Free Sally's Destiny - A short story of Love and Romance in the Scottish Highlands by A. J. Temple Page A

I’ll be your rescuer for today – if that’s ok by you?”
    “Very funny Robert, perhaps then you can help me out of this wreck before we both freeze to death in this blizzard!”
    “It would be my pleasure milady – but seriously are you able to move around, nothing broken or anything drastic like that? Wiggle your toes and fingers for me – just to make sure! ”
    “Thank you so much for your overwhelmin g concern Sir Knight, but I think I’m just fine – apart from spilling my blood all over Scotland that is!”
    They both exchanged grins as he helped her gently out of the broken car.
    “Now, you’re sure you’re ok?” This time he spoke with real concern, and the tenderness in his voice awakened something inside her that had lain dormant for longer than she could remember. She reached for his arm feigning dizziness, and surprised herself to find that she was really just looking for an excuse to make first contact with this interesting Scotsman.
    “I’ll be fine Robert honest, but what do we do now?”
    “First things first; we’ll get into my land rover and out of this storm. I have a cabin just a mile or two up ahead, where you can get cleaned up and we can see if I can arrange a break-down wagon for your car.”
    She looked up at him a little sharply.
    “Ah….Don’t you worry – I’m one of these sad beggars that stays with his mother – you’ll love her I’m sure. There’s not much mobile reception in these parts, but we have a land-line where you can make any phone calls you like – and tell me all about yourself!”
    The mischievous grin was back as he said these last words, and she found herself agreeing, perhaps a little too easily as she fell under the spell of his relaxed confident manner .
    He opened up the boot and quickly lifted out the case with her belongings, along with a weather-proof jacket and a pair of gloves; then quickly went and put them in the 4 x 4 that was sitting with the engine running and the heater on.
    She meanwhile took one step out of the car and slipped on the soft snow, within a heartbeat however her rescuer had swooped her into his arms, and carried her through the blizzard and into the warmth of the 4 x 4 land Rover. She found herself surprisingly reluctant to let go as he gently placed her in the front seat. Leaning across her as he pulled out a tartan plaid to wrap around her legs, she was within a short breath of his rugged face , with the snow melting down his neckline – and decided there and then she liked what she saw.
    The journey to Roberts cabin seemed a little scary to Sally, but she was impressed that he seemed to take it all in his stride. “ He’s obviously used to this kind of driving ” She thought to herself , as the 4 x 4 lurched and bumped through the drifting snow towards the lights glimmering in the distance .
    “Almost there Sally.” He spoke up as he looked across to her. “How are you now, is your head hurting at all?”
    Again she was touched by the genuine concern in his voice, and could not help but fall into the role of the ‘damsel in distress.’
    “Well, it does hurt a little – but I’m sure I’ll survive!” She automatically flashed him her most winning smile, and she was surprised when her heart leapt at the brief look of desire in the cool grey eyes that seemed to return her answer.
    “Yes I suspect that it will take more than a bump on the head to put you down for long; never mind though the cabin is just up ahead and we can get you into the warmth – and you can meet my mother!” he smiled across at her.
     
    ******
     

Chapter 2
    As they approached the cabin which nestled in a shallow valley, the wind had eased although the snow was falling heavily; so that the cabin resembled something out of a Thomas Kinkaid picture. Wood - smoke was rising out of the chimney, and a warm glow from the windows reflected off the snow at the front of the cabin. The wood - stack to the side of the door was full for the