Highland Savior

by Sarah Hoss

  “What? No . . .” She ran out of the bedroom, flung open the door, and glanced around the yard for Alexander. Nothing. Going back into the house, she knelt down by the bed.

  “Marlana, I’ve never delivered a baby.”

  “Well, if it makes you feel any better, I’ve never given birth to a baby, so let’s do this together.”

  She nodded. Helping Marlana into a sitting position, she put pillows and a blanket behind her for comfort and support.

  Marlana gripped her knees to her chest and began to push. Setting at the end of the bed, Gillian counted. “1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . 4 . . .” When she got to 10, she said, “Now breathe.”

  She flexed her hands over and over as her nerves ran tight. Her mouth was extremely dry and she began to sweat despite the chilly temperature outside. Another contraction and she counted while Marlana pushed.

  “1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . 4 . . .”

  She could see the head.

  Please let everything be okay. I don’t know what I’m doing.

  Marlana laid back and breathed deeply.

  “I can see the head. Lots of black hair.”

  Marlana smiled, then moaned. “Oh, my God, it hurts,” then gripped her knees again to push. Thirty minutes later, the baby was out.

  The baby was covered in mucus and blood, but was still the prettiest thing Gillian had ever seen. The room smelled of newborn life. She took the cloth and wiped her clean, then wrapped her in a baby blanket and handed her over to her mother.

  Alexander and the midwife ran into the room. There was an eerie silence that clung to the scene.

  The midwife shoved Alexander out of the way. “Everyone out.” She ran over and took the baby out of Marlana’s arms and shooed Gillian away. Marlana laid her head back on the pillows and closed her eyes.

  “Out,” the midwife hollered.

  Hands still covered in blood and fluids, she walked out of the room. Alexander gripped her by the arms.

  “What the bloody hell happened?”

  Chapter 19

  The house sat in front of Hamish, white and inviting, and he kicked Sabastian into a gentle trot. He was eager to see Gillian. She had crossed his mind often while he was away.

  He climbed off his horse and tied him to the fence railing just as he heard the door open. He peered over the horse’s back and saw her. Gillian was as beautiful as ever. Running toward him, she threw herself into his arms. She was soft and smelled of peat smoke. He laid his head on top of hers as she buried her face into his chest.

  His arms came around her, glad to be holding her again. “What is all of this?”

  “Marlana had the baby.”

  He gripped her arms and brought her away from him, their eyes meeting. “Are they all right?”

  “It all happened so fast. The contractions came and Alexander went to get the midwife. Then I had to deliver the baby, then he came back and the midwife kicked us out of the—”

  He shook her. “Are they all right?”

  “Yes, sorry. They’re good. Everything went fine.”

  He let out the breath he had been holding. His hands came to the sides of her face and he leaned down and kissed her.

  “Ye had me worried.”

  Her hands lay on his chest. “I’m sorry. It’s just that, I’d never been through anything like that before.” She smiled at the memory. “I actually delivered a baby.”

  Her eyes got big with the last statement and he smiled. It showed an innocence about her that gripped his heart.

  “When the midwife came in and kicked us out and the baby wasn’t making any noise, I was scared. Then Alexander grabbed me.”

  “He did what?” For a moment, anger seized him for he had decided long ago that no man would ever touch her again.

  “It’s okay. He didn’t hurt me. He wanted to know what had happened was all.” She reached down and took his hand. “Come inside and see. Everything’s all right.”

  He let her lead him into the house when it dawned on him that he didn’t even know the sex of the baby. “What did she have?”

  Gillian smiled and it consumed her whole being. “A girl.” She stopped walking and turned to him, placing her hands on his biceps. “They named her Margaret.”

  Margaret. A part of his heart wanted to break, but it didn’t. Life went on and having them name their daughter after their sister felt right.

  In the house, she led him to the bedroom. Mother and child lay sleeping in the bed and Alexander sat quietly in a chair next to them, just watching. Marlana looked radiant as she slept. From under a blanket, he could see a head full of black hair and the sweetest face. The baby had a small button nose and the prettiest shaped mouth. His brother was truly blessed. He wondered for a moment if his fate would turn out as well with a woman from the future? He looked at Gillian.

  As they quietly entered the room, Alexander glanced up. A smile found its way to his face as he saw his brother. Alexander stood, gripped Hamish in a bear hug and when Marlana stirred, he led them both out of the room.

  “Brother, it’s good ye are here.”

  “Aye. Congratulations. Your daughter is beautiful.”

  He glanced back at the bed. “Aye. She looks just like her mother.” Turning back to Hamish, his smile faded a bit. “I have never been so scared in all my life.”

  Hamish understood his brother’s fears. He hated that he had lost his first wife and child. He couldn‘t imagine what it would be like if it had happened again. Leaning back, he said, “Ye deserve the happiness ye have and I’m verra glad they are both safe and healthy.”

  Alexander’s eyes began to water and Hamish patted him on the back. As soon as the baby began to cry, Alexander left him to check on mother and baby, closing the bedroom door behind him.

  Hamish stared at the closed door for a moment, then turned to Gillian. She was gathering items and began to head for the door.

  “Where are ye going?”

  “I need to take a bath and wash this dress. Marlana gave me another to borrow until I get this one clean and dried. Is there a tub I can bath in or do I need to go to the lake?”

  “I’ll bring the tub to the barn.”

  Chapter 20

  Walking through the garden, Rebecca stepped over a shriveled plant to head toward the woods. The day was chilly, but beautiful. A moment of peace between her chores was exactly what she needed. She hadn’t felt good for a week. She was tired a lot more and throwing up. She placed her hands on her stomach as she wondered for the reason. Every sign pointed to her being pregnant. Her heart swelled with the knowledge at the same time breaking, for she wanted Hamish here to be a part of it.

  Rebecca ducked under a low-hanging branch and continued walking. She heard a twig snap and she turned at the noise. Searching, she found no one. Part of her had hoped that she might find Hamish following her and was disappointed when she didn’t see him. Her stomach cramped and she gripped it. Not again. Two more steps and she had to stop. Leaning against a tree, she bent over and threw up. Her stomach dry-heaved in rebellion and she wiped her mouth when it was finally over.

  She began walking again, thinking about the latest book in the library she’d found. She liked losing herself in the storylines, picturing the world in which the writer had created, and sometimes she would put herself in the heroine's place. Silly, she knew, but she enjoyed it. At times, being in those worlds was better than being in her own.

  Another twig snapped behind her and she turned, now more than a little afraid. Who was following her and why? If it was a friend, they would have made themselves known by now. Maybe Hamish was playing tricks on her.

  “Hamish?”

  Nothing.

  “Who is out there?” She searched, trying to see behind every tree in front of her. A figure stepped ou
t. The sun shone on the mysterious guest, blocking out their face.

  “Who is that?”

  “Tsk, tsk. Ye doona ken yer own family?”

  Her blood turned to ice at the sound of his voice. She had long ago denounced herself from being related to her family. They were evil and manipulative and she’d wanted to get out before she became just like them. They hurt people for their own amusement. It had been three years since she’d had any contact with them, why now?

  She swallowed. “What do ye want?” She pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders, keeping her hands hidden inside to hide their shaking.

  He approached slowly.

  “Sister, I’ve been watching ye.”

  A chill ran up her spine and it wasn’t due to the cold breeze. She swallowed. Slowly, she took a step to the right. She needed to try and work her way back toward the castle and safety.

  “Ye keep unsavory company.”

  Her heart beat a little faster in her chest. Fear built in the pit of her stomach and her throat went dry. She swallowed again.

  “He killed our brother. Doona ye care about yer own blood?”

  Archibald kept walking toward her, slowly, but deliberately. She didn’t know who he was talking about but she didn’t care. Nothing she did was any of his business.

  “I told ye once, Rebecca, ye canna change who ye are. We are in yer blood. Come home and join me. Yer contacts here at the castle could be useful to me.”

  She furrowed her eyebrows at his suggestion, for never would she go back to them. She was home. She had no family.

  “Nay, I will never go back.”

  Now he stood in front of her and the eyes that stared back at her seemed as black as his soul. The answer she’d given was the wrong one. She turned to run, but before she could blink, his hands were around her throat.

  He was going to kill her. Her throat fought the restriction. She coughed and gasped for air. The blood tried to race through her veins. She could feel the pounding of her heart as it worked overtime. Madly, she fought. Kicking him, clawing at his hands, trying to free herself. He was so strong—so much bigger than she was. Her mouth fell open and she gagged. It hurt so badly. Tears rolled down her face. My baby, I have to protect my baby.

  Her life began to flash in images in her mind. The last moments of her life was a playback of all the horrible events that had taken place and this man was the key player. Black spots danced around the stars and she cried.

  “Please,” she whispered for she hardly had the ability or the air to make understandable words. She would plead for her life. She would continue fighting to the end, which was coming very close. Her vision was almost completely black.

  Chapter 21

  The first snowfall in the Highlands was beautiful. Gillian stood just outside the door and watched as large flakes fell to the earth from heaven. The world was silent. Animals were in the barn, the family was in the cottage, and she closed her eyes and stood. Chill nipped her cheeks, but she didn’t care. For the first time in months, she felt safe, comfortable, and at peace. It felt good to know this moment.

  The world before her was beautiful, coated in a blanket of white. Her favorite thing was how the trees looked with snow on their branches. They swayed slowly back and forth in the gentle breeze.

  A bunny dared to venture out from under a pine tree at the edge of the woods, only to turn around and go back under the cover.

  The door behind her opened and closed quickly. She turned to see Hamish come out and stand behind her. His arms wrapped themselves around her and she reveled in the warmth that radiated from him.

  “What are ye doing out here in the cold?”

  “Staring, thinking—just enjoying the peacefulness.”

  He kissed the back of her head. “Aye. Tis been awhile.”

  She turned in his arms and rested her head on his chest. “There were times I wondered if I would ever feel this way.” Snow landed on her face and she brushed her cheeks on his plaid, then laid her head back on his chest. She searched the surroundings, letting her eyes take in the scenery. She could hear one of the horses in the barn, Marlana and Alexander talking about their new daughter, and the heartbeat of the man she loved. All three sounds was music to her ears.

  While Hamish was gone, she’d gotten to know Marlana and they’d discussed their time travel experiences. Marlana had been here now for two years. She had learned to adapt and made a nice home for her family. Was this going to be her future also?

  She leaned back to look at Hamish. Bright blue eyes stared back at her. Black hair, like her own, blew gently in the wind. He had a little stubble on his face and it added to his rugged, handsome features.

  Margaret cried and she turned to glance toward the house before looking back at him. For a brief moment, a thought passed through her mind. With their dark hair, his blue eyes and her skin coloring, wouldn’t they have the most beautiful babies? She smiled. Such silly notions.

  “What are ye thinking about that has ye grinning like that?”

  She brushed it off. “Um, just the sound of Margaret crying, it’s sweet.”

  “Sweet?” The confusion in his voice was evident.

  “Yah. I meant that it’s beautiful—the newness of life. Babies are innocent and sweet and there’s something about them that no matter how hard life is, they make the future seem brighter.”

  He nodded, then leaned forward and kissed her. It was gentle, lips barely touching and just what she needed.

  “I wanted to talk to ye.”

  “Okay.” She stepped out of his arms and leaned against the house.

  He stood with his legs apart and his arms were behind his back. “I’m going back to the castle.”

  Her heart began to sink. Was he leaving her again? She didn’t want to spend the entire winter without him.

  “I want ye to come with me. I’ve got to try and get my life back and I have to figure out who burnt my house down and killed my sister. I canna do that here.” He turned his gaze to the house. “Besides, they should be alone.”

  She followed his gaze and nodded. “You really want me to come with you?”

  They turned to look at each other at the same time. “Aye, I do.”

  “Hamish? What if no one likes me?”

  He laughed out loud and as she started to lean away from him, he reached out to grip her arm, causing her to stay put.

  “Why do ye think no one will like ye?”

  She shrugged. “I’m different. I’m the outsider.”

  His hand left her arm to come up and gather a handful of hair. He slowly slid his hand down, letting the silky, black strands flow through his fingers. “Ye have nothing to worry about. They will all be too busy staring at yer beauty to think of anything else.”

  Her heart swelled. She was here, in this place and in this time, and there was nowhere she would rather be than by this man’s side. How long had it been since he came into her life? A little over a month and she felt as if she’d known him for so much longer than that.

  She glanced down at the material of his plaid that was draped over his shoulder. Focusing in on the black and white threads, she thought back to all they had been through in such a short time. She’d been tracked by a madman and would have been killed if not for Hamish. How different her life would be right now, if she had let Tara and her fiancé call her a cab that night. Not how different, but how very routine her life would be. Not that she was all excited about being hunted but here she was in Scotland and with Hamish. She smiled.

  He bent to peer into her eyes, a half-smile on his face. “What are ye thinking about?”

  She bit her lip and stared him in the eye. “You.”

  His hand came up to hold the back of her head as his thumb brushed her check. “I’m glad I make ye smile.” He lean
ed down as his other arm circled her waist and brought her in closer. As his lips touched hers, the cold began to leave as the fire he created within her grew. She brought her hands up to rest on his chest and gripped the plaid. His tongue snuck past her lips to find hers and the sensation was wonderful. Her eyes closed and she let herself give in completely to all he offered. A wintery breeze blew through them and for a moment, she wondered if the goose bumps were from the cool wind or the heat of his kiss.

  Once Hamish and Gillian arrived at the castle, they settled themselves into James’s room for the moment. He would find them a place to sleep after the evening meal. He took her by the hand and led her down the back hallway and outside. There were a few things he wanted to speak to her about before he began to introduce her to people.

  They walked through the woods. Bare trees swayed in the wind. Snow dusted the ground and foliage peeked through the white blanket here and there. He paused a moment with his hand held out while she grabbed her skirt and lifted it a little to step over a fallen tree. Once she was safely on the other side, they continued on. Birds chirped their irritation at being disturbed, then flew away.

  “I’ve experienced your world. I found people there to be rude and in a hurry.” He moved a low branch out of their way.

  “Well, not everyone is, but I see your point.”

  “Here—now—life is different. It isn’t as easy. We have to fight to survive. We take showing respect very seriously. If a man doesna have honor, he has nothing.” He leaned down and removed a branch, tossing it off to the side. “When ye meet the chief, address him as laird.”