The Highlander's Bargain Read Online Free Page B

tall, but he certainly was a powerhouse.
    Glancing at the soft leather boots he wore, she could almost believe he’d walked out of the fifteenth century in them. Still, it had nothing to do with her, and she had enough to deal with on her own without getting drawn in by this man and any pleas he might make.
    “Well, beam me up, hot Scotty” she muttered, pulling her iPhone from her pocket. She checked the time. “My break is over. Enjoy your visit . ” She snatched up her unfinished treat and started for her next post as lady-in-waiting to this year’s Renaissance queen.
    “Wait. My name is Robley of clan MacKintosh, and I need a guide.” He came around in front of her and reached into his sporran, pulling out an impressive wad of good old American cash. “And I’ll need a place to lay my head. I’ll gladly pay whatever you ask in exchange for your help. All I ask is a bit of floor space and aid in navigating my way ’round. I’ll no’ be any trouble.” He placed his free hand over his chest. “I give you my word as a knight of the Scottish realm.”
    “If you’re truly from the past, how is it you have a fistful of modern money?”
    “’Twas given to me by one who was sent back to my time in much the same way that I’ve come to yours. She has no use for it now.” He kept his hand over his heart, imploring her with an earnest look.
    OK, it did stand to reason. If a person could move forward through time, they could also go back. Was he really a knight? Her heart pinballed around in her chest. Could he be the answer to her financial woes, the answer to her prayers? No. Her prayers were never answered. Every inch of ground she’d ever gained had been earned through her own blood, sweat and tears. Too many tears. Still, she couldn’t ignore the serendipitous way they’d collided into each other—or the wad of modern-day bills he flashed in her face.
    “How long do you plan to stay?” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Wait. It’s crazy to even consider something like this. You’re a stranger. For all I know, you could be a time-traveling serial killer.” Again she focused on him, and again she detected nothing mental or physical to be concerned about, but that didn’t necessarily mean he wasn’t dangerous.
    A flash of desperation passed through his eyes. Desperation she knew on an up close and personal basis, and something inside her softened. How would it feel to travel through centuries, ending up in a place and time where you didn’t know a soul or a thing about how the world worked? What kind of balls did you have to have to do something so utterly insane? Now that she could respect.
    “A fortnight, mayhap a month. No more.” He leveled a pleading stare her way. “I swear I’d never harm you. We MacKintosh men cherish and revere our women.”
    “Yeah?” She snorted. “Well I’m not a MacKintosh woman though, am I?”
    “I dinna ken.” His mouth quirked up, as if he sensed he’d won her over. “By what name are you called?”
    “Erin. Erin Durie, and I really do have to get back to work.” She lengthened her stride, dropping her unfinished treat into a trash bin as they passed.
    “Ha! Just as I thought. We were fated to meet. Though you’re from a mere Lowland clan, while I’m a Highlander, you’re still a Scot.”
    “ Mere Lowland clan?” She snorted. “Hardly. I’m an American girl through and through.” She glanced at him and shook her head, her mind filled mostly with the temporary solution to her current pressing financial problems. “I can’t believe I’m going to do this.” His face lit up, and her breath caught. “Don’t get your hopes up, buddy. All I’m going to suggest is that you spend the rest of the day with me, and we’ll see how I feel by the end of my shift.”
    “Fair enough.” He bowed. “I am at your service, my lady.”
    She couldn’t help smiling at his courtly gesture. “If everything goes OK, I’ll agree to be your guide. We can figure