Page 27 of Treachery in the Highlands
"Father," I begin, but Mother shoots me a warning glance.
Joey's leg presses against mine under the table, and ahmno certain if it's accidental or deliberate.Either way, an electrifying warmth courses through me and makes focusing on breakfast nearly impossible.I shift slightly, pretending to reach for the honey, but don't move away from his touch.
"So," Joey says casually, slathering butter on his bannock, "what's on the agenda today?More suspicious glaring?Maybe some light interrogation?Or do I get the full Dùndubhan dungeon treatment?"
"Nothing like that," Mother says with a laugh, cutting through the tension so easily that I'm a wee bit jealous."We don't have a dungeon, anyway.But Rachel could show you around the grounds.Couldn't you, sweetie?"
Before I can answer, Father claps his tankard down with a thud that resonates through the great hall."Themacancan help me sharpen the weapons.If he's to stay here, he'll earn his keep."
Joey's eyebrows shoot up, but I catch the hint of relief in his expression.This is progress---Father offering work instead of outright rejection.
Or threats of murder.
Joey's brows wrinkle."Sharpen weapons?I've never done that before."
"That's obvious," Father says with a snort."But ye'll learn."
I watch as Joey straightens his shoulders, meeting Father's challenge with that confident half-smile, the one that makes my stomach flutter and my loins grow slick.
"I'm a quick study," Joey says, taking a bite of his bannock."Though I should warn you, the last sharp object I handled was a letter opener at the office job I had for about five seconds.Didn't end well for the potted plant next to my desk."
Mother chokes on her tea, covering her laugh with a cough.Even Father's eyes crinkle slightly at the corners.
Joey sighs melodramatically."Serves me right for thinking a thief could become a data entry operator.But I'm raring to go when it comes to sharpening dangerous weapons, and I'm sure the laird is too.Just hope I don't accidentally chop off parts of my body that I really need."
"Dinnae worry," Father says, his voice gruff but lacking the earlier edge."I'll make sure ye dinnae take anyone's eye out.Especially yer own."
Joey glances at me, and for a heartbeat, something lovely passes between us---a shared understanding, perhaps, or mayhap a deeper connection that neither of us wants to name yet.His gaze holds mine for fraction longer than necessary, and I feel that flutter in my chest again.
"I'd rather go with Rachel," Joey says boldly, still looking at me."See the grounds, get my bearings.If I'm going to be stuck here for a while, I should know the lay of the land."
"Ye'll have plenty of time for that after ye've proven yerself useful."
"Father," I interject."Joey has already proven himself---to me."
The hall falls silent.Even Mother seems to be holding her breath.Father's jaw works back and forth as he considers my words.
"Aye," he finally concedes, though grudgingly."That he did."
Joey shifts beside me, our thighs still pressed together.The contact sends a fresh wave of heat through my body, and I wonder if he can feel it too---the ardent desire simmering between us.
"I'll tell ye what," Father says, surprising us all."The lad can help me with the weapons till midday.After that, Rachel may show him the grounds."He fixes Joey with a pointed stare."That is, if ye haven't managed to dismember yerself by then."
"Challenge accepted," Joey says, his tone deceptively light."I promise to return with all fingers intact."
"I'll hold ye to that."Father pushes back from the table."Meet me at the smithy in a quarter hour."
As Father strides from the hall, Mother rises gracefully."I'll be in the solar with the aunts.Care to come with me, Rachel?"
"Oh, aye.Is it embroidery day again?"
"Absolutely."
I rise as well and kiss Joey's cheek as he exits the great hall.Mother and I trail after him until we "peel off," as Mother likes to say, and head for the solar.By the time evening comes, we are all too tired to do anything but eat a quick meal and go to bed.Father insists Joey must not share my bed, but he lets our guest sleep in a much nicer bed chamber this time.
Joey defers to my father.
The next afternoon, we receive surprise visitors.My grandparents, Dale and Norma, have returned earlier than expected, and we greet them in the courtyard.They admit to worrying about the situation between me and Joey, as well as what Father might do him.But I never doubted that Kieran MacTaggart would warm up to the time traveler and do the right thing.
