Highlander's Magic (Highlander Heat #2)

“You’re a minute late.” Cole’s deep voice bounced inside my head. “Don’t make me hunt you down.”


“I’m grabbing a bite to eat, but hunt me down if you want.” I couldn’t keep the longing from my voice. Let the hunter hunt.

“Hope and Silas have returned. They mentioned the back-burning.”

“Goldie just told me about it too. I’ve got to ’port the horses to the river. You keep those cattle in line over there. I’ll be back soon enough.”

“Silas and Hope can look after the cattle here. Hold on. I won’t be a moment.”

My toast popped and I slathered it in chocolate spread.

“I’m back in Peacio.”

What? He couldn’t be. That was a surprise. “Um, if you’ve got other things to do, I understand.”

“The only thing I have to do is change then lasso you into line.”

“Well, I hate to break it to you, but the lassoing isn’t going to happen.”

“I’m on my way back.”

“Good for you.”

“Don’t be cheeky.”

“Ha. Not possible.” I took a bite of my toast then peered out the wooden square-cut window. Along the dusty path from the stables, Cole stormed toward me. Wow. He cut an impressive figure in dark leathers and belted side-sword. The hem of his white shirt fluttered loose under his tan leather vest.

His gaze clashed with mine through the glass. “Where’s the door?” he yelled out.

“Follow the path to the front porch. There’s a wide-open foyer. Take the first door on your—”

He leaned against the window pane, got the image and flashed inside.

“Or you could just do that. Impatient much?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe.” Hands on the metal sink either side of me, he leaned in and breathed deep. If he came any closer, I’d kiss him. “More chocolate. I am going to form an addiction myself if I hang around you much longer.”

“Hey, don’t sass the chocolate.” I ducked under his arm and set more bread in the toaster. After it popped, I spread both pieces with extra chocolate spread and passed him a slice. “You want juice too?”

“Yes, please.”

I poured then nudged the glass across the countertop toward him. Outside, the smoke continued to thicken. “That back-burning is certainly close. It better be working.”

“Hope said the firefighters know their stuff, and I’m ready to move those horses when you are.”

“You’re almost ready.” I pulled a toweling cloth out of the drawer, draped it over his nose and tied it in place at the back of his head. “Thank you for all your help.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” He lifted my red and black checked neck-cloth over my nose. “Right. We’re all set to go. What’s the drill?”

“We have over two-hundred breeding mares, plus foals, and they all need to be moved.”

“How do you intend to contain them at the river?”

“Leads. There’s a fence line down there, so we’ll tie them to the posts. That should work.” I flashed us to the stables. Smoke swirled through the air of the wide central holding room, obliterating the grassy scent of the hay bales stacked to the ceiling. “Use whatever you need from in here. There’s plenty of tack hooked on the back wall and tons of rope in the side room.” I pointed toward the back door. “Out that way are the fenced yards where we keep the mares and foals.”

He caught my hand and squeezed it. “Promise me you’ll be careful.”

“I will, and you too. No getting hurt on my turf. You take the outside area and I’ll move the mares close to birthing from down these corridors. That’ll be about half each. Go.” I nudged him toward the back door.

“You stay safe, or else we’ll be having words.” He backed up, his fired gaze on me, and then slowly he turned and disappeared through the door.

Staying safe would be letting him go and living his life, but I couldn’t keep denying the strength of our bond. What would it be like if we accepted it as Hope and Silas had done? What was between us would only develop and grow. I closed my eyes as longing swept through me. Damn, I was falling, and fast.

Horses whinnied. Argh, I needed to get them out. I raced to the first stall.

I ’ported each mare, taking extra care to secure them farther away from where Cole tied the mares.

We passed each other going back and forth.

As the hours rolled on, the humidity rose off the charts. Hope and Silas rode the perimeter of the grassy river belt, keeping the cattle contained as more herded cattle arrived. Gee, it was lucky the other warriors were so busy they hadn’t yet asked about the two extra hands. It helped Silas had his Stetson low and Cole the cloth over half his face.