Page 76 of Highlander’s Forbidden Fruit

“Are ye sure they’re ready for a sight such as yerself? Some might hammer their thumbs.”

“Or fall off ladders.”

“Or set fire to the tapestries.”

“Or hang ornaments off Lockard’s ears instead of the tree.”

“That’d be a shame,” Evanna giggled.

They walked out into the yard. Men called to each other as work went on at full speed. Lockard, grumpy and frowning as always, was in the middle of the chaos guiding everything.

The wind was crisp and biting even though the sun was out. Its weak rays touched her skin in languid strokes, the light filtered so it seemed like she was at the bottom of a pond and the sun rays were weaving through waves of water to get to her.

“Ach, tis too cold,” the Laird complained. “Yer conspiring to kill me off, eh? Then ye’ll be the most beautiful in the castle. Jealous ye are of me.”

Evanna laughed and kissed his bristly cheek. “I have a present for ye.”

“What?” The Laird was surprised and looked touched. He forgot all about teasing her. “Ye didnae have to, lass.”

“I wanted to.”

She pulled a small package out of her skirt pockets and presented it to her father. Laird MacLeod’s fingers were ice cold when they grazed her hand. He held the package in wonder. It was a small leather box tied with a red lace bow.

“My hands are shaking too much,” he said. “Can ye open it for me?”

Evanna obliged. She removed the lace bow then opened the box slowly. Upon a bed of white silk lay a perfectly round disc of gold. Evanna picked it up and removed it from the box. A gold chain followed it out of the box.

“It’s a watch,” she said. Pushing a small hinge, she opened the pocket watch and revealed the beautiful timepiece. It was an intricate work of machinery that was beyond Evanna’s understanding; but what made it special was not the watch itself, but what it concealed in the cover - a miniature portrait of her mother, Mary MacLeod.

The Laird was speechless. His shaking fingers traced the lovely painted face of his wife. He was stunned, Evanna could tell from the look in his eyes. She pulled his hand out and placed the watch in his palms. Slowly she closed his fingers on the cover, so it clicked shut, concealing her mother and his agony.

“I’m sorry, Da. I didnae think it would hurt ye so.”

“Nae!” Laird MacLeod shook his head emphatically. “I’m nae hurt, my love. I’m in awe of yer thoughtfulness. I have never received anything half as precious in my whole life.” He kissed Evanna’s hands and then her forehead, embracing her to him. “God has been more than kind to me by giving me such caring women in my life. And I’m pleased he has given me the opportunity to return yer kindness by accepting John’s proposal. I wish to see ye just as happy as me and yer Ma, with bairns just like ye to care for ye when yer old and wrinkly and cannae walk in the damned cold.”

“Oh, Da!” Evanna began to cry. She was pleased that her present had been a success, but the reminder of John and her life ahead was devastating to think of. Luckily the Laird assumed her tears were happy ones.

“Nae need to cry. Tis a happy time in yer life. John is a good man, even if he’s English, and will make ye a contented wife. Ye’ll want for nothing.”

Except Aleck, Evanna thought, miserable.

“I ken ye miss him, but when he returns it will be to cleave ye to him for the rest of yer life. Write to him. Ask him to return sooner.”

An urgent murmur began to buzz around the yard. People began to talk all at once, and very loudly. The panic whipped up and caught Evanna in its grip. She stopped crying and looked up. Laird MacLeod was also intrigued by the commotion. They walked towards the source of it. A crowd had amassed around something in the yard.

Before they could reach them, however, Lockard approached them. “Ye must go inside,” he said to her, gruffly pulling at her arm, his eyes wide and staring.

“Let go of me at once!” Evanna pulled her hand free. He was scaring her.

“Laird,” he turned to the Laird. “Take her inside. She must nae see!” The urgency in his voice only served to stir up her paranoia. What had happened?

Evanna rushed towards the crowd, the Laird and Lockard chasing and calling after her in vain. The crowd was thick, and Evanna had to jostle her way through. The people at the front realized who she was and parted for her.

Two horses were coming through the gate. They walked slowly, their mouths white with foam. A man walked in front of them, his feet dragging in the dirt, his clothes streaked with mud and blood.

Heart in her throat Evanna recognized Aleck. Feet moving of their own accord, she ran to him, arms out. All she could think was that he was hurt. The sight of all that blood had painted her mind scarlet. It was paramount that she ensure he was safe, and if he wasn’t, that he should get the best treatment possible.

She reached Aleck and engulfed him in her arms. His solid frame, the heat that wafted off him, even the stubble that scratched against her skin, were all welcome reminders that he was alive. His eyes were haunted, and his cheeks were hollow, but he was alive. He had come back to her!