Highlander in Her Dreams Read Free Page B

others.” Kira seized her chance. “I meant just me. And not here, along the roadway,” she added, casting a wistful look toward Castle Wrath. “I’d like to spend an hour or two out at the ruins. Eat my lunch there and do a bit of exploring.”
    She looked back at the bus driver, giving him her most hopeful smile. “It would be the highlight of my trip. Something special that I’d cherish forever.”
    The driver stared at her for a few moments, then began rubbing his chin with the back of his hand. He said nothing, but the look he was giving her wasn’t encouraging.
    â€œYou could pick me up on the way back to Portree.” Kira rushed the words before he could say no. “Two hours is all I ask. More if you’d need the time to come for me. I wouldn’t mind the wait.”
    â€œThat ruin really is haunted,” he warned her. “Wee Hughie wasn’t lying. Strange things have been known to happen there. The place is right dangerous, too. It’s no’ one of those fancy historical sites run by the National Trust.”
    He turned piercing blue eyes on her. “Everything at Wrath stands as it was, untouched by man all down the centuries. Och, nay, you canna go there. The cliff is riddled with underground tunnels, stairwells and rooms, much of it already crumbled into the sea.”
    â€œOh, please,” Kira pleaded, feeling as if the ancient stones were actually calling to her. “I’ll be careful. I promise.”
    The bus driver set his jaw and Kira’s heart plummeted when he glanced at his watch. “Come, lass. Think with your head, no’ your heart. We’ll tour Dunvegan Castle in the morning, before we leave for Inverness. You’ll like Dunvegan much better. It’s furnished and has a gift shop—”
    â€œWhich is why Castle Wrath is so special.” Kira’s throat began to thicken with her need to reach the ruins. “It’s not overrun with tourists. It hasn’t been spoiled.” She paused to draw a breath. “My parents worked overtime for a year to give me this trip and I can’t imagine ever getting back. Visiting Scotland again doesn’t figure in my budget.”
    The driver grunted. Then he nudged at a cluster of heather roots, his hesitation giving her hope.
    â€œI’ve ne’er had anything happen to anyone on one of my tours.” He looked at her, a troubled frown knitting his brow. “One false step out there and you’d find yourself in some underground chamber, maybe even standing at the very wall of the cliff, the earth opening away at your feet and falling straight down to the sea.”
    â€œNothing will happen to me.” Kira lifted her chin, tightening her grip on the lunch packet. “Believe me, anyone used to walking around downtown Philly can poke around Scottish castle ruins.”
    â€œAch, well.” The driver gave a resigned sigh. “I still dinna like it. No’ at all.”
    Kira smiled. “I won’t give you cause to be sorry.”
    â€œI’d have to double back to fetch you,” he said, rubbing his chin again. “It’s a straight shot from Kilt Rock south to Portree. The others might not like—”
    â€œI’ll make it up to them,” Kira exclaimed, her heart soaring. “I’ll never be late getting back to the bus again, and I promise not to ask for extra time in the bookshops.”
    â€œJust have a care.” He looked at her, his brow still furrowed. “Wrath is an odd place, true as I’m here. I’d ne’er forgive myself if harm came to you.”
    Then he was gone, striding away and herding his charges into the bus as if he needed a speedy departure to keep him from changing his mind.
    A distinct possibility, she was sure.
    So she didn’t release her breath until the big blue and white Highland Coach Tours bus rumbled away, finally disappearing around a bend in the