Chapter Fourteen
Rachel
The moment I hear voices coming from the river path, before I've even glimpsed my father or Joey, I hoist my skirts and race up the trail to meet them. Oh, what if Joey couldn't pass the tests? No, he's quite braw and very determined. But Father...he doesn't trust Joey yet. I do, though I cannae explain why.
Two figures emerge from the wood.
"Joey!" I shout, rushing toward him even faster. I can barely breathe by the time I reach him. "Are you injured?"
"Nope. Did you think I couldn't hack all those tests?"
"No, of course not. I...I was worried, that's all," I admit, my cheeks flushing. Joey's eyes soften, and for a moment I forget my father is standing right there.
"Och, Rachel." Father's gruff voice breaks the spell. "Ye shouldnae be scurrying about like a wee lass. We have important matters to discuss."
I straighten up, trying to look more dignified. "Of course, Father. What happened?"
Joey clears his throat. "Well, your old man here put me through the wringer. Climbing, swimming, even had to wrestle a goat."
I can't help but giggle at the image. "A goat?"
"Nay," Father says, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "The laddie did no such thing. I let him go after the forest run. But that doesnae mean he's earned our trust yet."
Joey raises an eyebrow at my father, a hint of mock challenge in his voice. "What's it gonna take then, huh? Should I slay a dragon or two?"
I aim a warning glance at my father, but he simply grunts, unimpressed by Joey's bravado.
"Ye'll have yer chance to prove yerself soon enough, macan ," Father says cryptically. "The MacLeods are coming, and trouble will surely follow in their wake."
My heart sinks. The MacLeods. That means Alisdair will be here, with his square jaw and big fists, not to mention his relentless pursuit of my hand. I steal a glance at Joey, wondering how he'll react to this news.
"MacLeods?" Joey asks, his brow furrowing. "Who are they?"
"Our neighbors to the north," I explain quickly. "They are...well, it's complicated." I finished lamely because I dinnae want to dive into the centuries-old feud between our clans again.
Joey's eyes narrow slightly, picking up on my hesitation. "Complicated how?"
Before I can answer, Father interjects, his voice gruff but tinged with weariness. "The MacLeods and the MacTaggarts have a long history, laddie. Not always a peaceful one. But old rivalries must be abandoned, and we need to change with the times."
Joey's eyes flick to and fro minutely as his quick mind pieces together the implications. "So, this visit, it's some kind of peace offering?"
"Aye," Father nods, "or so they claim. My cousin Goraidh called on us the day before you, Joseph Finnegan, crashed into our world. Goraidh came to forewarn us. The MacLeods can be...boisterous. And I trust Eanraig MacLeod precisely as far as I can throw him."
Joey's lips quirk into a wry smile. "And I'm guessing you can't throw him very far."
Father barks out a laugh, surprising me. "Aye, Joey. Ye've got the right of it."
I glance between the men, a flutter of hope in my chest. Mayhap they're warming to each other after all.
"So, what's the plan?" Joey asks, his eyes sharp with interest. "I'm guessing you want me to lay low during this visit."
Father's expression turns serious. "Nay, we cannae hide ye. The MacLeods will be suspicious enough as it is. Ye'll have to play the part of a distant cousin, come to visit."
I nibble on my lip nervously as worry gnaws at me. "But Father, they will wonder about his unusual clothing and his strange accent."
"We'll have him wear the clothing you gave him, and we'll say he's from the Lowlands, where styles are different," Father says, his tone brooking no argument. "It's the best we can do on such short notice. Besides, Alyssa speaks differently too."
Joey nods, his face set with determination. "I can do that. I've played plenty of roles before. Just give me the backstory, and I'll sell it."
Joey was a thief before he came here, and that likely explain why he's so comfortable with deception. But there's no time to dwell on it now.
"Rachel," Father turns to me, his eyes stern. "Ye must be on your guard. Alisdair MacLeod will no doubt try to woo ye again."
My cheeks burn at the mention of Alisdair. I can feel Joey's gaze on me, curious and perhaps a wee bit...jealous? No, that can't be right.
Father claps a hand down on Joey's shoulder. "I give you leave to spend the afternoon with Rachel, so long as you ne'er go past the first bend in the river."
"Aye, Father," I agree, trying to hide my excitement at the prospect of spending time alone with Joey. As Father trudges back toward the castle, I turn to Joey with a mischievous grin. "Well then, shall we make the most of our afternoon?"
Joey's lips quirk upward faintly, and he bows deeply. "Lead the way, my lady. But first, mind telling me more about this Alisdair guy?"
Sighing, I lead Joey down the path toward the river. "Alisdair MacLeod is...persistent. He's been trying to win my hand for years now. He's handsome enough, I suppose, and a skilled warrior, but..."
"But?" Joey prompts, his voice carefully neutral.
I halt at the riverbank, watching the sunlight dance on the water. "But I've never felt anything for him. He sees me as a prize to..." I trail off, unable to fully articulate my feelings about Alisdair.
Joey remains quiet for a moment, skipping a stone across the river's surface. "And your father? What does he think of this Alisdair character?"
I sink down onto a mossy rock. "Father sees the potential alliance. The MacLeods are powerful, and a marriage would ease tensions between our clans. But he's never pushed me toward Alisdair, thank the heavens."
Joey nods, his brow furrowed in thought. "So, this visit... it's not just about diplomacy, is it? They're hoping to seal the deal with you and lover boy."
I stifle my amusement at his description. I let out a frustrated sigh, plucking at blades of grass. "Aye, I suspect that's part of it. Though Father would never force me into a marriage I didnae want. But Alisdair is hardly my 'lover boy.'"
Joey's eyes meet mine. "And what do you want, Rachel?"
My heart quickens at his question. What do I want? The answer feels both terrifying and exhilarating.
"I...I wish to choose my own path," I say softly. "I crave adventure and passion. Not just duty and clan alliances."
Joey moves closer, his hand brushing mine. "I already know you've got a rebellious streak. I mean, you seduced me in your secret room before you knew anything about me."
I laugh, feeling a bit giddy at his nearness. "That is true. Though I fear my rebelliousness may cause trouble with the MacLeods' visit."
"Hey," Joey says, his voice low and reassuring. "We'll figure it out together. I've got your back, Rachel."
His words send a thrill through me, and I find myself leaning closer to him. "Thank you, Joey. I'm glad you're here with me."
For a moment, we gaze deeply into each other's eyes, the air between us charged with unspoken desires. The world seems to slow around us. The rustle of leaves in the breeze, and the gentle babble of the water, create a cocoon of quiet, intimate sounds. I can feel the warmth of Joey's body so close to mine, the electric tingle of his hand when it accidentally brushes against my skin. We don't pull away. Instead, our fingers begin to intertwine, slowly, as if testing the waters of a new and dangerous territory. My mind races ahead to what could happen next. A kiss, perhaps, one that is tender and exploratory, leading to something more passionate. Or mayhap the simple comfort of his arms around me, holding me tight against the uncertainties that loom on the horizon. Potential futures flash before my eyes, each more tantalizing than the last.
Joey leans in ever so slightly, and I close my eyes, bracing for the moment our lips might meet. The air is thick with anticipation, every second stretching into an eternity.
Then Joey clears his throat and steps back a few paces.
"So, tell me more about these MacLeods," he says, his tone lighter. "What should I expect when they arrive?"
I sigh, grateful for the distraction from my conflicting emotions. "Well, they're a proud clan, known for their fierce warriors and... boisterous celebrations. Eanraig MacLeod, the clan chieftain, is a bear of a man with a temper to match."
Joey raises an eyebrow, waiting for me to continue.
I choose my words carefully. "Alisdair can be charming when he wants to be, and he is a skilled warrior. But there's an arrogance to him that I find off-putting." I finally understand how that man affects me so awfully and why. "He sees me as a prize to be won, not a person with her own desires. I doubt he would ever allow me to tie him up while I take pleasure from his body, the way you did."
"Sounds like he's no prince charming," he says dryly. "A sexist jerk seems more like it."
"Aye, that he is. But enough about Alisdair. Tell me, Joey, what sort of adventures did you have before you came here?"
A shadow passes over Joey's face, and for a moment I worry I've touched on a sensitive subject. He turns away slightly, his gaze drifting over the rippling water of the river. "Adventures, huh? I've had my share, I guess. Most of them were not good."
I reach out, gently touching his arm. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
Joey looks back at me, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Nah, it's okay. Let's just say I've been in some tight spots. I had to learn how to think on my feet, adapt quickly. In my world, I didn't always have the luxury of playing by the rules. Sometimes you gotta do whatever's it takes to survive."
I lean in, intrigued. "What sort of tight spots? Were you an outlaw?"
Joey chuckles, but there's a hint of darkness in his eyes. "Not exactly. Let's just say I've had to do some things I'm not proud of to survive. But that's all in the past now."
He doesn't want to elaborate further, that much I can tell. "I'm glad you're here now. And I have a feeling your quick thinking will come in handy when the MacLeods arrive."
"Speaking of which," Joey says, his tone turning serious, "we should probably head back and prepare. I need to work on my 'distant cousin from the Lowlands' act."
As we walk back toward the castle, I can't help but steal glances at Joey. There's so much mystery surrounding him, and so many questions I long to ask. But for now, I'm content to simply be in his presence, our shoulders occasionally brushing as we navigate the winding path.
The sun is sinking lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the Highland landscape. The air is thick with the scent of heather and pine, and a cool breeze rustles through the trees. It's a perfect moment that I wish I could freeze in time.
"Rachel," Joey says suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence between us. "I want you to know that no matter what happens with the MacLeods, I won't let anybody harass you. I might not understand all the politics and clan rivalries, but I know when someone's trying to force a situation."
His words warm my heart, and I find myself smiling up at him. Oh, aye, falling for Joey Finnegan would be so easy to do. But I cannae help worrying about what the MacLeods might be plotting.