Sue-Ellen Welfonder - MacKenzie 07 (40 page)

"But - "

"Stop butting and kiss me back."

"Och, my sweet bold lassie." He gathered her close, almost crushing her. "You must know that's why I sent you away. I'd found the rod in your room and thought its damnable power was the reason you fell in love with me. I wanted you to - "

"Have a chance to truly fall in love?" She shook her head. "Oh, Darroc, I can't believe we almost lost each other over such silliness."

"Can you forgive me?" He looked stricken.

"I already have!" She tightened her arms around him. "But you should have known the truth all along."

"The truth?" He blinked.

"That the Thunder Rod" - she kissed him, pressing a new kiss to his lips between each word - "had nothing to do with my falling in love with you. It was you and you alone that won my heart."

"Oh, how I love you!" He kissed her hard. And it was the kind of kiss that went straight to her toes.

And, perhaps, spoke of wickedly delicious things to come later.

She sighed, melting. "Then don't ever doubt it again."

"Doubt what?"

She lifted her chin so that she could look into his beloved face. "That there isn't a greater magic on earth than the power of a heart that loves."

With the words spoken, a deep peace settled over them both.

And had either of them glanced heavenward, they just might have seen a shooting star.

A wee bit of magic sent from a very happy, bright-shimmering soul in Shetland who wished them well.