Sadie's Highlander (Highland Protector #1)

By Maeve Greyson

Published September 12th 2017

by Loveswept

The Highland Protector series brings to life four
mouthwatering Celtic brothers in twenty-first-century
North Carolina—where the lasses are anything but
tamed.

Highland warrior Alec MacDara and his brothers traveled
forward in time to protect the sacred Heartsone. Their cover?
Owners and operators of a theme park called Highland Life
and Legends. As the chairman, Alec has been fending off
requests to film at the breathtaking property. It’s only because
of the charming correspondence from an enterprising
production assistant that he agrees to a meeting at all. That’s
when Alec meets a woman whose lush curves make him
forget, for the first time, all about tenth-century Scotland.

A lowly assistant for her sister’s motion picture company,
wannabe screenwriter Sadie Williams is shocked when Alec
agrees to let them film at the park upon one condition: that
she report to him daily. Sadie’s sister always told her that
their parents only adopted her because they felt sorry for the
ugly little stray. But Alec looks at Sadie like she’s the most
tempting creature in the world. And with his gleaming,
musclebound body stripped down to nothing but a hip-
hugging kilt and boots, Alec clearly knows a little something
about temptation.

Holy freaking god what a book! This was one phenomenal
story, so well-written and thoroughly engaging. This is one
hell of a new series by Maeve Greyson and I cannot wait to
read more.

This is a new series set in North Carolina about a wonderful
group of Scottish druids and there heart-stone. This is
another wonderful time travel romance this is Alec and
Sadie’s story and what a story it is. She has one hell of a
sister she is a real piece of… well let’s just say she is not
nice. And rather nasty to Sadie who is sweet if not just a little
messed up with all the years of verbal abuse and
mistreatment by her sister. But Alec has fallen hopelessly in
love with her. But when her sister dose something
despicable, Sadie feels responsible. She then runs from him.
Let’s just hope he can change her mind and win her back.
Well I know but I read the book and if you want to know
you’ll have to read the book too.

Now before I ruin this for you I will leave off here. I hope you
enjoy this book as much as I did. If you do like this book,
please consider leaving a review. The Authors really like it
when you do; they value your opinions too

Long ago, in ancient Scotland, there was a time of druids. Contrary to the god-like perceptions their closely-guarded teachings and warlike prowess gave, these druids were nothing more than ordinary mortals—dedicated ordinary mortals. Theyhonored the old ways of the land. Served the mighty goddesses. Carefully selected clans more willing than the average Scot to die for their beliefs.

Their lore was sacred, so guarded that it was never committed to text. Never recorded in history’s annals. Instead, their traditions were taught and passed down orally. Father to son. Mother to daughter. Druid chief to chosen successor.

Of all the druid clans, the strongest and most cherished by the goddesses was the MacDara bloodline. More devoted than any other and trained by the warrior Goddess Scota herself, the MacDara menand their sons mastered the goddesses’ four sacred weapons: sword, hammer, shield, and spear. No better archers could be found than the MacDara women.

The MacDara clan became the goddesses’ mightiest champions. And with this honor came the task of guarding the most hallowed gift to all of humanity: the blessed Heartstone—the ancient relic filled with the unexplainable energy that made everymortal life worth living.

The sacred Heartstone was fabled to fuel humankind’s most basic instincts: the need to love, hope, and evolve. Without the Heartstone’s subtle nurturing of humanity’s desire to achieve a brighter future, civilizations would cease to better themselves. Progress would stagnate. Life would be nothing more than dreary mediocrity until snuffed out by death. Humans can survive without many things, but love and hope—the urgent expectancy that circumstances will get better—are essential ingredients to survival.

The blessed stone and its lore was known and revered by the druids and the followers of the old ways. It was a precious gift from the goddesses. But as centuries passed and beliefs changed, the knowledge of the Heartstone and the legends of the druid clans faded into barely remembered myth. Then finally forgotten. Abandoned by mankind.

Except by those who knew the cost. The druid clans.

Scattered to the winds by history and walking among society as though the tales were never more than fanciful stories of a long-ago time. The descendants of the clans now live double lives, upholding their families’ ancient oath: protect those who protect the Heartstone. Their ancestors failed the chosen MacDara clan once. They’ll not fail again. Not only for the sake of the MacDara clan—but for the sake of all mankind even though mankind is oblivious to the reality of the stone and its powers.

The Heartstone—and humanity’s evolution—must be protected at all cost and the MacDara druid clan and their descendants are the ones deemed worthy enough to do it. Selected by the goddesses and the sacred stone itself, the MacDara’s are the only bloodline courageous enough for the task.

And the MacDaras must do more than survive. They must thrive. Their bloodline must never die out…no matter what century the goddesses place them in to save them.

Prologue
Scotland – Tenth Century

“Above all else, I charge ye with the task of keepin’ yer mother safe. I fear our allied clans willna reach us in time.”

The gut-wrenching sounds of splintering wood, crumbling stone and toppling walls filled the air then were drowned out by the deafening roar of the crazed horde destroying the last remaining barrier of stone and bloody clansmen attempting to hold them back. The ravaging men of the north appeared unstoppable. The tower housing the sacred Heartstone would soon be breached.

“Aye, Athair.” Alec fisted the hilt of the Goddess Danu’s sacred sword even tighter, thumping it against his chest before turning away from the raised altar where his father, chief warrior druid of Clan MacDara, sworn to protect the great treasures of the goddesses, stood calling out to the divine deities for guidance and deliverance from the angry throng destroying the keep.

“Nay, husband. I protect m’self. I’ve no need for coddlin’.” The object of Alec’s orders, his heavily pregnant mother, stood poised in front of one of the tower’s tall narrow windows, bow readied with an arrow nocked and drawn.

Sarinda took careful aim, released the missile then tossed a satisfied smile back over her shoulder at Alec. “Ye will see to the protectin’ of the Heartstone and lead yer brothers in the doin’ of the same. Aye?”

“Aye, Máthair.” Alec took hold of his youngest brother’s arm and turned him toward their mother. There was no use arguing with the woman. She overruled Father every time and wouldna hesitate t’take a stick to his arse even if the enemy was breathing down their necks. At twenty seasons old this past spring and so broad-shouldered he couldna walk through the doors of the keep without turning sideways, Alec no longer feared his mother’s stick but he was sorely concerned for her welfare—especially at this time, in her delicate state. He pulled his brother back a bit and spoke low and close to the lad’s ear. “Ross—take the shield and protect her—see to it that our unborn sister is kept safe as well.”

The young lad of only fourteen summers solemnly jerked his chin down in a quick nod then hefted the sacred shield away from its iron stand beside the altar. The ancient bronze disk shimmered with an eerie glow as soon as the gangly boy clutched it to his chest.

Aye. Scota’s shield hungers for battle as much as I. Alec turned to his other brothers standing by the last of the hallowed weapons flanking the blessed stone. “Grant—take to yer hammer. Ramsay—to yer spear. The stone must be protected at all cost.”

The tower shuddered with another hit of the enemy’s battering ram, tightening Alec’s gut with deeper resolve. This was the worst attack he could remember since they’d erected the double-blocked skirting wall around the keep. This particular horde from across the sea was fiendishly dedicated, more intent than any of the previous pillagers from the north. Greed and bloodlust to claim the tower and all the treasures it held shone upon their faces with an unholy light. They feared nothing and only fell aside when death claimed them. The stubborn marauders had decimated the outer wall as though it had been made of dried dung.

But the MacDara’s and the other druid clans were just as stubborn. Before Alec had come of age and trained for this calling, his father had led all the wars waged to protect the revered Heartstone—humanity’s ancient connection to the goddesses’ gifts of creativity, imagination and love—the very heartbeat of hope itself that made life worth living—or so the legends told.

Now his aged father stood at the altar, gnarled hands wafting back and forth through the strange smoke rising from the smoldering herbs he’d placed in the cauldron. Eyes closed, weathered face lifted to the oiled black irons coated with dripping wax from three thick stubs of nearly spent candles, Emrys Danann MacDara rumbled a deep monotone chant with barely moving lips.

Metal grated against stone as Ross slammed his shield across the arrow slit just in time to block a blazing spearhead. A heavy thud then a rattling scrape against the outer wall beside the window warned that the invaders were closer to achieving entry into the tower altar room. Ross raised the shield higher, leaning into it as the unnerving clangs of blades clashed against it. Grant and Ramsay rushed to their youngest brother’s aid, flanking their mother and sheltering her behind them.

The barred door at Alec’s back shuddered with several fast hitting thumps. Arrow hits. Alec knew the sound well. The acrid scent of pitch and the noxious smell of smoke seeping in around the boards of the heavy oaken door burned his nostrils, fanning the fury already raging in his veins.

This particular battle wasna goin’ quite the way it should but since the men of the north had seen fit to provide him with a thick curtain of black smoke in which t’hide, perhaps he could change the course of this wee skirmish.

He spared one last glance back at his family. “I go to bid our visitors a more personal welcome. Keep the Heartstone.”

“Keep the Heartstone,” his brothers and mother echoed.

And then the world exploded.

***

The first thing Alec became aware of was the gentle shushing sound of soft green leaves dancing somewhere above him. A refreshing breeze brushed a cool touch across his face, tickling his senses with the beguiling scent of a newly dawned spring day. No sound of battle. No smell of burning pitch. Nothing but the sound of the wind in the trees and a sense of peace. The thick cushion of grass on which he lay smelled fresh and sweet as he turned his head into the softness of the earth.

“He is awake, my goddesses.”

Alec forced his eyes open, immediately regretting the decision when the action triggered a thunderous pounding inside his skull. Squinting against the unusually bright beams of sunlight filtering down through the trees, he struggled to focus on the unfamiliar surroundings.

Where the hell am I? Did the horde kill us? What in the name of all things holy had happened? He scrubbed the heels of his hands against his temples, doing his best to realign his addled senses. And then it hit him—by the goddesses—the Heartstone!

Panic surged through him, forcing him to his feet. He staggered sideways, grappling to steady himself against the solid trunk of a massive oak. An oak. This must be a sacred place. He squinted at the unknown surroundings. Máthair…Athair…brothers…the precious stone. What had happened to his family? What had happened to the stone? The weapons?

A brilliant light descended through the canopy of trees, shining into the center of the peaceful glade and hovering just above the ground like a star gently lowered from the sky. “We have brought ye—our faithful servants and protectors of the stone—to a place where ye will be much safer. More at peace. We grew tired of the repeated attacks. ‘Tis no need for such violence.”

The orb of light echoed as though three females spoke in unison—each of their melodic voices perfectly pitched to enhance and complement one another. “And fear not—we’ll not be leavin’ ye here without proper guidance. We’ve chosen a fine advisor t’see ye well settled and ensure that ye thrive and guide our other druids of this time. Ye’ll find several druid clans are here, already well established, and at the ready to help ye.” Quiet laughter rippled through the glade like the tinkling of delicate bells. “You—our most blessed line of druids must not die away. Ye must lead the others once ye’ve learned this place. Prosper here. Multiply. Keep our stone safe for eternities t’come.”

A shocking awareness jolted through him as though his senses had finally decided to kick in. Holy mothers of all. Twas the goddesses themselves. Alec dropped to his knees, bowing his head and bringing one arm up across his face. “My goddesses.”

“Aye...our brave one. Ye’ve pleased us well—as have yer brothers and yer parents.” The blazing star undulated with a myriad of sparkling colors, growing brighter and then dimming a bit with each word the goddesses spoke. “Yer family is well, resting in the meadow just past the edge of this wood. They sleep upon the land we have chosen to gift to ye.”

“Land?” Alec kept his head bowed. They didna need more land. They needed a new keep with thicker walls that could withstand the enemy’s battering rams. Alec quickly shuttered the thought away and bowed his head lower. One didna question the goddesses and their ways. Those who did sometimes paid dearly for the expressing of their druthers.

“Explain it to him, Dwyn. ‘Tis best that young Alec hear how it shall be from his new advisor.”

Alec stole a glance up from behind his arm. Who the hell is Dwyn?

A slight form, more like a flickering shadow and silhouetted against the blinding light of the goddesses’ star, approached him.

A deep rumbling chuckle—a full hearty sound that in no way looked as though it could come from the slight figure walking toward him—echoed through the clearing. The laughing silhouette bounced closer—still out of focus against the brilliance of the goddesses’ light.

“I am Dwyn MacKay. Yer neach-teagaisg. The teacher who shall guide ye through the wonders of this new place.I am guardian and tutor to all the druids here. I shall see to it that the MacDara clan does well and continues their legacy to the goddesses and humanity as the protectors of the Heartstone—the sacred stone of hope and love itself.”

“And this place is?” Alec asked, still squinting against the blinding light.

“Twenty-first century North Carolina. Welcome to the future, m’lad.”

Chapter 1

Forget the rollercoaster. Where do I get a ticket to ride him? Sadie Williams peered over the tops of her sunglasses, inching them lower to get an unobstructed view of the man currently flexing his assets. Damn. What an import. I bet he’s one of Scotland’s finest.

The tempting Scot stood in the center of the outdoor practice ring, glowering at the small group of nervous young men fidgeting in front of him. His tanned,muscular physique of totally lickable perfection rippled and pulsed as he swung a monstrous sword in a wide graceful arc. He wore his dark hair slicked back in a severe man bun, perfectly accentuating his stern unsmiling face.

The man was better than any photo-shopped action hero Sadie had seen in a while. His modified kilt, a tighter sexier version,more like a gladiator’s short toga, only added fuel to his already blazing hot persona. The teasing bit of tartan hung low about his hips, it’s cropped length barely brushing the thickest part of his solidly-corded thighs. With every fluid, predatory move he made, Sadie wished for a strong breeze to improve the already impeccable view.

“You’re telling me that’s Alec MacDara? Mr. I can’t be bothered with a meeting?”

Her sister Delia’s hissed whisper, shrill and dripping with insulted disbelief, interrupted Sadie’s delightful reverie. Thumbing her sunglasses back up in place, Sadie barely nodded, Delia’s tone triggering a one-sided grin. Yes, sister dearest. That’s the man himself.

Sadie hugged her electronic tablet to her chest, and turned her attention back to the dirt arena where Mr. Alec MacDara, CEO and part owner of Highland Life and Legends, was currently sizing up his most recent batch of applicants. Delia needed to be quiet. She was ruining the view.

When they’d arrived at the park for their hard-won appointment, a historically accurate kilted park employee had led them to this private training area. He’d explained that this was where mock battle interviewees hoped their sword handling would impress Mr. MacDara enough to score them a job.

Not only renowned for its remarkable authenticity, Highland Life and Legends was also known as one of the best employers in the region. The successful Scottish historical theme park encompassed what seemed like an endless expanse of acreage along the Cape Fear River of North Carolina. The sprawling park and its owners ruled supreme in this part of the country.

The nearby town of Brady, North Carolina would’ve disappeared off the map years ago, if not for the MacDara clan’s imaginative creation. The theme park, based on Highland myths, beliefs, and everyday life in centuries past, had been a lifeline for the past fifteen years to the small burg nestled in the rich countryside surrounding the river. Everyone wanted to be a part of Highland Life and Legends.

Alec MacDara strode up and down the line of young men, pausing now and then to squeeze a shoulder or lift one of their arms as though judging livestock at the county fair. He finally selected the smallest of the group, handed him the sword that was nearly twice the young man’s size and pointed to the center of the ring. “You. Go. Let’s have a look at ye then.”

The scrawny nervous boy that would blow away if a strong wind hit him stumbled to the designated spot, visibly struggling to drag the sword along beside him. He let out a wheezing grunt, face turning a reddish purple as he strained to lift the blade into the air. The sword wobbled and swayed for a tense moment then dove downward, the tip plunging deep into the dirt.

The rest of the anxious wannabes waiting for their turn at the sword tittered with relieved snickering. The beanpole of a boy shot them all a resentful glare, set his jaw, then staggered backwards, using his entire body to heave the massive blade back up into the air and swoop it from side to side.

Easily avoiding the swinging blade, Alec angled his way around to the boy’s side, clapped a hand on the lad’s bony shoulder and pried the sword out of his shaking white-knuckled fists. “The sword is no’ the weapon for ye but yer mother tells me ye’ve a fine way with the horses. Is that true?”

“I guess so.” The still red faced lad deflated with a disgusted huff, staring down at the ground as though his entire world had just collapsed. “I just wanted to be one of the fighters—you know—for the girls?” He wheezed out another despondent sigh and kicked the toe of his boot in the dirt.

“Many a fair lass waits in line to ride the fine MacDara horses we have stabled here.” Alec gripped the boy’s shoulder and gave him a congenial shake. “I’m thinkin’ they’d be most impressed by a man able to control such mighty beasts and take them for rides through our fine countryside.”

The boy’s face visibly brightened. Renewed hope straightened his back as he stood a bit taller. “Really?”

“Aye.” Alec nodded and steered him toward a gated path on the other side of the ring. “Off wi’ ye now to the stables. Old Tom’s expectin’ ye. He’ll explain yer duties to ye.”

“Thanks, Mr. MacDara!” The boy bobbed his head, his lop-sided grin stretching from ear-to-ear as he stumbled backwards toward the gate. “Thanks a lot!”

Well. Well. Well. An uber-alpha Highlander with a heart of pure gold. Sadie cocked the bill of her ball cap a tad lower. Alec MacDara’s kindness triggered a warm glowing sense of happy straight to her core. I could so get into researching this guy for a hot Highland screenplay.

A sharp jab in the ribs rudely interrupted the promising dialogue already flowing through her mind. “What?” Sadie jerked around and fully focused on her sister, immediately regretting the sharp tone of her what and the resulting look on Delia’s face.Great. Here comes an ass-chewing.

“I asked you a question and your head rattling when you nod doesn’t tell me a damn thing. Watch that tone or you can kiss this job goodbye.” Delia’s face—immaculately chiseled by LA’s best plastic surgeons—tightened into a threatening scowl that would challenge the best Botox. She smoothed her miniskirt with an irritated yank then hooked a finger in her plunging neckline and resettled her newly purchased cleavage to a more revealing angle. “If that’s Alec MacDara, I know exactly how to handle this meeting.” She flexed her toned and professionally sculpted body like a peacock preening for a mate.

“Yes. That is Alec MacDara, CEO of Highland Life and Legends,” Sadie replied in the most placating tone she could manage without gagging. And I’m sure he’ll be panting at your feet in no time. His type usually can’t resist you—until they find out how you really are. She tapped the surface of her electronic tablet. “Look. I showed you this article about him and his family the other day. Remember?”

Delia pushed the tablet away, not even sparing Sadie a sideways glance. “In case you haven’t noticed, I am extremely busy. You can’t expect me to hear every inconsequential word that falls from your lips.” She turned and fixed Sadie with the only look she’d ever had that remotely resembled a smile. As far back as Sadie could remember Delia had never managed a real smile or looked remotely happy. Her strained smirk always came off looking as though she smelled a stink.

Delia’s simpering pout twisted up at the corners into an even more malicious curl. “You might be my sister but I hired you to handle things. Be my assistant. For your sake, I ignore your prattle—much like tuning out background noise. Now shut it while I observe this fine male specimen and plan my next move to close this deal.”

Sadie locked her jaws and tightened her grip on the tablet so hard that her knuckles popped.One of these days I’m gonna tell you to shove this job straight up your ass, Delia. Unfortunately, today was not that day.

Sadie slowly pulled in a deep breath. She needed this job. It was the surest bet she had at getting into the world of screenwriting. Gotta take it ‘til I make it. Her sister Delia had founded Realm Spinners Productions with the vast inheritance left to her when their parents had died in the crash of their private jet. Big sister had all the connections Sadie needed but those connections were a double-edged sword. Delia could blackball Sadie’s screenplays forever with just a few phone calls.

And to add insult to injury, Delia also controlled Sadie’s meager share of what really couldn’t be termed an inheritance. The paltry amount had been more like a slap in the face. But still, Delia had been named guard dog to all the assets left in the Williams’s vast estate. Sadie figured it was a last-ditch effort by their mogul parents to convince the world that Delia wasn’t as heartless and self-centered as everyone thought.

Sadie was positive they were also attempting to punish her for being—how had they always put it—so damned embarrassingly unconventional?Sadie had never fit into her parents’ mold.

Sadie really didn’t hate her parents for their last act of aristocratic bullying. After all, they’d always treated her that way—and besides, she was the adopted one. The odd one. The fat little Mediterranean girl they’d taken in to show the world how charitable they could be.

Sadie huffed out a humorless laugh. She’d show them. Succeeding and becoming a renowned screenwriter would be her sweet revenge. She shook off Delia’s bitchiness and hurried to jot a few memory joggers into her tablet. Alpha Highlander. Soft-hearted. Loner. Wounded hero type. I’ll plot this one out tonight.

“I’m a busy man. If ye wish t’speak with me, ye’d best be about it, aye?”

The suddenly much closer proximity of that deep rich voice with the come-hither brogue triggered a sharp inhale that effectively lodged Sadie’s gum into the middle of her windpipe. Fisting one hand over her mouth, Sadie turned away, coughing and wheezing for air. Dammit. I’m gonna die right here in front of Mr. MacSexy.

Strong hands gripped her upper arms then a sharp rap between her shoulder blades effectively shot the offensive wad of chewing gum out of her mouth. Sadie closed her now extremely watery eyes, squeezing hard to re-absorb the choke-induced moisture. Isn’t this lovely? Delia’s gonna have a shit fit and this guy’s gonna think I’m an idiot.

Turning her about, the strong hands held her arms with a gentler grip, steadying her on her feet. “Are ye all right then?” Concern filled the clearest blue eyes Sadie had ever seen. The Caribbean Sea lapping upon a white Jamaican beach couldn’t hold a candle to that shade of blue.

Holy shit, I could drown in those eyes. “Uhm…I’m fine.” Sadie bobbed her head and backed up a step with a nervous fluttering of one hand, coughed again and struggled to delicately wheeze in another deep breath without seeming starved for oxygen. “Just got choked on my gum. Thanks for knocking it free.” She fished a crumpled tissue out of the pocket of her jeans and scooped the sticky ball of embarrassment up from the ground. She wrapped it tightly in the tissue and shoved it back into her pocket. “Don’t want anyone to step in that. Doesn’t it just piss you off when you get gum stuck on your shoe and then stick to the ground with every other step?” Dammit, Sadie. Shut the hell up. She was babbling like a fool.

A hint of a grin played across the man’s full lips, perfectly highlighting the slightly off centered cleft in his chin. “Aye. ‘Tis rudeness itself when folk show such disregard for the land and those who walk upon it.”

Delia shoved her way between them; extending her perfectly manicured hand and amping up her I smell a stink smile to its highest possible wattage. “Mr. MacDara, I’m Delia Williams and I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate you meeting with us today.”

A look of irritated boredom immediately settled across Alec’s face, dark and threatening like clouds blotting out the sun. His gaze briefly dipped to Delia’s extended hand, then slowly returned to her fake smile. He took a step back and methodically folded his muscular arms across the endless expanse of chest that had taken on the most delicious gleam in the heat of the afternoon sun.

Sadie caught the corner of her bottom lip between her teeth, doing her best to control the urge to lick her lips. The man looked like a well-oiled piece of sensual machinery ready to be fired up. He also looked rather pissed.

“As I said, I’m a busy man.” Alec frowned down at Delia’s still extended hand. “There are two reasons why yer here today. My legal counsel advised ‘twould be wise t’hear ye out.” He paused long enough to flex and resettle his folded arms. Both his tone and scowl softened as his attention shifted back to Sadie. “And then there’s the matter of the daily emails.” He gifted Sadie with the return of the lop-sided smile that somehow promised there was a great deal more that he wasn’t saying—yet.

“Daily emails?” Delia darted a narrow-eyed look at Sadie, then awkwardly withdrew her hand and totally failed at savingher dignity by propping her fingers on one hip and striking her trademark I don’t give a shitpose.

Alec fully faced Sadie, his faint look of amusement morphing into a warm we’re about to share a delicious secret smile. His eyes seemed darker now, like the deeper part of the ocean—and they sparkled with…something. No. It wasn’t exactly a sparkle. Alec looked almost smug, as though he’d finally found something worthy of his time.

What a look. Was it a flicker of interest? Nah. Couldn’t be. She had to be reading him wrong. Her senses were probably off due to jetlag and the time zone change. Guys like him went for thin leggy blonde Delias not curvalicious chunks of fun Sadies.

“I assume yer the writer of the emails?” Alec asked, his deep brogue melting into what could only be described as a wonderfully audible caress.

“Uhm…yes, I am.” Sadie ignored Delia’s irritated huff and extended her own hand. “I’m Sadie Williams. Delia’s assistant…and her sister. But how did you know the emails were from me, Mr. MacDara?”

“Ye may call me Alec—and the emails had a certain tone…” Alec paused and cast a dismissive glance over at Delia then shouldered away from her as though shrugging off a pest. “Yer messages had a way about them that fit ye. I doubt that one over there could ever write them.”

He scooped up Sadie’s extended hand, gallantly brought it to his lips then gifted her with a genuine smile she’d remember in her dreams. “’Tis m’utmost pleasure t’finally meet ye, Mistress Sadie Williams.”

“Just ‘Sadie’ will be fine,” she whispered then pressed her lips tightly together and held her breath. She was torn between melting into a purring puddle of sheer bliss and laughing out loud at the low strangled growling sound of Delia shifting into super-bitch hyper-drive. She knew for certain she couldn’t laugh. If she did, Delia would surely fire her ass on the spot.

Clearing her throat, Sadie lightly squeezed Alec’s warm calloused hand. “The pleasure is mine. And thank you for meeting with us. I hope you won’t be disappointed.”

“Aye,” Alec said. “’Tis my hope I’ll no’ be disappointed either.” The way he held her hand a bit longer before reluctantly letting go made Sadie wonder if Alec was talking about something other than the business meeting.

“Mr. MacDara…uhm…Alec,” Delia sidled closer, visibly struggling to keep her stiletto heels from getting stuck between the boards of the wood flooring of the observation landing. “You said your legal counsel found the terms of our filming contract suitable and recommended you speak with us. What do I need to do to convince you that Realm Spinners Productions should be allowed to use your lovely theme park as a filming location for our Scottish historical romance?” She leaned forward, arching her back and flaunting her cleavage so Alec would have no doubt that anything he might want was his for the taking.

“I’ll thank yout’call me Mr. MacDara.” Alec turned away, picked up his sword and shoved it into the sheath belted to his side. “And I didna say the contract was found suitable. I said counsel recommended that I speak with ye.”

Without a look back, he headed across the practice arena with long powerful strides. “Follow me. The board and I have our own terms and questions—as does my lawyer.”

Sadie started to follow then looked back at Delia. Her red-faced sister was currently standing with both hands on her hips and staring after Alec as though she couldn’t believe he’d just insulted her and walked away.

Delia stomped one foot, a shrill hiss escaping her pursed lips as one of her heels wedged between the wooden boards. “Dammit! Is he crazy? I’m not walking through that filth in my Louis Vuitton’s.”

“Well you better if you want this deal.” Sadie held out a hand to steady her sister. If she let Delia fall on her ass, she’d never hear the end of it. “I can’t believe you wore those shoes to a theme park. What the hell were you thinking?”

“Just shut up, Sadie,” Delia snapped. She wobbled across the uneven surface of the hard-packed dirt, nearly going down when one gleaming black heel sank into a pronounced dip.

Sadie caught her sister up by the elbows before she hit the ground. Just once, I should let you bust your ass. Inwardly, she shook her head. No. Gotta take care of Delia. She’s got the keys to the kingdom I want.

Comfortable shoes trumped high-priced heels any day in Sadie’s book but Delia had always been a slave to fashion. Sadie tightened her hold on Delia’s arm as her sister stumbled across another rough patch of ground. “You better pick up the pace before he gets to the door and we lose him.”

Sadie glanced up just as Alec entered the building. “Too late. If that keep is as authentic on the inside as it is on the outside, it could be like a maze inside. We may be out of luck when it comes to this meeting.”

“If this meeting doesn’t go down, you’re going to be out of a hell of a lot more than just luck.” Delia hobbled faster, tightening her hold until her nails bit into Sadie’s arm.
Sadie flinched and steered Delia toward a smoother patch of ground. They finally reached the apron of concrete surrounding the massive stone archway sheltering the private entrance to the keep.

Delia yanked herself out of Sadie’s hands. “Just let me do the talking. None of your stupid jokes or idiotic attempts at humor. Keep your mouth shut, your back to the wall, and take notes like a good little mute assistant or this meeting will be your last. Understand?”

Thank goodness Alec had already disappeared into the keep and couldn’t have possibly heard Delia’s rant. Anger flashed hot through Sadie. Tightening her arm around her tablet, she sucked in a deep breath between clenched teeth and held it. Steady. Karma will get her. Sister Bitch will get what she deserves. Sadie released the breath and forced a smile at the stern-looking young man waiting for them beside the door. “Could you please point us in the right direction? I’m afraid we didn’t quite keep up with Mr. MacDara.”

The unsmiling youth glared first at Delia then nodded at Sadie with a more amiablelook. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to the meeting room. Mr. Alec’s gone to change out of his workout clothes.”

Delia shoved her way in front of Sadie, her scowling backward glance clearly sayingyou better remember your place.She looped an arm through the waiting man’s forearm, snugging up against him as though he were a long lost lover. “Thank you so much. By all means, lead the way.”

Gotta take it ‘til I make it. Sadie sucked in another deep breath, fell in step behind Delia and instantly felt better. A satisfied smile tickled her lips and she almost snickered out loud. One of Delia’s precious Louis Vuitton’s had an ever-widening split in the spiked heel and a jagged tear in its costly leather.

Thank you, dearest Karma. I love you. Sadie’s step lightened until she was almost skipping.