Seducing the Highlander by Michele Sinclair

relationship, that philosophy of agreeing to disagree would no longer work. Either she learned to ignore her feelings for Craig, or he learned to pay attention to his feelings for her.
    “So you understand that the more you push Craig into doing something—even something that, deep down, he wants—”
    “—the more he resists,” Meriel finished. “And on this subject—the one of he and I becoming anything more than friends—he is not likely to change his mind. The man fears being in love, despite seeing the happiness it has given his elder brothers.”
    “Ah, love. Powerful word.” Laurel paused for a long while. “And are you in love?”
    Meriel looked up, tears forming. “I honestly don’t know. I think I may love him and that he might love me, but he refuses to talk about it. And if I cannot talk to my best friend about our feelings for each other, what can I talk to him about? Suddenly I do not know how to act around him. I cannot pretend I don’t feel anything, and if I had stayed at Caireoch, avoiding him would have been impossible. So in a way, I am running away, though I am also worried that I was just as much of a fool to leave. What am I going to do all day? Walk and think?” Meriel tossed the rock into the fire and watched it turn red. “Craig was right. I don’t tolerate boredom well.”
    “Well, if it isn’t too much of an imposition, you could help me, and that would occupy your time for say . . . at least a fortnight.”
    Meriel frowned in acknowledgment that everyone had heard Craig’s challenge. Remembering the long list of disasters resulting from the last time she had “helped” Laurel, Meriel’s instinct was to decline the offer. Biting her bottom lip, she asked, “With what? I’m not like my sister, who knows everything about running a castle.”
    Laurel gave a small shake of her head. “I need your help with what you know better than most anyone. The gowns you made for me reminded me of how few can compare with your skill with a needle. When Conor’s brother Cole moved north, he took with him his loyal soldiers and their wives, who included a dear friend and a most valued seamstress. Ever since, my daughters have been forced to wear what I can create. So, would you consider making them some things? I have plenty of material.”
    “For your children?” Meriel asked, clearly interested in the idea but also wary of offending someone. “But there must be others who can sew. . . .”
    “We have some weavers and a few seamstresses, though none with your skill. Regardless, they will soon be busy preparing for winter and supporting the clan. You will not be interfering with anyone’s work, and I suspect when you are done that several others will ask you to lend your skill—but only if you are willing. I am positive your days could be as full as you desire.”
    “Others? Can one of them be Hamish?” Meriel teased. “The man desperately needs a new leine.” She was smiling. She would not go so far as to say that she was happy, but for the first time since she left Craig’s cottage, she was looking forward to what the next day might bring.
    Laurel laughed. “Many of the men need new clothes, but I doubt they would appreciate your ability with a needle. And give Hamish a chance. Like Craig, very few get to know who he really is.”
    “You mean very few take the effort.”
    “I mean that you and he might be good for each other. He could use a female friend. I’m not sure that he’s ever had one.”
    “Great.” Meriel sighed. “Just want I always wanted to be. The friend .”
     
     
    Hamish halted both their horses at the grassy portion of the shoreline and hopped off his mount. Meriel raised her hand to shield her eyes from the late morning light to view McTiernay Castle. It lay just beyond the loch and over the hills, which she knew were much steeper than they looked. There was not a cloud in the sky and the weather was warm without being oppressive.
    Walking over to