MacLarens of Balmorie 05 - Once Upon A Time In Scotland Read Online Free PDF Page B

onto the ruins. His gait was sure and easy, just as confident and bold as the the rest of him.

    He was interested in her. Very interested. No man had looked at her like that in a long time. As much as she wanted to give in and engage in some wild, passionate fling, she wouldn't let it happen.

    She'd stick to her guns.

    Her father always said she was a hard nut to crack.

    Abbie let out a snort at that. If only she'd been more discerning with her ex-husband, Jake... but then, she wouldn't have Logan. It was hard to regret letting Jake into her life when the result was her heart and soul. She regretted her marriage, for sure. The marriage had happened after, and to some extent because of her pregnancy. Had her eyes been open she would have seen it was doomed from the start. But she'd had so much hope that things would fall into place...

    Something wonderful had come from being reckless. Her son.

    But that didn't mean she was going to be reckless again. Once was enough. She could barely manage her life now.

    With a sigh, she picked her way over a fallen chunk of stone and headed along the south facing wall. The castle had been built close to the loch. Too her, the location was perfect and beautiful. But to Liam, it was simply home, his turf, his past. She stopped at the edge of the wall and listened to the water lap against the shore, imagining what it would have been like to stand on the ramparts hundreds of years ago.

    Liam stood a few feet away, legs apart, gazing up at the tower, the breeze stirring his unruly hair. He looked every bit the Highlander of old, a tall able-bodied man with a smile that could melt snow. All he needed was a kilt and a sword.

    Sensing her stare, he turned his head and, for a moment, she saw a different side of him reflected in the steady blue eyes. A quiet strength, a depth that spoke of life experiences and emotions that weren't all fun and games.

    Abbie couldn't look away.

    She'd always been a keen observer and a lifelong people watcher, and she was certain she'd just glimpsed the real Liam. The moment left her disconcerted and a whole lot curious. Maybe he wasn't all that he pretended to be, a mystery just begging to be solved...

    Oh, jeez. That was all she needed.

    Hot guy plus mystery equaled trouble with a capital T.

    The wind over the loch brought with it a cool chill. She pulled on her jacket and gave herself a stern internal lecture. She'd enjoy the day, focus on writing, and keep her emotions locked down tight. Easy, right? “Aren't you cold?” she asked, approaching.

    “We Highlanders are impervious to cold, haven't you heard?”

    The breeze flung her hair in her face. She pushed it aside and smiled. “So where should we start?” Abbie gazed up at the tower and the walls of the castle. According to the brochure she'd read, two stories of the tower were still intact, and safe to explore with a guide, along with some of the walls and one of the fireplaces in the Great Hall.

    “The way is a bit rocky,” Liam said, holding out his hand.

    She hid her hesitation and took his hand not wanting him to think she couldn't handle a little skin to skin contact. It wasn't a big deal. Except that it kind of was because when his big hand wrapped around hers, it sent a jolt right to her chest.

    Focus, she reminded herself. Enjoy the day. Not a big deal .

    After all, today was a once in lifetime event. When else would she get a personal tour of a honest to goodness castle by someone whose ancestors actually lived right in this very spot?

    CHAPTER 5

    He was going straight to hell.

    Bree hadn't been murdered. It had been well documented that she'd slipped and fell, not from the tower, but down the steps while hurrying to midday meal. A tragedy to be sure. He hadn't been able to stop the lie; it had flowed from his mouth with ease. To hold the lass's interest. To give him the day with her. Pathetic, really. He was once an honest man. And now... Hell, the ground wasn't even that