Page 53 of A Fierce Archer

The word brought Ewan out of his musings. He reached for the person he’d bumped into.

“I apologize...” He stopped midsentence at seeing who it was.

Catriona’s rounded eyes matched her open mouth. “I-I came for fresh air. I thought ye were inside.”

“Obviously, I am not.” He turned away.

“Wait.”

Ewan didn’t fully turn, just his head. “What is it?”

“I am sorry for the loss of yer father.”

Instead of a reply, he gave her a curt nod.

“And...”

He let out a breath and waited for her to continue, not bothering to face her.

“Ye will make an excellent laird.”

He turned. Stalking toward her, like an animal of prey, he expected the only way to stop his progress would be her asking. Instead, she met his gaze, tilting her face up, her lips parting.

When his mouth crashed over hers, Catriona grabbed his tunic, her hands clenching the fabric as if it were the only way she could keep from falling.

In his arms, she felt perfect, soft and yielding, just like he’d remembered every single day since leaving. And exactly what he’d fought hard to forget.

She was not to be his. Ewan took her shoulders and pushed her backward gently.

“This must never happen again.”

Catriona’s chest heaved, her lips enticingly swollen by his kiss. “We were friends once.”

“Were we? Enjoy the fresh air.” Ewan walked away, needing space between them. Upon his return, he would have to hurry the building of his new home so he could move away.

Without looking, he knew she was watching him walk away. For whatever reason, it felt good that he did not give her the satisfaction knowing how much she’d hurt him. Yes, it was immature of him, but self-preservation was much more important than whether or not he hurt Catriona’s feelings.

Chapter Fourteen

Fraser Keep

“Flora.” Lady Fraser stood by the fence waiting for her to respond.

“Lady Fraser.” Flora straightened from the row of plantings she’d been tending to and lowered her head. “What can I do for ye?”

The woman was kind and a good mistress of the house. Every day, she would appear at the kitchen to speak with the cook and maids and give instructions for the day’s meals. She would visit the launderess to ensure all was well. She also met with the chambermaids and lads regularly to do the same.

After Catriona left, Flora had requested and gotten a position there at the keep, without a clear capacity as yet. Her mother had taken ill as of late and could not remain back at the village caring not only for Flora’s son, but the small cottage as well.

Nearing the woman, Flora did her best not to get her hopes up. With Catriona gone, her duties as companion had ended and she did what she could to help around the keep.

“Ye have been working hard,” Lady Fraser began. “It has not gone unnoticed how much ye do here.”

“I do what I can to be helpful. It falls on me to provide for my mother and son.”

The clouds parted, allowing the sun to shine down, warming her back as she waited for whatever Lady Fraser had decided. Flora chose, in that moment, to see it as a good sign.

Lady Fraser motioned for Flora to come out of the garden. “Walk with me.”