Free Frontier Highlander Vow of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 4) by Dorothy Wiley Page A

carry it proudly.”
    “My pardons,” Bear said quickly, “I meant na offense, so take none. I was just worried for yer safety.”
    “I thank ye for yer concern. But I have taken care of myself since I wasfifteen—seven long years—so I’ve na need of a man tellin’ me what I can and can na do.”
    “I did na tell ye what ye could do,” Bear protested. “Just what ye should na do. That is if ye have any sense at all.”
    William just sat there watching them, smiling broadly. She gave him a reproachful sideways glance too.
    “Bear tends to be on the protective side for all of us, Miss MacKay, not just you. Like a clan chief, he protects and cares for everyone in my family,” William explained.
    That made Artis feel better. Perhaps she’d over reacted.
    “I guard them all like a mother would her babe,” Bear said proudly.
    “Well, I suppose I should be honored to have someone concerned for my safety. I’m just na used to it. Forgive me for lettin’ me temper slip out.”
    “Since you don’t have a shelter built yet, you are most welcome to join us at Whispering Hills for as long as you need,” William offered.
    “Nay, I do na want to make your home too crowded. You already have Bear to find room for.”
    “Bear will be staying with my wife’s father, Mister McGuffin, in the cabin next door. In my cabin, we have an extra sleeping area in the loft upstairs. I’m certain my wife Kelly would relish the company of another woman for a while.”
    Artis thought about the attack by the mountain lion and the fact that the woods held numerous other dangers—wolves, bears, and snakes, among them. She quickly decided that she should take the sheriff up on his offer. “Aye, I would love to meet yer wife Kelly and to accept yer kind offer of hospitality.”
    She peered over at Bear who sat comfortably in his saddle. His smile was so wide she thought his lips might split. His ruggedly handsome face appeared clean shaven, and his dark red hair looked freshly washed andcombed. Bushy dark brows framed his bluish green eyes. His strong jaw reflected his inner strength and suggested a stubborn streak. But his demeanor seemed kind.
    “William and I will be occupied for two days at a meetin’ of appointed delegates gatherin’ in Boonesborough, but when we’re through with our business, we can help ye build somethin’ that will serve as a temporary shelter,” Bear offered.
    “Och, I would na want to keep the sheriff from his duties, but yer kind offer to help is appreciated, Sir. I imagine a man of your size and obvious strength can cut a tree down a wee bit faster than I.” She let her eyes slide boldly over his body, and then felt her face flush when she realized what she’d done. She quickly reproached herself. She couldn’t imagine what he might think of her brashness. What was wrong with her?
    Bear only chuckled and looked a bit self-conscious. When he smiled warmly at her again, for a long moment she felt as if she were basking in the sun. Her embarrassment forgotten, she decided his nature was not only kind, it was also full of sunshine.
    Her life had seen far too many gray clouds over the last seven years. It felt good to feel a little sunshine. But who would have thought it would come in the form of an enormous well-armed Scotsman in the middle of Kentucky?

Chapter 9
    Wilmington, North Carolina, Fall 1799
    A constant reminder of the country he’d lost, Patrick Steller heard the accent of Scotsmen or those speaking Gaelic almost everywhere he went. Today was no exception.
    He recognized that he was responsible for a good many of them being here, so he averted his eyes and avoided looking directly at others as he walked. His mouth tight and frame of mind grim, most people would avoid him anyway.
    As he brooded over what brought him to this point in his miserable life, he grew even more surly and ill-tempered.
    At the direction of his former employer the Countess of Sutherland, he’d been efficient in