by Tamara Gill
Claire’s heart galloped. At least she could see her sister-in-law. “I have to go, Jules. Be happy. I am. I probably won’t see you again, but the scroll explains everything. Just know, I’m happy. Eternally.” She squeezed her sister against her bare body, then planted a kiss on her cheek.
When their eyes met, Juliette had tears spilling over.
“Thanks for coming for me, big sister.”
“Always.”
Emotion threatened to bowl Claire over, and her legs wobbled. “I love you, Jules. But I love him, too. I need to go.”
“I love you, too. I don’t understand...” Jules’ grip on her biceps tightened.
“Read the scroll.”
Claire wrenched herself free of her older sister’s arms and dived for the portal.
Like before, she landed on the beach at Alana and Angus’ feet, not in the cave containing the Faery Stones.
When she looked over her shoulder, she saw Jules bending for the scroll, hazy as she faded. Her sister’s hand flew to cover her mouth, and then the portal disappeared with a pop.
Claire grabbed her stomach and sobbed.
Alana covered her shoulders with a warm MacLeod tartan and Claire pushed herself to her knees, thanking the princess. She couldn’t look up until she composed herself.
“Claire!” Angus shouted. The boy squatted next to her and wrapped his small arms around her. “Uncle Duncan thought we’d never see ye again. But Mother and I found ye!”
Claire swallowed hard and looked up, meeting Alana’s pretty violet eyes. “Thank you. For bringing me back.”
The gorgeous woman smiled. “Let’s get you to Dunvegan.”
Her gaze darted around.
Xander stood on the ridge watching, dressed in dark trews and an untucked ivory tunic, no wings visible. His hand rested on the hilt of the giant sword sheathed at his waist, and the wind shifted his short pale hair.
Seeing him without his long braid was jarring, but Duncan had told her Fae Warriors were renowned for their hair. If it was cut—
Xander’s presence in the Human Realm must be permanent, like he’d said.
Alana’s staying to be with Alex, too.
The warrior offered a head nod and a half-smile. No doubt he’d just read her mind.
Claire didn’t see anyone else. Her heart tripped. “Where’s Duncan?” Her voice broke on his name.
Why wasn’t he waiting for her?
Is he angry?
“Uncle Duncan’s grumpy. Roaring and pacing, me Da says!”
“Angus.” Alana’s admonition made the boy’s shoulders droop, but he took his mother’s hand when she reached for him.
“What’s wrong? What’d you mean never see me again? I promised I’d be right back.”
“Aye. Days ago,” Angus said.
“Days? I was on the beach in my time less than ten minutes.”
“It took us a long time to find you,” Alana said. “Truth be told, if it wasn’t for Angus’s magic, I don’t know if I could’ve. Seems full-blooded Fae can only open the gate to the Fae’s Realm. A rift through time takes human blood.” She rested her hands on her son’s shoulders and Angus beamed.
Claire’s blood drained to her feet. “Days?”
“Aye.” Alana’s voice dropped and she nodded, her pale locks shifting. “Alex finally convinced Duncan to return to the castle to bathe and eat. It’s been four days, Claire.”
“Oh my God. I have to get to him!”
Duncan thought I wasn’t coming back.
Though he hadn’t told her how he felt about her, Claire didn’t regret baring her heart before she stepped through the portal to go to modern-day Skye.
She sprinted down the beach.
Away from the Faery Stones.
Away from her new family.
Claire had to get to Duncan.
She let go of the plaid because she could run faster unencumbered. Her legs burned as she scrambled up the incline of the cliff.
Ignored the ache in her thighs and knees, pushing her feet harder to take her to Dunvegan.
Claire passed through the gates. Disregarded the MacLeod guards shouting after her. She jogged through the bailey.
Her bare feet stung as they hit actual flooring, but the smoother surface made her able to move faster than the outside terrain.
“Duncan!” Her voice echoed, bouncing around the nearly empty great hall.
He was with his father and brother, sitting at one of the long tables, his head down, long dark hair wet and curtaining his face.
“Duncan!” Claire’s second shout brought his head up.
Their gazes locked. His eyes widened.
She didn’t slow her pace as he shot to his feet.
Then she was enveloped in his warmth. Plastered against his hard chest.
Her man, her Duncan, was holding her again, smelling of sandalwood and soap.
“Claire-lass.” Her husband chanted the word over and over. Along with, “Mò gradh.”
Claire’s heart thundered, but she could feel his echoing against her naked breasts. She held on tight, her tears flowing freely, wetting his tunic.
Duncan swung her around and held her even closer, as if he’d just realized she was bare.
Her stomach flipped when he stilled with her in his arms, and her gaze collided with his sapphire one. His eyes were misty. “I thought I’d lost ye, lass.”
“Never,” Claire said fiercely.
“I love ye, Claire.” Duncan’s mouth crashed down on hers, and she kissed her husband back with all her might.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Duncan’s weight dipped the mattress when he sat on the bed, but Claire still couldn’t look at him. Her tears wouldn’t quit, and she didn’t want him to think she regretted her decision.
Erratic emotions aside, the last week had been heaven.
Especially after he’d finally told her he loved her. And said it every day she’d been back.
Claire wanted him. Wanted 1672 more than the world she’d grown up in.
So why the tears?
You big baby.
Her daily waterfalls and queasy stomach were going to make the coming months unbearable.
Get ahold of yourself, Claire MacLeod.
“Mò gradh?” Duncan’s huge hand swallowed her bare shoulder. He shook gently, but she buried her face in the pillow that still carried his scent.
“I’m sorry.” Claire’s voice was muffled, but her husband stilled.
“What about?”
She rolled toward him, making no effort to cover her nudity. They’d made love twice, and Duncan was naked, too.
His gaze darted to her breasts before he met her eyes.
Claire smirked. At least she had his attention. She shrugged. “I can’t stop crying, and I don’t want you to think it’s you. I’m so happy to be back home. I swear. The last week with you...here at Dunvegan...it’s what I always wanted.”
Duncan smiled and caressed her cheek. “Then what’s wrong, Claire-lass?”
“Before...when I came to the beach and didn’t know what was going on...it wasn’t final. Alana says she doesn’t know how the portal to my time opened. She’s pretty sure she can’t make it happen again, even with Angus’s help.”
“Ah.” Something flashed in his eyes and Claire’s stomach fluttered.
She sat up and threw her arms around his neck.
Duncan hauled her closer, stroking her hair and back as she snuggled into him. “I was hoping ye wouldn’t want to leave me again.” His whisper against her forehead was pained. His warm breath shifted her hair.
She tightened her grip on him. “I don’t want to leave you. Ever.”
Duncan covered her mouth with his, and desire unfurled low in her belly.
Claire kissed him back, scooting closer. But she needed to explain before he thought the worst of her.
She gently parted their mouths, her breasts rising and falling into his hard pecs as they panted against each other. “I won’t
see my sister ever again.”
Sadness crossed her husband’s expression. “I know, Claire-lass. I’m sorry. But ye have my sister. My brother. Our sister-by-marriage. My father and our nephew.”
“I know.” Claire sighed against his mouth. “And I love your family. I’m just a bit sad for my own. Jules...she’s all the family I have...had...or whatever.”
Duncan nodded and held her close, rubbing her back in long soothing circles. “I’m sorry for yer loss, lass. But I’m not sorry ye came back to me. Those four days. Death would’ve been a blessing.”
She lifted her head and met his somber blue eyes. “I’m glad you didn’t do anything stupid. Because I promised I’d come back.” Claire poked his chest.
He batted her hand away, but a smile played at his lips. Duncan grabbed her fingers and planted a kiss on her knuckles. “When the portal closed...it was as if a sword lanced my heart, mò gradh.”
“Angus said his da told him you screamed like a girl.”
“I thought I’d lost ye.”
“I told you I’d come back.”
“I know. But when the Fae princess says she doesn’t know if she can open it back up—I panicked.”
“Angus said you were grumpy.”
Duncan smirked. “I’m going to tan that lad’s hide.”
“You will not.” Claire poked him again and he chuckled.
“Are ye telling yer husband what to do?”
Claire giggled and kissed him.
He groaned into her mouth as their tongues danced.
As always, she was lost to him. She gladly let one thing lead to another. Claire moaned as her husband kissed his way down her body.
Duncan parted her thighs and teased her with hands and fingers until she was on the brink of orgasm. He then joined their bodies, making love to her slowly, worshipping her body and whispering endearments until they tumbled over the edge at the same time.
There was no rush, no urgency. Just pleasure mixed with so much love her heart stuttered.
Duncan pulled her into his arms after he’d cleaned them both up and Claire’s stomach fluttered.
She needed to tell him the reason for her morning dizziness and upset stomach. Claire traced his defined abs until they jumped under her fingertips, and she brushed the dark curls that led to his sex. She couldn’t get enough of his body.
He grabbed her hand and covered her knuckles with kisses. “I love ye, Claire-lass.”
She flashed a grin. “I love you, too, Duncan MacLeod.”
Silence descended and Duncan sighed as he laid back into the pillows. The fire burned warm and welcoming, the earthly scent of peat surrounding them.
Claire closed her eyes and sucked in a breath as nerves made her stomach jump. “One thing I’ll always regret about my sister...”
“What, mò gradh?”
“She’ll never see our baby...”
“Baby?” Duncan sat up, bringing Claire with him. Her husband’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He blinked.
“Aye, Duncan MacLeod, I’m carryin’ yer bairn.”
Shock crossed Duncan’s expression. Then he threw his head back and laughed. “Not bad, Claire-lass.”
Claire arched an eyebrow. “I tell you I’m pregnant, and all you have to comment on is my accent?”
Duncan dipped his head down and kissed her, swallowing any further protest. She kissed him back, like she would for the rest of her life.
Seventeenth century or not, Claire was where she belonged.
In the arms of a man born four hundred years before she was.
What she had with Duncan mattered more than anything she’d left in the future.
Welllllll, I’ll probably always miss my MP3 player.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bestselling, award winning author of romantic suspense and epic fantasy romance, C.A. loves to dabble in different genres. If it’s a good story, she'll write it, no matter where it seems to fit!
She’s a hopeless romantic and always will be. Risking it all for Happily Ever After is what she lives by!
C.A. is originally from Ohio, but got to Texas as soon as she could. She’s happily married and has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.
She works with kids when she’s not writing.
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A TUMBLE THROUGH TIME
Callie Hutton
Anna was quiet on the walk to the café. Her eyes darted back and forth as she took in the sights around her, all the time fiddling with her ring, spinning the silver and black circle round and round. She continued to draw in deep breaths and chew on her lower lip, occasionally muttering ‘not possible’ under her breath, as if fighting an internal battle. Her natural color seemed to have paled, the light dusting of freckles more prominent.
Once they’d settled in their seats at the café and ordered dried apple pie and coffee, Wes rested his forearms on the table. “Tell me a little bit about this ‘Tulsa.’”
Anna cleared her throat. “It’s in Oklahoma.” She flinched when he shrugged, still not sure what she was talking about.
“Oklahoma. You know, the state south of Kansas?”
He narrowed his eyes. “The only thing south of us is Indian Territory, then Texas.”
“No,” she whispered, her eyes round as saucers.
Wes nodded at the waitress as she placed cups of coffee and two cuts of pie in front of them. She glanced at Anna, who stared straight ahead, taking in shallow breaths.
Once the waitress left, Anna nodded, as if she’d made a decision. “Wes, can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
She looked him in the eye, seeming to draw strength from within herself. “What year is this?”
His forkful of pie stopped halfway to his mouth. “What?”
Anna licked her lips and cleared her throat. “Just tell me, please. What year is this?”
He frowned and lowered the fork. “It’s eighteen hundred and seventy. Why?”
Then he leapt forward as Anna’s eyes rolled to the back of her head and her slack body slid to the floor.
CHAPTER ONE
Tulsa, Oklahoma 2013
Anna Devlin shoved her apartment door open, hurrying down the hallway, past the living room. “Hey, Sarah, I’m just back to get the stupid paperwork. I can’t believe how absent minded . . .” Her voice faded as she took in the scene before her. Naked as the day they were born, her fiancé Robbie and Sarah, her roommate and best friend, were entwined on the sofa. Both seemed shocked into stillness as they stared at her, mouths agape, eyes wide.
Anna saw, but her brain didn’t register. With black dots dancing in front of her eyes, she slowly sank into the chair across from them.
“Get up!” Sarah shoved Robbie’s shoulder with the heel of her hand.
Jolted into awareness, he scrambled to his feet, whatever passion they’d been sharing sadly deflated.
I can’t believe I’m noticing that right now.
“Anna, I’m so sorry.” Sarah snatched her clothes scattered on the floor, dancing around as she attempted to dress herself.
Robbie pulled on his boxers with shaky hands, then held his palm toward her. “I know this looks bad, baby, but let me explain.”
Anna slapped his hand away, lowering her head between her knees. Taking deep gulps of air, the dizziness slowly left her, replaced with anger so deep it coiled from her midsection, raced past her thudding heart, straight to her face. “How dare you?” Her whispered question stopped all movement from two very guilty-looking people. The two people she loved and trusted more than anyone in the world.
I’m a fool.
“Sarah, let me talk to Anna−alone.” Robbie continued to stare at Anna as he rubbed the back of his neck.
Sarah chewed her lip, her voice shaky. “Maybe I should . . .”
“Just go!”
Sarah grabbed the rest of her cloth
es, then scurried away, her pink bikini panty bottom flashing like a neon sign.
“Honey . . .” Robbie moved toward her.
Anna studied him, this man she almost made the fatal mistake of marrying tomorrow. The dizziness had passed, but a cold lump of fury settled in her middle. “How long has this been going on?”
“This is the first time, I swear.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I think it was the stress, you know, the wedding, your hearing coming up—”
Anna vaulted from the seat as if it were a trampoline. “Don’t you dare drag my hearing into this, offering you an excuse for screwing my roommate.”
He flinched as if she’d slapped him. “Now, sweetheart . . .” He extended both hands in supplication.
“Get away from me.” She backed up until she was flush against the wall, her arms wrapped tightly around her midriff. “Do you really think I believe this is the first time? How unlucky for you that I caught you the first time.”
“Anna, please, let me explain.” He attempted once more to reach for her.
She jerked back. “I said, leave me alone.” How could she have missed this? And here she’d been so happy her fiancé and best friend got along so well. She snorted. A little too well, it seemed.
Anna tugged at the multi-stone diamond engagement ring, then threw it in his direction. “I’m out of here.” The shock on his face as the ring bounced off his chin enraged her further. He had the nerve to be surprised. He really did think she was a complete idiot.
She stormed past him, toward her bedroom. Across the hall, the sound of crying drifted from behind Sarah’s closed door. Anna hesitated briefly, glancing in that direction, then taking a deep breath she entered her own room.
The bulk of her clothes had already been sent ahead to Robbie’s apartment. Anna grabbed the small beige valise alongside her bed. Her mind still struggling with what she’d just witnessed, she brushed her arm across the top of her dresser, sweeping everything into the case.
Thank God for numbness or she’d be screaming and throwing things. The best she could do was get away from here as quickly as possible. Her fingers fumbled as she attempted to close the valise. After finally snapping it shut, she reached for the matching suitcase packed with her honeymoon clothes, then headed for the door.