Highland Shifter (MacCoinnich Time Travel) by Catherine Bybee

Author:Catherine Bybee
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Catherine Bybee
Published: 2012-02-04T11:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Simon watched the sway of her ass as she stormed up the stairs. She was pissed, but she’d get over it. He knew his testosterone-charged display would push her twenty-first century buttons, but it couldn’t be helped. There would be many more Geers before they could safely return to her time, her world. Best they all know now she was not available.

And she wasn’t.

He didn’t dwell on the thought longer than thirty seconds before he found Todd and Ian huddled over a map in the study.

They offered him only a glance before returning to the map. “If I were hiding out I’d want shelter, water, and food. Only two places we’ve not looked meet those needs. Here and here.”

“Sounds like you have my night planned,” Simon said as he walked into the room.

“Only if you’re ready. You’ve had a long day.”

He’d flown over fifty miles in three days. He was exhausted.

Still, his family needed him, and he wasn’t about to let them down. “I’ll eat and rest. I’ll be ready.”

Ian nodded and patted his back. “Don’t overextend. You’re of no use to anyone ill…or worse.”

“I’ll be fine.” Simon ignored the look between Ian and Todd and added, “Speaking of ill, the women’s plan worked. Amber is feeling better apparently.”

“You’ve seen her?”

“No. Helen came down to tell me.”

Ian sunk into his chair and lowered his head. “Thank, God.”

Just watching Ian melt into his seat brought to light how grave Amber’s health had been. Simon kicked himself for not paying more attention. He knew when the Keep filled with people her gift plagued her unless she kept above stairs where she could put some barrier between her and all the emotions swimming below.

Still, he didn’t realize the impact on Ian. The man held the weight of a huge family, a village, and a crush of knights on his shoulders, but concern for his youngest daughter brought him down. Simon knew if Amber were married, settled, Ian wouldn’t have all those parental emotions tearing at his heart. But Amber’s gift had become her curse.

When she and Simon were younger, after the fall of Grainna, she started to feel the changes in her abilities. At that time, Simon spent many hours with her, talking, contemplating life. As the years took their toll on Amber, she became more distant. Suitors offered their attention, but she couldn’t stand their touch.

There was nothing the family could do. They’d tried to block her gifts. They’d asked the Ancients to show pity and take back some of her empathic abilities—all of them, if they could—to offer her peace.

Nothing happened.

Now, with Helen’s suggestion, a different tactic was taken, and Amber was afforded some relief.

The Ancients had a plan. Who knows, perhaps the Ancients were Angels of God working with him to keep his precious world from falling apart because of human nature.

“This can wait, Papa.” Simon used his childhood title for Ian, a title the older man adored when Simon used it. “Let’s visit Amber while the powers hold.”

Ian’s glossy eyes met Simon’s.

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