One month earlier…

The village stalls were lined up along the green overflowing with fruits, vegetables, breads and other summer wares. It was a hot afternoon, hotter than most of the July days, but Alec MacMillan did not mind the heat. What he did mind was his greatest friend, Tavish McNair, taking his sweet time perusing each and every stall, they came across.

“Ye look like a man judging the worth of every turnip in the Highlands,” Alec said as his friend turned over a vegetable for the fifth time.

“And if I were?” the young laird shot back.

“Then ye’d be the only laird in the Highlands concerned about turnips,” he quipped back.

Any other day he would have waited around for Tavish to give him a smart, humorous come back, but on this particular day, his attention was taken by the sweet sound of laughter coming from beyond the green.

He turned his head to see his daughter, Beitris, sitting with another lass, her head thrown back in laughter at something the other lass must have said. But the other lass looked horrified, as if his daughter had grown an extra head.

He shook his head. That was always the way with Beitris, before her mother had died. Nothing could stop the lass’s zeal for life and laughter. Hearing her laughter now, when for so long she had seemed to keep her laughter hidden, was a balm to his heart.

The other lass seated next to her on the bench sat with her back straight, her hands busy arranging plants of some sort in the basket at her feet. She seemed to tolerate Beitris’s laughter and exuberance well enough, but at the same time was much more reserved. There was the slightest hint of pink at her cheeks and at first Alec thought the lass mayhap was embarrassed by whatever joke or story had Beitris in such good humor, but upon closer inspection, he noticed the beginnings of a sweet smile.

She tossed her head back, her light brown and golden locks catching just enough of the sunlight to keep Alec’s attention just a beat too long.

“Ye see something that piques yer interest?” Tavish asked coming up to his side.

“Aye, me daughter,” he replied, pointing to where Beitris and the other lass sat. “She looks well.”

“Aye, indeed,” Tavish replied, his tone giving away his thoughts. Alec let out a small cough. He had not fooled his friend.

“I think I shall go remind the lass that she shouldnae buy the entirety of the village.”

He didn’t wait for Tavish to respond before he headed across the village green. His gaze kept slipping to the other lass. He found himself transfixed by the way the lass gently tied the perfect knot around each sprig of lavender. She didn’t seem the sort who craved or even wanted attention, yet Alec found himself drawn to her just the same. She seemed quiet against the backdrop of the soap stall where they were standing. Not one for standing out.

“Faither,” Beitris shouted leaving her friend to stay back as she ran across the green in greeting. “I’ve just been looking at soaps.”

“Is that so?” he asked, giving his daughter a stern voice, though he knew she would not take it to heart. It was more for show than true sternness. “Nay mischief, I hope.”

“Never, Faither,” Beitris replied. “Oh look at this…”

Beitris wandered off to another stall, leaving Alec standing alone. He followed her with his gaze until he saw her safely entrenched in a conversation with the stall owner, most likely about ribbons or colors or some other sort of ornamentation she would need to have and come bounding back to him for his purse. He smiled at the thought. Happy to give the lass whatever it was that would keep her spirits as high as they were.

He found himself staring at the other lass again. She never looked up, not once. There was a cloud of something over her, perhaps it was loneliness or mayhap grief. Whatever it was, Alec was drawn to her, wanting to ease whatever the cause was that kept her to herself. The brief glimpse he had of her smile, made him want to do something, anything to get her to smile more.

Dinnae be daft, man. Ye ken naethin’ of that lass.

Beitris came bounding back over abruptly, dislodging him from his thoughts. “Da, I think I’m almost done, but I dae have a few more stalls tae visit. Ye need nay wait fer me, I’ll have Gavin escort me home so ye dinnae have tae wait.”

“Dinnae stay out all day, mind ye,” he said before turning back to where Tavish stood waiting. They had business to attend at the tavern, and it was best Beitris occupy herself anywhere but the seedy watering hole. He looked across the village green his eye catching his war chief, Gavin Ross’s eye, the other man giving a quick nod of understanding. He was willing to give the lass some measure of freedom, but he would not trust her protection to just anyone.

“Of course not, Faither,” the young lass promised.

Alec mounted his horse and gave the quiet lass one more glance before he headed back across the green to Tavish. She was still sitting, quietly bundling her plants. Alec shook his head to clear it and when he met up with his friend, the younger laird had a look that Alec had seen a time or two before.

“Dinnae start, McNair,” Alec warned, already preparing himself for what his friend would harp on about.

“I’m nae saying a word,” Tavish said with a smirk, leaning down to gently nudge and pet his beastie as if the men had all the time in the world to gallivant through the village green.

“I was only checking on me lass.” Alec shifted in his saddle uncomfortably and not liking the fact that his friend could read him so well. It was better to admit to fatherly interest in his daughter than have Tavish relentlessly goad him if he truly knew it was the sober lass who caught his eye.

“Just that it seems Beitris’s friend may have caught yer attention?” Tavish cocked up and eyebrow. “Have ye suddenly remembered ye aren’t so old tae notice a woman?”

“Shut yer gab, Tavish,” Alec chuffed. “Ye ken I’ve nay interest in love or lassies. I’ve noticed naethin’ save me own daughter.”

“Perhaps… I only argue that it’s perfectly reasonable fer ye tae find interest in a bonny lass,” Tavish held his arms up in mock surrender. “And the lass is bonny, if nae a bit sullen.”

Alec’s jaw tightened. “I dinnae need a lecture from the likes of ye. Ye’re nay more than a bairn yerself.”

“Nae a lecture, me friend, simply lookin’ tae help ye. It’s been years now that ye kept the idea of love at a distance from ye. I’m here as yer friend, tae tell ye there’s naethin’ wrong wi’ takin’ notice of a lass from time tae time.”

In truth, there was something about the lass that drew his attention, but it was best that Alec not think too much on such things.

Tavish was younger, by years. He had not yet felt the brutal sting of a love gone cold or sour. He knew not what it was like when the folly of youth gave way to the reality of age. Nor did the lass for that matter. She deserved laughter along with a fresh love. Not some leering laird twice her age.

“Plus, I can see wi’ me own two eyes what it is ye’re lookin’ at,” the younger laird gave a sly wink.

“Yer eyes have always had a special talent in keepin’ ye deceived,” he growled.

Tavish laughed. “I think ye’re probably right. Just seems tae me ye were checking on the wrong lass.”

Alec chose not to reply, but the younger laird’s words lingered in his thoughts. Tavish was brash and vexing, but he was often too right for his own good.

Alec kept his gaze forward, as they rode back to the keep from the village. He wasn’t interested in conversation or being teased. He would not let his friend goad him into a discussion about his daughter’s friends. Yet, despite it all, he could not help it if his mind lingered on the lass with the neatly stacked herbs, the quiet voice, and the faintest spark of a smile that had cause her hazel eyes to briefly shine.

Enjoyed this bonus chapter? Dive back into the adventure and continue the journey on your e-reader. Happy reading!