Page 41 of Highlander’s Dangerous Love

She cut him off with a searing kiss.

“Dinnae ye ever say somethin’ so foolish again.”

He smiled, that lopsided, toothy grin she’d always loved.

“Aye, lass. I willnae do it again.”

“So…what are we tae do now?” She asked.

“I dinnae ken,” Colin said wearily. “Our options are limited. I might need tae speak wi’ my father tae see if he has more information.”

“If we reveal the situation…” Gemma began, but her voice trailed off as she tried to run through scenarios in her head.

“If we reveal it, all hell will break loose,” Colin said quietly. “My father an’ Lady MacNeill will be hanged. Bryce would lose his position. The clan would have no heir. That is, if anyone believes us.”

“An’ ye would lose everything. Yer reputation, yer father…ye might bear the mark of traitor, even if it wasn’t yer doin’.”

“Aye,” Colin agreed, his voice soft again. “We may have tae speak with Bryce. He can stop this. ‘Tis in his power.”

Gemma shook her head warily.

“Bryce is nigh unreasonable.”

“But he cannae deny we look alike.”

“He has turned intae a different person since ye’ve been gone. I dinnae think he’ll listen tae reason.”

“He might, if it comes from you, Gemma,” he explained.

She sighed heavily. Bryce was stubborn and difficult to reason with, but…she’d try, if it meant any chance of Colin coming back.

“I’ll try,” she finally confirmed.

“I believe in ye, Gemma,” he said softly before trapping her lips in a sweet and light kiss. “I cannae stay here, though. I’ll camp out in the forest, or in a cove somewhere until I hear back from ye.”

“Nonsense!” Gemma nearly cried. “At least stay in our stable.”

“Nay, I cannae risk that. Someone might find me an’ turn me in. I’ve got tae keep hidden.”

“I’ll tell ye as soon as I can,” she promised.

“I’ll be at yer window again in three days. A’right?”

He kissed her tenderly on the forehead and squeezed her hand. She barely had time to say goodbye as he hurried away, his footprints washing away as he left. It was not unlike that day on the cliff; except this time, she had hope.