Marti Talbott's Highlander Series, Book 1

Rachel realized she wasn't paying attention and finally looked up. Kevin had a pleasant face, blond hair, blue-gray eyes and he wasn't frowning. He was, however, standing in front of her with his legs apart and his hands clasped behind his back. She rolled her eyes. "Well, get on with it."

"I have been meaning to thank you."

She was completely taken aback -- but not for long. She tilted her head to one side and looked at him suspiciously. Rachel was even more shocked when the giant sat down beside her on the rock. "Thank me for what?"

"When you first came to us, you were very little and you followed a cat around for hours, watching to see how the cat caught the mouse. When he succeeded, you were as happy and as proud as the cat. By the time you were five, you began to sneak up behind the men and pinch them right above the knee."

Rachel smiled. "I remember."

"The first time you did it, I feared Clymer would throttle you. You got him twice more and after that, he became aware of where you were at all times. Do you know what I did then?"

"What?"

"I let you keep doing it."

"Why?"

"Because we were not as mindful as we should have been, and I had not found a way to sharpen our skills. You did that for us."

"But Kevin, you have been scolding me for years."

"Aye, but have I ever told you to stop?"

Her eyes shifted from side to side. "I do not believe you have."

"I have not. Yesterday, two of our lads became aware that someone was watching them. They were able to avoid a possible attack because you taught them so well."

"An attack? From whom?" she asked.

"I suspect the Clan Ferguson."

"Our neighbors to the east, but why? We have done them no harm."

"True. I was once friends with Laird Ferguson, but he has passed and his son is a greedy man. He wants our land."

"Did our lads search them out?"

Kevin threaded his fingers through his wet hair. "Nay, they thought it wiser to see what would happen. It was the right decision and the Fergusons left without showing themselves."

"Will there be a war?"

"I hope not. However, I want you to help the lasses sharpen their fighting skills just in case. The lads will begin to train more often as well. We must not be caught with our guard down."

"I will do it."

Kevin put an arm around her shoulder, kissed her forehead and then looked into her eyes. "You have been a precious gift sent to us from God. See that nothing happens to you."