Title: Highland Miracle
Author: Christine Young
Email: achristay@aol.com
Genre: Romance/Fantasy/Paranormal
Excerpt Heat Level: 1
Book Heat Level: 2
Buy at:
www.roguephoenixpress.com
HURTLED THROUGH TIME, Sean Michael Sterling, landed in
the midst of a May Day celebration he didn’t understand, assuming the role of
Laird Sterling.
ILLIGITAMATE CHILD OF NOBILITY, Reagan Douglas searches
for a way out of her half brother’s house.
EXCERPT
New York City 1895
"I
dinnae ken what this contraption could be. I must be aff my heid," he said
reverting back to the old language his great grandfather had spoken from time
to time. Sean Michael Sterling walked
around the tall red object he'd just come across in Central Park. His heart
thundered with the realization this was an anomaly and for some reason...
"Is
this a fire hydrant?" he murmured totally intrigued. Cautiously stepping
closer, he rested a hand on the object of his fascination. The hackles on the
back of his neck stood on end. The thing was smooth and touching it sent
shivers up his spine. If this was a hydrant, it sure could hold a ton of water.
For
some reason... his mind shifted and he thought time machine—Jules Verne—his
favorite book.
He
leaned in and smelled, nothing, just the scent of metal. He didn't recognize
the odor. When he stepped back, he caught a hint of Daphne floating on the air.
A slight breeze sifted through the meadow, filling his senses with new cut
grass, wet dog, and something he couldn't quite identify.
Thoughts
of pixie dust came to mind.
I am off my head.
A small
dog ran around his heels, yipping and barking. "Crazy dog." Sean
leaned down and rubbed the dog's ears. “You look like a bandit. Wonder where
you came from? Go on, now. Where's your owner?"
The dog
sat down, wagging his tale and stared at him. It seemed the animal was telling
him he wasn't going anywhere. "Now,
Bandit, you need to go find your owner. I'm not one to be taking you home with
me. Don't think my landlord would appreciate a dog in the building."
Strangely
he was the only one in the park, or at least this corner of it. The sound of
carriages could be heard in the distance. He suddenly felt isolated and
completely alone. The damn thing compelled him to know more, seeming to reach
out to him and beckon. An eerie keening started in the back of his mind and
grew. The impulse to explore overwhelmed him. Even as he looked at the machine,
his mind cautioned him to stay away, but his curiosity sprouted to an uncanny
level.
A
little voice in the back of his head urged him forward. Damn, but he needed to
go home. His stomach growled complaining of hours without food. His eyes burned
from the fire he'd just been on and his body cried out for sleep. Rubbing his
sooty hair, he muttered to himself.
But
thoughts of what was inside this monster contraption intrigued him more than
the demands of his body.
Walking
around the monstrosity, he kept his hand on the metal all the while looking for
an opening. What shocked him and what
was more surprising was the fact that little Bandit found the opening for him.
Bandit
sat down in front of what appeared to be a door and stared at him again. It
seemed to Sean that Bandit dared him to see what was inside. Well, he'd never
been a man who could resist a straight on challenge.
Caution...
He
inhaled a long and very deep breath. Closing his eyes he counted to ten. Even
though the day was cool, sweat beaded on his forehead. He walked into fires,
lifted burning timber, and he'd never really been afraid a day in his life.
This
contrivance terrified him.
Nerves
snapping, Sean pushed on the door. It slid sideways, revealing a dark abyss. He
stepped back. Fear raced through him, caution cried out to him but he ignored
all warnings.
Curiosity
propelled him forward.
Bandit
ran inside. "No," Sean cried out. "Dinnae....
Silence
chilled him to the bone and a cold sweat broke out on his body. Birds chirped
in nearby trees.
All
seemed right with the world—except for this machine.
"Come
here." He crouched down and called to Bandit. Bandit didn't budge. Instead
the dog cocked his head to one side and seemed to be saying. You come here.
Sean
wavered then stood his ground. Bandit seemed to like it in the machine.
And
yet...
An extraordinary
golden dust swirled around him, warming him like a golden rain.
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