A Highland Inheritance (Highlands Ever After Book 2)
Page 19
“And what did the people say?”
“Not much,” he admitted. “It seemed the most were quite embarrassed, and his words had quite an effect on them. At any rate, that’s where he got all this money, the nice things, the house… Apparently, his mother was the sister of a Highland chief and anyway, here he is, here he has been, and here he plans to stay. The man’s been here so long, he sounds like one of us.”
Iona nodded, and couldn’t help but be amazed. “So no one’s going to try to kill me anymore? I can really go back to my property? I can really go… I can really go back home?” Though she really didn’t have a home to go to, she had a tent and plans.
Warm tears filled her eyes as Colin nodded, placed both of her hands in his, and then asked her a curious question.
“Are ye feeling strong enough for a ride?”
A ride? She glanced at Endorra who’d been behaving as quite a chaperone, a broad smile on her face as she stood, shooing Colin from the room.
“Aye.” She nodded. “The lass needs to get some fresh air, but mind you, don’t keep her too long.”
Colin nodded at the old woman as Endorra sent a wink her way as he quietly left the room. Curiosity captured her imagination. “What’s going on? Why does he… Where is he taking me?”
“You’ll see,” Endorra said, helping her sit up. “You’re all right? Not dizzy?”
“No, not dizzy. Feeling a little weak, but otherwise all right.”
Surprisingly enough, it was true. The pounding in her head had eased to a dull ache. In spite of her weakness, her curiosity was stronger. In a short time, Endorra had helped her into a clean gown, yet another one supplied by Beitris, Elspeth, or, since no one truly hated her anymore, one of the village women. It was a hand-me-down, but clean and not too terribly worn. She felt a surge of gratitude. “You’ll tell me whose gown this was, so I can thank them properly?”
“You’re welcome,” the old woman said.
Iona smiled up at her, again feeling a surge of tears behind her eyelids.
“Och, now don’t be getting weepy,” Endorra scolded. “Your face will get all red and splotchy, and ye want to look good for the sheriff, don’t you?”
Well, apparently, she didn’t fool anyone. She simply nodded.
A short time later, Endorra helped her down the stairs as Iona stared agog at the fine trappings, furniture, and structure of Dougal’s home. Why did he let the outside go to ruin with such fine belongings inside? It was a question for another time. Outside, Colin waited for her, sitting astride his horse. He turned her, smiled warmly, and then extended his hand. Iona reached for it, and moments later, she felt herself scooped upward as Colin lifted her and sat her on his lap astride his horse as if she weighed nothing more than a feather.
“Ready?”
She clutched his arms as they wrapped around her to grab his horse’s reins. “Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise. You’ll see.”
They rode, not speaking, not needing to.
She leaned comfortably against Colin’s strong frame, still stunned at everything that had happened, the changes that had occurred.
A couple of days ago she’d been at death’s doorstep, and today she had hope. Eventually, she would rebuild, make her place in this village, and if things worked out all right, she would have a husband… a husband. Such a fine word, one that carried so many emotions, one that prompted her heart to nearly burst with gratitude, affection, and hope.
It didn’t take her long to determine that Colin guided his horse toward her property. Not long after that, she heard banging sounds. She looked up at him. “What’s that? What’s that noise?”
He simply grinned down at her. “You’ll see.”
They came around the bend in the road, atop the rise and then he stopped his horse as she stared, her grip tightening on his arms, eyes wide, tears now flowing freely as she saw… it looked like the entire village was on her property, men and women working side by side, a new stone foundation for a home already laid, men hammering framing and timbers into place, the women in the field gathering armfuls of long, meadow grasses, others lashing them into bundles, ready to form a roof.
A sound escaped from Iona’s throat as the tears spilled over and a trembling hand covered her mouth. Her shoulders shook with emotion. Colin, shifted, touched her cheek with his rough hand, caressing, and then dipped his head and kissed her.
A gentle, firm kiss, promising protection, promising love, promising…
“Welcome home, Iona,” he said, his own voice choked with emotion. “Welcome home.”
I hope you enjoyed A Highlander’s Inheritance. !
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Copyright © 2018 by Aileen Adams
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