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“Aye, if ye can call that alive. He walks around in even worse shape than ye.”

Kate swallowed. “What does that mean?”

“It means, he misses ye.”

Kate’s stomach squeezed and filled with hummingbirds.

“Did he change his mind?”

“What if he didna?”

Kate inhaled deeply, then let out a slow breath.

“I know he loves me. He has shown it to me many times. Because he loves me, he tried to protect me and send me away. He didn’t think his love was good enough for me. But what he doesn’t understand is that he’s actually the only one who can make me happy.”

A decision cemented in Kate’s mind. It felt so right, like the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle settling into place.

“I want to go back,” she said. “I need to see him and open his eyes. I’ll make him see. I felt so much more at home back there.”

“What about yer restaurant?” Sìneag asked, her eyes shining slyly.

“Deli Luck is doing great. My sister does a fantastic job. And the new restaurant I had this idea for… Well, the only reason I wanted to open it is because it would make me feel closer to Ian. And what is closer to Ian than being right next to him?”

Sìneag smiled, satisfied. “I do love it when you mortals come to yer senses!”

“So, how do I go back?”

“Ye ken the way, lass.”

Kate hugged Sìneag, her heart beating violently. She’d been wanting to go back this whole time, and now she realized she could. Her place was there. She’d see Ian very soon. She just needed to make some arrangements, give notice at the apartment, and go see Mandy and Jax to say goodbye.

Then she’d change her life forever for the second time. And go live her happily ever after with the Highlander who’d stolen her heart.

Chapter 34

Dundail, September 1308

“Dinna jump back, Frangean,” Ian cried. “Just step aside and slash him from the left.”

Frangean glanced back at Ian and nodded, then resumed slamming his sword against that of his combat partner.

The courtyard before Dundail was full of shouts, knocks of wood against wood, and the ringing of metal against metal. Recent rain had turned the ground into mud, and men moved their feet with difficulty, sometimes slipping and falling, but continuing to practice. It was good to train in different conditions—just like battles in real life, you never knew what the weather would be.

Ian leaned forward and rubbed his stiff, aching leg. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever regain full control of the limb, but he wasn’t sorry for it verra much. He’d give his leg for the chance to change the past and make Kate stay instead of chasing her away.

The training went well, and he could see the men and the boys had made significant progress since the battle for MacFilib’s farm. The farm had burned to the ground, but Frangean, who was the only heir, was more interested in being a warrior than a farmer.

Ian wished the lad had chosen farming.

Still. Someone had to protect the land and the people. Such were the times.

He hoped Kate was living happily in more peaceful times. He was at more peace, as well. At least, he’d had no more nightmares of Baghdad or the ship. Not a single one. But the hunger for her presence was eating him alive. He dreamed of her every night. Her whispering “I love you.” Her warm, soft, silky body trembling from desire and pleasure in his arms. The taste of her, the smell that drove him wild lingered in his mind long after he woke up.

He couldn’t take it. Despite his wounds, he needed the relief.

The air was chilly, but he removed his tunic, letting the crisp air cool down his skin.

“Who wants the best damn practice of yer life?” Ian roared.