Free The Viking's Highland Lass by Terry Spear

abrasive to some, she has lived a hard life and I respect her and her ways. She would not ask me to do anything that she truly didn’t believe in. Not everyone understands a taibhsear’ s ways.”
    â€œDo you?”
    He shrugged and fished a bannock from his pouch. “Even if I did not, it seems to me I have rescued you.” He chewed on his bannock.
    â€œWhether or no’ I am the one you were supposed to aid.”
    â€œ Ja .”
    She studied him for a moment while his thoughts returned to the way her sitting on his feet was heating him thoroughly.
    â€œMy mother was supposed to have the gift of two sights,” she finally said, watching him carefully.
    Gunnolf frowned at her, surprised first that her mother had the visions, but secondly, that Brina would share this with him. The way she observed him, he knew she was trying to determine how he viewed the news. So maybe Brina believed in them. “My amma was supposed to have as well.”
    â€œYour grandmother?” She raised her brows.
    â€œ Ja .” He frowned at Brina, wondering if she had the gift also. His grandmother’s talent had not passed down to him though. “Do you have the ability?”
    Brina lowered her gaze from his face to her lap. “Are your feet warm yet?”
    Her reluctance to explain that she had the gift made him think she did. But he also knew some believed those who could see such things would think they were witches.
    If she did have any visions, had she seen him in one? Maybe not, as she had seemed genuinely surprised to cross paths with him at the shieling. “If you are able to foretell some future happening and it has anything to do with running into Seamus or his men, I hope that you will feel free to warn me about it.”
    She studied him for a bit, then nodded.
    He let out his breath. “Your secret is safe with me. I believe there are things in this world, and not of this world, that we cannot readily explain. Are you cold, lass?” He noticed then that her body trembled a little. He reached for her hand and pulled her down against him, not waiting for her reply.
    She stiffened, but he kept her close to show she had nothing to be afraid of. Then he yanked the blankets and furs around them and over their heads. “We will share our body heat and naught more,” he assured her, though truly, how could he not wish for more?
    Thankfully, she did not stiffen or pull away from his over familiarity with her further, and she seemed to realize she was safe with him. It was good she could not know his true thoughts.
    â€œSo where do we go from here?” she whispered against his cheek.
    He savored the touch of her warm breath on his cold skin as if they were lovers in a welcoming embrace on a frigid night. “We head north to see Wynne and learn if you are the right woman who needed my aid. And then, whether you are or not, I will escort you to Craigly Castle where you can meet your kin. I am certain they will be pleased to learn that something good came of your mother’s disappearance so long ago.”
    â€œYou are so very kind, Gunnolf, despite where you come from.” She nestled closer, sharing her heat with him, and he couldn’t help the way his body reacted.
    She didn’t say anything more, and he thought she must have fallen asleep.
    He had never imagined holding a woman in his arms like this, trying to keep her warm while she warmed him in a crumbling Roman tower in the middle of nowhere during a snowstorm when all James had sent him to do was check on Wynne and ensure she was safe.
    His thoughts wouldn’t shut down though, and in case Brina hadn’t fallen asleep, he asked, “Do you have any idea where we are?” He thought Brina must if she knew anything about her lands. She had said she did know how to get around out here. Surely she had not just blindly left the castle with no real inkling.
    â€œI have no earthly idea,” she