Highlander's Challenge (25 page)

He gingerly took the odd pieces and felt their strange texture and deciphered some of the writings. "Bodyguard?" The term must mean what he thought, but a woman as a guard?

"Yep. I'm a professional bodyguard. People hire me to keep them safe, and keep the wackos away. But that's not the best part." She reached into her coat and pulled out another item. "This is my cell phone. It won't work here, but you can see all the gadgets and games on it." She pressed her finger against it and the thing came to life. He leaned back, resisting the urge to leap away, as it beeped and sang an irritating tune.

"It's okay," she said quickly. "It's a communication device. Um, think of it as a really fancy way to talk to someone else that's far away. Like a carrier pigeon. You've got those, right?"

He nodded, the blood pounding fiercely in his head. 238

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"Think about this. You've got a phone." She held up her device. "And the guy you want to talk to has one too. You simply punch in some numbers and his phone rings. He picks it up and opens it, and voila, you two can speak to one another."

She looked at him expectantly, but he couldn't begin to fathom such a wondrous thing.

"I can see without a live demo this isn't getting through. But you see now, don't you? That I'm not from here, from anywhere around here, from this time. Oh, hey, that's another thing."

She stuck out her arm and pulled up her sleeve. "This is my watch. I'm sure you've seen timepieces before. Well maybe, I'm not sure how common they are yet, but I know you've never seen anything like this baby." He marveled at the piece, comprehending its function, but the future? "'Tis still more than I can believe. I'm sorry, lass. These—things of yours are wondrous, aye, but that doesna mean you come from the future."

She let out a heavy breath. "Yeah, well, I tried. I said you wouldn't believe me."

"I believe that you're a lass with unusual skills and unusual treasures, who needs safe passage back tae her homeland. I canna provide it now, but I can offer you food and shelter for the time being."

She narrowed her eyes. "Why? You've seen that I can take care of myself. Why bother housing me?" 239

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He rested his arms on his knees and plucked a twig from the ground. "You've been good to my kin, and—saved my life. I'm grateful," he grudgingly admitted.

"You're welcome."

He nodded, uncomfortable with the topic and her closeness. "I ask that you dinnae show your possessions tae anyone else while you're here. I'd rather not see you burned at the stake." He shot her a grin to lighten the mood. "No matter how irritating you can be."

"Oh, you're a riot," she said with a hint of a smile. "But it's a deal. I need to earn my keep though. If I'm stuck here for a while I might as well look around. I'll need money for that." His heart twisted with the thought of her leaving him for good. He cleared his throat, silently repeating his duty to himself. He was to be married and naught could change that.

"I will give you what you need when you're ready tae go," he said, although it nearly choked him.

"Thanks."

He stood and held out his hand. "Come. It grows late." She looked at his roughened palm before slipping her hand into his. The connection created a wave of heat and longing so powerful it took all his strength not to pull her into his arms.

Once on her feet, he dropped her hand, unable to bear the feel of her skin against his any longer and turned toward home. Perhaps he should see her on her way soon, before he broke his vow to his clan and to his future bride. 240

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"Your knife is a most unusual weapon," he said, looking for something to say as she silently fell in step beside him. "That too, you should keep hidden, although many have seen it." She leaned down, pulled it from the sheath, and handed it to him. "I can see you drooling. Go ahead and take a look. You've earned that at least."

He grinned and took the knife. Examining her blade, his thoughts cooled considerably as his curiosity peaked. "How did you make the metal this odd shade? And what is the hilt made of?"

"The hilt is made of a plastic compound, something you don't have here. I don't know how they blacken the steel, but it's to keep it from reflecting light at night. Here, the handle opens too." She twisted off the end just below the compass and a thick line as well as other items fell into his hand.

"Amazing," he said softly.

"Sweet, isn't it?"

He sniffed. "Leave a woman tae call a blade sweet."

"Hey, you guys refer to your claymores as she. I've heard you."

"'Tis not the same."

"Yeah, yeah. So, I let you play with my knife. Do I get to play with your claymore?"

He nearly stumbled from the heated thoughts flashing through his mind. Why could he not have a normal conversation with the woman without every word she uttered, every move she made have him thinking of bedding her?

"Uh, I mean, I—oh, you know what I meant," she grumbled.

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He cast her a quick glance and found her face alight with flame, apparently fully aware of how her comment had struck him. He tried to hold it back, but couldn't. Laughter exploded from his chest like thunder. Never had he enjoyed a woman so much. Her wit, her uncanny remarks. She met him challenge for challenge. Exasperating as she was, damned if he could keep himself from liking her. And more. Handing her back the blade with a remnant chuckle, he said, "You couldna lift my claymore, much less wield it." She tilted her face in that defiant way she had. "You'd be surprised what I can do. You're just afraid I'll show you up. Afraid of what I can do."

"Aye, lass, you just might be right," he said, his mirth fading rapidly with the dangerous truth in her words. "You just might be right."

She sheathed her blade then shoved her hands into her pockets. "Care to try a little future snack?" Taking his wrist, she placed an odd-shaped yellow morsel in his hand. "That's a lemon flavored one."

He narrowed his gaze at her, then at the strange glob lying in his palm.

"Go ahead, try it." She grinned cockily. "I dare you." She popped one of another color into her mouth. Tentatively, he mirrored her action. He stopped on the road in mid-stride as sweetened lemons bathed his tongue. Chewing slowly, savoring the flavor, he smiled.

"Good, huh?" she asked.

He nodded and held out his hand for another. 242

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"Hmm, well, don't get hooked. They won't be invented for a long time yet. My stash is only so big, you know." Ignoring her repeated reference to the future, he slipped another piece of the delicious treat into his mouth, stunned to discover the taste of cherries.

"I, um, want to thank you for trusting me," she said, her voice decidedly softer. "It can't be easy with everything that's going on." She bobbled her head. "And with my wacko story and all. It's nice to have someplace to stay. I appreciate it." He glanced at her, taken aback by her sincerity. He wondered when she last had a sense of security in her life. Her unusual profession sounded much like that of a mercenary, never staying in any one place for long, never getting close to people. It was a hard life for a woman. A hard life for a man.

"You will always be welcome at Arreyder Castle," he said, looking at her more closely.

She held his gaze for a long moment, then nodded and looked back to the road. There was so much more he wanted to know about her, and yet he didn't dare pursue such knowledge. He was certain it would only serve to embed her in his heart, if she was not already there. They made the rest of the journey in silence. 243

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The boar was roasted for dinner and was delicious. So was the wine, of which Tuck had too much. She never drank, not after life with her father, but the water wasn't exactly fit to consume, so she had little choice, and tonight she wanted to celebrate. Silently, of course. She and Colin had come to an agreement, a truce of sorts. It was more than she'd expected. She stole secretive glances at him all through the night. He was glorious to look at. His broad shoulders, his long tan fingers, his lion-like eyes. The man was amazing. Having never fought a wild boar before, she'd been more than just a little out of her element. Although fairly certain she could've handled things herself, it felt wonderful to have someone do the dirty work for a change.

He turned to Aileen and smiled. Tuck averted her gaze at the sharp pang in her chest. Maybe staying wasn't such a good idea after all. Ian made some comment, and she did her best to take part in the men's discussion about the boar and their very physical afternoon in the lists. Douglas rose and retired to the solar with Elspeth with several others following in his wake, while Tuck shuffled down the hall behind them on Ian's arm.

She chatted a bit with Elspeth then played Douglas in a quick game of chess, which he won. Her heart just wasn't in it. How could it be when all she could think about was Colin and Aileen quietly sitting on the other side of the room getting to know one another?

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"I believe I shall take my triumph and go for a stroll," Douglas said. "Care tae join me, Ellie?" Blushing, Elspeth took his arm and left the room. The way that randy old Scot teased the woman, the way he watched her when she wasn't looking, made Tuck downright jealous. What Ian had said about Douglas never knowing how Elspeth felt about him had obviously changed. Of course, near brushes with death tended to do that to a lot of people. They saw things differently, appreciated life more. Strange. She'd had her share of near death experiences, but they'd always made her life harder, more unpleasant. Especially today. She knew now, without a doubt, that seeing Colin marry someone else was going to kill her. Aileen quietly excused herself with Robert on her heels. Her voice was soft and sweet, just as Tuck knew it would be. Tuck shouldn't have come back to the castle. She should've turned down the road and kept on going when that stupid spring didn't work.

Ian and Colin laughed at something, startling her from her thoughts. Their good-natured bickering over chess strategies almost made her smile. They were so like brothers, and yet as different as the poles. She would miss them when she left for her European tour. It would be so much better if she could figure out how to get back to her own time. At least she knew she wouldn't run into him there.

"Amelia, dear heart, you look a bit peaked. Do not tell me you took Douglas' beating that hard," Ian said with a chuckle.

"Oh no, I'm fine," she lied, forcing a light tone to her voice. 245

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"Perhaps your encounter this afternoon with that beast has left you feeling a bit undone," he suggested softly. The whole clan was murmuring about Colin and the boar, but she hadn't provided anyone with the gruesome details. She simply changed the subject.

"Yes, I am a bit tired," she said. "I think I'll turn in."

"Good rest to you, dear heart." Ian snatched her hand, gracefully of course, and planted a light kiss. Colin grumbled a muttered sort of good night as she made her way to the door. Pausing, she looked back at the two men she admired more than any others in her life. She was going to miss them terribly, but she had to leave. Waiting was a wasted effort. Sure, she could use the cash Colin had promised her, but frankly, she didn't care. She simply couldn't watch him smile at Aileen, marry Aileen—love Aileen. She made plans to sneak out after everyone had gone to bed. It was better that way. Then perhaps Colin, or rather his blasted honor, wouldn't send him running after her.

* * * *

Aileen was a sweet lass, Colin thought after Ian left him alone in the solar. She'd make a fine wife—if he didn't break her in two in their marriage bed.

He'd used every ounce of strength he possessed to keep from gazing at Amelia. How he yearned to be as one of his guards, free to wed of his own choosing, free of the vast responsibilities his position placed on his shoulders. 246

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"We must learn who these men in the dungeon are," his father said, breaking into his thoughts as he entered the solar.

He turned from the darkened window, leaving his foolish wishes behind and sank in a chair. "Aye. Perhaps tomorrow we should bring them up and have them face Robert. See their reaction."

His father nodded thoughtfully. "I dinnae want tae think of MacKenzie being in league with another clan against us, but if

'tis so, then we must tread carefully. This wedding may be a bit of treachery, a way tae make us lower our guard." Relieved to see his father taking an interest in something other than his impending wedding or his aunt, Colin relaxed further into his chair. "'Tis possible that MacKenzie isna the true enemy. I canna help wondering if someone else is trying tae manipulate us all."

Ian rushed into the room. "Colin, you must come. 'Tis Amelia, she is gravely ill. She may not—" He swallowed visibly and shook his head.

Every one of his limbs went numb. He tried to rise but his body refused to obey him. How could it be? He'd seen her but an hour ago, strong and sure. True, at times during the evening he'd sensed an unease about her, but to be so ill that she might die?

"You must go tae her, lad," his father said. "We'll discuss this matter later."

"Aye," Colin said with a faint nod. Forcing his legs to move, he catapulted his body through the doorway. His heart 247

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pounded faster as his pace quickened until he was running to Amelia's chamber, determined to beat death to her door. He burst into her room with Ian in his wake and came to a staggering halt at the sight before him. The flashing eyes he'd come to know were closed as Elspeth stood by the bed wiping her damp brow.