A Laird to Hold by Angeline Fortin (free children's ebooks online .TXT) 📕

“Pictures?” She lifted a brow at Hugh, but all the men seemed as stunned as she by the knowledge Donell had somehow been ‘living’ in the same building as her brother. “Sure, I’ll get those to you this morning.”

“Better hurry,” he added with a playful note to the request. “You know I’ll be going to bed soon.”

“You’ll have them in a minute.”

“Excellent. Once I have the documents prepared, I’ll be on the next flight over there.”

Claire laughed aloud at the thought. “You know the government can track you when you travel, right?”

Silence lasted only a heartbeat. “

“So true. FedEx it is.”

Relief intermingled with a whole new round of curiosity but her brother wasn’t the one with the answers. As always, all roads led back to the enigmatic Donell. God, she hoped the old man didn’t have his sights set on Danny for a future project.

But then, he was part of the project. As she was. How odd yet thrilling it’d been to learn she was descended from Emmy and Connor. She’d thought her only role in all this was saving Hugh from Jameson’s wrath.

“Hey, Danny, did you know our great-great grandfather was a Scottish earl?”

“Truly?” he drew out the word. “I suddenly feel so superior to the common rabble.”

Ha, he always felt superior.

“At least now I know where you got your hoity-toity attitude from,” her brother added.

“Ha-ha,” she said without a trace of humor. “Thank you, Danny. I owe you one.”

“You owe me several, but who’s counting?”

Clearly he was.

“Thank you anyway.”

“Anything for my favorite sister.”

“I’m your only sister,” she replied by way of goodbye and ended the call.

Claire took one of the chairs at the table, tucking one of her feet beneath her, and picked up another piece of bacon. They all ate in silence for a few moments, absorbing this new twist on their convoluted tale. The others were going to love this.

Rhys broke the silence at last. “Yer brother seems a humorous lad.”

Hugh gave a short bark of amusement. “Aye, ye two would get along famously.”

Laird

For all the grim looks come morning, it was obvious to Laird they’d all spent the night combatting the harshness of reality in the most satisfying of ways. All the ladies had looked well tumbled at the breakfast table. Scarlett included. Though she may not have been tumbled in truth, she’d been thoroughly satisfied.

Cherishing love and life because of a madman intent on taking it all away from them had been a priority for them all.

‘Twas a bloody shame a body well-sated one night didn’t translate as easily to peace of mind come dawn. Momentary pleasure couldn’t sweep the dangers awaiting them aside.

In coming to this time to save one life they’d unknowingly put many more at risk. A rather imbalanced trade off.

A necessary one, he now knew.

In the beginning, he’d been content to let nature take its course. Accept God’s plan for them. Only for Scarlett’s peace of mind had he agreed to come to this place to change their bairn’s destiny. If he were honest with himself, Laird hadn’t been convinced it would make a difference. Especially after Emmy had guided the diminutive, dark-haired bairn from Scarlett’s womb. He’d been sure the wee, silent babe would never survive.

Then he’d held his infant daughter in his arms. So fragile, her translucent skin delicate as a butterfly wing. He’d shared his warmth with her and melted on the inside. His bonny girl had looked up at him with solemn blue eyes and he’d fallen in love. Again.

Aye, it’d been worth the risk to save her. Laird couldn’t suffer losing his wee one now. Another full day and she would be released, but no longer was her discharge all Laird needed to ease his worries. A return to the past no longer the single solution to his woes.

Scarlett might protest, claim there had to be another way, but he didn’t see it. She was correct in what she’d said about him though. It was not in him to kill in cold blood, just as he’d never fought solely for glory in the past. What he’d done, he’d done for his clan, his kin.

This was no different. Only the battlefield had changed. He would do what it took to save them all. Draw blood or spill his own.

Hugh had echoed Laird’s sentiments regarding their limited choices while they beat the heavy bag in the gym before breaking their fast. Imagining it was Jameson.

“I agree wi’ ye. Something dire maun be done. So where do we go from here? Like everyone else, I need to ken those I love are safe from this lunatic.”

Laird admired his descendant’s sense of duty, however, the significance of Laird’s future and legacy had never been so profound. His responsibility could no longer be confined exclusively to his wife and daughters. As a patriarch of sorts, the safety of each member of his newfound family fell to him. He would see them all returned to their normal lives unmolested. It was his burden and his alone to see it done.

In that, he refused to fail.

Soon enough he would have to act.

After Claire’s revealing conversation with her brother, Scarlett had taken a call from her agent. Jameson had been released without charges. Their stalker now. Not only hers. Their foe was still out there, likely close. Watching them. Awaiting his chance.

They’d all have to be on their guard. Donell was unlikely to provide ample warning. He’d proven as much.

 “So, what is the plan for the day?” Connor asked after their breakfast plates were emptied.

Scarlett paused in wiping Hermione’s fingers clean. “My plans are the same as they are every day. I will be at