Page 16 of Treasures of Skye

Heat crept up her cheeks. His gaze seemed to pause on her mouth, but then he looked into her eyes, and she wasn’t certain.

“I dinnae want ye to make the same mistake I did,” he said. “Malcolm has manipulated ye with lies. I swear by God and heaven, so long as I have breath in me, ye need never fear him again.”

Helena stared for a long moment. Tears threatened again, but she fought the urge to cry and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. She drew back and her gaze snagged on his mouth. Helena licked her lips. Kaden stood, and she released the breath she held.

“We should get an early start,” he said. “Maggie will have packed biscuits we can eat on the way.”

Unable to speak, Helena nodded. He waited outside the room while she dressed and put on her boots, then held up her cloak for her. She turned and allowed him to settle it around her shoulders. Heat radiated from his body. Helena swallowed then turned.

“Come on, lass.”

They left the room and descended the stairs to the tavern. Mrs. Hays fussed over them, insisting they eat, but Kaden finally hustled Helena out to the stables. He saddled the horse in silence, then faced her.

“Are ye ready?” he asked.

Trepidation caused her heart to thud. “Where are ye going?”

“Tis best for now to return to my cottage.”

He wasn’t taking her back to Dunvegan? “What about the flag?”

“I need time to think about how we are going to return it.”

He vaulted into the saddle, then extended his hand to her. She placed her hand in his and couldn’t help but notice the calloused palm that clasped her hand. He was an honest, hard-working man. What would it take to win the heart of a man like him?