The Highlander Who Loved Me (Heart of a Highlander Collection Book 4)

by Allie Palomino

  Her eyes wandered everywhere but looked at nothing in particular, eyebrows curling in thought. She kept mumbling to herself as James looked on. When she stopped, eyes wide, her lips upturned into a smile.

  “Lass, ye leave me here suspended in confusion and worry. I’m thinking we must return. Ye are nay well.”

  Her smiling face turned towards James and she began laughing.

  “Ye’re daft, lass. Ye havena been eating well, and that may be affecting ye.”

  “James!”

  The face he gave her made her laugh harder. “I’m hale, I assure ye. ‘Tis just that…”

  “What?”

  She’d toyed with him too much if his face was an indicator. Her poor husband was looking on at her as if she needed a healer, or a priest for an exorcism.

  “We’ve been here for nearly three months, James.”

  “Aye, lass.”

  She blushed, which made him more curious.

  “The last occasion I had…my monthly…”

  He continued to look on at her, dumbfounded.

  She exhaled loudly. “James, are ye nay following me?”

  A smile broke through his face. “Lass, I’d follow ye through purgatory and beyond, but ye have me a bit lost here.”

  She grabbed his hands in excitement and jumped. A playful smile remained on his face as he caught her in his arms and held her at eye-level. Still, his gaze was reserved. It was a look, she was sure, that when levied against another would cause the other to divulge every secret of his or her life.

  “I havena,” her voice dropped to a whisper, “bled,” she cleared her throat, “since prior to us leaving.”

  James continued to stare at her stupefied.

  “Ye’re…”

  She nodded with a smile on her face.

  “Truly?”

  Breathing heavily, she nodded. “Aye. Aye!” she repeated as he heaved her upwards.

  “A bairn! Mo stòr!”

  His strong arms had lifted her so high, he kissed her belly and wrapped his arms around her middle. Her smell, so familiar to him, bathed him in warmth.

  Slowly he set her down and looked at her. Tears shown in her eyes, and a smile was on her lips.

  “I love ye, mo stòr.”

  He kneeled before her and placed his face into her soft belly. They stayed like that for a long while, joyful in their discovery and happy in each other’s embrace. After a while, he looked up at her. She looked lovingly down at her husband, her hands running through his hair.

  He kissed her belly again.

  “I canna wait to meet our bairn, mo stòr. What a gift ye give us, lass. A treasure from my treasure.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “Douglas, doona be so stubborn. Ye’re bleeding and injured. Let us summon James. He can take command.”

  Douglas shook his head. He’d been in the midst of battle against a small grouping of Kerrs and Munros, one of their allies. When the Kerrs continued to burn cottages and livestock, and engage in other acts of aggression, Douglas had no other option but to retaliate.

  “Nay. I willna burden him further and cause him to suffer the consequences of my decision, Connor.”

  Connor groaned, and Maddie placed her free hand on his shoulder. “Father, don’t be obstinate.”

  Connor snorted and Maddie looked down at him with wide eyes. “Something tickling your nose, husband?”

  Douglas laughed as Connor twisted his lips.

  “‘Tis quite hypocritical of ye, love, to accuse yer father of stubbornness when ye reign as queen in that regard.”

  Maddie gasped, slapping his shoulder. Anne stirred, and Maddie patted her back to sleep. She turned to her father again, face serious.

  “Father, I’ve only just known you. I don’t wish to be an orphan.”

  Douglas’ eyes widened, her words sobering him. “Lass…” He was touched, moved really. Her words seemed to sober him, and he looked at Connor again.

  “I will wait some more. We were close to discovering who is aiding Kerr. This is important. If we can determine who that is, we can halt the support. Kerr will be weakened and ineffective in his defense.”

  Connor looked at his father, who was speaking to one of his old commanders and his son. The Ramsays and Menzies had numerous allies, and the coordination of them was not an easy task. It required quick communication if they were to be successful. Somehow, the Kerrs had amounted a strong defense and surprising allies, which had caused much chaos in the Highlands.

  One never knew who your allies were until your feet were held to the fire. The allies who came forth on behalf of Kerr had surprised, and angered, many clans.

  A war in the Highlands was commencing.

  This was yet another reason why Douglas needed to find who was Kerr’s main ally.

  They needed to avoid an outright Highland war. It would mean their destruction.

  All of theirs.

  “This was a sign, Douglas. What if something had happened to ye? We doona know where my sister and James are.”

  “Connor, ‘tis nay as if they are lost and in danger. Eventually, they would return.”

  Connor looked at Iain. “How long is eventually?”

  Iain shrugged, and Connor narrowed his gaze on Douglas.

  “Tell us. It goes no where beyond here and us.”

  Douglas nodded.

  “On the northeast area of our land, there is a lake and waterfall. It is sacred to our clan, only known to us and never discussed with others outside of the clan.”

  Maddie perked up.

  “Did ye take Mother there?”

  Douglas looked at his daughter, visibly swallowing as he took a few moments to compose himself. Physical pain forgotten, mental pain came forth, apparent on his face. His eyes became glazed as memories of the woman he loved came forth.

  “Father?”

  Maddie’s worried voice brought him out of his cherished memories.

  “Aye, lass. I did.”

  Not wanting to cause her father further pain by asking the questions that wanted to be released from her tongue, Maddie simply nodded.

  Douglas hardened his face and looked at Connor.

  “There ye will find them.”

  They stayed silent for a moment, as Douglas’ arm wound was dressed.

  “May we help you with anything, Alpin?”

  Surprised, Alpin’s gaze moved from Douglas to Maddie. His lips pursed as if it was below him to answer her. Connor took note and stepped next to his wife. When Alpin noticed Connor’s annoyance, he took a step backwards and attempted to ease the insult.

  “Nay, milady. Lost in thought ‘tis all.”

  Connor’s eyes would not veer from Alpin.

  “Come, Alpin. We’ve much to do,” Gilroy said and walked out of the great room.

  Maddie’s eyes lingered on Alpin, who nodded at Connor, and ignored her.

  “Is there aught amiss, love?”

  She continued to look at Alpin until he left and then turned to Connor.

  “Nay.”

  Connor continued to look at her, and then looked down at her wringing hands. “Lass.”

  She smiled at him and kissed him on the lips. “I must go nurse Anne. Excuse me.”

  Before Connor could say anything more, his infuriating little wife left. Douglas, Malcolm, and Iain laughed.

  Maddie would always have her way with Connor. That was apparent to all, especially to Connor.

  “Let us resume our discussion,” Douglas said, rising. “I want it understood that I doona wish to send for James until it is our only option. We will take a step back and make another attempt to discover who aids Kerr.”

  Connor grimaced but nodded.

  Douglas continued. “Kerr is nay a sane man. ‘Tis as if over the decades, his paranoia has worsened.”

  Connor and Malcolm nodded.

  “Aye. ‘Tis the reason I believe Athyn to have left. We spoke little about it, but ‘twas obvious he had many frustrations with his father
.” Connor paused. “We could seek him out. He would be the rightful man to lead the Kerrs come Boyd’s…”

  Connor didn’t complete the sentence, but Douglas did.

  “Death.” He looked at all of them. “There is no other way. His very presence threatens the well-being of my family and clan, as well as both of my daughters.”

  Both Connor and Malcolm asked at the same time, “Both of yer daughters?”

  “Aye. Maddie and Katie. The veiled threats…the man is ill of the mind, a madman.” He stopped for a moment. “He will pay with his life.” Anger blazed into his eyes, when he punched a fist into other hand. “He will die for threatening me and mine.”

  Connor’s face had hardened. “Then we shall seek Athyn out. He’s become a wanderer, and has his own contingency of loyal men who left Boyd with him.”

  Douglas’ gaze fixed on him. “Then we must find Athyn, and have him at the ready.”

  Connor snorted. “I’m nay so sure he’d stand idly by, Douglas, while we fight his father. The manner in which he spoke of his father leads me to believe that he would raise his sword against him.”

  “Better yet,” Douglas added. “We should use any and all available men and allies, Athyn’s men too, no thanks to Kerr’s mysterious benefactor.”

  Douglas laughed after his comment, but it wasn’t lighthearted. It was laughter laced with disgust and annoyed aggression. Hands like claws that turned into fists, he said, “When I discover who the bastard is, he’ll willingly run into the arms of the devil to avoid my wrath.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  James was kissing her growing, rounded belly as they rested in the sun. Katie had a smile on her face as he kissed a path from her belly to the sensitive area below her left ear.

  “Are ye nay tired, husband? We’ve made love three times this morn, and ‘tis nay even midday.”

  James smiled as he nuzzled her neck. Lips next to her ear, he whispered, “I canna control myself with ye, mo stòr. Ye are so verra beautiful with my bairn in yer belly, I find myself wanting ye the whole day.”

  Katie laughed, her fingers moving through his hair. She brought his face to hers and began kissing him as if they hadn’t kissed in years. His hand touched her bare belly, feeling the soft skin protecting their child.

  “Ye did good with yer chemise. ‘Twas clever.”

  She shrugged. “Growing bigger and bigger so quickly, I didna have a choice. ‘Tis nay a surprise that the babe would be large early on, seeing as how my husband is a giant.”

  James’ laugh was deep and rich, causing a rush of warmth to flow through her. There was no better sound to her ears.

  Katie had cut the chemise up the front middle of the garment until the slit reached just below her breasts. Underneath, to cover her lower half, she wrapped plaid around her waist, below her belly. Another thin strip of plaid wrapped around her breasts, over the portion of the chemise that remained intact.

  “It can accommodate a growing belly, no matter the size.”

  James trailed kissed down to her neck, to her collarbone, and to her breasts.

  “Yer belly isna the only part of ye growing.”

  Katie laughed as he untied the plaid covering her breasts, pushed the chemise up, and began licking them.

  “James…”

  Her hands flew to his head as she moaned. At the same moment, her stomach growled. Laughing, James looked up from her breasts.

  “Someone is hungry…or mayhap ‘tis ye both.”

  Smiling at him. “Both, I’m thinking.”

  James stood and grinned at Katie. “Then I shall nay have both my treasures hungry.”

  Katie made to move but he stayed her. “I will bring ye what remains on the spit, and leave to hunt more.”

  A light blush covered her cheeks as she sat up. “I apologize, my heart. I canna believe how much my appetite has grown.”

  James kissed her nose. “Doona apologize, mo stòr. This is my purpose- to provide for ye and for my bairn. My family. It taxes me not, but instead, provides me with one of life’s greatest duties and sources of pride.” He ran a hand over her head, his thumb circling on her pink cheek. “I can well believe how yer appetite has increased. Ye are growing a bairn, Love. And ye are a wee little lass.”

  Katie laughed, kissing his lips. “Wee, eh? I willna be for long.”

  James walked to the spit to get what was remaining of the fish.

  “‘Tis good that I can eat rabbit and fish again.”

  He nodded. “Why do ye nay finish off this fish, and I will hunt now for rabbit for this evening since it has become yer favorite anew.”

  She yawned. “Aye. Sounds lovely, thank ye. I canna have enough of it. The bairn seems to be causing me to want it in excess.” Yawning again, she plopped a piece of fish into her mouth. “Would ye like some?”

  He shook his head, his gaze noticing the darkness under her eyes.

  “Ye eat yer fill, mo stòr. Then ye should rest. Go rest under our hut. ‘Tis a hot day.”

  James helped her up and Katie gathered her food.

  “Ye’re leaving now?”

  He nodded. “Aye. I have a few traps set that I need to check, but if they’re empty, I will be gone longer to hunt.”

  “James, please. I doona wish to tire ye. Fish will be fine.”

  Gifting her with a smile, he lifted an arm to show her his muscles. “Lass, does this body look tired to ye? I am an active man and need to remain so. If my wife desires rabbit, rabbit she shall have. I will gladly provide that for her, and aught else she desires.”

  He kissed her before settling her in. “Ye need to rest, Love. I will return before ye have an opportunity to miss me.”

  She reached her hand up to caress his face. “I always miss ye when ye are nay near. I love ye with my whole heart, James Rhiseart Menzies.”

  She placed his hand over her belly, and the baby kicked at that moment, causing the two to smile at one another.

  “We love ye.”

  “I love ye, my treasures, more than my life.”

  They shared another kiss before James gathered his bow, arrows, dagger, and sword. He tapped her dagger while looking at her, and a few other smaller ones that he thought were a good fit for her small hands. He had continued his instructions while they were there, and James had been satisfied at the progress she’d made.

  “Aye, husband, I see them.”

  With one last kiss, he walked out. The notches had already passed one-hundred. He briefly considered whether he should return with Katie. Something was nagging at him. He trusted in his father’s ability, but surely by now they would’ve discovered who was aiding Kerr and halt that, and overpowered Kerr and his allies. He looked back at Katie. Soon, they’d have to return to either her family’s keep, or take her home to his.

  What if she had an issue with the unborn bairn? He was no healer. What if she has what Maddie had experienced during her term? Maddie had suffered from pains months prior to Anne’s arrival.

  James’ blood froze in his veins.

  What would he do if there was a complication with Katie? Whichever holding he chose to go, it would take days to reach- two for hers, three to four for his. He had not exaggerated the vastness of the Menzies’ lands, or the remoteness of the waterfall.

  His gaze returned to Katie, who looked at peace. He would simply need to have faith that she would not have any complications. They would wait a few more weeks, mayhap a meager fortnight, and then return.

  James wanted to know what was transpiring that would cause such a lengthy wait for their families to retrieve them. Surely his father would have told Connor where they were.

  Questions abounded, and it made James uneasy that he’d settled into passivity here with his bride. How could he not have questioned this sooner? Was the love of a woman so blinding that he hadn’t thought of why they’d not been sought out yet?

  Moving to Katie’s face, he knew the truth- aye, the love of a woman could make a man, a warrior, do many thing
s, including forget how and why the days pass while oblivious in the love they shared.

  James looked at the notches again, and made to hurry. He did not wish to leave her alone for long.

  Katie heard his footsteps fade into a good distance. She was proud of herself for all that she’d learned. She owed her husband a great deal for all that he’d shown her, and all that he’d given back to her.

  Her violation had taken much from her-

  Her sense of independence.

  Her feeling of comfort and safety.

  Her feeling that her body was hers alone to command and share.

  James had returned all those assurances and confidences back to her and much more. Not only did she have her independence, comfort, safety, and dominion over her body, but she now had gained the ability to defend herself.

  Katie closed her eyes, a small smile appearing on her face. She touched her lips where she still felt his kiss. She felt warmth around her shoulders where she felt his arms. She brought her hand to her chest where her heart overflowed with his love.

  This man, this wondrous man, had made her happier than she’d ever thought possible, and the love she had for him was greater than she could ever show him by actions and words. She would always endeavor to try, however.

  Yawning, Katie settled on her side, one hand to her chest and the other curved over her belly. Her breathing slowed and she fell into an easy sleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “‘Tis time.”

  Douglas looked at all of them, sweat beading on his forehead. He’d just come from one front where the endless amount of Kerr soldiers and allies were holding strong.

  “We’re spread too thin, even amongst us all.” Douglas rubbed his left shoulder. The injury he’d sustained was bothering him. Thank the Lord, it hadn’t been his fighting arm injured months earlier.

  “What has changed?”

  The sun was hot against their skin. Connor stood with Douglas, surrounded by their commanders, and of few others of their most trusted men. They wiped the sweat from their faces; the sun was unyielding. Malcolm remained at the keep, maintaining order and safety there, should the fighting move unexpectedly their way. Connor had managed to keep the fighting from moving onto Ramsay land. Currently, they were fighting at the five corners- where the lands of five clans met, two of them Ramsay and Menzies. There were other fronts, however, this was the main battle area.