Heart of the Druid Laird Read Online Free PDF Page A

were an unfathomable puzzle to him and Mairéad had been the greatest mystery of all. Even after living with her for nigh on a full year, he’d still walked on eggshells around her.
    “How’s Thai food sound?” Sidney glanced at him. “There’s a place just down the street.”
    Dermot watched as she ran her hands up and down her arms against the chill November air. She wore a copper-colored sweater that fit her like a caress. The color brought out the dark brown of her eyes and the warm tones of her skin.
    He slipped out of his leather jacket. “Thai food?” The thought of Asian food didn’t sit well.
    “Well, what do you feel like eating?”
    “Red meat and black coffee.”
    The blonde—was it Zoe LeBlanc?—burst out of the store with a coat and purse in her arms just as he placed his jacket around Sidney’s shoulders. She shrugged it off and handed it back.
    “I thought you might want these, Sid.” Zoe handed her the coat and purse and shot him a speculative look before disappearing back into the store.
    “I’m parked half a block down the road.” He indicated the direction with a wave of his hand and slipped back into his jacket.
    “Let’s walk. There’s a great place a few blocks down Grand Avenue.” She started down the sidewalk with her hands tucked deep into her pockets. “I didn’t know Druids ate meat.”
    “Och, we used to sacrifice humans upon stone altars to appease the gods, lass. I eat meat without compunction.”
    Sidney snorted. “It’s a good thing you don’t do that anymore. Sacrifice humans, that is.”
    “I’m thinking of taking it up again.”
    “Really. Is that what brought you to Panache? Am I on some kind of short list of possible sacrificial lambs?”
    Her teasing tone couldn’t hide the fact that she edged a bit farther away from him. He turned his head to hide his smile. “Nay. That would be Thomas.”
    The sound of her laughter caused an odd warmth and fluttering sensation in his chest. He rubbed the spot where the unfamiliar feeling manifested.
    “Are you all right?”
    “Aye. Just an itch.” He wanted to move closer, maybe put his hand at the small of her back. Instead, he shoved his hands deep into his pockets and thought of ways he could entice her to Scotland without revealing too much. Gods, he wanted this over with.
    “Sid!” a young man called from across the street.
    He didn’t like the way her face lit up for this young man. She waved and stopped to wait for him to cross. The lad put his arm around her shoulders and gave her hug. Dermot fought the urge to forcibly separate them. It must be a residual reaction. After all, she had belonged to him in another life.
    “David, this is Dermot MacKay. We’re going to lunch. Why don’t you join us?”
    Dermot couldn’t miss the pleading tone in Sidney’s voice, or the look of desperation. Did he make her so uncomfortable? How involved was she with this David fellow? He offered his hand, and an unspoken question. “David…?”
    “David St. George.” David studied him as he shook his hand. “I’ve already had lunch with Mom, Sid. She’s not too happy with you.”
    Relief washed through Dermot. Her brother, not her lover. “Another time, perhaps.”
    “You’re not from around here.” David smiled.
    “I’m from Gairloch, Scotland. It’s on the west coast in the Highlands.”
    “How do you know my sister?”
    He felt Sidney’s scrutiny as she awaited his reply. “I’m a businessman looking to expand my market.”
    Her brother nodded. “Speaking of business, I’ve got an errand to run before my shift. I’d better get going.” He gave Sidney another brief hug and let her go. “I have class tonight, so I won’t be home until later.”
    They continued on in silence. Dermot struggled to come up with some plausible reason for his presence and answers to the inevitable questions he’d soon face. Sidney tugged on his sleeve. She’d stopped in front of a restaurant, The Lexington.
    “Red