Highlander's Charm (Highlander Heat #3)

“It’ll be great when this place is returned to its former glory. When will the restoration crew arrive?”


“After the winter.” He swung his backpack off. “We should take that swim while the sun is high and leave exploring the castle until later. There’s an area outside near the sea-gate entrance where we can change.”

“That sounds perfect.” She followed him out, collected her gear from the back of her bike then climbed down the steep trail toward the rocky beach. On the loch side, Mingary perched imposingly high on the forty foot rock wall above. Back in the day, the guardsmen patrolling the battlements would have had a bird’s eye view across the sound. A prime position.

“Over here, Lila.” Zayn waved her toward the rocks.

She sat on a squat stone, lugged her wetsuit, flippers and mask out, then palmed her charm. Soldier on, my dear. Never give up the fight. Nanna’s voice, words she’d impressed upon her since she was a child, kept her strong. She’d never give up. She’d find Nanna no matter where she was.

“You’re holding onto that talisman like a lifeline.” Zayn eased onto the rock next to hers.

“It’s the last thing Nanna gave me.”

“I’m sorry. I lost one of my grandparents last year. It’s not easy.”

“She’s not dead, just missing.” She shoved more of those unwanted tears away and found her inner strength. “I’m sorry you’ve lost someone close to you.”

“Death is so fast. I miss my grandpa. Dad’s always got his nose stuck in a museum book, but Grandpa loved the outdoors as I do. At least once a month we fished and tramped together. Those times are long gone now.” He stared out over the loch and slowly sighed.

Memories haunted her as well.

“Nanna’s always spoken so fondly of this place. She lived here at Ardnamurchan when she was younger and she longed to return one day.”

“When did she go missing?”

“A month ago. During her first week in Scotland, she toured Edinburgh Castle, rode the scenic city bus and visited the markets.”

“What have the police said?”

“The last person to see her alive was the owner of the bed-and-breakfast where she stayed. The lady told the police Nanna didn’t come down in the morning for breakfast, and when she went up to wake her, she was gone. Nanna’s belongings still lay around her room, but there was no sign of her. She just disappeared.”

“I’m glad you’re looking for her.”

“I don’t know what else to do. I stayed in Edinburgh for a couple of weeks then made my way here. This seemed the next logical place to—” The ground shook again and she clutched the rock underneath her. “That’s two earthquakes in such a short time. Do you think it’ll be safe to swim?”

“The loch’s only a mile or so wide. I doubt a tsunami is possible. I’m game if you are.”

“A swim would be good. Let’s find some treasure so I have a ton of money to finance a massive search for my grandmother. The police are doing their thing, but so must I.”

“Great. You can change over by the sea-gate wall. It curves around, giving plenty of privacy on the other side.” He pulled his white t-shirt over his head and nodded toward the area. “And no peeking at me while you do.”

“I promise.” She ducked around the corner with her wetsuit, tugged it on and slipped her charm inside her zippered pocket. Her heart ached. She needed her grandmother back. “I miss you Nanna. From the depths of my soul, I wish I could find you, alive and well. I hate that we’re apart.”

The wind lifted her hair and made it tickle her face. Wishes. What she wouldn’t give to have that one answered.

“Are you ready, Lila?”

“Coming.” Mask and flippers in hand, she strode toward the shore where Zayn waited on the wet sand. “We’re after sparkly and pretty, Zayn.”

“Yeah, and plenty of it.” He shuffled backward through the surf in his flippers.

She joined him, and at waist depth, popped her tube into her mouth, eased onto her belly and kicked out. Colorful fish darted all around as she swam toward a boulder with its slick rounded top breaking the water’s surface. These rocks were everywhere. Hands planted on top, she hauled herself up and sat on the peak. The incoming tide lapped her back.

Zayn tugged his mask down around his neck as he bobbed in the water. “Look behind you. We’ve got company.”

A slick-skinned dolphin grazed the rough stone as the creature rounded it. “Maybe she wants to play.”

“There’s more than one.” Zayn shoved his mask back on and swam toward a second dolphin. “The waters teem with seals too, so keep an eye out. They’re not as friendly as the dolphins.”

“Thanks for the warning.” The dolphin nearest her let out a chorus of squeals then circled the rock she sat on.

“I’m going to try to catch a ride.” Zayn grasped his dolphin’s fin, and it pulled him out of the water and took off. He let out a loud whoop.