The Highlander's Heart Read Online Free

abandoned her this day. Concealed by the dense foliage, something snorted and pawed the ground. With a high-pitched squeal, a wild boar emerged from the brush.
    Isabelle gaped at the beast, her heart pounding in her chest. The beast was covered with coarse, black bristles and had two sharp tusks curving out of its pointy snout. Prior to this unfortunate day, the only boar she had ever seen had been as God intended, dead and roasted with an apple in its mouth.
    Isabelle swallowed hard, as if some of those sharp bristles were lodged in her throat. This angry pig was far from being supper. The beast pawed the ground and snorted, steam rising from its warm breath in the cool dusk. Isabelle stood as still as a statue, hoping it would not notice her. Those sharp tusks could tear a person to shreds. The boar grunted again, lifting its snout to the wind.
    Suddenly the beast squealed, lowered his head, and charged.

Three
     
    Isabelle screamed.
    She spun, lifted her skirts in both hands, and ran with all her might. A large shape passed her and she screamed again, her lungs bursting. She tripped and fell hard. Behind her the boar shrieked. She grasped at dirt and tree roots trying to stand, panic coursing through her veins.
    When at last she regained her feet she swirled around, but all was silent. Trembling, she put a hand on a nearby tree trunk to steady herself and cautiously scanned the surrounding forest. Cloaked in the shadows, was the Highlander. He stepped toward her. His sword was in his hand, its blade dark red. She put her hand on her chest and tried to take a step forward but swayed, light-headed. Her legs would not seem to hold her and a gray fog circled her vision. Bright lights danced before her eyes.
    Warmth engulfed her and she struggled to remain conscious.
    “Are ye injured?”
    Isabelle opened her eyes, wondering when she had closed them. She looked up into the Highlander’s face, so very close to her own. She tried to step back, but her feet were not touching the ground. He was holding her close, his strong arms pressing her to his warm body. She opened her mouth to speak, but for once, nothing emerged. Her skin tingled and she was dizzy again. She must tell him to put her down. She leaned her head on his shoulder instead.
    “Where are ye hurt?” He spoke softly and Isabelle’s traitorous body melted into his. She relaxed until he started moving his hand down her side to her hip, searching for injuries.
    “Oh, stop. I am uninjured. I just tripped and fell,” she stammered, the blush spreading like fire across her face.
    “Can ye stand?” he asked gently, putting her feet back on the ground.
    “Yes, I believe so. Thank you kindly. Most inconvenient time to feel faint.”
    He lowered her to the ground, but kept a hand around her waist, holding her securely against his solid frame. His eyes searched hers, until she could no longer hold his gaze.
    “It must be the shock of it, of seeing the boar, that is,” Isabelle rambled, her eyes flickering around, looking at anything but him. “I never knew they were quite so big, nor quite so bristly. They look much nicer roasted, do you not agree? Maybe I am just suffering from lack of nourishment, for I have not eaten since porridge this morning. And I do not think porridge was sufficient for the exercise I have had today.”
    She put her hand to his warm chest, trying to steady herself. Despite her bold words, a wave of fear passed over her. She was lost and surrounded by monsters. What was she to do now? A single tear rolled down her face.
    He dropped his sword and covered her trembling hand with his. “Hush now, ’tis over. The beast is dead.”
    Isabelle stifled a sob and clung to her protector, wrapping her arms around his neck, her body still shaking from the fright. She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. “’Tis not only the beast. It has been a horrid day. Ghastly, wretched day.” She pressed her face into his shoulder, trying to keep