He shrugged that off even though he felt some warmth in his face. So can ye protect yerself with fire?
She winced. I was never very good at that.
Show me.
She hesitated.
Do we need to go outside? I suppose if ye start a forest fire, ye can make it rain to put it out?
She groaned. That wont be necessary. She extended an arm, her hand reaching toward the fireplace.
Connor felt a slight frisson of energy zip across the room. A small flame ignited on the log in the fireplace, then died away.
He blinked. Yeye were just warming up?
Her face reddened as she lowered her hand. That was it.
He glanced back at the fireplace where only a tendril of smoke was curling over the log. Ive seen more fire on top of a birthday cake.
She sighed. I never developed the skill. I didnt want to. It seemed destructive, and all Ive ever wanted to do was help people. I loved being a Healer.
She looked so dejected, he tried to think of something comforting to say. I . . . like you the way ye are.
Her mouth curled up and her eyes softened again with that tender look that made his heart squeeze in his chest. He guzzled down the rest of the blood and set the bottle on the table. Which elements are left? Earth?
I could cause the earth to tremble. It might stop someone from attacking me.
He winced. It would affect everyone. Just like the thing ye do with air. It would knock everyone down. Hard to win a battle that way . . . unless . . . Do ye think ye could learn to narrow yer focus?
I suppose I could. Ive seen God Warriors do it.
Then that is how ye will defend yerself. Connor stood and extended a hand. She accepted it, and he pulled her to her feet. He started to release her, but her fingers curled around his hand.
Thank you for helping me, Connor Buchanan.
He swallowed hard. Holy Christ Almighty, how he wanted to pull her into his arms and kiss her. Would she object? Or would she melt against him? Would she use some of those instructions the ladies had given her?
He blinked and looked away. He couldnt afford for his vision to turn red. She would know what it meant. And if he kissed her, she might see into his black soul. Right now, she labored under the false impression that he was good and noble, and God help him, he liked it. He couldnt bear to lose her trust and respect.
Besides, there was no point in getting too close to her. She wanted to go back to heaven. The last thing he needed in his life was more heartache.
He released her and stepped back. Do ye have any shoes?
Yes.
Put them on and meet me outside. He headed for the front door. We have work to do.
Chapter Twelve
When Marielle stepped outside, the cool mountain air instantly lifted her spirits. A bird sang in the forest, and the scent of pine wafted toward her on a breeze. Glory to God in the Highest!
There was no answer, but she refused to let that get her down. She had a plan now for getting back to heaven, and even though she was stuck on Earth for a short time, she had to admit she was enjoying it. Especially her time with Connor.
The porch light was on, making it easier to see the clearing in front of the cabin. Connor was moving quickly back and forth from a woodpile to the clearing. The moon, over three-quarters full, gleamed off his red hair. His kilt swished about his knees as he stood cut logs on end in a large circle.
While digging through the clothes from Emma, shed found socks and shoes and a hooded jacket. She was glad now that shed put them all on. The night air was chilly, and apparently, she was going to be outside for a while.
Come. Connor motioned for her to join him.
She descended the steps, mindful of the odd strings dangling off her shoes. She glanced at his shoes. Oh, I need to tie myself up like you.
Excuse me?
She pointed at her shoes.
Och, yer laces are untied. Sit and Ill show you.
She sat on the porch step. When he knelt in front of her, her heart rate quickened. His head was bowed so close to hers, she could see how fine and shiny his hair was. His gaze was focused downward at her shoes, and the thick fringe of his eyelashes cast shadows across his cheekbones. There was something about the shape of his face, his cheekbones and jawline that made her feel strange inside, as if her innards were quivering. It was hard to breathe, too, and she wondered if he could feel her shaky breaths against his face.
Watch carefully so yell learn how. He glanced up and his smoky blue eyes widened.
Her heart lurched. Shed been caught admiring his face. Heat crept up to her cheeks.
His jaw shifted. Ill start again. Watch.
She focused on her shoe as he tied the lace and described the act, but her heart kept pounding. What was wrong with her? She shouldnt exacerbate her situation by developing strong feelings toward Connor. She was hoping to return to heaven as soon as possible. She couldnt fall prey to human desire and longing.
There. He finished. Ye want to try?
Yes. She leaned over to mimic his movements. Her hair fell forward obscuring her view. She pushed it back and was halfway through tying the second shoelace when her hair fell forward again. She made a small sound of frustration. She couldnt see, and if she let go to shove her hair back, shed have to start over.
He gently gathered her hair and held it back. Her heart leaped up her throat. With trembling fingers, she completed the bow.
He released her hair. Ye did it. Ye learn quickly.
You gave good instructions.
He jerked to a standing position. Och, well, that was the sort of instruction ye were supposed to receive. He walked stiffly away.
She wondered what was bothering him as she joined him in the middle of the clearing. Maybe Brynley was right about men and the Three-Step Rule.
Ive set twelve logs around us like the numbers on a clock, he began.
It reminds me of a stone henge. She pivoted in a circle. Ive always loved those.
Tis no like a henge.
I think it is.
He gave her an impatient look. Nay. I know what a henge looks like. I have one at home.
You do? Can I see it?
A pained look flitted over his face before he turned cold as stone. I never go there. Forget I said it.
Her mouth fell open. Why would a man refuse to go home? It must have something to do with the black pit of pain in his soul. Now that she was alone with him, maybe she should ask him about the blond woman Darcy. Or she could discover more about him by embracing him. That strategy made her heart race.
Stand here in the center. He clasped her shoulders from behind and moved her into position. He pointed over her shoulder at the large log straight in front of her. That one represents twelve oclock, yer target. Our goal is for ye to learn to knock down yer target and only yer target. Agreed?
Yes. She nodded, frowning. She would have to be careful to conserve her energy if she was going to do this over and over.
All right, Connor said, standing behind her. For yer first attempt, try to narrow yer blast to half the circle, nine oclock to three oclock. Can ye do that?
Ill try. She looked from side to side, concentrating on the logs. Could she actually control the scope of the blast? And the intensity? Maybe you shouldnt stand right behind me.
Why? Are ye planning to fail?
She glared at him over her shoulder. Ive never tried this before. And if she didnt manage to turn down the volume, shed run out of energy in just a few attempts.
Verra well. He moved back till he was standing between two logs. Have a go then.
With a groan, she extended her hands. She wasnt sure how to do this other than using her thoughts. Less power. Half the circle. She squeezed her eyes shut, and let loose what she hoped was a small spurt of energy.
She heard some thudding noises and a muffled curse behind her. She opened her eyes. The logs in front of her had moved about twenty feet, crashing into the forest, but she usually averaged forty to fifty feet, so she had managed to decrease her energy output. Not bad, she thought with a grin. She turned and winced.
The logs behind her had flown twenty feet, too. And so had Connor.
She ran to where he had landed on a snowy patch beneath a tree. He was flat on his back with a stunned look on his face and his kilt blown up.
She looked away, but the image was still seared into her mind. Somehow, he looked even larger tonight than he had last night. Brynleys description of o**l s*x came rushing back, and her cheeks blazed with heat.
What the hell was that? He sat up, glaring at her as he pushed his kilt down. Ye were supposed to knock down only half the circle.
I . . . missed.
His eyes narrowed and his mouth thinned. If ye want to see my privates, lass, just say so. Theres no need to keep knocking me down.
I didnt do that just to look at your She grabbed one of the fallen logs and returned it to the clearing. These logs only moved about twenty feet, and thats half the distance I usually move things, so I actually did have some success.