Highlander's Beloved 02 - A Highlander's Passion by Vonnie Davis Page A
Authors: Vonnie Davis
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hurt. I’d be no different if I were in yer spot. I’d be outta me fukin’ mind with hate.” He clapped a hand on Bryce’s back. “Ye still want Kenzie?”
“Aye.” There was no doubt in his mind.
“Then go get her, man. Make her part of the family.” Creighton was big on family, but then, they all were. ʼ Twas how they were raised. They’d been mere lads when their da died, but och how he’d doted on them during the short time he’d lived.
Creighton had just passed the age of ten when he’d assumed his duties as head of the family, pushing his younger brothers around and telling them what to do—and, drowning in the fear of their grief, both Bryce and Ronan had clung to Creighton like a paternal lifeline. Now, as adults, over the past few years, they worked together to renovate this drafty ancient castle into a viable lodge.
The huge, stone building sitting on the edge of granite cliffs overlooking Mathe Bay retained the keep and battlements built in the 1200s. According to Mathe clan lore, nearly a century later the great hall and minstrels’ gallery were built. Every century or so, more rooms were added. To the Mathe clan, the structure meant permanence, fer the Vikings had tried several times to vanquish them from the land and to destroy it. To the Matheson brothers, it was home, and even as they’d planned the renovations, careful consideration was used to keep the guest quarters separate from theirs.
Creighton, with his hotel management degree, saw to the business end of things. Ronan took care of internal maintenance of the lodge—heating, plumbing, and the like. Bryce, who loved the outdoors, kept the grounds and the moat in what everyone considered beautiful condition. He also oversaw care of the stock. Their horses were among the finest. Mum handled online reservations and managed the household help. Fer many families, working and living together wouldna work, but fer them it did. Some things in their favor were their love of teasing and their banding together when one of them needed help. Or support. Like Bryce did tonight.
“Kenzie’s not so fond of me right now. She’s got me ranked among snakes and pond scum, so she does.”
Creighton grunted. “I ken she might be holding a grudge, but I’ve also seen how ye can charm the ladies.” He scratched the back of his neck. “Besides, ye’ve got us. Getting her to fall in love with ye again will be a family venture.”
Ronan shuffled his feet and looked Creighton in the eye. “I dinna ken ye can make a woman fall in love with someone. Do ye remember the love potion Una made for yer feckin’ balls and how the gnats bit the hell outta big daddy and the twins? Paisley didna take too kindly to yer trying to manipulate her feelings, if I recall correctly.”
Creighton’s eyebrows nearly lowered to cover his brown eyes. “Kiss me Scottish arse.”
A soft rapping sounded at the door and he hurried to unlock it to let in their mum. “I’ll be back after Paisley and I take Effie home. And there’ll be no more mention of love potions in this house.” He stormed out.
“Well, what in heaven’s name has him wound up?” Their mum glanced at her two remaining sons and zeroed in on Bryce. She crossed the room and cupped his cheek. “Youngest, what troubles ye? I havna seen such pain in yer eyes since we lost Miranda. And ye reek of whisky.” She reared back like a snake ready to attack. “Have ye been into the tipple again?” She pointed toward him. “Stripped out of your clothes when ye ken we’ve got guests here from London and southern Italy. Do ye plan to make a spectacle of yerself, parading half-naked through the lodge, drunk, and singing bawdy songs?”
“Mum.” Ronan’s gentle tone captured her attention. “Ye’ve got things all wrong. Bryce’s bear needs to shift. Bryce, the man, needs the numbness only alcohol can bring. Aye, what I say is true.” He glanced at Bryce. “Would ye rather I left ye to tell her in
“Aye.” There was no doubt in his mind.
“Then go get her, man. Make her part of the family.” Creighton was big on family, but then, they all were. ʼ Twas how they were raised. They’d been mere lads when their da died, but och how he’d doted on them during the short time he’d lived.
Creighton had just passed the age of ten when he’d assumed his duties as head of the family, pushing his younger brothers around and telling them what to do—and, drowning in the fear of their grief, both Bryce and Ronan had clung to Creighton like a paternal lifeline. Now, as adults, over the past few years, they worked together to renovate this drafty ancient castle into a viable lodge.
The huge, stone building sitting on the edge of granite cliffs overlooking Mathe Bay retained the keep and battlements built in the 1200s. According to Mathe clan lore, nearly a century later the great hall and minstrels’ gallery were built. Every century or so, more rooms were added. To the Mathe clan, the structure meant permanence, fer the Vikings had tried several times to vanquish them from the land and to destroy it. To the Matheson brothers, it was home, and even as they’d planned the renovations, careful consideration was used to keep the guest quarters separate from theirs.
Creighton, with his hotel management degree, saw to the business end of things. Ronan took care of internal maintenance of the lodge—heating, plumbing, and the like. Bryce, who loved the outdoors, kept the grounds and the moat in what everyone considered beautiful condition. He also oversaw care of the stock. Their horses were among the finest. Mum handled online reservations and managed the household help. Fer many families, working and living together wouldna work, but fer them it did. Some things in their favor were their love of teasing and their banding together when one of them needed help. Or support. Like Bryce did tonight.
“Kenzie’s not so fond of me right now. She’s got me ranked among snakes and pond scum, so she does.”
Creighton grunted. “I ken she might be holding a grudge, but I’ve also seen how ye can charm the ladies.” He scratched the back of his neck. “Besides, ye’ve got us. Getting her to fall in love with ye again will be a family venture.”
Ronan shuffled his feet and looked Creighton in the eye. “I dinna ken ye can make a woman fall in love with someone. Do ye remember the love potion Una made for yer feckin’ balls and how the gnats bit the hell outta big daddy and the twins? Paisley didna take too kindly to yer trying to manipulate her feelings, if I recall correctly.”
Creighton’s eyebrows nearly lowered to cover his brown eyes. “Kiss me Scottish arse.”
A soft rapping sounded at the door and he hurried to unlock it to let in their mum. “I’ll be back after Paisley and I take Effie home. And there’ll be no more mention of love potions in this house.” He stormed out.
“Well, what in heaven’s name has him wound up?” Their mum glanced at her two remaining sons and zeroed in on Bryce. She crossed the room and cupped his cheek. “Youngest, what troubles ye? I havna seen such pain in yer eyes since we lost Miranda. And ye reek of whisky.” She reared back like a snake ready to attack. “Have ye been into the tipple again?” She pointed toward him. “Stripped out of your clothes when ye ken we’ve got guests here from London and southern Italy. Do ye plan to make a spectacle of yerself, parading half-naked through the lodge, drunk, and singing bawdy songs?”
“Mum.” Ronan’s gentle tone captured her attention. “Ye’ve got things all wrong. Bryce’s bear needs to shift. Bryce, the man, needs the numbness only alcohol can bring. Aye, what I say is true.” He glanced at Bryce. “Would ye rather I left ye to tell her in
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