towel. She placed the bowl in a spot far from the oven where it could rise slowly.

  Aunt Enchantra would be horrified if she knew what Meryl did to occupy her time. No one in their family knew what the she was up to, unless Cara had broken her promise and blabbed. Her best friend wouldn't do that. Meryl grinned mischievously. Years ago, Enchantra despaired of her ever becoming ‘one of the family'. Every one of her relatives had their own special witching skills. Only Meryl had failed to show any talents of her own.

  She thought of Tristan and her smile faded, then c
arefully went over the facts of her abduction, and the events that her to this point in time. She had no idea how to reckon with time now. She remembered the cold nights she and Tristan strolled along the wall walk of Dun Ceathach and watched the snowflakes floating down on the cold night air, covering the valley with a sparkling blanket of white. Was her handfast husband even now searching for her, or was he relieved to have her gone? Tristan, the time traveler, journeyed to the twenty-first century to bring her back to what she believed was his own time. She intended to have it out with him on that score if she made it back. Correction. When she got back.

  Being in early fourteenth century Scotland, wasn't the easiest thing she'd ever done. Tristan believed she was the answer to some need the people had, but now she didn't have him at her side, expressing his faith in her and her destiny. At times she felt his presence and was comforted by it, despite the fact that someone, or something, was deliberately keeping them apart. These recent journeys were meant to keep her from returning to Scotland. Distractions wouldn't work forever. Meryl had every intention of finding her way back and confronting her adversary. She was convinced it was someone in the village. Who had the power to send her traveling through time and prevent her return?

  For a few moments, her attention riveted on her pet stalking small game in the tall grass at the edge of the courtyard. “Dinks,” she called in a low voice to the cat. She chuckled softly. The name was certainly a misnomer. There was nothing small about him. He could fool people into believing he was large enough to be mistaken for a panther cub, or even a full grown panther, if the situation warranted it. She often wondered how he was able to do it, and she could do nothing. Well, almost nothing. The sight of him often frightened people and he rarely let on that he was nothing more than a loveable house pet. “You like to keep humans on their toes, don't you, my friend.” Meryl spoke to herself then glanced about hoping none of the barmaids had entered the kitchen and heard her talking to herself. The taproom was quiet, except for the snoring of a couple drunken patrons. They'd sleep it off right where they were, and tomorrow they'd be wondering what happened. “Dinks,” she called again, a little more emphatically. “Time to come in. It's late.” Meryl listened to the low growl of complaint. He returned with slow, deliberate steps, the tip of his tail raised high, twitching with annoyance.

  * * * *

  Jessica sat at the table in Widow Simpson's home while the elderly woman enjoyed the stew she'd just heated. The older woman had been like a mother to Jessica, ever since Katie had run off. Widow Simpson had never had children and she lavished maternal instincts on Jessica.

  "He means well,” the woman commented, speaking of Daniel between bites of stew. “Your mother hurt him bad running off like she did. No one expected her to do that. I don't think he ever really got over it.” She patted Jessica's hand. “Oh my!” the woman exclaimed. “Here it is getting late. I've kept you far too long. You'd best be on your way home before your father misses you.” She got up slowly while Jessica got up and prepared to leave, draping her cloak about her shoulders. “Have patience with him, child. Alex Winters is a hard working young man, and in time your father will see that. Everything will work out for the best, just wait and see. You take care getting home."

  Jessica leaned over and kissed the woman's wrinkled cheek. The widow always knew the right thing to say to make her feel better. “I'll be back soon to visit you again,” the younger woman promised, before leaving the warm cabin.

  Flakes fell thick and fast, warning Jessica to hurry home. A light covering of snow lay on the uneven ground. She tugged on her hood and kept her head down, following the quickly disappearing path back to the settlement.

  A low, threatening growl startled her. She spun around, trying to make out where it came from. The tall pines filtered out the remaining daylight, making it difficult for her to see anything clearly. There it was again. Closer, more menacing. Jessica, panicked, turned and ran. Bare berry bushes snagged at her cloak until it fell from her shoulders, she stopped for a moment, trying to tug it free but the bushes refused to release their thorny grasp on the garment. Jessica heard a rustling of dead leaves and turned to run, not knowing where she was going.

  She knew the land fell away to a sharp drop beyond the settlement; she didn't know just how close it was. The treacherous snow played havoc with her steps and she slipped, then failed to regain her footing. The cliff edge was closer than she thought. She turned quickly, trying to avoid the sudden drop, but not quick enough. She slipped over the edge, grasping at roots anchored in the dirt wall. She had fallen about fifteen feet when a ledge broke her fall. The hard landing knocked the breath out of her.

  Jessica stared in horror at the black cat crouching over her, grumbling softly. The girl didn't dare move. The three-foot ledge didn't allow much room to move safely. The cat moved closer to the edge, never taking its eyes from the girl. Jessica was sure either the cat would end up mauling her, or she would fall over the edge in an attempt to keep her distance. She remained perfectly still as the animal lowered its head and gently nudged, then lay close beside her.

  Jessica held her breath, waiting to feel sharp teeth sink into her flesh. Instead, she felt a gentle nudge as the cat snuggled closer to her. Jessica closed her eyes, not sure what to expect now. The cat lay still, its head on her shoulder.

  CHAPTGER TWENTY-FIVE

  Daniel completed his chores for the day and headed back to the cabin. All afternoon he thought about Jessica and reluctantly decided he'd been too harsh with her. He had to let go of the past and see his daughter for who she really was. If he kept comparing her to her mother, poor Jessica would have a miserable future. He entered the cabin, shaking the snow from his hat.

  "Jessica,” he called out, “we need to talk.” The cabin was cold and eerily silent. Only a dying glow remained of the hearth fire. The last bit of log crumbled in the ashes. Jessica would never have let it die out like that. Alex. She must have gone to him after he'd warned her to stay away. His anger rekindled quicker than the hearth. She was just like her mother. He'd put a stop to this once and for all time. He'd lock Jessica in her room, and when he got through with Alex ... that boy wouldn't dare come anywhere near his daughter again.

  * * * *

  Meryl set a bowl of hot stew and slices of bread before a very hungry Alex Winters, then went to the bar to fetch a mug of ale. Alex gave her a shy smile and turned his attention to the meal.

  Two days had passed since the argument with Jessica's father. Meryl wouldn't have called it an argument, since Alex hadn't said a word in his own defense. Daniel Thorpe's warning to stay away from Jessica had been the extent of the confrontation. From the little she knew about Daniel Thorpe, no one in their right mind went up against the older man. Alex didn't strike her as being crazy.

  Meryl knew the young man, barely twenty years old, owned his family's land. His mother died when he was four and his father had passed away during the last winter. Alex's father had struggled for survival all his life, trying to make a go of the family farm. Alex's parents had arrived from England before he was born, and claimed the land Alex now owned. His father hadn't been a farmer before, but being disowned by his father, he had to find a way to support his growing family. The senior Winters struggled to learn how to manage the land, but never gave up, and he passed the same determination on to his son. Alex learned from his father's failed attempts, and long ago made up his mind to make the farm work. The older man had been sickly for the last five years of his life, forcing Alex to grow up quickly.

  Meryl wiped down the bar, watching him surreptitiously. There were qualities about Alex, which reminded her of Tristan. Both were quiet and unassuming, but neither man would be taken for granted. Tristan led men in battle. Alex would one day be a leader in the community, guiding its growth. He wasn't exactly what she would call handsome, although he did have a rugged look about him. A thin strip of leather kept his brown hair tied back. Pale blue eyes were deep set in a tanned face. A bump o
n the bridge of his nose told of at least one fight he'd been in. His slender frame almost matched Daniel Thorpe's six-foot height. This young man would be good for Jessica, and Meryl intended to see things worked out for them, even if she had to help them along. This was the perfect time to try her hand at some matchmaking skills.

  She pursed her lips, concentrating. Matchmaking wasn't needed here. Getting Daniel to stand aside was the problem. One way or the other she could handle the situation. She set her mind to planning the best way to go about it.

  Meryl felt uneasy as Alex looked up, listening. A startled expression crossed his features. There it was again, the cry of a wild cat. No wildcats came this close to the settlement anymore. If it were a wildcat, the animal would keep its distance unless provoked.

  The tavern door flew open and Daniel Thorpe barged into the common room. His face was red with anger. In a half dozen strides, he reached Alex's table. Something dropped from his pocket when he grabbed the younger man by his shirtfront, pulling him out of his chair. “I warned you to stay away from my daughter! Where is she?"

  "I haven't seen her,” Alex choked.

  Daniel loosened his grip on Alex's shirt, and shoved him away. “Don't lie to me, boy."

  Alex fell back into his chair, and took a deep breath. “I haven't seen her,” he repeated, his voice now controlled.

  Daniel examined Alex's features, looking for a hint of betrayal, and decided the younger man spoke the truth. “She's gone. She disappeared sometime today. She was going to see one of the neighbors, but she left hours ago. The snow is getting worse.” Daniel collapsed into the nearest chair and covered his face with his hands. Fear for his only child clearly etched his features.