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“Thank you,” I say.
Johnne looks around the village. The women are gathered in a huddle off to one side. They’re watching with a mix of suspicion and glares. Between the group of men and the women, the children jostle each other. The kids seem to be enjoying the excitement of a newcomer a lot more than their elders. Johnne grumbles and nods to himself.
“Alesoun will put you up,” Johnne says. “Until we can find your friends. She’ll have you help her around the place, though.”
“Of course,” I say. “Thank you.”
“Never let it be said that the MacGregor’s were anything less than hospitable to those in need,” Johnne says a bit louder than necessary while looking at the group of women. “Off with ya now, lass. There’s lots to be done.’
When I turn back towards Alesoun’s place, the huddle of women glare. One of them who seems to be the de facto leader makes the sign of the cross and turns her back to me.
My stomach drops. I’m not off to a good start.
Chapter Ten
Duncan touches my arm and nods, indicating we should move. I follow him past the group of women and at the edge of my sight I see one of them make that symbol with her forefinger and middle finger that looks a bit like an eye. When I look directly at her, she looks away.
“Do nae mind them,” Duncan says. “Come along, lemme show ya around.”
“Thank you.”
He leads us past the village proper and out onto the Highland hills. The sweet scent of the lush grass covered with wild growing heather fills my nose. It’s a heady smell that lifts my spirits. When we’re past the last of the houses and out of sight, Duncan takes my hand.
I look at my hand resting in his. Mine is much smaller than his big, tanned, and rough one. He has a strong, firm grip that is nice. It inspires confidence and speaks to his certainty. In himself and his ability to control whatever happens around him.
I smile, deciding I like holding hands with him. I’m sure it would probably get the women in the village talking. Probably not supposed to hold hands if you’re a god-fearing woman.
“Ya see that ridge?” he asks, pointing up the hill where a rock outcropping sticks out like a roughhewn shelf.
“Yes,” I say.
“On top of that, you can see a great patch of berries. They’re good to eat, safe. If’n you fancy a treat.”
“Sounds delicious.”
“Aye, it is,” he says, pulling me along with him.
The hill is steeper than it looks. By the time we’re half-way up, I’m out of breath. He kindly slows down and lets me catch my breath before we continue.
“Sorry,” I huff. “Guess I’m a bit out of shape.”
“No hills in England, huh?”
I barely stop myself from correcting him on where my home is but manage to bite my tongue before I do. I smile and nod as we continue the hike up the hill. When we reach the top, he stops and turns me around by the shoulders. The view stretches out for miles. The sun is setting on the Highlands and my breath is gone for an entirely new reason.
I gasp.
The rays of light dance golden, red, and purple, receding before the encroaching shadow of night. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“I thought ya might like it,” Duncan smiles.
He stands next to me, holding my hand as dusk stretches across the land. I may have no idea how I ended up here but somehow it feels right. As if, in some way, I’ve always been here, in this moment. Standing here with Duncan, watching the sun drop over the Scottish Highlands. I feel as if I belong in a way that I haven’t ever had before. I am comfortable.
“It is so beautiful.” I exhale at last.
“Aye,” Duncan says. “But it doesn’t compare.”
He whispers the last part so soft I’m not sure I heard it correctly. Heart pounding, I dart my eyes at him but he’s staring off at the horizon. I must have misheard him. He had to have said something else.
