Highlander's Charm (Highlander Heat #3)

“Are you okay?” Zayn nudged her shoulder. “You’re looking lost again.”


“I’m fine.” Or she would be, once she found her grandmother. “You make a wonderful tour guide. I’m so glad I stumbled across you at the museum and you agreed to bring me.” Mingary had been on Nanna’s travel itinerary. Where Nanna had intended to go, so would she.

“Stumbled is right.” He grinned and rubbed his bruised calf. “You certainly know how to catch a person’s attention.”

“Sorry.” She’d tripped over Zayn as he’d been searching under an exhibit display table with his long legs poking out.

“Since we’re kin, you’re forgiven.” He shot her a mischievous grin.

“Yes, about that. How is it possible we’re related? You never said.” She’d shown her grandmother’s picture to people in his village. So many MacIans, but none had seen Nanna.

“You’re a MacIan, and I’m a MacKeane. Same pronunciation, just different letters. That happened a lot in the old days. People mixed up the spelling and it stuck.”

“So you’re saying we’re from the same clan? John MacIan of Mingary’s line?”

“Yep, though you have the strangest accent of any MacIan I know.”

“In my opinion you’re the one with the strange accent.”

“So says the Aussie.”

“And I’m proud to be one. Oi, oi, oi.”

He chuckled. “Why is it Aussies say that?”

“You started it by saying Aussie. It’s a chant we like to cheer at sports games, and wherever else takes our fancy. You say Aussie, and I say oi. Now no dissing my heritage or at least the non-Scots side.”

“There’s nothing to diss on the Scots side. We’re a staunch clan and never say a word wrong.”

“Now that’s a little hard for me to disagree with.” Goodness, Nanna would have loved to have met Zayn. He was so funny.

She dug into the pocket of her black Nike sports leggings and pulled out her brass charm. After Nanna had arrived in Scotland a month ago, she’d couriered this coin to her in Sydney. It had provided such comfort to have it close by. Rubbing its smooth disk-like surface, she picked up the trace of letters, an inscription which meant little, yet she adored it all the same.



Lila.

My charm.

Calum.



“That looks old. Can I take a look?” Zayn was the son of the museum’s resident historian.

“Be careful with it.” She handed it over. “My grandmother received this from a fortuneteller at Edinburgh’s markets, or at least that’s what she said in her note. It’s a MacIan relic from the 1500s. Obviously I’m not the Lila that’s mentioned, but it’s lovely it holds my name all the same. I didn’t even know Lila was Scots in origin.”

“I’ve got a cousin called Lilias. We call her Lila for short. This could be a shortened version too.” He smoothed over the etching. “These charms are often referred to as coins or tokens, and this one’s in mint condition. You should show my dad. He might know more considering it’s inscribed. Did your grandmother tell you anything about it when she gifted it to you?”

“Not much. She said to keep it on me at all times, and to never let it go, which I’ve done. What do you think about the etching? It sounds kind of romantic to me, like Lila is Calum’s charm.”

“Hmm, it could be that the piece holds a double meaning. Maybe Calum gifted this charm to Lila?” He handed the coin back. “I’m sorry none of us have seen your grandmother.”

“I’m going to find her.” She’d never give up her search, no matter where or how long it took her. Tears came to her eyes and she forced them back as she pocketed the precious coin. “Did you remember to bring your wetsuit?”

“Sure did. I’ve got my snorkeling gear too.” He patted his black and blue checked backpack strapped over his shoulders. “Even though it’s autumn, I’ve been known to take a dip right up until Christmas Day. I’m game for a swim if you are.”

“When I was wandering about the museum’s displays, I read about a storm driving a Spanish Armada ship into the sound. It was a few centuries ago, but it capsized right here at the tip of Ardnamurchan. Apparently a treasure trove of gold coins has never been found.”

“I know the story, but I doubt we’ll find the bounty. No one ever has.”

“I’d love one of those coins.” It could finance a broader search for Nanna. The police were doing what they could, but a woman couldn’t disappear without a trace. No. She had to do everything she could to find—

The ground shook. Nesting birds cackled and took flight from the trees. They swept down the ridge and along the track in front of her. Feet planted either side of her bike, she waited until the shaking eased. “Does that happen often?”

“We rarely get earthquakes.” He thrust his foot into the pedal. “Let’s get off this hill.”

“Good idea.” Loose rocks could easily dislodge and tumble down. She shoved her white shirtsleeves to her elbows.