Excerpt of The Highlander's Folly by Barbara Longley

Meghan shut her eyes tight in an effort to block out what had just happened, but the image was as real with her eyes closed as it was with them open—and the memory every bit as terrifying.

I killed a man.

Her gut lurched. She sucked in huge gulps of air and concentrated on breathing, on the feel of the wet ground beneath her palms and knees. She focused on anything other than the gruesome images flashing through her mind.

Strong hands lifted her to her feet. Alarm lit her nerves on fire, and she tensed to fight. Her eyes flew open. Hunter had her. All the fight left her with a whoosh of air from her lungs.

“Are ye hurt, lass?” his voice came out a gruff rasp, and he gripped her arms so tight he’d leave bruises. His worry-filled gaze traveled over every inch of her.

“No.” She shook her head, and a tear slipped down her cheek. Next thing she knew, she found herself crushed against his broad chest, his strong arms banding around her with such force that all the energy she had left was squeezed right out of her. Good thing he held her up, because she couldn’t have stood on her own to save her life.