Page 21 of Taken By the Heartless Highlander
“What is that for?” he asked.
“Ye never ken what ye’ll need,” she said. And just as she turned, the sun streamed through the window, catching the glass and illuminating the center of the table in a soft green glow.
The kitchen was silent and still, and there was no noise from outside, save for the gentle plod of the donkey’s hooves as her siblings brought him around to the front door.
MacAllen stood in the center of the room, his long fingers curved around the back of the chair. Green reflections skittered over his face, making his eyes look even more green than usual. Keira found herself wishing she could capture the color and keep it for herself.
“Will ye miss it?” MacAllen asked.
She was surprised and a little taken aback by the question.
“Aye,” she replied shortly, feeling her chest tighten. “I helped a lot of people in this cottage, and they came to me for guidance. I will always be sorry to leave in this way.”
His eyes were sad, anger smoldering below the surface as he looked out at the village before them. The area was still eerily quiet, as though the occupants were hiding until they were gone.
Keira bent down to retrieve the final few bags that her brother had gathered just as MacAllen stooped to do the same and their hands closed over one another.
She gasped, pulling away as he hoisted all of the bags over his shoulder as though they weighed nothing at all.
Keira stared at him, her mouth hanging open in surprise as he stood to his full height, only inches away from her. She looked up into his face, his expression grave and serious.
“Ye’re not accustomed to people helpin’ ye, are ye lass?” he asked as he shifted the bags into a more comfortable position on his shoulder. She found herself unable to speak, impressed by his strength and touched that he was so willing to relieve some of the burdens in her life.
“Ye arenae alone today, lass,” his voice was low and intimate in the quiet space. “Ye dinnae have to do it all yerself.”
He turned then, his large chest brushing against her and sending tendrils of pleasure through her skin. She watched him walk out into the weak sunshine, just showing itself through the clouds.
She felt hope in her heart for the first time in many years, and it was a frightening feeling. She could not afford to be dependent on anyone but herself, she had learned that long ago.
Four weeks and we will be away,she thought,I willnae have to rely on him for long, nae matter how much I may wish to.
CHAPTER10
Checkingthat the children were following behind, Noah lifted Keira’s remaining things into Mac’s saddle bags.
The horse shook his head in protest, pawing at the ground with his feet and whinnying at him.
“I ken, lad,” he said, “I’ll give ye a long brush down when we return.”
Mac was still covered in sweat from their gallop to the village, and Noah could tell he was exhausted from the morning’s efforts, his ear pinned back and his head lowered.
Keira went round to Mac’s nose and stroked him, whispering sweet nothings into his ears. She bent down to the ground, plucking an apple from the floor and holding it out to him. Mac took it gratefully, munching on the fresh fruit with obvious relish.
“Ye’ll spoil him with that,” Noah muttered, growing even more annoyed when Mac’s ears went forward again, and he nuzzled affectionately at Keira’s chest.
What I wouldn’t give to be me horse,he thought wryly.
“He’s a beautiful beast,” Keira said, scratching Mac’s nose.
Noah shook his head. “Dinnae tell him that either, his head is already big enough.”
As Keira stepped up to the horse’s flank, Noah glanced back to check on the children. They stood behind them, Scott leading the donkey while Daisy rode on its back, just as eager to leave as Noah was.
He held his hand out to Keira. She seemed to take it against her better judgment, a small frown on her face.
He pulled her briefly to him, unwilling to have her body against his for too long. He relished the feel of her slim waist as he placed his hands about her and lifted her into the saddle.
“Ye go ahead,” he called to Scott. “Mac doesnae wait for anyone unless he’s followin’ in line. He’ll be too fast for that donkey’s legs.”
