The Highlander Next Door by Janet Chapman Read Free Book Online

and started talking about creating a new god. Most everyone that stayed is in their twenties.”
    Niall nodded. “Which likely suited him, since younger minds are easier to bend.”
    “How do you know so much about men like Sebastian?”
    “Ye may not have noticed, but I happen to be a man.” Niall set his hands on his knees and pushed himself to his feet, then turned and extended his hand. “On second thought, I think it’s time I get ye home before you’re missed.”
    Macie slipped her hand in his and let him help her stand. “You’re not at all like Sebastian,” she said with all the conviction of an innocent lamb.
    Niall tucked her arm through his and started up the path toward the road. “Don’t let my good looks and sunny nature fool ye, lass. All men have agendas.”
    “If that’s true, then what’s yours?”
    “To see you happy,” he said, patting her hand clutching his arm. “Which I suspect for you would be a home of your own and a husband you can count on to help raise your babe in a loving and secure environment.”
    “You think I should marry Johnny?”
    “I’m thinking ye might consider letting the man prove he loves you more than he loves the power Sebastian has given him. What I heard tonight was Johnny asking if he had any chance of winning back your trust.”
    “But how can I ever trust him again?”
    “You could start by letting him court you proper,” Niall suggested. “If Johnny were to move into town and get a job, would that not show how much ye mean to him?”
    “And if he starts talking about us returning to the settlement together?”
    “It’s a simple matter of saying no.” He patted her hand again. “And ye have a mighty powerful ally to help keep him on the right path.”
    “You?” she said, the lamplight exposing her smile.
    “Nay,” he said with a chuckle. “Your babe. I noticed Johnny’s gaze kept going to your belly when he wasn’t soaking in the sight of you.”
    Macie stopped when they reached the old railroad bed and turned to him. “You think Johnny would take me on a real date?”
    “I guess that’s something you’d have to ask him.”
    She stared up at him for several seconds then suddenly started walking again. “Maybe I will.” But then she sighed. “Birch will probably go ballistic if Johnny comes to the house to take me out.”
    “Or she might help ye get ready for your date. She’s on your side, too, Macie. We’re all hoping to see you settled into the life you want.”
    “Um . . . you don’t think Birch wants to see me settled
without
a husband?” Macie flashed him another smile. “I wouldn’t say she actually hates men, but I think she finds you guys are more trouble than you’re worth.”
    Niall merely chuckled, figuring the lass may be right.
    “Hazel told me Birch sold their house in Montreal,” Macie continued, “then made Hazel move here with her. Apparently Birch thinks her mother is too trusting, especially when it comes to men. And she treats everyone as if they’re twelve; Hazel
and
the shelter residents.”
    “Because she
cares
. If this were just a job for her, I doubt the shelter would have gotten so many residents in the three short weeks it’s been open.”
    “She’s actually going out and
finding
them. I think it was Ezra who told her that he saw a bruise on Cassandra’s face when the girl came in the Trading Post with her aunt last week. Birch got directions to their house, drove out to the Binghams’, and came back with Cassandra that same afternoon. And she talked Noreen into leaving her husband, and even took her home to pack up some of her stuff.” Macie shrugged. “I just wish she would care a little less . . . intensely.”
    Seeing the lass hug herself when a breeze sent the mist swirling toward them, Niall took off his jacket and settled it on her shoulders. He then pulled out his shirttail so it hung over the back of his belt, gave a single sharp whistle to call Shep, and started toward