Ruby’s breath caught. “What are you saying?”
“Isnae it obvious?” he asked, struggling to force the words out past the pounding in his chest. “Isnae it obvious that I love ye, Ruby? Dear God, I’ve tried to deny it but I canna do that any longer.” He squeezed her hands. “I love ye. I want to make a life here with ye. I dinna know what it looks like yet, but I hope we can figure that out together.” He hesitated. “If that’s...if that’s what ye want.”
It felt like an eternity that Ruby stared up at him. She said not a word and he couldn’t read the expression on her face. He held his breath, feeling like he was waiting for the fall of the executioner’s axe.
Tears gathered in her eyes and she blinked furiously. “I love you too,” she whispered. “God help me, so much. So much.”
Relief washed through Evan so strongly his legs went weak. Relief and something else. Something that obliterated the last shred of doubt and hesitation, something that made the world blaze brighter than a midsummer’s day. Something that made him feel as light as a feather and as strong as a lion all at the same time.
She loved him. Ruby loved him. He’d never dreamed that anything,anything, could feel this good.
Ruby took a deep breath. “After Daniel, I wasn’t expecting this. I never thought I could fall so fast. Or so hard. It’s a little...overwhelming.”
“I want ye with me forever,” he said gently. “But I dinna expect yer answer now. Take yer time. Think about it.”
Ruby nodded, her eyes full of something soft and hopeful. He leaned in and kissed her again. She responded immediately, her hands fisting in his shirt as she pressed closer. The heat between them flared, hot and undeniable.
Then someone cleared their throat.
Evan turned to find a man standing at the door, trying to look anywhere but at the pair of them. He also seemed to be trying to hide a grin.
Evan smiled and put a hand on Ruby’s arm. “Ruby, this is Hamish MacLaren, the headman of the village.”
Hamish bobbed his head. “A pleasure to finally meet the lass who’s made such an impression on the lad,” he said, nodding toward Evan.
Ruby smiled, slightly sheepish. “I hope it’s a good one.”
“Ah, it is,” Hamish replied. “I’ve known Evan since he was a boy and I dinna think I’ve seen him happier.”
Ruby raised an eyebrow. “You’ve known Evan since he was a boy?”
“Aye, he was more trouble than any lad should be allowed to get into, but we managed.”
Ruby laughed softly, and Hamish gestured toward the village. “When Evan told me ye were coming down I thought I might show ye around the village if ye’d like?”
Ruby’s smile widened. “Yes, I would like. I’d like that very much. And I’d also like to hear more stories of the trouble Evan got into when he was a boy.”
Hamish sucked his teeth. “Oh dear. Then I’m afraid we’ll be here for quite some time.”
Ruby laughed and Evan rolled his eyes. “Ye’ve always had a penchant for drama, old man. I was an angel and ye know it.”
Hamish snorted and as he began walking towards the village, flanked by Hamish on one side and Ruby on the other, Evan couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was falling into place.
And finally, finally, maybe he was home.
THE KITCHEN WAS QUIET. Flora had been bustling about putting crockery away but, perhaps sensing Ruby’s need for solitude, had made an excuse and left.
The hearth had burned low, embers pulsing softly beneath a cradle of ash. Somewhere outside, a cow lowed, and the wind moved lazily along the eaves. But inside, all was quiet, just Ruby, the cup of mint tea she cupped in both hands—and the parchment lying on the table in front of her.
She’d been staring at it for a long time.
The edges were slightly uneven where Charlie had trimmed it, the ink stark against the pale surface. At the top was written an address. Beneath it, careful directions. Beneath that, a sketch of narrow closes and crooked streets. A small X marking a door.
But not just a door. A portal. One that would transport her back to the twenty-first century.
I’ll take you whenever you’re ready, Charlie’s voice echoed in Ruby’s head.
And then Evan’s. I love ye. I want to make a life here with ye.
