Once Upon A Highland Legend Read Free

probably wouldn’t feel right keeping it after all. “Do you have a card? I can mail it back when I’m done.”
    “If ye truly wish it, the Winter Stone will return on its own.”
    The woman was serious. Her ancient, withered face didn’t crack a smile. Annie had a ridiculous vision in her mind of the crystal sprouting feet and walking back to the shop all by itself. Nevertheless, excited by the prospect of examining the crystal closer, she felt titillated by the offer. As odd as the entire situation might be, there was not much chance she would walk away without it. The scientist in her simply wouldn’t allow it. “Alright.” she agreed, but let me at least buy one of your tartan ponchos—how much did you say they were?”
    “Forty nine, ninety nine, but it’s on sale today. I’ll gi’ it to ye for twenty nine.”
    “Pounds?”
    “Yes, of course!” the woman declared, and hurried over to pull the tartan poncho off the mannequin in the window. “Here ye go, lass. ’Twill serve ye well,” she said, and Annie paid her. Then, thank God, she heard the rev of a bike engine outside the shop, and her cousin’s boisterous voice, so she thanked the shopkeeper profusely and hurried outside.
    Her cousin was still mounted on her bike, her short black skirt hiked up her leg to such a degree that Annie suffered a momentary pang of modesty at the thought of climbing on the back of the bike. The poncho would help at least.
    Dressed all in black, from her shiny heeled boots to her black nails and purple lipstick, Kate was a beacon for every pair of male eyes in the vicinity. “Coorie up!” her cousin demanded. “We dinna ha’ much time!”
    “Check this out.” Annie handed her the crystal while she pulled on her poncho.
    Kate revved her bike with one hand as she examined the crystal. “What aboot it?”
    “It changes colors.”
    In her cousin’s hands, the crystal turned pink, but Kate didn’t seem to notice. “Yer daft.” she exclaimed, and shoved it back at Annie. “Get your bum on the bike. I’ve got a date.” She beamed. “This time it’s true love.”
    “Every one is true love for you!”
    Kate gave her a chiding look. “Would ye even know love if ye were faced with it, Annie?”
    Annie frowned at her. “ Anyway , I thought you had to get back to work?”
    Kate winked. “Why d’ ye think I took the gig for, love? I’m working it.”
    Annie laughed and took the crystal from her cousin, dropping it into her pack. She climbed on the back of the bike and barely had time to adjust her pack and put her arm around her cousin’s waist before Kate revved the bike and took off.
    The wind tore strands of hair from Annie’s ponytail, whipping them into her face. Houses whizzed past as they raced out of town, leaving the sounds of the Heritage Festival in their wake. Kate turned onto Ruthven and somewhere along that road veered off down another narrow road. About forty-five minutes later, after nearly three spills, Annie insisted Kate drop her off beyond the last walk-about parking. There were only two cars here today. Hopefully, she wouldn’t run into other hikers. She slid off the bike, eager to be off Kate’s wild bike ride.
    “You sure you’ll be alright?” Kate asked.
    “Fine,” Annie insisted.
    “Okay, but if ye’ll wait until t’morrow, I’ll come along w’ ye.”
    Annie shook her head stubbornly. “You don’t have the gear.”
    “’Tis no’ like ye’re climbing the Alps, mind ye. I’ve got boots.” Kate’s full lips turned into a grin and she hiked up her leg to show off her shiny black boots with the deadly heels.
    Little wonder they had nearly kissed the ground. How could anyone ride with those? Annie laughed. “Great, we can use them as grappling hooks,” she suggested.
    “Bloody hell! Ye’re a stubborn one,” Kate protested, but she laughed too. “Anyway, it’s not like ye’re rock climbing. It’s a lazy day walk aboot at best.”
    Annie lifted a brow. “Thirty