Highland Christmas Read Online Free

right. She knew that, but it did not make it any easier to trust her bairn's safety to this man. She swallowed her fears because she had to as she handed him a tartan. He wrapped his arms about her tightly when a sob escaped her. Kissing the top of her head he vowed, "I will bring Mary home safely, Meghan...do nae fear."
    She nodded against his chest while attempting to get her emotions under control. "Thank ye, Connor. Ye should l ook ta the north for a small glen. The plant grows on some trees there. Mary kens this place, as well."
    With one more hug for reassurance, he departed.

    The snowfall had resumed a short time before gloaming, effectively covering any tracks that the lass had left. Connor shivered in his fur-lined cloak. The air grows chilled. Wee Mary must be freezing by now. He shook his head. What strange thoughts the wee lassie comes up with! Does she truly believe that kissing beneath the mistletoe would make them betrothed? Mayhap that was true once but it was many years ago.
    A low growl put him on alert. As he drew near the glen where Mary should be, he dismounted, unsheathing his sword. The growling grew louder. His heart was in his throat as he crept to the edge of the glen...fearing what he might find there.
    He breathed a deep sigh of relief at the sight before him. There sat a shivering Mary, perched on a tree branch, pelting four grey wolves circling beneath her with twigs and pine cones. A grin crossed his lips. From the amount of projectiles on the ground, she must have been at it for some time. Smart lass! Her maither has taught her well .
    "Ye seem ta have a wee problem, lass." The wolves' attention was instantly di verted to him.
    Her face beamed as she answered. "Nay, Master Connor, I be fine. Ye are the one with a problem...since ye are where they can reach ye."
    He laughed as he kept his eye on the canines, readying himself for the assault to come. He did not have to wait long. Connor swung his sword in a wide arc as the first one lunged at him, followed swiftly by a second. They yelped in pain as the steel connected with the ir bodies , instantly killing the first and crippling the second. The third snarled at him before slinking off into the woods with the remaining wolf. After reassuring himself that they were gone, he held out his arms for Mary. She shook her head and began climbing higher.
    "What are ye doing, lass? Ye must be chilled. Your maither has sent me ta fetch ye home so cease your foolishness and come along."
    "Tis nae foolish!" she insisted. Mary's eyes widened as a thought struck her. "Ye do like Maither...do nae ye?"
    "Of course I do! But—"
    "Then we need the mistletoe ta make her wed with ye. Twill only take a few minutes." She climbed to the next branch.
    "Tis nae proper for a lass ta be climbing trees," he growled.
    She looked back at him. "But if I had nae been in the tree the wolves would have eaten me! I would rather be improper than eaten!"
    Connor chuckled at her logic. I should ken better than ta argue with a lass...especially a young one. Throwing his hands up in defeat, he waited for her to finish her task.
    "I have it!" she shouted in glee. "Now ye will be my Da!" He shook his head as he helped her from the tree and bundled her in the warm tartan. The poor lass was doomed to be disappointed. Meghan had already turned him down. He must try to exp lain it to her on the way home.
    He never got the chance though. She had snuggled close to his chest and fallen fast asleep...clutching her prize ...within moments . Connor kissed her wee brow as emotion filled his heart. He was going to miss them all once he left. He had come to think of them as his family these past few sennights.
    "Ahh, lassie, I think I will be missing ye most of all." His eyes misted for a moment before he shook it off.

    Meghan paced the length of the hut anxiously as the hour grew late. She had tried to keep herself busy by anticipating what healing Mary may need once she was home. The water was