Page 11 of See A Highlander (A Highlander Across Time #10)
CHAPTER 11
A few weeks had passed. Annie found she was settling into the castle more comfortably than she had expected. It was a shock to her, but also a blessing. She knew that she couldn’t fathom being in a place that she hated and deal with the process of understanding the travel through time.
Bella kept herself busy flirting with the guards and enjoying the male attention and Annie was fine with it because it kept her away from her. She had no interest in making amends with Bella even though they had gone through something together that was extraordinary. It wasn’t enough to make Annie want to spend her days with Bella especially after what Cameron had said about Bella and her behavior, so she avoided her when she could.
After her afternoon with Maria at the village school, Annie had begun riding down to the village and talking to the people there. Interviewing them about their experiences, and asking about Scathach. Some wouldn’t speak about her, as they were very wary of anything to do with witchcraft, but not all of them. Those that wouldn’t speak about her, would tell her other stories of the area, of the people and Annie found those just as interesting and she often took notes on the things they told her.
At this point she felt she needed to record it all, but she wasn’t sure what for. Perhaps she’d write a book one day. Who knew? Either way, this was all possible because of Tom. He had helped Annie when she first arrived by introducing her to the library and then over the weeks, she had been at the castle he’d often joined her in her research and as she spoke to people. Having him at her side gave many of the people a sense of security and allowed them to open up to her. She was grateful to him for taking time out of his schedule to help her with her project whenever he could. She knew that he had many patients to see not only among the guards and soldiers, but among the people of the castle.
He helped everyone selflessly and she really liked that side of him. He was very giving and gentle. Their friendship had eased into a flirtation and although she was wary about it she couldn’t help it.
This particular morning, Annie walked outside to head to the gate in the wall of the courtyard that led to a path that went down to the sea. She wanted to walk along the shore and listen to the waves crashing on the rocks. She had just made it to the training grounds when she was struck stupid and froze in the path. She noticed Tom training with the other men. His tunic was off and only wore his plaid kilt and boots. He swung a heavy looking wooden sword over and over as he battled one of the other men. His muscular build shocked her. His skin glistened with sweat.
Annie’s mouth all but fell open as she stood there watching. She took a few steps toward the fence post and leaned against it to get comfortable to take in the sight further.
Tom gave the man he fought a run for his money. They clashed swords, and when he lost his, they turned to fists and eventually moved to wrestling on the ground. He was just as strong and competent as his adversary. Finally a man she knew was Bran, the tanist, clapped his hands and ended the fight. Tom shook the hand of his opponent, and they laughed and moved to the side to watch two other men take their place.
Tom moved toward a bucket and picked up a ladle and drank from it. In that moment his gaze connected with Annie’s. It startled her and she stepped back a moment. Then smiled realizing she had been caught and there was nowhere to run to anyway. He smiled back and approached her.
“Good morning, lass. Have you come to watch the guards training or were you on a mission to ask more questions about Scathach?” he asked as he ran a hand through his hair.
“I was going to take a walk along the shore and the path goes by the training ground. I didn’t mean to interrupt.” She raked her eyes over his chest for a moment and then returned her gaze to his face.
“Aye? Were you?” he said.
Annie nodded. “I was.”
“Mind if I join you? I could use the cool sea breeze after that scuffle,” he said.
“I would like that.” Annie felt her cheeks heat.
“Let me grab my tunic and we can be off.” Tom hurried back over to the edge of the training grounds, picked up his tunic and slipped it on. A moment later, he joined Annie and together they walked down the trail toward the seaside. Sea birds squawked overhead, and the waves crashed loudly against rocks. It was a beautiful morning.
“I don't think I’ve ever seen you out there fighting like that when I’ve walked by before. I guess I thought of you as a doctor, not really a fighter.” She chuckled.
“I am a healer first and foremost, but every man must know how to fight. I have to be able to protect and defend the clan whenever necessary.”
“That does make sense. I hadn’t thought of that. It is very different where I come from. We don’t train to defend ourselves, not really. We’ve got police officers, and military soldiers, but now that I think about it, the police officers aren’t really there to defend us, more to go after the bad guys after they’ve already hurt us. Not really proactive. There are places where you can get training to defend yourself if you want to, but you have to pay for it and not a lot of people actually do it”
“That seems irresponsible,” he said. “What do you do if someone attacks you or your family?”
“Me personally? I guess I’d probably scream for help and pray that someone would come help me. I know there are many who carry weapons where I’m from, pepper spray or knives or guns… but it depends on where you live. Some of those are illegal to have.”
“What do you mean illegal? How can they not allow you to defend yourself?”
Annie shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s just the way it is. Our world is very different than it is here.”
“Hmmm. The Laird likes us to learn to fight together. It creates a bond between us. That bond remains strong during battle. Men that have trained together learn each other's weaknesses and strengths and fight accordingly. It is a necessity here,” he said. “We’ve enemies who would like to destroy us and take our land.”
Annie looked at him, seeing him in a completely new light. She had seen him as a softer man with a healing touch. Now she saw him as a rugged warrior as well, and it intrigued her. In fact she felt herself growing more infatuated with him and it both excited her and made her frustrated.
“You do?” she asked, referring back to his statement that the clan had enemies.
“Aye, the MacDonalds are one such clan who would like to see the end of us MacLeods. T’would be wise to never trust a MacDonald.”
They walked together along the shore and Annie felt a little more at ease with him by her side. When she walked alone, she was told to make sure to stay in close proximity to the castle. But now that she had Tom with her, she let her guard down. They walked further along the sand than she had ever been before. They both lost track of time as they enjoyed each other’s company.
“What is that over there?” she asked, pointing toward a grouping of cottages. “Is it another town?”
“No, not exactly. Tis where many of our clan fisherman and their families live. If you look further along the coast there, not far, you’ll see docks and boats. They provide the castle with the majority of the seafood that we eat,” Tom said.
“Oh, wow, I bet they have many stories as well,” Annie said. She grew excited about the possibility of new people that she hadn’t interviewed before.
“Aye, I imagine they do.” Tom smiled.
“Do you think that we could go there so that I could ask them some questions and record their stories?” she asked.
“Aye, I don't see why not. They love to talk as much as anyone and often regale us with tales when they join us at the castle for various festive occasions. I can take you there, but not today. We should be getting back. Perhaps we might go the day after tomorrow?”
“Yes, I would like that. Thank you, Tom, I appreciate you humoring me with all this, I know it must take you from your work,” she said.
“You are welcome, and I quite enjoy it, as well as the company,” he said, giving her a wink.
Annie felt her heart race. She felt her cheeks heat as he looked at her with interest. There was no one out there with them. She was truly alone with this man in the middle of nowhere, and she was suddenly very aware of it. A part of her wanted him to take advantage of it and kiss her. Simply take her in his arms and make her forget that she didn’t trust men anymore.
The chemistry between them grew thicker and Annie held her breath. She was torn between wanting to protect herself and wanting him to ravish her. She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and her breathing grew slightly labored over her thoughts. She was scared and wary, unsure of herself and the situation. It wasn’t that she thought Tom would hurt her, but more that she didn’t trust herself and her own instincts.
Tom must have seen something in her gaze because a moment later, he said, “Come let us head back to the castle.” His tone was soft and held a note of regret.
“Yes, um, that’s a good idea,” she said. “We’ve gotten quite a distance from it.” She nodded, turning back.
“We have. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you return safely,” he said, his voice tinged with just the slightest bit of hurt as he moved at a faster pace than when they’d set out.
Annie sighed. She was afraid that her hesitation and confusion over her own feelings might have upset him. She had to be sending him mixed signals and right at that moment, she regretted not just going with it and kissing him. Now it might be too late and that thought had her feeling even more regret.