Page 38 of Desiring the Highland Laird
“Who’s this?” she asked as she eyed Evie with her hauntingly familiar eyes.
“MacLeod claims she belongs here. She’s a Sinclair,” Angus said.
“Well, if she’s one of yer kin, then she is welcome here,” the woman said. She gave them a congenial grin.
“My lady wife,” Angus said, gesturing to her. “Fiona.”
“I donotbelong here,” Evie insisted. “But Callum is too thick headed to believe it. I’ve told him the truth.”
Fiona’s brows rose and her eyes widened. “And what truth is that, dearie?”
“Er…” Evie lost her nerve, not sure what to say. It seemed odd to tell them she was from the future. If Callum didn’t believe her, why would they?
“I’ll leave her in yer care, then, and take my leave.” Callum turned toward the door.
Evie’s heart rammed hard against her chest as she saw her one chance of getting back home walking out the door. She wanted to cry out, tell him to stop, but what was the point? He was going to leave her in the hands of these strangers no matter what.
She cut a glance to the couple watching Callum leave with no intent of stopping him. Fiona Sinclair moved toward her, reaching a hand out to her and grasping her by the elbow.
“Come, and I’ll see ye to a guest chamber.”
She gave her a gentle tug to move her but Evie refused.
“Callum,” she called. “If you walk out that door and leave me here, then you’re a coward.”
That made him halt. He slowly turned to face her. The color was high in his cheeks, the first hint of anger creasing his face.
“A coward?”
Fiona dropped her hand and took a step back to stand beside her husband, her eyes wide and round.
“That sounds like a challenge,” Angus said, humor in his voice.
“Yes, a coward,” she said, ignoring him. “You think dumping me here with the Sinclairs is getting rid of your problem. You wash your hands of me. Fine. If that’s the way you want to play it. Be that way. But if you leave me here with them, you’re hiding from the truth.”
“And what truth is that, lass?” he asked.
She lifted her chin higher and chose her words carefully. She did not want the Sinclairs behind her to think she was crazier than she already sounded.
“You know the truth I speak of.” Then she held up her hand, palm out, and showed him the fading marks from the stone that brought her here. “This truth.”
He peered at her hand for a long moment, his jaw clenched and his teeth grinding. Indecision flashed through his eyes. She dropped her hand back to her side.
“If you mean to leave me here and deny all that you’ve seen, fine. But I will find a way back to you and the—” She stopped speaking, not wanting to mention the stone in front of Fiona and Angus.
The silence in the great hall was deafening. No one moved or said a word. Finally, Callum stomped toward her, reached for her, and clasped his hand on her upper arm.
“Come, then,” he said through clenched teeth as he tugged her toward him. Then his gaze flickered to Angus who still stood behind her. “It appears I bothered ye for no reason.”
Angus chuckled. “’Tis no bother.” He made a hand motion to the guard. “Bring the MacLeod’s horse.”
“Thank ye, my lord. We’ll take our leave, then.” He gave him a quick bow without ever letting go of her arm.
Then he dragged her from the great hall, not caring how she stumbled or tripped over her skirt. The anger emanated off him in waves, reminding her of scorching Texas summers. She decided she’d rather deal with his fury rather than be abandoned with the Sinclairs.
As they entered the bailey, the stable hand waited with the giant black war horse. Callum turned to her, put his hands on her waist and hoisted her up without so much as a warning. She scrambled to get her leg over the horse and settle behind the saddle. Then he snatched the reins from the stable boy and mounted. Reluctantly, she wrapped her arms around his waist as he kicked the horse into a gallop and they were away.
He said nothing. She said nothing. There was a silent standoff between them. Fine by her, as long as he was taking her back to Dundale.
