Free The Highlander's Stolen heart (Macinnes Sisters Trilogy) by Donna Fletcher

welcome whether they wanted to or not.
    An old man with long white hair and beard and lean frame stepped out of the cottage as they approached and called out, “You best hurry and secure those horses out of the rain that’s about to descend on us in buckets.” He gave a nod to Rogan. “Your men can make use of the outbuildings, while you and your lady are welcome to share my cottage.”
    The old man had assumed that Emma was Rogan’s lady, and Rogan had not corrected him, but then there was no time for that since the sky burst open, releasing the rain.
    Rogan was off his horse in an instant and his hands went around Emma’s waist just as fast, yanking her off the horse. He rushed her to the door, shoving her in as the old man quickly stepped aside.
    “Stay put,” he ordered and turned to take care of the horses and see to his men.
    “I take it that you are not an obedient wife, since he warns you to stay put,” the old man said with a chuckle.
    “I am not his wife,” Emma said, going to the hearth to dry what little of her garments that had got wet. If Rogan had not reacted so quickly and pulled her off her horse, she would have gotten soaked. His first thought had been about her, not anyone else, and while she should not waste her time thinking more of his gallant gesture, she could not help but do so.
    “Not wed yet,” the old man said with a wink, “but at least you know how he will treat you once you are, and you cannot miss the love in his eyes for you.”
    Emma’s mouth dropped open as she turned to stare at the old man. Was he joking or simply daft?
    “I have only a broth of pot herbs to offer. You and your intended are welcome to join me, but his men will have to see to providing their own sustenance.”
    Emma was about to thank him and finally make it clear that she was Rogan’s future sister-in-law, not his future wife, when the door opened and Rogan entered. He threw his hood back off his head, and she was reminded of the first time she had laid eyes on him at his keep. Even now it was still difficult to believe a man could be so handsome that one look could turn a woman senseless and how often had his fine features stolen a woman’s heart?
    “Your hospitality is much appreciated, sir,” Rogan said with a nod before he walked over to the hearth and draped his cloak over a chair that he drew close to the fire’s flames.
    “Samuel,” the old man said, “the name is Samuel.”
    “Thank you again, Samuel,” Rogan said. “I am Rogan and I hope we will not be too much of a burden on you.”
    Samuel dismissed his concern with a wave of his hand. “Nonsense. It is you who do me a favor. I am alone, and it will be most pleasant to share a meal and conversation for a change. Rest while I see to the meal.”
    “Please allow me to help,” Emma offered, though she did not wait for him to answer. She pitched right in to help.
    Soon the three of them were seated at the table enjoying, surprisingly, the tasty broth made of nothing more than pot herbs and also bread hot off the stone.
    “So we are your first visitors in some time?” Rogan asked.
    “First to stay,” Samuel said, dunking his bread in the broth. “A couple of warriors wounded, not badly, in a fight were here for a few hours. They rested and I fed them, then they were gone. Heard them say they needed to catch up with the others.”
    “Did they happen to say what clan they were with?” Emma asked.
    “No,” he shook his head, “though I thought it odd when I heard one say Patience will wound us worse if we do not hurry and bring her the information.”
    Emma almost gasped, but held her tongue. Macinnes warriors had been here and they must have found out information about Heather. Hope filled her heart and she turned to Rogan, her hand going out to grasp his arm. Too late, she realized her gesture was, once again, far too familiar, and she saw Samuel smile and nod, as if confirming what he had first thought—they were to wed.
    Not