Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor Read Free Book Online Page A

belonged to someone?" Roan crossed his arms.
     
"He didn't belong to ye, so it doesn't matter. Ye should have left him alone," Gavin said. "This isn't our land. We're the guests here. Naught on this land is yers to claim without the laird's consent and ye'd do well to remember it."
     
"Ye can handle Roan's punishment." Gavin faced Leith. "There must be a consequence for his thoughtless actions."
     
"Aye, I'll take care of it," Leith said.
     
Gavin turned his horse around, pleased he hadn't broken his promise to Serena. He would have to remember to thank her for the tip about Quinn. He smiled. It was an excellent excuse to stop by and see her on the morrow.
     
 
     

 
     
Serena rolled over. Gray light angled through the open door. It was already daylight? She rubbed her eyes and sat up. No sign of Gunna or her mother. Cattle lowed outside. Chickens bawked and wings flapped. What happened to the rooster? He always crowed at dawn.
     
She tossed the covers aside and swung her legs over the box bed. A wave of dizziness gripped her. Serena wrapped her arms around her middle and paused, waiting for the world to right itself again.
     
The lump on the side of her head had gone down. Tomas said she could go back to a normal routine once the swelling faded. After waiting a few days, she was very eager to do just that. Easing her bare feet upon the compact dirt floor, Serena winced at the cold contact. Even though it was now late spring, freezing air was common at night or in the early morning.
     
Sheep bleeted in the distance. Embers simmered in the fire pit, but it didn't give much heat. Serena threw on some kindling and stoked the hot coals until a new blaze lit. She grabbed a log and threw it on. Now she could dress without feeling like an icicle.
     
By the time she donned a clean dress and fastened her plaid around her for warmth, her mother walked in carrying a pail of milk. She breathed heavy from hauling her burden.
     
"How are ye feeling?" She set the pail down and kneaded the back of her neck. "Yer not as pale as yesterday. It's good to see color back in yer face."
     
"I feel much better and the swelling is gone." Serena combed through her long thick hair, wincing as she tugged the tangles free. "It's time I get back to work. I hope the laird won't be angry I overslept this morn."
     
"We sent a messenger. He'll think naught of it." Mother pulled out a bowl. "Would ye like somethin' to break yer fast? I was about to make fresh bread."
     
"'Twould take too long to make from scratch. I'll just have some of the strawberries."
     
"Serena, I wish ye'd wait one more day. It's a long walk to the castle."
     
"I'll be fine." Serena strolled to the table and grabbed a small basket of the ripe red fruit. "Where's Gunna?"
     
"At the loch washing clothes."
     
"Oh, I'll see ye both this evening." She slipped out before her mother could protest.
     
Serena hurried through the village greeting people as she passed. Her thoughts drifted to Iain MacBraigh, the new laird of Braigh Castle. When he took ownership six months past, he had inquired through the village for someone to run his household. Tomas had recommended her. As the laird had no wife and was a private sort of man who wouldn't be doing much entertainment, he didn't require her to live at the keep.
     
Serena's only concern in taking such a position were her horrible fits. The last thing she needed was to be discovered. People didn't understand and would say she was demon possessed as her own father had done. Her mother finally told her about the story of her birth when she turned ten and six a few years ago, but she'd refused to give his name. All Serena knew was that her mother had chosen the name of Boyd from distant relatives.
     
Something wet nudged her hand. Serena gasped and pulled her arm against her chest. She glanced down to see Phelan. The animal lifted his head against her. He was so large, he knocked her off-balance, causing her to sidestep. Serena