Lachlan's Heart (The MacCulloughs #2) - Suzan Tisdale Page 0,1

ever have taken the time to get to know one another. Neither of them questioned their newfound friendship. They simply appreciated having someone to talk to.

So, as it happened, the friendship formed quickly.

But then one chilly, yet bright autumn day, Lachlan woke and realized, to his own utter astonishment, that he was quite hopelessly in love with one Keevah MacElroy.

It shocked him to his marrow.

He reckoned he could spend the next few years trying to figure out how it had happened. But no amount of studying the matter would change anything. He was in love. And that, as they say, was that. ’Twas best to take a thing head on and deal with it, like any good warrior.

Aye, Keevah was a breathtakingly beautiful young woman with a smile that could light up the darkest of nights. But Lachlan was attracted to her on a much deeper level. He didn’t know all her secrets, for those weren’t nearly as important as her character. The woman possessed a giving heart, a genuineness of spirit, and a streak of independence he sincerely admired. What was it his grandfather used to say? Beauty fades but a warm heart will last forever. Aye, ’twas the beauty of her soul that mattered most.

The only problem he now faced was how he was going to tell her and what would she think of it all?

Chapter Two

October 1361, The MacCullough Keep

’Twas only a few days ago that Lachlan realized how deeply he loved the beautiful Keevah MacElroy. However, there hadn’t been enough time to let her in on his newfound discovery.

There was the rescue of Richard, Rory, and Colyne to be dealt with, then the subsequent attack against their mortal enemies the Chisolms - within the MacCullough keep, mind you.

Then there was the business of hanging Randall Chisolm that had to be tended to.

And if those weren’t adequate distractions enough, he was forced to watch while his best friend Rory married the comely Marisse MacRay; Aeschene’s maid and friend. He kept his jealousy to himself and congratulated the newly wedded couple.

Just when he thought he could take a deep breath and seek out Keevah, Richard requested his presence to discuss a verra important matter.

The verra important matter revolved around their newly gotten gains. It turned out that while Lachlan and other MacCullough warriors - along with a few hundred MacDougall men - had been fighting against the band of Chisolms assembled here, Black Richard MacCullough’s longtime friend and ally, Caelen McDunnah was wrenching the Chisolm keep out of the hands of those Randall warriors he had left behind to guard it.

That had been the man’s second biggest mistake in the past few weeks. His first was underestimating Aeschene MacRay and her determination to rescue her husband from his evil clutches. Both poor decisions had led to his death.

And the world was a much better place without Randall Chisolm in it.

’Twas no small task, no small task indeed that Richard and Aeschene were asking of him. They wanted Lachlan to act as interim chief and laird of the Chisolm keep and all its holdings. ’Twas a temporary position, if one could call twenty years or so temporary. “Just until our first born is old enough to take over the helm,” Richard had explained.

Aeschene had thought to entice him with the promise of gold. Had it been anyone else insulting him thusly, he would have gutted them. But it was Aeschene, a lovely woman with a heart the size of Scotia. ’Twas her only saving grace; that and the fact she not only willingly married his cousin, Black Richard MacCullough, she had also found him in possession of redeeming qualities others weren’t able to see. She loved the man. He certainly hoped Richard knew just how lucky he truly was.

Now he found himself atop the parapet looking out at the only place he’d ever called home. The sun was just beginning to creep up over the horizon, a splash of blood-red against the indigo blue sky. He loved this time of day; the last few lingering moments of night, with stars that still twinkled before being outshined by the morning sun.

He’d be taking a handful of MacCullough warriors with him on this new journey, as well as nearly one hundred MacDougalls. Thankfully, the MacDougall laird and chief, Angus, had volunteered his fine warriors to help to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

Lachlan knew it wasn’t going to be easy gaining the fealty of the Chisolms and harder still to get