Highland Defiance - By Sky Purington Page 0,46

and support their decision to go to war. Not act like a child and throw things at them.”

She started to shake and narrowed her eyes. “How would you know I threw anything at anyone?”

Adlin shook his head. “Because you want to throw something at me right now, Mildred. You behave like a child when things dinnae go your way.”

Fists clenched she found herself eyeing the ledge for a rock and stopped. Oh shoot. “I don’t behave like a child,” she muttered.

“Prove it,” he said and grabbed her hand.

Mildred tried to pull back but it was too late.

He threw her right off the edge.

Chapter Nine

Adlin knew better than to have done what he did.

But it was too late.

“Wha…” Mildred’s voice slurred.

Adlin leaned back against the wall and held his head in his hands until the pain passed. He’d have to answer for this one.

“What’s going on,” Mildred whispered.

“You’re home.”

A dim stone room slowly became visible. She sat next to him. “Home?”

“Aye.Home. Nineteen-forty-two New Hampshire.”

A sound of disbelief in her voice she asked, “Really?”

“Really.”

“Mildred?” Shouts started to drift their way from outside. “Mildred, where are you?”

Here goes.

Adlin ran a hand over his plaid and felt the fabric change.

Mildred stumbled to her feet and headed for the entrance to the cave. “Jim? David?”

By the time he exited the small entrance, Mildred was already hugging her friends. “I’m so glad to see you! You’ll never believe what happened to me!”

“One second you were at the rock over there, the next second coming out of there.” Jim’s voice faded when his eyes locked on Adlin.

It was an odd feeling finally looking this man in the face. He’d watched Jim Seavey for a long time, sized him up in every sense of the word. While he liked the lad he also absolutely loathed him.

After all, Jim loved Mildred nearly as well as himself.

That didn’t mean Adlin had any intention of letting the man have her.

Mildred turned in Adlin’s direction, almost surprised to see him even though they’d just spoken with one another.

“Adlin?” She whispered. “You’re really here?”

“Who?” David asked.

Adlin’s attention turned to the other man. Quiet and contemplative, he’d always held a certain fondness for David.

Mildred seemed to gather herself though her smile was uncertain and her eyes worried. “Adlin. A friend of mine.”

Jim shook his head and positioned himself in such a way that Adlin would have to get through him to get to her. “He’s no friend. You lie. Who is he, Mildred?”

Now this was a man who’d make a good addition to his warriors.

Even Adlin was surprised when she walked over and took his hand, her eyes going from him to her friends. “He’s okay. Adlin came a long way to deliver a message to Mama about Da. He’s just lost right now is all. Glad I found him here.”

A heavy frown pulled Jim’s lips down. “Mildred, one second you were at the rock over there, the next second coming out of this rock structure.” He shook his head. “I saw you vanish!”

Adlin let peace settle over, used his magic and locked eyes with Jim. “I think you’re mistaken, lad. You became interested in the rock and Mildred wandered off. Then you found her here.”

Jim’s shoulders tightened then he seemed to relax. “Maybe you’re right. Not sure how I missed that.”

David spoke up, confused. “You didn’t miss anything, Jim.”

Adlin locked eyes with David. “Are you quite sure?”

David blinked rapidly then frowned. “Maybe you’re right, Jim. She is hard to keep track of sometimes.”

Mildred looked in amazement between the men then back at Adlin. He winked. Her eyes rounded. The power of absolute persuasion was amongst the very least of his ‘magical talents.’

“So are you done being upset with me, Mildred?” he asked innocently. “After all, a Scotsman can get a wee bit lost on occasion.”

Her eyes rounded further, just now taking in his pants and shirt, his nineteen-forties garb.

“I’ll take that as a yes. But now that we’ve found each other, I’d like to go back to your house.”

“Off course,” she said softly. It took several moments before she repeated in a far more confident tone. “Of course.”

As if she didn’t know what else to say she looked at her friends. “Jim, David, this is Adlin. Adlin, my friends, Jim and David.”

Her friends seemed less than impressed, their eyes crawling over him like two predators more than willing to work together to bring down the prey. When Mildred continued to hold his hand when they left the ancient Stonehenge and headed through the