The Highland Dream: The Runes of Argyll, #2

By Jessica Savage

 **A STANDALONE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDER TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE SHORT STORY **

**this is book 2 in the Runes of Argyl Trilogy - but it can also be enjoyed all on it's own!**

In the second part of the Runes of Argyl series Andrea returns to New York in time to attend her partner Steve's first exhibition.  However things don't go as she anticipated.  Not only is Steve acting suspiciously, but Andrea is disturbed by strange recollections of a dream of a bygone time – and by the strong attraction she feels to the man in those dreams, Alexander MacDonald. At least, she assumes it must be a dream.  She's also been feeling unwell ever since her return so is growing concerned for her physical as well as mental health.  None of this is helped by the dark and mysterious Helen.  Just who is she and why does she seem intent on harming Andrea?  The secret and power behind the rune is soon discovered by Andrea, along with how it leads to her destiny – both past and present.  Find out more in this gripping tale of love and loss, life and death, where the past meets the future and love never dies as the this highland dream continues…

Warning: This ebook contains mature themes and language and is meant for 18+ readers only.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Romance Publishing
• Release date: May 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393131571

Book preview

The Highland Dream

A Runes of Argyll Story

Book 2

Jessica Savage

Copyright ©2016 by Jessica Savage. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic of mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Book One - The Highland’s Call

Book Two - The Highland Dream

Book Three - The Highland Legacy

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Table of Contents

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The Highland Legacy - Preview

1.

AS THE PLANE STARTED its descent to 20,000 ft over New York, Andrea woke as the pressure popped in her ears. The cabin was noisy with the chatter of passengers, most of who had just woken in time for the landing. Seat belts were fastened and stray hand luggage stowed away in readiness. Everything seemed so ordinary, so 21st century and Andrea breathed deeply. When she had set off from Glasgow airport that morning she had been full of fire and fury and ready to read the riot act to Steve, but now she was back in civilization her determination had started to waiver. The events of the last week now seemed a dream and she wondered if she could actually be going slightly mad. Her memory was foggy, as if she was trying to recall something that had happened years ago rather than just yesterday.

She remembered carrying out her Grandmother’s last wish, her pilgrimage to the Isle of Iona in the Western Hebrides to return a strange looking stone to the cemetery of the ancient chapel of St Oran. Something had happened there, something remarkable in that sacred place, the thin place where time and eternity met. That's what Geraldine had said, the old woman she had met at the hotel Columba over coffee. Even she now seemed like a phantom.

And then there was Alexhander MacDonald. How could she ever forget him? Yet she could scarcely remember his face now, only the eyes remained burning brightly in her memory, the intense way that he looked at her with his green grey eyes. It all seemed like a distant memory rather than yesterday. But it hadn't been her time, it had been his; 1625 to be exact. The date was engraved in her mind. Yet still it was so ridiculous. The old woman, Geraldine, had found her in the chapel grounds, being violently sick: food poisoning or something of the like. Yet it had seemed so real, she could still feel his touch on her skin, could still feel his presence around her even though the details were no longer clear.

The rune was still in her possession. She had wanted to bury it in the graveyard at the chapel of St Oran, to carry out her Grandma Betty’s wishes, but the old woman had told her to take it with her, to keep it safe and there was something in her manner that made her do just that.

The pilot announced that they were about to start the landing process and she sat upright in her seat. 

Wheeling her case through JFK International airport, the bright lights awakened her senses and she started to feel herself again. Settling into the back of a taxi she started to laugh softly. 

How ridiculous she had been. A slight dose of salmonella and she had almost convinced herself that she had been time travelling - a lady time lord whizzing through time and space. All she needed was a Tardis. She had definitely been overdoing it lately and would take a short break from work, she was owed some time and things were pretty quiet at the moment.

Steve would be surprised to see her. He had been angry at her for being away in his time of need; his first exhibition was due to open that night and it was the accumulation of years of work. Now she would be at his side and all would be well. He would forgive her. She could feel the excitement well up inside, the past week was forgotten as she looked forward to the future. 

THE APARTMENT WAS QUIET. Steve would be at the gallery making the final preparations for the evening opening. The place was pretty tidy too, as if he hadn't been there for a while, the bed un-slept in, and the towels dry on the bathroom radiator. Even the air was still; the reverent hush of a chapel lay over the sleek furniture as if no one had lived here for years. Steve had probably been staying at the gallery or with friends, he was hopeless at looking after himself. He was a real mummy's boy when it came down to it and would have jumped at any offer to be looked after whilst she was away.

At least it would give her time to shower and change and make herself glamorous for him. It was true; absence really did make the heart grow fonder.

Andrea could have stayed under the shower for hours. The hot water streamed over her tired body, reviving and refreshing. For a moment she almost remembered another time, a picture appearing in her mind of an earthenware bowl in front of an open fire, a black cloaked figure with a smiling face. The thought stayed for a mere instance before disappearing.

Scrubbing at her skin she sloughed away at the dry skin cells; off with the old and onto the new. Patting herself dry on the soft towels she reached for her body oil. It was lavender and the old fashioned smell never failed to revive her senses, de-stress her body and soul.

As she rubbed a small amount of the oil into her skin her heart began to race. Somehow the smell excited her; brought out a longing within her. Again it was gone in an instance and she shook her head at her own imaginings.

She tried not to be vain, but checking in the mirror she looked pretty good for someone who had just stepped off the plane less than 3 hours ago. The expensive black trouser suit accentuated her figure and the silk blouse was an exact match to her eyes, bringing out their color in a most enchanting manner.

The exhibition would start in just over two hours, time for a quick reunion with Steve before the