Highland Christmas Read Free Page A

as she broke the silence.
    "The bairns like ye."
    "As I like them. They are pleasing ta be around. I would wish for such a blessing one day soon...a family of my own."
    "Y e have a wife?" Was her voice a bit strained?
    Shaking his head, he returned to his carving. "Nay...nae wife. But I have been searching. What of your husband? Was he a good man?"
    Meg did not like to speak of him but she decided to let her guard down this once. "My husband was cruel t a me...and the bairns. We are better off without him. I do nae miss the beatings."
    Emerald eyes bore into her. "Nae man of worth would ever beat a woman! He was nae man! A lass is ta be nurtured and cared for...loved...naught less!" Connor knew then what he was up against. She did not trust men to be kind or gentle. He needed to prove her wrong.

    Connor lay awake staring at the ceiling as he considered the problem before him. How was he to gain Meghan’s trust when he was being deceitful about who he is and why he was there? Once she discovers it , everything that they will have built up will be torn down. He snarled in frustration. He would have to speak t he truth and hope for the best. One thing is certain...she will nae be pleased, but there can be nae trust without honesty. I will have a sit-down with her on the morrow and explain all.   With that decided, he rolled over and slept.

    Christmas Tide was upon them. Mary had been busy for the last seven days helping her mother with baking little black buns and shortbread for their meager festivities and the fast-approaching “first-footing”. Meg smiled down on her flour-covered industrious little daughter as she attempted to shape the black buns.
    Kneeling before her, she began wiping the white powder from her face and hands.
    “Why do ye nae rest this day, wee one, and go play afore all the snow is melted away? The baking is near done now.”
    “I would like that, Maither.” She turned her innocent blue eyes to her. “What think ye of Master Connor, Maither? Do ye like him?
    Meg gave her a startled glance before rising. Whe re did that thought come from? " Aye, he is a verra nice man...why do ye ask?”
    “Do ye like him enough ta make him our Da?”
    “What nonsense are ye spouting child? I am nae searching for a “Da”! We do just fine on our own, we need nae one else.” She did not need these temptations held out before her. The man would be gone soon and that would be the end of it! It was best to not let her thoughts stray to “what-if’s”. Besides, he has shown nae desire for me, only a lustful look on occasion. I do nae need anymore fatherless children.
    “Tis nae none sense!” she pouted. “Michael said he would like him for our Da and so would I!”
    “Then it be a good thing that the decision is mine! Now run along and enjoy the rest of the day.”
    “Alright...but I would wish it were so.” With a sad heart, she left to give Michael the bad news.
    Meg could not get the discussion out of her head as she finished her baking and began preparing the sup meal. She was very attracted to the handsome man, she could not deny it. But Lachlan had pleased her eye as well...and look at where that lead. Almost nightly beatings! She could not bear that again! If she were to wed Connor, he might do the same. A man did not show his true colors until he gained control. She had found that out the hard way! She shook her head. Twas best to stay a widow. A deep voice rumbled through her causing her heart to speed up.
    “It smells good in here, Meghan.”
    She glanced up at his chiseled face...her gaze captured in his determined stare. Her breath grew raspy as she beat down her foolish desires.
    “I would speak privately with ye, lass.”
    Looking about, she replied, “Tis about as private as can be arranged.” What was he up to?
    He cleared his throat as he came close. Brushing back stray blonde locks from her face, he peered deeply into her blue-green eyes. His own darken ing with desire as he leaned