Highland Christmas Read Free

woods...especially for a woman! Aye. She has intrigued me...ye may tell him that much. I will need ta see more before a decision is made but ye may tell him ta prepare a betrothal contract. If she be agreeable when the time comes, then we will sign it...but only if she agrees."
    "Then ye must charm her, my lord." Angus chuckled to himself as he rode off to report to the king.
    Connor enlisted the aide of the children as he began transporting the goods to the hut. Meg said nothing until their fourth trip inside. She was astonished at the amount of items as her cramped space grew even smaller.
    "Must ye store all your goods here? Can nae some of it fit in the stable?"
    Glancing at her, he shook his head. "This is your payment, my lady. If ye wish some of it stored elsewhere ye will need ta sort through it and decide that for yourself. I will be happy ta move whatever ye wish. There be one more load ta bring in but being as it is peat, I could store some of it in the stable."
    Her eyes rounded. "Tis too much for such a short stay." Her mouth began to salivate as she spied a ham hock. She could not remember the last time they had meat...let alone pork! Resigned, she decided to endure his presence for her children's sake. The visit would only be as bad as she imagined it to be. "That would be welcome, Master MacGee. Thank ye."
    So, she is a sensible woman, as well. Another mark in her favor.

Chapter Three
    The repairs to the stable were coming along nicely. Michael had worked right along beside him as Mary fetched materials for them. The children were enjoying his visit immensely...which was more than he could say about Meghan. She tolerated his presence but kept her distance. He needed to work on that. Connor had already made up his mind that he would wed her but he wanted a willing bride...not a king's edict.
    King William, the Lion, knew that Connor was on a bride search but had found none to his liking after more than a year. Most were too young for his taste. The older ladies of the nobility were too false. He wished for a woman of good character who would not fear him...but stand as equal by his side. He cared nothing about her ancestry. It made no difference in who he chose . H e was powerful enough to pick who m ever he wished. This lass pleased him. He would speak with her after the bairns retired for the eve. She needed to assess his character, as well, if he was to get in her good graces.
    Meg felt her heart softening toward this stranger as she observed his interactions with her children that eve . They loved him already just because he treated them as if their opinions held worth . He seemed sincere when he dealt with them. She glanced up from her needlework as his deep v oice thrummed through her consciousness. He was holding a drowsy Mary in his lap with Michael at his feet as he recited a Christmas Tide legend from the Vikings. His voice was soothing to her soul as she allowed herself to release some of her worries. He had brought enough food for them to ride out the winter and the peat would last even longer. For once, since her husband's death, she could relax and simply enjoy the moment.
    Suddenly she was locking gazes with this d ark-haired stranger. She hadn't realized that she had been staring until that moment. Meg cleared her throat nervously as her eyes darted away. "It is getting late children. Time for bed." She blushed as her thoughts shot to Connor in bed. How shameful of her!
    Michael rose , taking Mary's hand. "Come sister, we can finish the story on the morrow. Good eve, M aster Connor."
    "Good eve, children."
    After they had climbed to the loft, Connor settled before the hearth and began whittling on a block of wood as he considered how to begin the conversation. He had felt Meg's eyes on him earlier and knew she was warming toward him. Ahh...and the blush! The blush said much about where her thoughts were wandering! I must admit that my own have traveled there more than once lately. He glanced up