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“Amy, what the devil?” Hamish’s steps sounded close to her.

The stone vibrated a little, and her hand began sinking…

Panic gripped her, a sinking feeling in her chest expanded.

Quick steps came from behind. “Amy!”

She jerked her hand back and jumped up.

Craig. In his coat and chainmail, a sword in his hand. Six more men stood behind him, all armored.

Screams rang from outside.

Amy’s feet and hands went as cold as ice, shaking. The sickening feeling of falling through time clung to her even though she’d stopped herself—she knew that on the other side of that rock was a life where she would never see Craig again.

“What is this glowing rock?” he asked. “Why is Hamish here?”

Amy’s ability to speak disappeared. Time stopped, every moment stretching into eternity. She let out a shaky breath, and her shoulders crumpled. Her chest caved in. She needed to sit down or lean against something for support.

She needed Craig.

There was nowhere to run now. He’d seen her using the stone.

She could still lie. She could still try to get out of this. Still protect his love and trust, which she’d earned with so much effort.

No. No more lies. She’d tell the truth. He’d hate her for it, but he deserved to know.

Her stomach flipped, as if she was skiing down a steep slope and didn’t know if she’d land on her feet or fall and break her neck.

“Amy, I demand that ye tell me!” he roared, his voice full of rage and helpless.

She breathed in, as if she could inhale his love, wanting to extend the last moment before Craig would hate her forever.

And she jumped.

“I’m not the Amy MacDougall you think I am,” she said.

Craig winced, as though from pain. “What?”

“I’m from the future.”

Craig shook his head in confusion.

“I traveled in time through this stone.” She pointed at the rock. “By accident. My name is Amy MacDougall, but I’m not the chief’s daughter. I’m a search and rescue officer from the United States of America. I’m sorry I’ve been hiding this from you, Craig. I was afraid you’d kill me.”

Craig stared, clearly bewildered. “I saw the rock glow just now—I see it must be some sort of magic…”

She nodded. “I’m from 2020.”

He shook his head in bewilderment. “So if, as ye say, ye’re nae the chief’s daughter, why is he knocking on our door with five hundred men? Is it nae to retrieve ye?”

She felt the blood leave her face. Her heart thumped. Her stomach hurt as though pierced by a long, sharp object.

“No,” she said.

Craig’s eyes clouded with hurt. “I dinna ken why ye’re saying all this nonsense, but it’s clear I was right. Ye did betray me. Ye lied to me all this time—when I trusted ye with everything.” He looked down for a moment. “What else to expect from a MacDougall?”

It was as though Amy’s feet were sinking into mud, her chest being torn into painful shreds. “Craig, I’m so sorry—”