The Fox, page 19
“How could she run ye off?” Cait asked, her eyes wide.
Artair narrowed his eyes at his cousins. “I did manage to reclaim my bow and quiver, but she claimed not to have my sword.”
Everyone was silent. Then Stuart blew out a breath. “Is she a beauty?”
“Aye.”
“Husband?” Caelan asked.
Artair shrugged. “I really liked that sword.”
That night, they made love and fell exhausted onto the bedding, their chests heaving as they tried to regain control of their breathing.
“Thank ye,” Glynis said and rolled to her side to press a kiss onto Caelan’s jaw.
“Of course,” Caelan said. “I can repeat it nightly.”
Glynis giggled. “Not that. Thank ye for the house, for being so thoughtful.”
“It is I who will never tire of showing ye how grateful I am that ye forgave me. I was wrong to push ye away and vow never to do so again.”
She snuggled against him, her head on his shoulder. “I love ye, Caelan Ross. Even though ye are more English than Scot.”
“I never lived in England. I was schooled in Glasgow, which is in Scotland.”
“Are ye sure?” She lifted her head and studied him. “Ye seem so English.”
He rolled her onto her back. “Be silent wench,” he pronounced in a deep bur. “Or I will have my way with ye.”
Her laughter filled the room.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“I thought ye were to stay here longer,” Stuart said giving Artair a pointed look. “Why are ye leaving so soon?”
Artair let out a breath. “Ye no longer require my help. There is little for me to do here. I have gotten plenty of rest and ate so much my breeches are getting tight.
His cousin burst out laughing. “If ye are broader, tis cause ye visit Dougal and Bree, hoping to have her meat pies.”
“Aye they are quite good,” Artair replied with a grin. “It is best I be on my way. I must check on my father and return to my duties for Darach. It is time that I take my turn at the southern guard post.”
By the look in Stuart’s face, he too missed being a guard. However, his cousin had his hands full between overseeing the lands and the nearby village people who saw him as laird.
“Thank ye for all yer help cousin.”
Two days later Artair rode toward the keep and dismounted to stretch his legs. His injured leg continued to bother him, and he wondered if he’d be able to ride once older.
Probably not.
The sounds of a gurgling nearby creek beckoned and he guided his horse to the water’s edge. Lowering to the ground, he drank of the cool water.
At the sound of rustling leaves, he jerked up and looked around. A short distance away, a timid doe came from the foliage and drank from the water seeming not to feel threatened by him.
Artair watched it for a long time until the wind shifted, and she caught his sent. Immediately her heard lifted and she looked at him. Then quick as the wind she darted away.
A soft chuckle escaped, and he looked to his horse. “Reminds me of someone we recently met. Ye recall, the woman whose child stole my clothes.”
The horse of course, did not reply.
“Aye she is a beauty. Large brown eyes, like those of the doe there,” he continued motioning to where the animal had just gone.
“A rare beauty.”
At the memory, Artair let out a breath. It was probably the woman he’d met was married, which suited him just fine as he planned to never marry. Marriage was too constricting for a nomad like him.
The Stag
The Stag: Artair’s story, is the next one in the Clan Ross of the Hebrides series.
Everything about Artair Ross’s life is about to change. Cousin to the Laird and proud member of the warrior force, he is forced to give it all up to take over his ailing father’s duties. However, when attackers overtake a village, he is guarding, a shipwreck occurs and a horrible family tragedy happens, it is more than apparent Artair is in for greater battles than he’s ever known.
Robena Mackay is devastated when her son is ripped away by her late husband’s family. After losing her parents and now her only child, she decides to fight back with all the strength she has left. Despite being a proud independent woman, when the laird’s cousin insists on becoming her defender, she pushes pride aside. Afterall, the assistance of a handsome protector may be her only option in the struggle that has become her life.
Will love soften the harshness of tragedy and loss?
About the Author
Enticing. Engaging. Romance.
USA Today Bestselling Author Hildie McQueen writes strong brooding alphas who meet their match in feisty brave heroines. If you like stories with a mixture of passion, drama, and humor, you will love Hildie’s storytelling where love wins every single time!
A fan of all things pink, Paris, and four-legged creatures, Hildie resides in eastern Georgia, USA, with her super-hero husband Kurt and three little yappy dogs.
Join my reader group on Facebook: bit.ly/31YCee1
Sign up for my newsletter and get a free book! goo.gl/jLzPTA
Visit her website at www.hildiemcqueen.com
Facebook: facebook.com/HildieMcQueen
Twitter: twitter.com/authorhildie
Instagram instagram.com/hildiemcqueenwriter
McQueen , Hildie, The Fox
