Highland Shifter (MacCoinnich Time Travel) by Catherine Bybee Page A

my eyes I see a necklace. Nothing ornate, or made with any precious metal. A simple design any of the villagers might fashion.”
    Amber lifted her palm to her mother. The stone fell into it. “A necklace? As a way of disguising it?”
    “Mayhap. Remember Simon’s suggestion years ago about hiding the larger stones in plain sight. He said something about a pet rock.”
    Amber laughed. “Lizzy ’s endless explanation of a pet rock lasted for weeks. But yes, I remember.”
    Lora sat on the edge of the bed and folded her hands in her lap. “I thought of Simon, as a child, talking about pet rocks. Now these small pieces of the sacred stones may very well be lost if left unattended. Placed in a piece of jewelry, or in the handle of a knife, they wouldn ’t disappear without notice.”
    “I think you ’re right. I’ll ask Cian to take me to the village tomorrow so we might obtain materials to achieve your goal.” Making jewelry wouldn’t bring Simon back, but the task might empty her mind and help guide her to the answers she sought.
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
    “They ’re sending my things.” Helen hung up the phone and turned Simon’s way.
    How had he seen the necklace around her neck and not thought of home? Clearly, there was a simple design of Celtic knots inlaid around the stone. Maybe because he was used to seeing such designs, he didn ’t pay any attention to Helen’s. But he should have noticed it before now.
    “What will happen when your boss arrives and doesn ’t find you there?”
    “I really don ’t care. I obviously can’t trust him.”
    “You must let him believe he came here undetected. ’Tis the only way we can determine what he sought.”
    “Are you suggesting we wait for him to do it again?”
    “It may not come to that.” The distress covering Helen’s face forced Simon to keep his thoughts to himself. Something about Philip Lyons felt dark. If Amber were by Simon’s side, she could better determine the man’s motivations.
    “He ’s going to be more than pissed when he gets to Scotland and I’m not there.”
    Simon rubbed the stubble on his chin. “When your enemy is angered, they act irrational.”
    “Oh, joy!” Helen said without amusement.
    “It will take at least two days before he returns.”
    “That doesn’t seem like a lot of time.”
    “We ’ve more than enough time to penetrate his home as he did yours and learn more about him.”
    Helen ’s jaw dropped open, her eyes grew wide. “Break into his house?”
    “We aren ’t going to steal anything, lass. We’re only going to look around.”
    Helen ran a hand through her hair. “It ’s still illegal.”
    “You can stay here. I ’ll go alone.” The task would be easier solo anyway.
    “And risk jumping in time by myself? I don ’t think so.”
    He didn ’t want that either. “Does he live with anyone?”
    “Not that I know of.”
    “A housekeeper?”
    Helen shrugged.
    “Then we’ll go after dark.”
    “Oh, man.” Helen rubbed her palms over her jean-clad thighs.
    He could tell Helen was going to be a bundle of nerves until their task was done. Best to get her mind off their coming adventure. He held out a hand to her and stood. “Come.”
    Her gaze slid from his hand to his face. “Where to?”
    Simon wiggled his fingers, coaxing her. “’Tis been a long time since I’ve been in this century. I think I’d like a walk through the zoo and maybe a little Chinese food.”
    “Chinese food? You ’re thinking of food at a time like this?”
    He laughed. “A body needs fuel no matter the time. C ’mon.”
    Relenting, Helen placed her small hand in his and allowed him to help her to her feet.
    * * * *
    The aroma drifting from the bag of takeout filled the interior of Helen ’s car. He didn’t remember the food he liked, so he had Helen order for them. It was after two when they arrived at the zoo. Helen wouldn’t understand his desire for this trip, not until she understood the extent of