When Highland Lightning Strikes by Willa Blair Read Free Book Online

laird, yet Angus is still the one who keeps the men working on the new hall.”
    “As if Colin would get his hands dirty,” Christina snickered. She pulled Shona aside and lowered her voice. “Some in the clan are still upset Angus brought the Lathan healer to their hideout to save his brother’s life.”
    Two others heard her and agreed.
    The way the lasses described what they’d been told by their men, crossing themselves as they spoke, Shona realized the healer’s ability was as unusual as Shona’s own talent. Hearing the unease in their voices made her even more determined to keep her ability hidden. If the MacAnalens turned her out, as her village had done, she’d have nowhere left to go.
    She’d rather be seen as lazy, or overly prayerful, than as a witch.
    But the fact they’d told her about the Lathan healer reassured her they didn’t suspect her of having any such talents. Not yet. She would do her best to keep her ability hidden. Even so, something was bound to happen that would be impossible to explain. She froze, the women’s voices fading away as she wondered if, on the other hand, someone already suspected her. Did they think to elicit a confession by feigning sympathy, to get her to lower her guard? Or to let her know such talents were—or were not—accepted here? Shona didn’t know what to think.
    Already, she’d noticed measured looks from Angus. He might have seen the serving lad bobble the tray of apples. Had he felt the extra push that landed him in the ale? Had he felt the support she’d given him when he lost his balance up on the beam? She couldn’t have let him fall!
    He needed her help, whether he knew it or not. Whether he would accept it or not. With the elders’ unwise demand for a great hall, the clan had taken on too much too soon. They’d lost men during the lowlanders’ invasion, and most of the remaining men had worked tirelessly during the winter to provide shelter for the survivors. But they’d saved the hardest job for last, and Shona feared without her, it was beyond their abilities.
    For now, she must hope all her fears were unfounded. If the MacAnalen sent Angus away, she’d lose the strongest ally she had. She thought back to her introduction to the new laird and his conversation with Uncle Seamus. Had Angus heard what kind of scheming Colin and her uncle were doing? She should have said something yesterday. For Angus to do anything about Colin’s plans, he would need to know, and she was the only one who would tell him.
    ****
    Angus was inspecting the repairs to the damaged wall when Shona appeared, her gaze locked on him. Something was wrong. Other than a pink flush on her cheeks, her skin was pale, her eyes wide and worried.
    “Angus, I must speak with ye,” she said when she reached him.
    He moved them away from the other men. “What has upset ye?”
    “Privately?”
    Concerned, he nodded and glanced at the sky. Dark clouds lined the horizon. Blue sky overhead told him they might get rain later, but should be fine for hours yet. “Let’s take a walk, shall we?”
    He led her away from the village, into the woods, where they’d be safe from prying eyes and ears. They walked in silence until Angus spotted a patch of yellow primrose next to a fallen log. By then, Shona’s color had improved, but the worry in her eyes had not. He thought the flowers might cheer her. After she sat, rested her elbows on her knees, and clenched her hands together, he joined her. He covered her hands with one of his and asked, again, “What has upset ye?”
    She took a deep breath and arched her brow. “The MacAnalen said something ye need to hear.” She shuddered slightly. “I shouldha told ye before now…I started to yesterday, but my uncle saw us and called me away.”
    Angus frowned. “I saw him.” He’d also seen Seamus approach the laird and introduce his niece the day before. Had they already discussed making a match? “What happened? What did Colin