Needed By The Highlander - Rebecca Preston Page 0,78

managed to avoid thinking about the Kelpies that were stalking their prey in the night… but clearly, the world wasn’t going to let her do that for too long. Niall was squatting over a patch of sand, his eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the tracks he saw there. Sure enough, they were hoofprints — pointing toward the water’s edge as well as away from it.

“Unshod hoofprints,” he said softly. “These definitely belong to Kelpies. There are no wild horses in the area — and no tame ones that don’t have iron shoes on. I think that’s a big part of why Kelpies tend not to interfere with domestic horses — it’s the iron on their feet that keep them at bay.”

“Speaking of,” Helen said, reaching into her skirt to withdraw her iron knife. “I thought it might be wise to carry some iron, at least until the Kelpies are dealt with.”

He nodded, a pleased look on his face. “Good thinking. D’you know how to use it?”

“I’m hoping it won’t come to that. But I’ve asked Anna for some lessons, anyway.”

“Ah, good. She’s terrific with a dagger, that woman.” He tilted his head. “What are you smiling at?”

“Oh, nothing. Just… I’m glad you’re not… you respect women, that’s all. It’s a rarer quality than you’d think,” she said darkly, thinking of Perry.

“Aye, I hear how some men talk about women. It’s their loss, though. Deciding that a full half of the population has nothing to teach you seems like a good way to stop improvin’ as a person early in life. My mother taught me everything I know.”

She sighed. “I wish I’d known mine better.”

“You and Eamon have that in common,” he said softly. “I mean, he’s not an orphan, but...”

“I’m not an orphan either.” She hesitated, thinking of her father — remembering that he wouldn’t be born for hundreds of years. “God, I guess I am. I hadn’t thought about it like that.”

He sighed. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to bring your mind to dark places. I just… I worry about Eamon, missing his mam. Over the last few years he’s gotten so angry, so turbulent. It’s like every day he’s more and more reckless and disobedient.”

“I had three brothers,” Helen said drily. “I promise you — this isn’t unusual.”

“Aye, I know. He’s a headstrong boy — I was the same at his age. But I suppose … well, I get so angry with him I suppose because I’m afraid. Like Perry,” he said, his face twisting with disgust. “Can’t believe I’d have anything in common with that simpleton. But like Perry, I let my fear turn into anger.”

“What are you afraid of?” she asked gently, tilting her head. She hadn’t seen this side of him before — restless, worried, vulnerable. He looked down at her, his face full of worry.

“Of losing Eamon, of course. Of losing him like I lost his mother. The Loch’s a dangerous place even for me… but for a four-year-old… all it would take was one little slip, one mistake, one careless second from me — and he could be dead and gone.”

“That won’t happen,” Helen promised. “He’s a little reckless, yes, but he’s not stupid. You’re a good father — you’ve taught him to keep himself safe. He’s learned those lessons, even if it seems like he’s been ignoring you.” She took a deep breath. “Besides. You’re not alone, looking after him. Not anymore. You’ve got me to keep an eye on him, too.”

He smiled at her — and in that moment, she would have done anything he’d asked of her. Instead, she shivered lightly in the cool air. Niall reached out and put his arm around her shoulders, drawing him to the warmth of his side. They stood like that for a long time, gazing out at the waters of the Loch, both lost in thought… but together.

Chapter 31

“I don’t know anything about kids,” she confided as they walked back in toward the castle. They’d stayed out for an hour or so, just watching the water, letting Niall’s temper settle after the conflict with Perry, but it was beginning to get dark and they were both hungry enough to head in for an early dinner after the day’s excitement.

“Nothing at all?” He looked surprised. “You’re very good with Eamon.”

“He’s the first kid I’ve spent more than an hour with,” she confided, smiling a little. “I — well, none of my brothers had kids, and I was never married — never even dated seriously — so