Just Wait For Me (Highland Gardens Book 3) Read Online Free

rocks, the forest edge, and
froze in awe. What the …
    She closed a gaping mouth and stared.
    The silky black stallion reared up on hind legs then
galloped away, disappearing into the forest, though not before Caitrina
glimpsed the single horn protruding magnificently from the center of the
animal’s broad forehead. Couldn’t be. Wasn’t possible. Unicorns only existed in Tir-nan-Og . Faerieland. Land o’ heart’s desire. There were rumors, of
course. Stories made up by the local storyteller, Mr. MacNaughton, more than
likely. Faerie tales meant to amuse children.
    Caitrina rubbed tired eyes, feeling deflated. Dealing with
the queen’s matchmaking challenge made her daft. Made her see things that
didn’t exist. She needed to complete this match and win the game. If only
Jillian and Stephen would cooperate.
    A large hand clamping on her shoulder made her jump. As she
partially faded into the vanishing, a unique scent of earth and wind and animal
musk invaded her nostrils. Ah. Said hand belonged to Douglas, the proprietor of
the Celtic Image shop in the Village of Anderson Creek, and her
sometimes lover. The grip tightened on her shoulder, and she jerked back to
solid form. She didn’t dare bring him along to the past, which would have
happened if he touched her.
    ’Twas bad enough he’d learned her secret.
    “Easy, lass. Didn’t mean to spook you.”
    “As if you could.” She’d never admit she was so preoccupied
that he could sneak up on her. She spun to face him and stepped out of reach.
He looked good. Too good. More handsome than any human male had the right.
    Unusually tall at six-foot-seven, he towered over her as no
other. Long black hair pulled back in a queue brought attention to a
penetrating amber gaze and clenched, clean-shaven jaw. He wasn’t happy. Tough .
    As usual, he wore a predominately red and green plaid kilt
low on his hips, with a badger sporran at the waist. He hadn’t donned a shirt,
which tempted her to stare at his muscular chest. She clasped her hands
together, stopping eager fingers from petting the smattering of dark hair.
    Annoying man . She hated that his mere presence made
her wet and needy. Would be hell if he learned the effect he had on her. She
assumed her best glower. “What are you doing here?”
    “Looking for you.” He stepped forward, crowding her space.
    She held her ground. “Of course. What do you want?”
    “To stop you.”
    Caitrina’s mouth went dry. He couldn’t possibly know what
she planned. “What are you talking about this time?”
    “I ken where you plan to go. There’s nae point. You can’t
win. She won’t let you win.”
    “What are you talking about?” Caitrina bit the corner of her
lip.
    “The queen. No matter what you do, the queen will have her
way.”
    Today was full of surprises and none of them good. A shiver
ran over her spine. What did he ken of the fae queen? The challenge? Caitrina
couldn’t let Douglas get involved. He was mortal. He could be fatally hurt.
    “What do you think you ken?” She swallowed uneasily.
    “The queen will not let you win the challenge.”
    “I dinnae ken what you are talking about.”
    “Aye, you do. You must let me help.”
    His strong features softened, the concern for her welfare
more potent than a lust-coated faerie dart embedded in her heart. Of all the
worst things that could happen, she’d fallen in love with Douglas MacKinnon. A
mere human .
    Crushed by the illumination, Caitrina vanished from the
mountain, traveling through space and time to the early part of sixteenth
century Scotland in a panic. How could she protect Douglas and win the
queen’s challenge?

CHAPTER THREE
     
    September, 1513
    The wilds of Scotland
     
    Jillian paraded along with the children, navigating a narrow
game trail, brambles snagging her fleece leggings, nerves tense. They’d better
not be luring her into danger.
    After about an hour, they left the forest path. She inhaled
briny air and hesitated. If she