By the Light of the Scottish Moon - Unrated (My Kilted Wolf, #1) Read Free Page B

rapidly against her chest—so much life.
    Peace washed over Freya in soothing waves, and a single tear ran down her cheek, making the old man uncomfortable.
    “Dinnae cry, lass. It’s just an animal.”
    She looked up at him, smiling. “This is the most beautiful lamb in the world. Sweet, innocent, and full of life…”
    Lifting the lamb up, she turned it to face her so she could gaze into its dark eyes. “You will live a long and productive life, little one.”
    The old man laughed. “Aye, she will until it’s her time. Then she’ll make a delicious chop.”
    Freya gasped in mock horror as she kissed its tiny nose. “No, never, little one. I’m your fairy godmother. Nothing bad will ever happen to you.”
    He laughed uncomfortably. “Look, lassie, I have a long day’s work ahead. It’s time ye were going.”
    She sighed in resignation, putting the little lamb down. She watched it scramble back to its mother, bleating sweetly. “You’re right. It’s time to move on,” Freya replied sadly. The reality of her words cut like a knife.
    Freya attempted to get up, but crumpled over in severe pain.
    “What’s wrong with ye?” the old man asked in concern.
    Sweat beaded on her forehead as she fought to stand up. “It’s nothing… just a cramp. I’ll be fine.” But she grasped the hand he offered, stifling a cry as he pulled her to her feet. It took her several moments to steady herself enough to walk.
    The old man looked troubled, but said nothing.
    Freya dug through her purse, pulling out a huge wad of bills and handing it over to him.
    The old man crinkled his brow, refusing to take it. “What’s that fer?”
    “I want to pay for the lamb… and its mother.”
    “They’re not fer sale, lassie.”
    She smiled, hoping to win him over. “I need you to keep them safe for me. Hopefully, this will be enough to feed and care for them.” She held out the money again, beseeching him to take it.
    He shook his head. “These are eating stock.”
    “I understand, but not these two,” Freya told him, gesturing to the tiny lamb and its mother. “These two are special and destined for a long, full life.”
    He stared uncertainly at the large amount of bills.
    “Please!” she begged. “It would mean so much to me.” Not taking no for an answer, she placed the money in his palm and closed his fist over it.
    “It’s far too much, lassie.”
    “Good. You deserve to be compensated,” she insisted.
    The old man shook his head, but stuffed the bills inside his pocket. “Ma name’s Robertson,” he told her, shaking Freya’s hand formally.
    She grasped it warmly, taking it as a sign he would honor her request. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Robertson. My name is Freya McKenna.”
    After shaking hands on the deal, she moved cautiously towards the lamb, speaking in soft tones as Robertson had done. She knelt beside the tiny creature, then took off the necklace her mother had given her on her sixteenth birthday—a small gold cross with a tiny ruby in the center.
    “This is to remind you of me, little one,” she told it, as she doubled the chain and fastened the jewelry around its thin neck.
    The old man shook his head and chuckled. “I knew Americans were odd, but I never guessed ye were doo-lally .”
    “Only doo-lally in the best way,” she grinned up at him.
    “If ye say so.”
    Freya successfully got to her feet without his aid and tried to walk to her car without further incident, but bending down to navigate the fence proved too much. She cried out in pain, and found Robertson immediately by her side.
    He helped her into the car, but seemed hesitant about letting her go. “Are ye okay to drive, Miss McKenna?”
    Freya nodded, holding back cries of pain until the car was safely down the road. She was truly frightened now. It seemed to be happening just the way Bryn had predicted. Her time was running out…fast.
    Passing through a small village, she noticed a quaint pub with a brightly painted red sign