Highland Defiance (The MacLomain Series- Early Years) (3 page)

Both were of similar height at about six feet tall. Jim was the more handsome of the two with enigmatic eyes and a strong build. Or at least he’d always seemed more attractive, most likely because his personality was outgoing, his mere presence so consuming. He had a way of owning a room when he walked in. Nothing seemed to scare Jim and she’d always found that attractive. She supposed David was good looking too with sandy blond hair and soft green eyes. But David was quiet and reflective. While she loved him for those qualities they didn’t particularly draw her.

“So I suppose he’s entering the military,” David said softly.

It didn’t surprise her at all that David had figured that out even though he’d been told she was mad at Irene. With a heavy sigh, she responded. “Yes.”

“It’s admirable. I might do the same!” Jim declared.

David frowned and shook his head.
“Not what she needs to hear right now, Jim.”

“It’s fine.” She cocked a brow at Jim. “What, you’ll really leave your horses to fight a war?”

He appeared properly wounded. “If need be. Of course I would.”

“It’s hard to imagine you going to war,” she murmured. The truth of it was the idea had made her chest tighten a little. He possessed so much life. The thought of him dying seemed such a waste.

“He won’t go,” David said.

Jim narrowed his eyes. “I just might.”

Mildred rolled her eyes. “Don’t you two
start.
This morning’s been ripe with enough drama already.” She eyed her brother and sister and said louder, “Besides, my gripes with them.”

“They’re purposefully ignoring you.” Jim grinned. “But I’m not. Will you be going to the fair tonight, Mildred?”

She cast a sly grin his way.
“Only if Bess is.
I love to watch her chase you.”

“I bet you do.” Jim pulled her a little closer. “But she never quite catches me, does she?”

Mildred winked. “Keep on like you have been, Jim Seavey, and she will.”

There was no mistaking the attraction between Bess and Jim, even if it was more on her side. He liked her. Mildred knew it. And that was just fine. They’d make a good couple.

“Did you notice that there are more and more women employees and fewer men,” David mentioned. “The war’s heating up.”

Mildred eyed the brick mill they walked toward. David was right. She’d noticed. They’d all noticed it. Could it be that a year from now she’d come to work and all the men would be gone? Off to war? She glanced at Jim, David and then Jonathan. A shiver ran down her spine. Would all of these carefree young men that’d made up her life be gone?

Well, don’t let the thought haunt you, lass. Such is life.

Mildred stopped and her friend’s arms fell away.

“What is it?” David asked.

Jim looked from the mill to her and said, “Oh, stop worrying, Mildred. If we go to war, we’ll come back.” He grinned and shrugged. “At least I will.”

David put his hand on her shoulder. “Mildred? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Who are you?
She whispered in her mind.

“Mildred?” David repeated.

“Yes.” Mildred worked at a reassuring smile. “I’m fine, David. It’s okay.”

Jim put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “Then stop looking so damned white.” He took her face in his hands and leaned in close. “Fear has no place in this war. You need to ante up, my friend. Succumb to your emotions or fight them. Choose your battle. I’d suggest fighting them. Set them aside. They can’t be a part of any of this. Best way to get through any war.”

It wasn’t an easy pill to swallow. But she knew he was right. It seemed Jim was much like the man from her dreams. With only a wobbly smile to offer, she pulled away and nodded toward the mill. “Best we go to work then.”

Nobody said a word as she strode toward the building. In fact, she didn’t hear the fall of their footsteps behind her. When Mildred turned back to urge them to follow she froze. The world had started to blur. Stumbling, she shook her head.

Something wasn’t right.

“Are you okay?” David asked, brows bunching together.

Of course, she tried to answer. But it felt like she was melting. The air seemed to soften. Panicked, she reached out. Concerned, Jim came to her first, David right behind. Their faces seemed oblong and warped.

“What’s happening to me?” she whispered.

As if the gods heard, everything started to swirl around her, almost as though a tornado had suddenly appeared. The air started to smell sugary sweet moments before everything dropped away. The car, her siblings, her friends, they all vanished only to be replaced by darkness and suction. Petrified, she crouched and held her head to her knees. A loud roar filled her eardrums.

The Germans must be dropping a bomb!

Mildred looked up and tried to warn everyone. But it was pitch black and they’d vanished. Her muscles tightened. She screamed. This couldn’t be happening. In a crouched, defensive position, she rode out the wind and warp happening around her.

Eventually, the wind became a light breeze.

Was this post bomb fallout?

She slowly raised her head and inhaled a tentative breath. Not to a world gray with bomb residue but to one calm and peaceful and… green? Mildred didn’t move but squeezed her eyes shut. Lord, was she dizzy.

“It took you long enough, lassie.”

Mildred released air softly through her teeth and refused to open her eyes.

It was the man from her dreams.

Again.

Someone moved. She knew it. Their steps drew closer until his deep voice said, “Your clan waits for you.”

She didn’t move, didn’t dare.

He crouched and said, “Why are you so blasted defiant, lassie?”

I can handle this. I have to handle this!
A dream is a dream after all; no matter if she thought she was going to work. No matter if she wondered at her sanity. So she decided to crack one eye open at a time.

Piece by piece, the man in front of her appeared.

He grinned. “Quite handsome, aren’t I?”

Her eyes popped open.
Handsome?
Extremely! His black hair was tousled, his startling light blue eyes merry, his chiseled face astounding.

“No,” she said automatically and buried her head again.

“Oh.” He plunked down beside her.
“’Tis a thing sometimes, the shock of my good appearance.”

Mildred breathed deeply and hid her grin.
Arrogant.
But she couldn’t help but enjoy this dream. It was the first of its kind. She peeked out from beneath her arm and said, “You’re awfully full of yourself.”

“Nay.”
He looked ahead and shook his head. “I stopped being
that way years
ago.”

Still from beneath her arm. “Being full of yourself?”

“Aye.”
He leaned back and stretched out his legs.
“Turns out the lassies dinnae like it.”

Mildred lifted her head slightly.
“Why not?
I find it rather becoming.”

“You would.”

“I would?”

“Of course.”

“Why is that?”

“Because you’re arrogant too.”

She sat up straighter.
“Am not.”

“Are too.”
He titled back his head. “Do you feel that?”

“What?” But she already did. A cool wind blew through the forest and brushed her cheek. For the first time since she’d arrived, Mildred looked around. There existed no steel mill looming in the distance waiting for her to make parts for planes created for war. There existed no stream of people trudging into a plant determined to do their job.

Her friends and siblings had vanished.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Her eyes darted to the man beside her then back at the forest. “Yes, but I don’t understand.”

“Cannae you
be
happy with what is in front of you?”

She heard his accent and saw the forest and shook her head. “No, I can’t.”

“Too bad.”
He jumped to his feet and held down his hand. “M’lady.”

Mildred looked up, still barely familiar with everything and shook her head. “No.”

He ignored her and pulled her to her feet. Stunned, she looked up…and up. It was then that she truly realized the stature of the man talking to her. With shoulders easily twice as wide as hers, a height at least eight inches taller and a frame rippled with muscles, he was overwhelming.

Her eyes drifted over his face. That face. One she’d dreamed of since she’d been a little girl. Perfectly proportioned, with a straight nose, square chin, and straight brows, it’d always been overly alluring.

And those eyes...like the clearest blue sky sharpened by sunlight.

“Well, what about my attire?”

Her eyes rounded. Yes, his attire was… amazing.

“You’re wearing a…” She glanced away and cinched her lips before looking at him again, brows up. “You’re wearing a skirt.” Mildred paused a minute to get her bearings in front of such a good looking fellow. But things must be said so she gathered her courage and looked him dead in the eye. “Are you aware that you wear a skirt?”

With a shocked look, he peered down and said, “It appears that I am!”

Mildred breathed deeply through her nostrils and nodded solemnly. “So I’m the first to tell you.”

He looked to the sky for guidance then into her eyes. “It seems you are.”

“Well, I’m sorry about that but honestly it’ll get you in trouble, even in my dream.”

“Even in your dream?” he asked.

“Yes.” She looked around. “You never know how things will work in my mind.” Mildred peered up at him and tried her best to keep her breathing even. “No matter how strong you look.”

He nodded in agreement. “I am verra strong.”

Mildred smiled. She couldn’t help herself. “Of course you are.”

“And you are verra young.”

Taken aback she said, “I just turned twenty. That’s not so young.”

His eyes suddenly searched hers. “I know you dinnae believe in men in skirts. Tell me then, do you believe in magic?”

Her nerve endings tingled. The forest seemed to shimmer. Of course she did.
“Absolutely not.”

“Then how are you here?”

Mildred ignored the compelling scent of his skin and the direct look in his eyes and said, “I’m not here. Neither are you.”

He moved closer. She stepped back.

“Rest assured, I am here, as are you. Right here, right now.
In Scotland.”

For a split second she tried to look to the sea as she had in her dream.