Dawn Annis (12 page)

“I will help in any way I can though I am not sure what I could contribute,” she said.

Her sweet voice sent an ache to his heart. He shook his head and gazed deep into her green eyes, searching for something he couldn’t identify. He leaned over, breathing in the scent of wildflowers and spice. He brushed her lips with his own, his breath mingling with hers. It was a light kiss, nothing demanding, just a feathering of touch. He couldn’t help himself.

A blush rose to Kate’s cheeks. With an enormous effort Shane drew in a deep breath, and stood.

“Och, Katie, I have waited so long to do that. From the moment I saw ye, I wondered what yer lips would taste like.”

Kate blinked up at him.

“Sweet they are.” He smiled and brushed her temple with his hand, and tucked a stray curl behind her ear. He was glad he kissed her. He longed to take her in his arms and give in to his desire to kiss her again and again, but there was business to tend to. If he gave in to his desires he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to force himself to stop in his quest to make her his.

“Is it possible for us to meet and ye can tell me more about what ye have shown Iain on yer walks around the loch? Maybe then we can decide together what would be the most useful?” Shane said, changing the subject to a more comfortable one.

He didn’t regret the kiss but he had definitely strayed from his original purpose in speaking with her.

Kate nodded in agreement to his suggestion.

“Tomorrow morning in my study.”

“Yes.”

Noticing the lateness of the hour, Shane escorted Kate to her chamber. At her door, he kissed her hand and thanked her again.

After Kate closed the door softly, he leaned against the closed door, jesters dancing a jig in his stomach. Maybe it wasn’t just gratitude she felt. Did he dare to believe it could be more?

Smithers, who’d made it a point to watch over Kate after he lost sight of her the first night, followed her when she left the hall. He did not approach her, as it was obvious she wanted the company of her own thoughts. When she reached the staircase and was met by Shane, he followed them and observed from a nook in the stone wall. When Shane left for his own room, Smithers slipped down the stairs. He saw how attracted Shane was becoming to Kate. Why wouldn’t he? Smithers knew Kate to be a warm, sensitive, beautiful woman.

Now he’d have to wait on his plan of escape. He had to see where this attraction would go. And he had to admit, the MacGregor surprised him.

Smithers would watch. Carefully. He wanted Kate happy and safe. He had been around the castle for only a short while. People were comfortable with his presence, putting him in the position to take Kate away if it turned out Shane was not the man she needed.

Chapter 16

Kate sat in the great hall eating her morning meal. Smiling, Shane approached her with a bounce in his step and sat down next to her.

“I’m very pleased ye decided to help.”

Kate nodded as she stifled a yawn. She spent most of the restless night staring into the dying fire. With nervous excitement her mind raced until early morning.

After the meal, Kate followed Shane into his study.

He closed the door. “I dinna know where to begin.”

Kate took in her surroundings. The desk overflowed with paper. Two chairs sat in a tiny corner. The far stone wall had a window of mullioned glass giving light to the little room. Along the opposite wall was a bookshelf full of books. Kate was surprised to see such expensive tomes.

Seeing her gaze, Shane said, “I brought them from England. I was schooled there as a boy.”

Realizing now where the book of poetry had come from the first night in her room, she saw another of Shane’s many layers, not all obvious at first glance.

Shane stepped close to her. She smelled leather, sunshine, and fresh air. He reached for a book. His arm brushed against her breast. Sparks raced through her, starting a fire in her loins she’d never before experienced. She stepped back, though she wanted to move toward him. Wanted to feel his kiss, his arms around her, crushing her.

Kate sat in a chair across from Shane. He took her hands in his and turned them palm up then lightly ran his thumbs over each.

“If I may,” she said softly, “a walk about the area may be the first order of business. You can determine if the knowledge I possess will indeed be of help to you.”

“Aye, of course,” Shane said. “That is an excellent idea. Though I have no doubt ye can help.”

“I truly hope so,” she said, a catch in her voice.

Her heart drumming in her chest, Kate stood and stepped from the study. Shane dropped her hands and followed, calling to Merta. He led the way across the hall. He gathered their cloaks and set Kate’s about her shoulders. She inhaled deeply, drinking in his masculine scent. She peeked over her shoulder into his eyes.

“Thank you,” Kate said as she lowered her gaze, surprised by his gesture. Her stomach fluttered full force. Her breath caught for a moment before she raised her lids.

Shane croaked. “Shall we?”

Together, they stepped out into the morning sun.

“Katie, my dear, ‘tis a beautiful morning.”

Surprised by his endearment, Kate gazed up at Shane. The day was clear and bright. The morning was a bit chilly. The day promised to be warm.

“Indeed, it is. Your highlands are beautiful. I am impressed with everything I have seen. I enjoy my walks around the area. There is so much beauty.”

Shane grinned, and Kate realized he was proud of his home and pleased she liked it.

“Let us start in yer wee garden. I look forward to seeing what ye have there.”

Kate agreed and as they walked to the side of the keep Shane commented, “My mum started this garden when she married the old man. We had a vegetable garden of course, but, she knew a wee bit of the healing arts herself. When she died, no one cared for it. ‘Tis good to see it growing again.”

Kate nodded. “I had no idea your mother was skilled in healing. It is a wonderful garden, full of many varieties. I have tried to do justice to the site.” Kate stopped. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did she die?”

“She died giving birth to a wee bairn. He lived another day and then he passed on to the other world as well. I was eleven
at the time. Mum was a sweet, dear woman. I can still hear her lovely voice and smell her wonderful scent. Da took it very hard. A part of him died with them. Another part died when William was killed three years ago. He loved them so very much. When I see ye in this garden, it reminds me of her. I know it’s the same for him.”

“I am so sorry. I hope I haven’t brought up painful memories. The garden was terribly neglected. Perhaps it was preferred that way so as not to be a constant reminder.”

“Aye, they are painful memories, though sweet just the same.” Shane, standing next to Kate, looked into her upturned face. “‘Tis good to see it growing again.”

Kate smiled and patted Shane’s arm.

“I am glad. Well. . .” Kate said softly. “Shall we see what we have here? A good many of the plants in this garden were here. I have added a few.”

Kate pointed out the various herbs she found growing when she cleaned away the debris, now proud to know a bit about the woman who first planted them.

“I gathered many young plants on my walks around the loch. Some I left where I found them. They are happier where they are,” Kate said. “I know where I can find them.”

Kate babbled excitedly about her subject. She transformed from quiet and soft-spoken to bright and talkative.

Shane chuckled.

Kate stopped talking and frowned.

“Oh, I dinna mean for ye to stop. I was just listening to ye and was surprised. I have never heard ye say so many words at one time.” Shane chuckled again.

Kate blushed. She pushed playfully at his chest. “Come on. You wanted to see what I could show you. If we are going to see it, we better be going.”

Kate laughed and picked up a gathering basket as she headed toward the stables of the keep. Shane followed, still chuckling.

She warmed up to her subject, and Shane. Kate didn’t always know what to say to him. Being his prisoner seemed to get in the way. Now speaking with Shane, she relaxed. She talked about something she loved. Maybe that was the difference. Shane’s request for help had enabled them to find a bit of common ground.

Shane looked forward to spending the day with Kate. They rode across the stone bridge from the castle to the mainland and he led them to the large loch heading west through fields where the stocky longhaired cattle grazed. The bull’s head came up, looking intently to assess the interruption of his meal. The animal sniffed the air. A few cows followed suit but not detecting any tension from the bull, they lowered their heads to once again munch the young tender grasses. Shane watched as they rode past.

“So, Katie, lass. How come ye have never spoken so much in a short time before?” Shane referred to her enthusiastic explanation at the herb garden.

“Perhaps I did not want to speak to you before,” Kate said. She tilted her head as if in contemplation.

Shane put his hand to his heart. “Och, lass, ye hurt me. Of course, ye would want to speak to me! Ye talk to Iain. Surely, I’m a great deal better to talk with.”

“I don’t know. Iain can be very amusing,” Kate teased. “I like his jokes.”

“He learned every one of those jokes from me. He’d have nothing what so ever to say without me telling him his next words. Truly.” Shane smiled, merriment and a bit of the devil in his eyes.

Kate laughed. “Perhaps your witty repartee left me speechless.”

Shane laughed. They shared a bit of bantering and teased each other as they made their way around the loch.

Later on, Kate led Shane to the bog on the northwest side of the loch. She pointed out the wintergreen growing wild in the wet peat.

Continuing on, Kate showed her finds to Shane. They dismounted, as it was easier to see the different herbs growing in the close area. Kate picked various plants and placed them in her basket. She dug some to plant in her garden, others she picked to simply eat as they went along.

“What’s this yer givin’ me to eat?” Shane studied the tiny, jagged-edged leaf.

“It’s a dandelion. You’ve seen them before. This is what they look like when they’re young. Very good. Good for you.”

“Interesting,” Shane said. “I dinna realize the range of leaves, seeds, and roots ye could eat.”

As they approached the forest on the north side of the loch, they disturbed a herd of red deer. They stood silently for a moment.

“Beautiful, aren’t they?” Kate said as the herd settled down a short distance from them.

“Aye, they are. Look there, at the stag. His head held high, sniffing the air for danger, ready to do battle if needed, protecting his herd.” Shane studied him admiringly. “He has already cast his antlers. Ye can see the new ones coming in. It seems as if a few of the does will be calving this year. We’ll have to be careful hunting so as not to take a mum from her calf.”

Kate questioned. “You never hunt a doe with a calf?”

“Nay, the calf willna live. To preserve the future of the herd and therefore yer own, ye cull the herd carefully,” Shane explained. “It did not matter how hungry things got around here, we have always been careful.”

“Of course,” Kate observed. “It’s the same principle collecting herbs and roots. You never take all of the plants. It is very important to leave some behind so the plant can reproduce itself. You only take what you need and find a use for all you take.”

“Aye, ’tis the same idea,” Shane said with a smile.

The herd moved on and the spell was broken.

Shane clasped Kate’s hand. He rubbed the spot across her thumb. She glanced at him, a blush in her cheeks. She didn’t let go. They walked on. Kate discovered a wild strawberry field just sprouting under several walnut
trees.

“Aw, walnut trees. I’d missed those.” She pointed them out to Shane.

“Walnut trees could be used for many things besides just the nut. We can tap the tree for the sap to make sugar. Perhaps some of the boys wouldn’t mind assisting me. Once the nuts are ripe, the edible oil from the seed can be used in cooking and soap making..”

Shane agreed. “’Tis a good idea.”

Walking a small distance, they came upon the Belladonna plants.

“This particular plant, Belladonna, is a good example of plants I have just left alone but kept in my mind in case it was needed. It is a good plant for relaxation and a sleep aid, however, it is poisonous and I felt it was not safe to grow around the castle.”

“Aye, I can see why.” He looked at her admiringly.

“Come, there is much to be seen,” Kate urged.

By early afternoon, Shane was awed by what Kate had shown him and they had yet to complete their walk around the loch. With a lunch prepared by Merta they did not have to return to the castle before they were finished. After their long morning, Shane and Kate were hungry and needed a rest. Shane suggested they stop at a spot near the loch.

“This is a favorite spot. I came here as a boy dreaming of faraway lands that existed in the books I read. I fought imaginary battles and, of course, won.” He smiled. “I was explorer, warrior, and king.”

Kate laughed. “A fine one you were, indeed.”

“Aye, that I was.”

The slight breeze coming across the cool water was inviting.

“Oh, the air feels nice,” she said.

“Aye, the day grew warm as expected.”

They found a grassy seat and made themselves comfortable. Kate unpacked the midday meal of bread, dried fruit, and cheese. Shane went the short distance to the loch and filled a skin with the sweet, fresh water. They sat back in companionable silence and ate.

“Katie, my dear, have ye ever been to the Highlands before?”

“I have not. I have lived in Dumbarton for the last three years but have never had the opportunity to travel north. It is beautiful, so very different from the lowlands.”

“Aye, ‘tis,” Shane agreed. “I knew ye had a home in Scotland. I did not realize ‘tis in Dumbarton. I know the area but not well.”

Kate lowered her gaze to her hands in her lap. A tear rolled down her cheek over the loss of her beloved home.

“I don’t suppose I have a home there any longer. I would imagine Andrew has taken it over by now. I am sure at this point, you probably know more than I. I shall miss my cottage a great deal.”

“Nay, as I said I dinna realize it was in Dumbarton. Katie, lass ye have a home here. One ye dinna have to worry about someone taking from ye. Yer safe here. We love ye and care for ye.”

Shane clasped her hands in his and gave them a gentle squeeze. He then caught Kate’s face in his hands and wiped her tears with his thumbs.

“No worries, sweet,” he said gently, giving comfort. He lowered his lips to hers, gently demanding she open her own. He savored her sweet, spicy taste as he caressed her tongue with his.

Shane’s kiss took every thought from her head. Shane kissed her so tenderly it was a balm to her soul. As he moved closer, she felt lightheaded as her troubles melted away. Kate wouldn’t deny herself this flood of sensation and giddy ease. She slid her hands over his muscled biceps and clutched the cloth of his shirt, hanging on as her world tilted.

Shane broke the kiss, moving instead to kiss her forehead and temple. He released his hold on her face and moved his hands down to her shoulders then her arms, rubbing them up and down before letting her go.

Kate wiped away any lingering tears and gave him a contented smile. As she looked into his strong face, she didn’t know if she could leave this man, this tenderhearted man, with whom she was falling in love. She hoped Smithers was wrong. She wanted to believe she found a home, she was safe and a man such as this would love her in return.

With a catch in her breath, Kate said. “When I arrived here, it seems like such a long time ago, I can honestly say the last thing I expected was to find loving, caring people and a home.”

Leaning against the lone tree shading them, Shane smiled. He drew her into his arms, held her and placed her head in the crook between his collarbone and shoulder. She could feel his heart, its rhythm lazy and relaxed. As he hugged her tight, his warmth flowed into her.