Highlander Undone (Highland Bound Book 5) by Eliza Knight Read Free Book Online Page A

Dougal’s.”
    Shona and Moira Ayreshire. They were popular in the area for their herbal shop and their generosity. Everyone remembered them.
    “Aye. Just came from Moira’s house now.”
    “She was mighty displeased with ye, I reckon.”
    Did the whole town know his business? He supposed they would, at least those who worked and lived close to Moira.
    “She was, but I’m hoping to reconcile.” Rory grinned, though there was no happiness in it. He swallowed a large gulp of whisky loving the intense burn as it made its way down his throat.
    “Might be damned near impossible. Where’s her sister?”
    He was expecting that.
    “She’s north, in Grant country, near Castle Gealach.”
    “Working?”
    “Aye, at the castle actually.” That was not technically a lie. She was working around there… five hundred years in the past.
    “Castle Gealach? Ye don’t say.” The barkeep once more refilled Rory’s cup.
    “She’s a natural. The people love her.”
    “And ye? Do ye love Shona?”
    Rory looked the man in the eye. “She’s like a sister to me. I’d protect her with my life.”
    “And Moira?”
    The whisky was warming its way through his blood. He’d forgotten how much time-travel took out of him. Another swill and he might be well and truly drunk.
    “I’m hoping…” He trailed off, not wanting to give away too much information about himself, his intentions.
    “Ye like her.”
    “A lot.” He admitted.
    “Even love her.”
    Rory nodded.
    “Well, good luck to ye. She’s got another man now. A big one. And he’s not likely to let her go so easily.”
    Rory grunted, a small bitter laugh escaping. “The good lassies are always scooped up, are they not?”
    “Aye. But truth be told, ye can win her back. Dickie’s a bit of an overbearing arsehole. His father is part owner of Scottish Airways, and he’s let the power of all that cash get to his head.”
    Rory ran his hand through his hair. “And all I’ve got is a measly £20.”
    The barkeep chuckled. “Whisky’s on the house. I always did like ye. And if ye promise to get that prick out of this side of town, I’ll give ye free whisky for the rest of your days.”
    “What sort of trouble is he giving ye?” There had to be more to it than breaking the bastard up with Moira.
    “Giving my lad some trouble, that’s all. Him and his blokes. They don’t live around here. Only come by to see Moira. My lad’s the bar-back, and they rough him up a little every time they come by.”
    “It’d be my pleasure.” Rory got up from his stool, wavering slightly on his feet. He needed to sleep.
    “Thanks, mate.” Then he called out, stopping Rory. “If ye need a job, I could use a bartender a couple nights a week to help me out.”
    Rory nodded. If he were here longer than a few days, then he’d need some cash. “Thanks for the offer. I’ll let ye know.” He trudged to the door, surprised his legs felt a bit wobbly. Whisky was doing its job making him feel numb.
    A blessing it was MacTavish’s was so close to the Ayreshire house, because he planned to sleep in Moira’s back yard.
    He prayed she’d already gone to bed. She’d most likely not be pleased with him creeping around again.
    Rory smiled and stumbled his way down the street toward her house, half-hoping he’d run into the arsehole she was bedding down with.
     

Chapter Five

     
    Sleep had not come easy to Moira Ayreshire. She’d spent most of the night tossing and turning, wishing that she’d yanked open the door, after yelling at Rory and locking him out. She should have asked him to come inside. To tell her about her sister. To take her to Shona. To ask why he’d up and left; why he’d run away with her sister after a year of telling Moira he loved her.
    Dressed in his kilt and boots, his white shirt clinging to the muscles of his chest and arms, the man made an impressive picture. The sight of him, unchanged since she’d last seem him, brought her tunneling back to when