by Barbara Bard
* * *
Sarah set her face in grim determination.
* * *
“If I've dealt with Lord Flynn I can deal with anything. I won't let you down, Drew. I'll prove that I'm strong enough to be with you.”
* * *
His hand found her cheek and stroked it gently.
* * *
“Ye dinnae hae tae prove anything tae me, lass. Ye saved my life. Ye showed me that it's possible for me tae love someone. Without ye I would never have beaten Lord Flynn. I did nae fight just for the clan, or for myself, I fought for ye as well. I thought about how cruelly he treated ye. I know ye did nae tell me exactly what he did, and I am nae sure I want tae know, but I got revenge for ye.”
* * *
“Thank you, Drew. And thank you for not asking too much about my past. I would like to put that time behind me if it's possible. I have only bad memories, and I would much prefer to think about the future with you. In some ways it feels as though my life only begun when I met you.”
* * *
“Ye have nae idea how that makes me feel, lass,” he said, leaning over to kiss her, his hot breath washing over her lips. Sarah's heart trembled inside, beating rapidly as she felt the warmth of his flesh underneath her fingertips.
* * *
“I do so hope that Catherine can find it in her heart to be happy here. I just know that she is better off being here than being stuck in England.”
* * *
“She will, lass, just be her friend, and ye will guide her. She will take some time tae get used tae things here though. As will ye.”
* * *
“I think I am used to things already,” she said, and rolled over on top of him, kissing him ardently. She twined her fingers in his hair and nestled her face against his beard. Being alone in the room with him made her feel just as she did when she was in the glade, perfect and at peace. Sarah had endured a great deal of tragedy in her life, but finally she had found someone who was a kindred spirit.
* * *
Before meeting Drew, she never would have thought that her soul mate would have been a Highlander, but now she was sure that she wouldn't be happy with anyone else. She thought back to her parents and hoped that they were proud of her, and glad that she was happy, even though in a way she had betrayed them.
* * *
Sarah lost herself in Drew's sweet kisses, enjoying the feeling of his hands roaming around her body. The heat surged between them, and even though the two of them were tired they both found the energy to let their bodies come together in a happy union.
* * *
The bed creaked under their weight. Sarah gasped as she allowed herself to fall in love with Drew all over again. Every time she met his eyes it was as though she was falling in love with him for the first time, and as they made love a broad smile appeared on her face.
* * *
Drew lay back, his leg too wounded for him to do anything else, so Sarah took control, straddling him, leaning over him, showering him with kisses as she let the pleasure wash through her. She pushed all the negative thoughts out of her mind and allowed herself to drown in the sensation of being lost in love. The happiness seized her heart and lifted her up, making her feel ethereal.
* * *
When the warm orgasmic feeling rushed over her like hot, steamy water her breath hitched, and then she fell onto Drew's body again. Outside, she could hear the sounds of revelry continuing, the Highlanders happy in their victory.
* * *
The passion dwindled, like a fire fading to embers. With a mighty grunt Drew kissed Sarah and was satisfied. He breathed heavily, and murmured softly.
* * *
“Sleep, my sweet and mighty warrior,” Sarah said, bestowing a loving kiss on his forehead. She caressed his head and watched him quickly fall asleep, having been through so much. Drew had literally fought to the death for her. Never had she imagined that anyone would love her so much that they would want to put their life on the line.
* * *
Drew had done so many things for her. He'd shown her things, shown her how to be a woman, and she would forever be grateful to him for that. She wanted to prove to him that she was a worthy woman, a strong woman. She wanted to prove to all the Highlanders that she could handle living in these wild lands.
* * *
The moon had long taken the celestial throne from the sun. Sarah rose from bed, letting the covers slip from her naked waist, and walked over to the window. A cool night breeze wafted in. Camp fires were dotted all around. Many of the Highland army were remaining there for a while before they went back to their own homes.
* * *
Sarah lifted her gaze and looked across the land. The moon was a crescent, but was still bright. The stars twinkled against the inky black night. The land around here stretched out endlessly, and England had never been further away.
* * *
In all her young life Sarah had never thought about leaving England, but now she found that she did not want to return. Here she could be free and safe, and did not have to worry about being someone's handmaiden, or having to pretend to be someone she was not. She could just be herself, and Drew would love her. It was impossible for her to explain to anyone how difficult it had been to hide her true identity and pretend to be Rosemary.
* * *
Those days were over though. Better ones would follow. The war was behind them and she did not have to worry about Lord Flynn haunting her. There were troubles, of course, but in time she was sure that she would be able to convince Catherine that this was the place she belonged in, free of the overbearing presence of her father.
* * *
Sarah turned away from the window and looked back at her new love. Drew looked so peaceful. When she first saw him she had thought him a barbaric man, a savage brute who cared for nothing other than war and blood. The more she had grown to know him, the more she found that he had great depth and a deep sensitivity.
* * *
Leaving the window, she returned to bed and pulled the rough blanket over her, nestling into Drew again. He stirred a little and turned. She leaned into him and closed her eyes, ready to let the night fall upon her, even though part of her was afraid that she would awake in the woods and find out that this was all a dream.
* * *
No, she told herself. This wasn't a dream at all. This was really happening to her. She had found a man with whom she could spend the rest of her life. She had found a place where she could be happy and safe. She had found a new purpose. Breathing deeply, she let the sounds of the revelry fade into the night.
* * *
“Drew, you have no idea how happy you've made me,” she whispered.
* * *
Sarah went to sleep with thoughts of Drew on her mind, thoughts of the future and the life they would have together, filled with children and happiness. They would be a family, and she would raise her children in a way that her own parents never could. She would make up for the tragedy that had befallen her younger self by showing others the kindness and compassion that would hopefully spread and prove that war was unnecessary.
* * *
In Drew's arms she fell asleep, for the first time hopeful about meeting tomorrow.
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About Barbara Bard
Barbara Bard was born in the Highlands of Scotland but moved to the United States and was raised in the sweltering heat of New Orleans. She studied at Emory University in Atlanta and has work
ed as a journalist for a small press.
Barbara’s partner is descended from Scottish ancestors and she has been fascinated with all things Scottish for many years. That interest has also helped to propel a blossoming writing career and she is now working on novels with a historical Scottish romance flavor.
The first in her series follows the exploits of the Baird and McCall clans and is full of the type of brave warrior heroes that are romanticized of that era, while her books about the MacDougal clan have a more magic and paranormal feel to them.
When she isn’t working or writing her next book, Barbara enjoys yoga and traveling to new and exciting places. She loves nothing better than immersing herself in the culture of another country and getting to know some of the locals.
Barbara hopes that her novels will soon become self-sustaining and provide her with the full-time career she has always wanted.