Viking King (The MacLomain Series: Viking Ancestors, Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

ravens are going nutty.”
    “I wouldn’t overly worry about the birds. I’ve seen ‘em do strange things this close to the shore.” He shot her a pointed look. “They get caught in wind shears, especially during hurricane season.”
    “And the voices?”
    “You know as well as me that sound travels differently here. Voices carry over the water sometimes from miles away. No offense but you’ve been pretty hung up on that rock and his name since you found the box.” Sean shook his head. “Sometimes we just hear what we wanna hear, sweetheart.”
    “Why would I want to hear his name,” she mumbled and took a sip of his beer before returning it. “That’s crazy.”
    “Hey, I understand more than most the whole idea of hearing what a person wants to hear instead of the reality of things,” he said. “And while I love the hell out of you being here, I know damned well you made some pretty big life changes when you moved to Winter Harbor.”
    Megan looked skyward. “Don’t you start on me too.” Then she narrowed her eyes. “So what are you wanting to hear instead of the reality of things?” She regretted it the minute she said it and sighed. “Awe, shoot, Amber?”
    Sean swigged his beer and nodded at the boat. “We gonna put her in the water soon?”
    Megan sat next to him and knocked shoulders. “Way to evade the question.” She softened her voice as she eyed him. “I thought you were good with your arrangement with my sister?”
    “Most days I am,” he said, voice rough. “Doesn’t mean I don’t want more sometimes.”
    The sadness was obvious in his voice and she did well to keep pity out of her response. “Who knows maybe one day down the line…”
    “Naw, not Amber.” He stared at the boat. “She needs more adventure than I can offer her. More of a challenge.”
    If nothing else, he knew her baby sister well. But she wouldn’t drown all hope. “People change.”
    “Not her,” he promised and shrugged a shoulder. “And honestly, I wouldn’t want her to.”
    Megan set aside the box and rested her head on his shoulder. There were all sorts of comforting words she could offer, but he’d see through them. The truth was he’d cast the line dead on when it came to Amber. Best to lead the conversation out of troubled waters and back to calmer seas. “They’re calling for good weather. I thought we’d take our boat out tomorrow morning.”
    “No can do,” he said. “I’ve got to work. How about the day after?”
    “No good. Nor’easter coming in. Saturday then?”
    “Nope, made plans with Amber.”
    She lifted her head and frowned. “You’d go on a date with my sister before taking our new baby out for her first swim?”
    Sean chuckled. “Heck yeah. Besides, the storm won’t be clear of us by then.”
    “Maybe not,” she conceded and started to walk alongside the boat again, running her palm over the hull. “But you know a little bit of rough weather doesn’t faze me.”
    Sean crossed his arms over his chest. “We’ve built a miniature replica of a Viking ship and everyone in Winter Harbor knows about it. You row this thing, which by the way is far different than anything you’re used to, alone into turbulent water you’ll make the local newspaper in a bad way.” His lips pulled down. “Besides, I should be with you for its maiden voyage.”
    “Then tell Amber you have plans and we’ll take it out.” Megan grinned. “Give her a dose of her own medicine. Make her wait for you .”
    He shook his head. “If only I were that strong. Nope, I get her a few times a year and intend to take advantage.”
    “Ugh.” There’d be no gaining ground here. “Fine, we’ll aim for early next week.”
    Sean nodded, swigged the last of his beer and stood. “Enough moping out here. Come inside and get some rest.”
    “Safe to assume you’re sleeping over then?”
    He chuckled. “Where else would I be?”
    “Right. Go on then. I’ll be in soon.”
    “Will you?” Sean