The Highlander's Secret(26)
Alan swallowed hard at her explanation and nodded. “Aye, lass. That they do.”
They sat down on the shore and watched the waves crash against the shore, without saying another word. His lips still burned from the searing heat of Jain’s kisses as he exhaled in relief to calm the beating of his heart. Jain seemed to have calmed down considerably from their ride after the confrontation with Conrad. Soon it would be time for them to saddle up and head back towards Elign. Even though her father knew he’d taken her for a ride, Alan didn’t want to risk angering him further. He would worry if they didn’t come back soon.
The horse grazed along the grassy hills behind them and rested from their travels. Reluctantly, Alan and Jain climbed back on and rode off towards Elign.
Chapter Twelve
Jain and Alan did not return to her parents’ farm until just before nightfall. The sun was low on the horizon and it was getting dark. Alan brought them to a stop outside the stables and dismounted to help Jain down, with his hands secured low across her waist. Her feet set down on the grass in front of him and the world came to a halt.
For one moment, Jain let herself enjoy his company before heading inside to face the disappointment of Eamon and Moira. For that moment, it was just the two of them. She was afraid to speak and shatter the illusion it created.
All too soon, he released her and went to secure the horse inside its stall. When he came back, Alan took her by the hand and led her around to the front of the house. They were standing in the doorway about to knock, when it flew open and found Moira standing there in shock.
“Jain, ye’re back!”
“Aye, Mam.”
Moira hugged her tight and kissed her on both cheeks before releasing her and turning her attention back to Alan. “Oh, lad, I dinnae ken how to thank ye fer looking after her.”
Alan smiled and gave her a gentle nod, “’Twas my pleasure. Anyone else in my position would have done the same.”
Moira scoffed. “Thank ye, Alan.”
“Jain just needed to go fer a ride and clear her head. It’s all done now.”
“Won’t ye join us fer some supper?”
He shook his head. “Wish that I could, Moira. However, I must be getting back to the shop. Bruce would want to ken that I’ve returned. If ye’ll excuse me, I must be off.”
Alan backed out of the doorway and gave them a congenial bow while Jain smiled at him in earnest. Her heart fluttered at the memory of his kiss, watching him disappear into the fading sunlight.
Once he left, all that remained was for Jain to explain to her parents what happened. “Well, dinnae just stand there, lass. Come inside,” Moira told her.
She wasn’t even sure if they would listen to what she had to say about Conrad, but Jain knew that he had something to do with Heather’s disappearance.
Her parents watched her relieve some of the pent-up anger, looking worried. Aileen took a break from chopping vegetables for their supper and poked her head around the corner. Her tunic was smeared with oil and her dark brown eyes inquisitive. Even with the distance between them Jain could hear the raggedness of Aileen’s breathing – she’d been spending too much time outside in the cold again. Jain saw her curiosity and shooed her from the room just as her father stood up to say, “Aileen, leave the meal fer now. Ye can come back to it in a moment. Go fetch some water while yer aunt and I have a moment alone with Jain.”
His tone was so final that it didn’t leave much open for discussion. Aileen’s lips pursed with disapproval, but she obediently removed her apron and went out the door. Jain knew her cousin cared for her and was probably hurt by the sudden dismissal, but that was something she’d deal with later.
Aileen took her shawl off the chair where it was laying and pulled it up around her shoulders before walking out the door. Jain stopped pacing and rocked back on her heels while staring at the floor. They waited until the door fell shut and he released a tired sigh when he finally turned to her at last. “Jain?”
She breathed out through her nose and turned to him obediently, with her arms crossed tight around her chest. Every nerve of her body was alert and trembling with rage. The last thing she wanted was to be scolded by her father.
“We need to talk about what happened,” Eamon told her, sitting up higher in his seat. “I came home after spending the entire morning searching fer Heather Gordon and what do I find? Ye’ve insulted one of the most powerful fighters in our clan by throwing a bucket of water in his face. Then ye take my horse and disappear without a word. I had to send Alan after ye to make sure ye came home. Can ye imagine how scared yer mother and I were?”
“I’m sorry,” she told him quietly. “I promise it won’t happen again.”
The expression on his face was heartbreaking, full of love and frustration all wrapped up in a mix of fear. On top of everything, he also didn’t seem convinced. “Jain, our village already lost a sweet young lass this week. I dinnae want to be losing ye as well.”
She nodded stiffly without looking up at him.
“He came around again, with the leering looks he always does. I lost my temper and threw the water bucket at him.”
Eamon laughed indulgently. “Aye, ye did. I saw the mess he was in when I came back. I dinnae think he’ll be coming around here any time soon.”