Highlander's Portrait

by C. A. Szarek

  Enchanted Keepsakes:

  Highlander’s Portrait

  A Highland Secrets Story

  A Sexy Scribblers Novel

  By

  C.A. Szarek

  Enchanted Keepsakes:

  Highlander’s Portrait

  C.A. Szarek

  A Highland Secrets Story

  A Sexy Scribbler’s Novel

  All rights reserved

  Copyright © August 2014, C.A. Szarek

  Cover Photo (the plaid) Copyright © 2016, Andrea Pender Photography

  Stock Photo, Copyright © Period Images Models: Tobias and Allie

  Cover Design Copyright © 2016, Talina Perkins

  Edited by Fiona Campbell

  Paper Dragon Publishing

  North Richland Hills, TX

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

  No part of this book may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including, but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Paper Dragon Publishing or the Author.

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-941151-16-7

  Print book ISBN: 978-1-941151-17-4

  Published in the United States of America

  First eBook Edition: October, 2016

  First Print Edition: October, 2016

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Other Books by C.A. Szarek

  Enchanted Keepsakes

  Dedication

  Foreword

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Sneak Peek of The Tartan MP3 Player!

  More Enchanted Keepsakes

  About the Author

  Other Books by C.A. Szarek

  The King’s Riders—Epic Fantasy Romance

  Sword’s Call (Book One)

  Love’s Call (Book Two)

  Rogue’s Call (Book Three)

  Fate’s Call (A Novella from the World of the King’s Riders)

  Highland Secrets—Historical Fantasy

  The Tartan MP3 Player (Book One)

  The Fae Ring (Book Two)

  The Parchment Scroll (Book Three)

  The Princess and The Laird (Prequel to Highland Secrets)

  Highland Valentine (A Highland Secrets Story) - Coming Feb 2017!

  Crossing Forces—Romantic Suspense

  Collision Force (Book One)

  Cole in Her Stocking (A Crossing Forces Christmas)—FREE read!

  Chance Collision (Book Two)

  Calculated Collision (Book Three)

  Collision Control (Book Four)

  Superior Collision (Book Five)

  Anthologies

  Deep in the Hearts of Texas—FREE read!

  Story: Promise (A Crossing Forces Companion)

  Enchanted Keepsakes

  Brought to you by the Sexy Scribblers!

  Make sure you don’t miss any of the stories of lovers Korinna helps discover each other!

  Legacy by Chanta Rand—Available now!

  Highlander’s Portrait by C.A. Szarek—Available now!

  Maybe Tomorrow by Lynne Connelly—Pre-order 11/21/16, releases 2/20/17

  To Love’s End by Kris Calvert—Pre-order 11/28/16, releases 2/27/17

  Timeless by Angie Daniels—Pre-order 11/28/16, releases 2/27/17

  If Wishes Were Earls by Luanna Stewart—Pre-order 12/12/16, releases 3/13/17

  Fortune’s Fool by J.A. Coffey—Pre-order 12/19/16, releases 3/20/17

  Passion Awakened by Valerie Twombly—Pre-order 12/26/16, releases 3/27/17

  Stolen Hearts by Kishan Paul—Pre-order 1/2/17, releases 4/3/17

  Forever Starts Today by Anne Lange—Pre-order 1/9/17, releases 4/10/17

  Saving Grace by Aubrey Wynne—Pre-order 1/16/17, releases 4/17/17

  A Sixpence in Her Shoe by Lena Hart—Pre-order 1/23/17, releases 4/24/17

  Breathe for Me by Anna Albergucci—Pre-order 1/30/17, releases 5/1/17

  Check out the gorgeous covers and info on the Sexy Scribblers’ Enchanted Keepsakes’ page!

  Don’t miss our FREE READS!

  Like us on Facebook!

  Dedication

  This one’s for my friend, Kira, who never fails to have an encouraging word or genuine excitement for my stories. Makes a girl feel like she can do this writing thing.

  Foreword

  The Legend of Enchanted Keepsakes

  “True love has no boundaries. It knows no space or time. Human or immortal, true love will always find you.”

  Legend spins a tale of Korinna, a beautiful witch. With loving parents who doted on her, she wanted for nothing. On her fifth birthday, tragedy struck when her mother became ill and was suddenly taken from her.

  For two years, it was only Korinna and her father, until one day he fell in love. Her father married, and their family grew.

  Korinna’s copper curls and wide violet eyes were a contrast to her four siblings’ raven locks and emerald gazes. The men showered her with attention while ignoring her sisters, stealing their chances for love and marriage. On her eighteenth birthday, her resentful stepmother placed a curse upon her.

  Korinna would forever walk the earth, never finding her own true love.

  Her desire to help others sent her time traveling through exotic lands, collecting keepsakes along the way. With her treasures in hand, she placed an enchantment upon each of them. It is said whoever possesses one of these trinkets will be blessed with true love.

  So remember, the next time you step into a small shop, take a close look around. Do you sense the magic?

  If you happen to spot a beautiful redhead with sparkling violet eyes, it just might be Korinna, setting up shop in your town.

  Take care, for the treasure that whispers to you—to lift it from its resting place and take it home—could lead you straight to your one true love.

  Chapter One

  Ashlyn sighed and glared at the laptop. She gritted her teeth at the stupid—really flippin’ stupid—blinking cursor and resisted the urge to slam her computer shut. However, it wasn’t the machine’s fault the words wouldn’t come. They just wouldn’t.

  Screaming didn’t help. Neither did cursing. Or jumping on the bed.

  Pulling her hair just gave her a headache.

  Her agent was past being nice, and her publisher…well, to say they weren’t happy was mild. Very very mild.

  “Fired is more like it,” she muttered.

  “I thought you weren’t supposed to work.” Kate’s voice made her jump.

  When she looked up into the sea-green eyes of her best friend, Ashlyn frowned. “Well, you see, books don’t write themselves.”

  She rolled her eyes, and her head with it, making her auburn ponytail dance. She was dressed casually—for a poshy clothing designer—in jeans and a V-neck tee that had ‘I make fashion trends’ spelled out in jewels and sequins. Kate propped a shapely hip on the corner of the desk Ashlyn was sitting at. “Then why the hell are we here?” She gestured around the adorable cottage, w
ith the antiques hanging on display and the handmade multicolored quilts on the neatly made side-by-side single beds.

  Framed tartans were on display on the walls, clan names and mottos hanging from wooden plaques underneath each, strung together with tiny chains. Clans from their current geographical location, according to the owner of the place their tour group was staying.

  “Inspiration,” Ashlyn forced out.

  “So you dragged me to the Scottish Highlands for…”

  She tried not to glare. Didn’t need crap from Kate, too. “You know, you’re a lot like the heroine in this stupid book, who is obviously allergic to happily ever after. A pain in the ass.”

  Her friend smirked. “Maybe she’s irritated at you.”

  “Why? What did I do to her? I’m trying to give her an awesome life. A hot laird in her bed and a freaking castle.”

  Kate laughed. “I swear it doesn’t matter how many times I hear you talk about your characters like real people, it still throws me off. They have meds for that. Voices in your head and such.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “The longer you stand there, the longer you risk one of two things.” She shot two fingers high, but not in a peace sign. “I’m gonna hit you or…”

  “Kill me off in one of your books.” Her bestie laughed as she finished the familiar threat.

  “Yeah, what kinda friend are you, anyway?” Ashlyn pouted.

  She pulled the chair next to the desk and folded her curvy form into it gracefully. “The best. Of course. You know I love you, Ash. I let you drag me to Scotland when I have two runway shows next month, didn’t I?” Kate cast her eyes upward, then met her gaze again. The playfulness in her expression was gone; her pretty seafoam eyes were serious. “I hate that you’re struggling. But you can growl at your computer at home. Treat this trip like a vacation and it might actually, I dunno, help your writing.”

  “Or lack thereof.”

  “You know what I mean. Unblock the block, or whatever.”

  “Right. I’ve just about lost all hope.”

  She shook her head and grabbed Ashlyn’s hand. “The tour group might be full of writers, but you’re the only famous one locked away. Everyone else is jotting notes, snapping pictures, taking in the sights, and plotting stories for later, not that I understand any of that shit.”

  “Semi-famous.”

  Kate grinned. “I said all that, and you only latched on to the part I give you shit about?”

  Her best friend been calling her ‘semi-famous’ since her eighth book had come out last fall, and Ashlyn had hit a few lists. Lists that let an author feel validated, but unfortunately, it didn’t make writing the next book any easier.

  It had excited her agent and her publisher, of course. She’d hit a goal, and they saw dollar signs…more books, another series, but it just put her head in a vise. The pressure was stifling. And affecting her writing.

  “Remember, some of your colleagues were swooning over the fact you’re here with them. Bank on that. Sign autographs or something. I know it’s anti-author, but we came like a million miles. Socialize or something, for God’s sake.”

  Ashlyn rolled her eyes. “I socialize.”

  Kate gave her a long look that made her want to squirm.

  She didn’t bother contradicting her. Her bestie would jump on her in a second for BSing. Ashlyn wasn’t introverted like a lot of authors, but she didn’t get out much, even at home in Dallas.

  Her best friend had moved to New York when her clothing line, Kateour, had taken off a few years before, and she didn’t have other friends nearly as close as she was to Kate. They talked all the time on the phone, and even Skype, but it wasn’t the same as when they were roomies. Begging her to come on this trip was part I-can’t-do-this-alone and part I-miss-the-crap out of-you.

  Ashlyn sighed for the hundredth time that morning. A feat—since she’d only been up a few hours.

  “The group is going on a shopping trip. Don’t make me force you,” Kate said.

  “Shopping? Ugh.” She wrinkled her nose.

  Her friend shook her head. “You. Are. Going.”

  “But…shopping.”

  “Dude, we’re in Scotland.”

  Somewhere she’d always dreamed of going. Right. Kate didn’t have to say it. Especially since she’d been locking herself away every stop the tour had made so far.

  They were only in this cottage overnight, then were heading north as a group. The trip was guided and planned extensively. They were hitting all the famous spots the country had to offer. They’d started in Edinburgh on day one, and were now in Inverness until mid-afternoon the next day.

  Ashlyn had been writing about historical Scotland and the clans for years, and had hoped this trip would bring her books to life in a way research couldn’t. She’d written a trilogy about Clan MacLeod of the Isle of Skye, and was most excited about seeing the clan’s stronghold, Dunvegan, which would be the last stop on their trip. Not only was it still standing, but people lived in it. A real castle! The stuff of her dreams.

  “You just want to play fashionista in another country.”

  Kate flashed a grin. “Maybe. The people of Scotland need my sense of style.”

  Ashlyn laughed.

  Triumph crossed her bestie’s expression. “C’mon, you know you have obligatory souvenirs to buy, anyway.”

  “You’re right. I guess.”

  “Oh wow. Don’t sound so happy about it.”

  She hated shopping. Bought most of her clothing online, even bras and panties. Kate had chastised her about that for years, too. And the fact she’d wear her clothes until they fell apart. Her closet was only about a third filled, which was an insult to all women, according to the couture fashion designer.

  “We’re only in Inverness tonight. When we go further into the Highlands, civilization will be few and far between, so let’s go with the group and shop now. Please?”

  “I think you’re exaggerating about civilization, but fine. I’ll go.”

  Kate’s eyes lit up. She leaned over and kissed Ashlyn’s cheek. “You won’t regret it. I might even buy you something.”

  “Yeah, yeah.”

  Her friend jumped up, changed into really cute boots Ashlyn could never pull off, and ignored her lack of enthusiasm.

  ****

  She frowned when Kate pulled her toward the little shop with, “Enchanted Keepsakes” painted on a large plaque in the window. It was written in big white calligraphy-style letters, and didn’t seem to have the ability to light up. The items in the window display varied, shouting that the place would have mostly eclectic goods. “Since when do you like antiques?”

  “There’re more than antiques in there. Let’s go check it out!”

  Ashlyn studied the items in the window again. There was a large blue vase with a modern edge to it, and what looked to be an antique bicycle right beside it, but also a small display case with fancy jewelry on the other side of that. A black velvet-looking necklace and earring holder sat to the right of the small glass case, and it had a ruby and diamond set on in it.

  Things that didn’t seem to fit together. Things that were un-Kate-like, to boot. Besides the jewels, anyway.

  “Are you sure?” She hesitated, pulling against the grip on her wrist.

  “Geeze, for a history buff, you’re being weird. I thought you’d be all over something like this little store. It’s like stepping into the past. You could put it in one of your books. Just look at it. It’s quaint and adorable.”

  “That’s what you said about the cottage,” Ashlyn muttered. “Not very fashion designer of you.”

  She laughed. “I don’t have to have everything couture. Let’s go look around.”

  Even the bell that announced them opening the door was old school. The scent of old and new hit Ashlyn’s senses and she inhaled. There were other smells too, like sandalwood and lavender, so maybe the shop sold incense as well.

  The wood floors creaked as they moved forward, but that mad
e her smile. It really was like going back in time in a way, and it was comforting. Enveloped her so she wanted to look at everything all at once—and there was a lot to take in.

  It had a pleasant, homey feel that she’d been looking for since she’d come to Scotland. Funny how this little shop had given her what she’d been seeking all week. It drew her in, like a warm embrace.

  Ashlyn let her eyes feast.

  Tapestries that looked to be from all over the world, some canvas and some embroidered, were on display. There was a rack of rolled ones in front of that. A shelf of globes of all sizes grabbed her attention, from ones that appeared very old to a brand-new, bright blue one front and center.

  In the corner, there were paintings. Some were framed and leaning against the wall and each other, and prints were in a bin, each secured to cardboard backings. She spotted landscapes and portraits. Even a painting of a horse with a cat sitting on his wide back.

  Kate left her side to go explore on her own. Ashlyn heard her boots on the hardwood, sounding as if her friend had headed to the back of the store.

  She wandered to a glass case and scanned its contents. Like the front window, the shelves contained a plethora of items. More jewelry, from big oversized rings that looked ancient, to a bank of single-stone diamond engagement rings, then lockets of various sizes laying in rows on velvet clothes.

  Under those were some carved daggers and dirks, which also looked very old. Next was something Ashlyn loved—books. They were big and small, some lying open and some standing on end in a neat row, like they would on a bookshelf.