Dreams Of The Highlander Read online

  Table of Contents

  DREAMS OF THE HIGHLANDER

  Acknowledgements

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  Gaelic Dictionary

  DREAMS OF THE HIGHLANDER

  SARAH HOSS

  SOUL MATE PUBLISHING

  New York

  DREAMS OF THE HIGHLANDER

  Copyright©2013

  SARAH HOSS

  Cover Design by Rae Monet, Inc.

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, business establishments, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the priority written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

  Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Published in the United States of America by

  Soul Mate Publishing

  P.O. Box 24

  Macedon, New York, 14502

  ISBN-13: 978-1-61935-198-1

  www.SoulMatePublishing.com

  The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  To my husband Andrew

  who is the hero in my life story.

  Acknowledgements

  I would like to acknowledge the following people who have helped make this book possible.

  To my parents’ who always have shown me love and had unconditional faith in my ability to do and succeed in anything I ever wanted to try. Thank you and I love you!

  To Veronica Wolff for her friendship and mentoring. When I started writing, the first two years were on my own and when I met her she took me under her wing and taught me the ropes. I am forever grateful.

  To Alisa “Lizzie” Walker, Melissa Stark, and Pam Johnson who are my fabulous critique partners. You have talked, plotted, laughed, and critiqued with me through this book. Whether it was in person, on the phone or Skype, I appreciate all you have done. You three are the BEST!

  To Celtic Critters Critique Group and Dawn Hamilton for filling in when my critique partners couldn’t. This is a wonderful group of people and I appreciate their help.

  To Bruce Macpherson for all of the time you have spent in teaching me about your clan, family, and anything Scottish. I am honored to call you my friend and appreciate everything you have done to help me.

  To Debby Gilbert at Soul Mate Publishing for saying yes. I appreciate the chance.

  To my editor, Cindy Brannam, for all of your help. Thanks for letting me ask countless questions and being patient with me.

  And last but not least, to my husband and children for all the times I said, “Give me five more minutes.” For their support and love. For asking questions about what I do and being genuinely interested when I answer. I love you so very much with all of my heart!

  “Love looks with the mind, not with the eyes.”

  William Shakespeare

  CHAPTER 1

  Newtonmore, Scotland 1701

  “Mairi,” he whispered.

  “I love ye with all of my heart.” The evidence of that love clung to her soft voice.

  Alexander swallowed the lump of fear that rose in his throat. “I love ye, too.” He lowered his gaze to their beautiful son nestled in his arms. Brown hair dusted the little head and he gently ran his hand over the silky forehead as he fought back tears.

  “I want ye to be happy, Alexander.” A blanket of confusion covered him as she turned away in sadness to stare out the window.

  “What are ye saying, Mairi? Ye’re going to be fine.” He said it with as much conviction as he could muster. His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb slowly brushing strokes back and forth.

  Alexander readjusted himself on the bed. She turned then, to stare back into his eyes, her hand grasping his. The sadness had left and in its place, determination settled in.

  “No, I won’t and we both know it.” She swallowed with difficulty. “Promise me, Alexander. Promise me ye willna grieve for me forever.” He watched, stunned, as her hand dropped from his.

  Alexander heard his mother sobbing in the background as he sat with his stillborn son held tightly in his arms and watched his wife slip peacefully from this world.

  CHAPTER 2

  Newtonmore, Scotland 1702

  The rain came down harder, bringing Alexander back to reality. He stood under the big rowan tree, trying to purchase shelter, but felt the need to go to them. Taking a few tentative steps forward, he went to his knees.

  He reached out his hand and ran his fingers through the grass that grew on their grave. Part of him willed the wooden cross not to be there as he spoke softly to his wife.

  “I said I would come by and visit. I missed ye today.”

  He missed them every day and though the pain had lessened over time, the one-year anniversary of their deaths hit him hard. The dreams weren’t making it any easier.

  “Ah, Mairi, I fear I’m losing ye. I’m plagued by a dream and I doona understand it.” His hand scrubbed over the rough stubble growing at his chin. “They’re of a stranger, a woman. Are ye trying to tell me something?”

  The words Mairi spoke before she died played through his mind.

  “Are ye telling me it’s time to move on? Because I doona know if I can. I wish for the dreams to be gone, damn it. I doona want them and I doona want her.”

  He’d been having the dream repeatedly. The woman in the dream always stood in the middle of the woods, waiting on something or someone. He tried to talk to her, to no avail. As though she couldn’t hear him. He tried to reach out so she would come with him, but she refused. The saddest eyes he had ever seen pleaded with him. Not being able to help her both aggravated and confused him. He always woke frustrated and hard.

  In his dreams, he knew her and wanted her with a passion abhorrent to him when he awakened. She was beautiful. Her long, flowing curly hair was of a deep dark brown, not quite black, and her hazel eyes held a mystery. There was an appeal to them that made him want to kneel down like an offering and do whatever it was she asked. She had full shapely lips that a man wanted to kiss, and in the dr
eam, she always bit her bottom lip. Such an innocent act took his breath away. But there was more than her beauty that drew him; he could sense it.

  Alexander’s guilt curdled his belly. Rage slowly boiled inside of him for dreaming of another woman while the wife who’d tried to give him a son lay dead. Why was he having the dream and when would the meaning reveal itself? Why was his mind betraying his heart?

  He shook himself. While lost in his thoughts, the rain had slowed to a gentle mist. He reached out to clear some of the bramble from the grave, leaving the wildflowers.

  He stalked over to the rowan tree and grabbed Gideon’s reins. He needed to talk to his brother, Hamish. Harsh reality struck him. He didn’t want to be alone today. Though it pained him to see his sister so happy with her family, he knew he would find Hamish at her place. He mounted Gideon and rode away. He needed his family to drive this other woman from his mind.

  Alexander found his sister, Margaret, standing in the yard, feeding the chickens. Reddish-blonde hair waved in the wind and bright blue eyes smiled at him with warmth and kindness. Cathal ran around trying to help, but only accomplished scattering the chickens. Alexander approached the four-year-old and scooped him up, surprising the little boy. Cathal squealed in delight as Alexander tossed him in the air.

  “Ciamar a tha thu?” he asked, greeting Margaret.

  “I’m fine, thank ye.” She dusted the crumbs from her hands and bent to pick up her basket.

  “Where is Hamish?” he asked as he set Cathal on the ground and glanced around the farm. “I thought he would be here with Callum.”

  She smiled at the by-play between the two. “They traveled to Inverness four days past. The barn is due for repairs and Callum needed supplies. I expect them back tomorrow.”

  Alexander ruffled Cathal’s raven-colored hair and waved to Fiona when she came into view. Margaret and Callum’s daughter was the spitting image of her mother. Fair haired and gentle spirited.

  “Well, I shall return tomorrow and give them a hand.” He walked over to his horse, but before he mounted, he turned back around to ask her a question. Margaret was watching him.

  Alexander stared at her for a moment. “Is everything all right? Is there anything ye need?”

  “I was going to ask ye the same thing,” she said with a concerned look on her face.

  Alexander swallowed and shook his head. “Everything is fine, a phiuthar.” He stepped up to her and laid his hand on her arm, thankful that his sister loved him enough to ask.

  “Then the answer is the same here.” Margaret started to walk away, but glanced over her shoulder. “If ye can get yourself over here early enough, breakfast will be waiting on ye.”

  Alexander nodded, a smile growing on his face. Swinging himself up onto Gideon, he waved goodbye one more time, then took off for home. A visit to his sister’s family was always a good thing and the ache was beginning to lessen its hold on his heart.

  The next morning proved promising. As he wove Gideon through the woods, back to his sister’s house, the treat of a woman’s cooking enticed him. Though he wasn’t a horrible cook, his attempts couldn’t compare to Margaret’s. If Hamish and Callum hadn’t returned by the time of his arrival, there were things he could do around the farm to keep busy until his brother arrived. He still wanted to speak to him.

  Gideon breathed in and out loudly as he sidestepped. Alexander searched the landscape. Instantly on alarm, he quietly sighed when he spotted the distraction up ahead. The deer would make a nice gift to his sister’s family. Alexander drew his bow, then notched an arrow. He held his breath as he let the arrow go, all without making a single noise. The deer fell before the animal realized what had happened.

  When Alexander arrived at Margaret’s house, he found the kids outside playing. Fiona waved hello, then ran inside. Alexander walked Gideon to the house and waited for Margaret to come out.

  “I see my offer of breakfast was taken seriously.” Margaret walked over and gave him a hug.

  “Aye, I would never pass up yer cooking.”

  Margaret’s eyes strayed from Alexander’s large frame to the deer hanging across Gideon’s back. “What have ye there?”

  “I brought ye a wee present. Hope ye doona mind.”

  “I doona mind, but I doona think that,” she said, pointing to the deer, “looks like a wee deer.”

  Alexander patted the large buck and laughed. “Let me take care of this, then I’ll come in to break my fast.”

  The aroma that greeted Alexander brought a smile to his face as he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Fried beans were served over warm bread. Eggs still sizzled on the griddle and fresh milk sat in a pitcher on the table.

  After his second plate, he sat back in his chair and rubbed a hand over his stomach. He had eaten way too much, but he couldn’t help himself. He was about to compliment her cooking when he heard a familiar voice.

  “I see it didna take long to be gone before ye went out and found yerself another man.” Callum came in, lightly punched Alexander on the arm, then walked over to Margaret.

  “Well, at least I have good taste.” She winked at him, then stood on her toes to receive a kiss.

  Alexander rose. “Would Hamish be with ye, then?”

  When Margaret pointed at the food lying on the table, Callum nodded. “Aye Margaret, I’m fair starved.” Turning back to Alexander, he answered, “Hamish is outside playing with the children. He said he’d be in soon.”

  Alexander said his thanks and went in search of his brother.

  He found Hamish near the barn and stared at him for a moment. There were three brothers. James was the oldest, then Hamish and Alexander, with Margaret being the youngest and only girl. Thick as thieves growing up, Hamish and Alexander looked alike, except for small differences. Hamish had bright blue eyes, where Alexander’s were the color of steel. Alexander was bigger in build, whereas Hamish was long and lean. James, on the other hand, was different. He shared Hamish’s bright blue eyes, but that was it. James took after their father; he was shorter, with reddish-blonde hair, as was Margaret.

  Alexander stepped to the fence to watch his brother with the kids. “If you doona get in the house soon, Callum will eat all of the food. I heard his stomach growl—sounded like a bear.”

  Hamish sat Fiona on the ground and ran for the house.

  A smile crept up on Alexander’s face as he took his niece’s hand, shook his head, and slowly followed.

  As Alexander sat back down at the kitchen table, he addressed his family. “Remember when the three of us went down to old Mrs. Graham’s house and let all of her cattle out?”

  Hamish started laughing. “That was James’s idea. Too bad he forgot about the bull. The beast nearly ran us down,” Hamish answered between mouthfuls.

  “Och, well, I dare say that Father was fair angry at us. It took him two days to get all of her cattle back. Mrs. Graham was fit to be tied.” Alexander stood from the table and walked to the window. Memories of his childhood flooded his mind, twirling end over end. They were good times growing up and he loved his brothers very much.

  Alexander turned to look at Hamish; unspoken words left hanging in the air between them. Hamish nodded his understanding and pushed his plate away. “I thank ye, Margaret.”

  Walking around outside, Alexander turned his face to the sun and soaked in its warmth. It was a nice change from the rainstorm the day before. He felt his mood darken a bit as the thought crossed his mind.

  They’d reached the barn when Hamish put his hand on Alexander’s arm. “What’s wrong, little brother?”

  Alexander sighed. “I doona know. Nothing really, maybe everything.” He walked to the fence and leaned against it. The wind kicked up, blowing wisps of his hair into his eyes. He welcomed the distraction, not able to look at his brother. “Ye always co
uld tell when something was wrong.”

  “Aye, I know ye like the back of my own hand.” He gripped Alexander’s shoulder and gave it a brief squeeze. “Tell me.”

  Alexander felt a slight rush of aggravation that Hamish could read him so well, but it quickly washed away with the comfort of that knowledge. He gripped the fence tightly a few times while he spoke.

  “Yesterday was not a very good day.”

  “I knew it would be hard for ye. I thought about coming to see ye, but then thought ye might need to work through the anniversary of their deaths alone. That’s why I went to town with Callum.”

  “I did and I thank ye for recognizing my need.”

  Hamish smiled back at him.

  “There is more.”

  “Oh, and what would that be?” Hamish turned his back to the fence, resting against it.

  “The dreams are coming more often. I find myself confused. At first, I thought I had them because I missed having a lass around.” He bent down to grab a rock and gave it a good hearty throw into the field. “But why wouldn’t I dream of Mairi? Why do I dream of a stranger?” He glanced at Hamish, who only shrugged in answer.

  “These dreams are stuck in my head. I doona understand why.” He turned to face his brother fully. “I feel it in my soul that my dream has a meaning, I only wish I knew what.”

  Hamish tilted his head. “All we can do is wait and see how this story unfolds.”