She let out a quiet breath, then tugged me toward her people where she made some slightly awkward introductions.
Isla
THE NEXT DAY, I awoke in a funk. It was the morning of my ár mökunar, and I just wanted to hide under the covers. I didn’t know why I was in such a foul mood, but I could not wait for my party to be over and done with.
Maybe my irritation was due to the fact I’d dreamed of Arric all night. I didn’t want to dream about him. I wanted him stricken from my mind entirely, but I couldn’t seem to stop thinking about him.
Maybe my irritation was because I’d received a text from Ahearn informing me of Hershey’s escape and grand adventure that led our groom on an early morning search only to find my horse all the way on Brodie and Payton’s property, flirting with one of their mares.
Climbing out of bed, I pulled on my riding gear, deciding I needed some one-on-one time with Hershey. After stopping downstairs for some breakfast, I texted, first Catriona to join me, then my mother to let her know what I was doing.
Before I could take my first bite of toast, she walked into the kitchen. “You don’t have time for a ride, baby girl.”
“How did you know I was in here?”
She tapped her temple. “I always know where you are.”
“Well, that’s alarmingly terrifying.”
Mum chuckled. “You are a person who doesn’t veer off course, honey. You always eat before you go anywhere.”
I sighed. “That’s because you force feed us if we don’t do it ourselves.”
She grinned, wrapping her arms around me. “It’s because I loooooooooveeeeee you,” she sang.
I had to hold my hand out so that I didn’t get peanut butter in her hair. “Mum, you’re being a nut.”
She cupped my face. “Takes one to know one. Now, go get ready for your party.”
I wrinkled my nose. “One wee ride, Mummy. We’ve got hours before guests arrive, and I need some Hershey time. He clearly needs more exercise too, considering his recent string of joy runs.”
“Is your cousin going with you?”
I shoved the toast into my mouth so I could check my phone, nodding as I chewed.
Mum sighed. “Back here in two hours. If you’re a minute late, I’ll send the search party.”
“Promise.” I grinned, grabbing my phone and rushing out the door before she changed her mind. I decided to walk to the barn, finishing my toast on the way.
As I crested the hill between our home and the barn, I saw the lone figure of a man walking toward me. At first I couldn’t make out who it was, but when he looked up, I stalled.
My head suddenly filled with bees and I couldn’t move. My feet wereliterallyfrozen to the ground.
What the hell?
The man’s head cocked to the side and I recognized him.
Arric.
“No!” I screamed.
* * *
Arric
I heard Isla cry out and my heart shattered. I couldn’t stop myself from running to her as fast as I could. My head was foggy, and my only thought was I had to get to her. My body, mind, and soul seemed to be drawn to her and when I tried to focus on something other than her, the confusion took over again.
I’d been feeling off since arriving in Scotland, but I couldn’t leave. Not that I was being held against my will, at least, not by my hosts, but anytime I thought about leaving, the fogginess returned. My train of thought wouldn’t return for several minutes, but if I tried to plan to get out of Scotland, something would get in the way.
