Page 76 of Highlander’s Captive

“Bacon?”

“Salt pork.”

“Aye, ’twas a good excuse to go there. But ye, Craig, and I all ken ’twas nae what ye were really after.”

Amy clutched her hands, glancing at the door. Hamish was blocking it. Her insides quivered.

“What do you think I was after?” she said.

“I think, the same thing I am.”

She blinked. Was he a time traveler, too? No. He was too medieval. The way he spoke, the way he handled himself—everyone said he was a great warrior. Modern men wouldn’t know how to fight with a sword.

She swallowed. Still. Whatever he meant, she wasn’t going to reveal her secret to him.

“And what is that thing, Hamish?”

He frowned at her a little, one eye narrowing. “The thing that will take ye home.”

So he was talking about the portal, wasn’t he? Amy rubbed her damp palms on her skirt. If he was on her side, he could help her.

“Can you help me get back in there? Craig’s watching my every move.”

“Aye, lass. I’ll help ye. When Craig’s asleep tonight, come to the tower. I am nae allowed to guard the tower anymore, but I will make sure the guards wilna say a thing. Aye?”

“What is in it for you? Did you also—”

She stopped talking, unable to say the words “travel in time” out loud.

“I canna talk now, but I am on yer side, lass.”

His words were soft and caring.

Amy watched as he turned and left, surprised at the change of voice in this tall, brutal warrior. So Hamish had secrets. And if had secrets…

She broke into a cold sweat.

Could he have had anything to do with Lachlan’s murder? No, she’d seen him in the great hall with her own eyes, practically unconscious and with vomit all over him. Multiple people had confirmed they’d seen him in the great hall all night long.

Should she tell Craig? But if she told Craig, she could kiss the chance to get to the rock goodbye.

Later that night, lying sated, warm, and thoroughly loved in Craig’s arms, Amy wished she could just stay like that for the rest of eternity.

She’d thought he was asleep, his warm chest rising and falling peacefully under her cheek, his heart beating evenly.

But then he said, “Ye’ve made me happy, Amy.”

His rib cage moved against her ear as he said it, sending a vibration through her. Amy’s eyes prickled. She hated herself. Because she was still holding his trust in her hands, only she was about to let it shatter into a million pieces.

“You, too,” she whispered. “You’ve made me happy, too, Craig.”

He pressed her tighter against himself, let out a long breath, and soon he was sleeping.

Amy wiped a tear off her cheek and slowly, carefully crawled from under his grasp. She quickly dressed, trying to make no sound. Her heart thundered against her ribs. What was she doing? Was she really sure about this? Yes, Jenny needed her. She couldn’t abandon her sister.

I’m coming, Jenny.

She wasn’t sure which she was more afraid of—that the portal wouldn’t work and Craig would finally catch her, or that it would work and this would be the last time she’d see him.