Kenina shrugs."When ye love a Balfour, ye learn not to worry so much."
The next fifteen minutes are the longest of my life.The crowd's energy shifts as someone spots movement at the crest of the hill.I rise onto my tiptoes again, squinting against the sunlight.
"Here they come!"shouts a man to my right.
Two figures emerge over the ridge, moving at breakneck speed down the treacherous slope.I can't tell who's who until the sun catches on a flash of red.
"Logan's in the lead," Kenina confirms, clasping her hands to her breast.
But wait.A blue blur is gaining ground, taking the descent at a dizzying pace that makes my head swim.Kirk is practically flying down the mountainside, his feet barely touching the ground.
"Is he---is he actually accelerating?"I gasp, equal parts terrified and impressed.
"Aye, the bloody fool!"Kenina exclaims, her hands flying to her cheeks.
I can't look away as Kirk practically hurls himself down the mountain, taking shortcuts where others are choosing safer routes.The gap between him and Logan is closing with every reckless stride.
My eyes must've popped out of my head a second ago as I shout, "He'll break his neck, Kenina!"
"Or win.That's the Balfour way."
The crowd surges forward as the leaders approach the final stretch.I'm jostled from all sides, but I don't care.My focus remains entirely on Kirk.His legs are pumping like pistons, eating up the ground between him and Logan.
"Come on, Kirk!"I scream, my voice lost in the roar of the crowd.
With less than a hundred yards to go, I can't move or speak.My gaze is glued to what has to be one of the most insane displays of sheer stubbornness I've ever witnessed.Kirk's entire body is leaning forward at an angle that defies physics while his arms pump with desperate energy.
"GO KIRK!"I scream until my throat burns.
The distance between the two men narrows to mere feet.Ten yards from the finish line, Kirk makes his move, summoning a hidden reserve of strength to pull alongside Logan.They're shoulder to shoulder now with their faces contorted from the effort.
Five yards.
Three yards.
One yard.
They cross the finish line in what looks like a dead heat.Both men collapse onto the grass, their chests heaving like bellows.I shove through the crowd, ignoring protests and muttered curses as I elbow my way to the man I love.
"Kirk!Are you okay?"I drop to my knees beside him.
His wide, sloppy grin tells me everything I need to know, and I fling my entire body at the crazy, incredible jackass who stole my heart.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Kirk
Gretchen urges me to lie down on the grass once my breathing has become relatively normal.I know she worries I've gone too far with the Hill Race, but I remind her that know what I'm doing.When I tell Gretchen that, she gives me a schoolteacher look of disapproval.Sweat has soaked my T-shirt, but that's expected when a Scotsman takes part in the Highlands Games.My fiancée lies down beside me, wiping my forehead down with a cool rag someone found.
Gretchen slaps my arm."You idiot.After the other games you took part in, you really didn't need to prove your manliness again.We all know how tough you are, Kirk Balfour."
I manage a sloppy grin."But it's a cracking good time, aye?"
Neil ambles up to us, shaking his head at me."I hope ye aren't planning to do any more events.Ye look like death warmed over with a stake driven into its heart."
"Och, ye fannybaws, leave me be."
"Calling me stupid, eh?"Neil smirks."Should we call for an undertaker?"
