him. It was a young Duncan, a friend since childhood, who’d died during the battles with the McLeods.
Immediately, he took a step forward to speak to the woman and stopped when the apparition spoke. “They cannot see or hear ye.”
Naill ignored him and stalked to the young woman. “Bree. Is it ye?”
The woman turned to see Duncan approach and her face brightened. “Ah, there ye are. I brought some food for us.”
They settled onto a blanket, Duncan sitting much too close to his wife. “I have missed ye,” the man said, leaning forward to press his lips to Bree’s temple.
“I saw ye just two days ago,” Bree teased.
The young Duncan took her hand in both of his. “I wish to be with ye always. When will ye accept my offer of marriage?”
Bree sighed and met Duncan’s gaze for a long moment. “I do not wish to hurt ye, but I am unsure. Ye know Naill is also courting me.”
With a grunt of disapproval, Duncan shook his head. “What does he have to offer that I cannot? Ye have my heart and my vow to love ye always.”
Naill couldn’t help but study Duncan. The young man looked to be on the brink of tears. He’d never been aware that his friend had been enamored with Bree. A strange feeling filled him. Why had Bree chosen him over Duncan?
Bree cupped Duncan’s jaw. “I know ye love me and I do care for ye so very much. However, my heart belongs to Naill.”
“He doesn’t love ye, Bree. He will not make ye happy. I love my friend, but he prefers his duty above all things. I visit his mother and bring her fare since he claims not to have time. How do ye think he will treat ye any better?”
Bree was silent. She lifted an apple from the basket, but then let it roll onto the blanket. “I hope ye are wrong. I would hate to make a mistake in turning down a good man like ye.”
Leaning over, he attempted to touch Duncan’s shoulder. For some reason, the need to apologize to the man was overwhelming. The pain in young Duncan’s face as he walked away made Naill want to race after him. Never once had the man ever acted other than kind to him and had always been a good warrior in the laird’s army.
He turned to see Bree looking down at the basket, seeming torn as to whether to follow after Duncan or remain.
The apparition once again grabbed his wrist and they flew into the air, seeing the village become smaller and smaller. Becoming dizzy, Naill struggled against the hold, not caring if he fell to his death.
He squeezed his eyes shut and upon opening them, found himself to be in front of a small cottage. It was the first home he and Bree had lived in before he built the larger one in the village. When he peered through the window, he felt like an intruder at spotting a younger version of himself and Bree sitting at the table.
Bree cried but smiled at the same time. “I am so nervous.”
The younger version of himself hugged her and kissed her temple. “Do not fret. We will be blessed with a healthy babe. Ye will see. Perhaps ten more.”
Her beautiful face was flushed when she lifted it and looked at him. Although still trembling, her lips curved as she fought to smile. “Ten? I do not think I wish for ten.”
He started for the door. He wanted to give them the good news that they’d have two healthy, beautiful children. The ghost, or whatever it was, stopped him.
“Ye know what happened just a couple of days later?”
Before he could answer, once again his wrist was taken, the sun fell and lifted, then the cycle repeated. Upon being released, Naill turned in a circle until he realized that he had remained at the cottage. Outside, his younger version was placing bags over the horse. His face was alight with excitement.
“I wish ye didn’t have to go now,” Bree said, her hands wringing. “I do not want to be alone right now.”
Young Naill rushed to her and pulled her tightly against his body. “I will speak to the laird and ask that I not be sent away so I may remain to work at the keep. I am sure once he learns that ye are with child, he will agree that I should stay behind.”
“Thank ye.” She looked up to him with such faith