Page 110 of The Highlander Who Loved Me
He caught her hand and tapped two fingers against his chest. A metallicdingmet her touch. “Brenna’s a clever lass.”
“Armor?” Johanna’s heart slowed its frantic pace. “Beneath your clothing.”
“She sacrificed fine silver platters to make this device. The front and back of my chest are protected.”
“Brilliant.” Her fingers danced over his stubble-covered chin. Despite Brenna’s deflector, he’d taken quite a risk. “Thank heaven that witch did not aim higher.”
“Aye. If she had, I wouldnae be talking to ye now. It was a chance I had to take.” He glanced away, as if that would hide the emotion that darkened his eyes to the color of a forest at dusk. Grimacing, he pushed himself to a sitting position, then to his feet. “The bairn? She is well?”
“I told her to hide. I must go after her.”
Behind them, Gerard had secured Munro and Ross as prisoners. Connor turned to his brother. “Ye’re still as stubborn as ever. I didnae expect to see yer face, looking pale as a specter as ye do.”
“I told you I could still ride since these fools were daft enough to leave their mounts behind.” Gerard nodded to Cranston’s henchmen. “Thoughtful of ye, gents.”
Bound and gagged, the thugs could only mutter behind the stout cloth covering their mouths.
“Come, Johanna.” Connor’s low burr seemed to caress her name. He caught her hand in his. “We’ll find the bairn. After all this, I am looking forward to making the young lass’s acquaintance.”
…
“Auntie!” The girl’s joyous shout was a tonic to Connor’s weary brain. A smile crinkling her freckle-covered nose, the bright-eyed sprite rushed to Johanna. The young lass was her aunt in miniature. Had he not known better, he would’ve sworn the child was Johanna’s own daughter.
The girl took one look at him and stopped in her tracks. Her eyes narrowed. Suspicious, yet unafraid. “Why did you come for us?”
“We’re here to bring ye home, lass.” Connor held his voice low and calm.
The girl shook her head. “You came after the stone. Like the rest.”
“What do you know of the stone?” Johanna asked gently.
“I heard them all talking about it…about its magic.”
“It has no magic,” Connor said, matter-of-fact. “The only thing magical is how much yer aunt loves ye. She found ye, and now, ye’re going home.”
Tears welled in the child’s eyes. She scrubbed a fist over her face, as if willing herself not to cry. “They killed Papa.”
Connor touched a finger to the girl’s dark curls. He struggled for the right words to comfort her. A small dagger twisted in his chest. Blast it, this shouldn’t be so bluidy hard.
“I am sorry,” he managed finally. “No wee lass should have to lose her da.”
The girl sniffled, scrunching her face tighter. “Why did you help us?”
“Mr. MacMasters is a friend,” Johanna said. A single tear streaked down her cheek. “A very brave, very trustworthy friend.”
Johanna’s words seemed high praise. He’d done what he’d come to do. He’d protected her and the child. And he’d ensured the stone would not fall into evil hands.
And soon, he’d watch as Johanna walked away. From the Highlands. From him.
A fist Goliath might’ve wielded dug into his gut. Someday, if he lived long enough, he’d curse himself for a fool. He should do whatever it might take to keep her at his side.
Johanna enfolded the girl in her arms, holding her tight as sobs wracked the child’s body. The tender sight dug the invisible fist deeper into his belly. God knew he wanted Johanna. But the bairn needed a mother. She needed family.
She needed Johanna.
And her family home lay far from the Highlands.
Devil take it, he couldn’t afford to act the moon-eyed fool. His duty was rooted in the Highlands. He could not allow longings he’d never permitted himself to take the reins of his existence.
