Chapter 11

Jen took advantage of her leisure time to explore the ancient fort and its sprawling grounds. She was fascinated by the rich history embedded in every stone and the breathtaking views of the Scottish landscape. As she wandered through the stone corridors hours later, she encountered Sally again.

"Hey there," she said with an exuberant smile. "Sally, this fort is just so amazing. So many incredible views."

Aye, 'tis a grand place, Miss. If you"re lookin" to learn more about our way o" life, I can show you the heart o" it."

"That sounds amazing. Where should we start?"

Sally motioned for Jen to follow her. "Let"s head down to the kitchens. That"s where everything happens." She laughed.

"I have wondered how all of this delicious food is prepared and cooked," Jen answered with a grin.

Excitement bubbled within Jen as she walked alongside Sally, eager to delve deeper into the Scottish culture. They made their way through the maze of corridors down to the bottom floor and around the back.

The sound of clinking pots and the aroma of hearty dishes filled the air as they entered the bustling kitchen. It was a large room made of stone with two hearths on each side. The stone arched over them and wrought-iron poles swiveled over the fires holding heavy pots.

"Here we are, Miss," Sally said, pointing to the bustling cooks and the savory dishes being prepared. "This is where the warmth and flavor of Fort Donald comes alive. You can lend a hand if you like. Mira is always looking for an extra body to help in the kitchens."

Jennifer nodded eagerly. "I"d love to. I want to soak up as much of this Scottish experience as I can."

"This is Mira. She's the cook," Sally said.

"Hello, Mira. Pleased to meet you," Jen said.

"Any guest of Cam's is welcome here," Mira said.

Jen realized she would need to earn respect down here, and she was up for the challenge. "Thank you. I"m here to help if you"d like to put me to work." A few minutes later, her hands were covered in powdery dough as she kneaded the bread.

Jen felt a sense of belonging as she immersed herself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Scottish kitchen. She rolled up her sleeves and joined in the supper preparations, eager to learn. One of the kitchen maids guided her, patiently explaining how Mira preferred things.

As the day came to an end, Jen thanked the maid—whose name was Bridget—for her guidance and help with learning how to do things in the kitchen. With a sense of fulfillment, Jen left the kitchens, her heart filled with gratitude and a newfound appreciation for the rich culture that had embraced her. She was really starting to feel connected to this place and time.

The following day, Jen"s curiosity led her to seek out more new experiences. She made her way to the stables, where she came across the stable master—whose name was Hamish—tending to the horses. Intrigued, she approached him with a friendly smile.

"Good day, Hamish," Jennifer greeted warmly. "I couldn"t help but notice your expertise with the horses. They are magnificent creatures."

Hamish glanced at her, his weathered face breaking into a gentle smile. "Aye, they are indeed. They bring solace and strength to our hearts."

Feeling a sense of camaraderie, Jennifer mustered the courage to make her request. "Hamish, I was wondering if you would be willing to show me how to ride. I"ve always wanted to learn, and I believe you could be a great teacher."

Hamish"s expression turned hesitant, a touch of concern flickering in his eyes. "You"ve nae learned to ride, lass?" he asked.

"No, I never had a chance to where I came from, but I promise you, I am a quick learner and I"ve ridden behind Cam. I"m comfortable around horses. I don"t fear them." Jen reached out a hand and stroked the closest horse"s nose.

Hamish studied her a moment and then nodded. "You"ve got a spirit about you, lass. Alright, I"ll teach you."

Grateful for his willingness to help, Jennifer beamed with excitement. "Thank you, Hamish. I won"t let you down. When can we start?"

Hamish chuckled and gestured toward the horse she"d petted. "I"ve done all I need to for the moment, so let"s begin now with your first lesson."

Hamish drew her into the tack room. "We"ll start this first lesson with how to saddle a horse, using this lovely mare. Her name is Mist." He explained the significance of each piece and its proper placement, ensuring the horse"s comfort and the rider"s stability.

Jen listened intently, absorbing every detail, and then eagerly attempted to saddle Mist under Hamish"s watchful guidance. He had her do it several times before he was satisfied with her ability to get the saddle on securely.

Once she"d mastered that, Hamish showed Jen how to mount the horse using a mounting step.

"This would be easier in breeches," Jen said as she gripped the saddle and attempted to do as he said.

Hamish laughed. "Truer words were never spoken, lass." He emphasized the importance of balance and maintaining a firm grip on the saddle as she swung her leg over the horse"s back. "You"ll need to tuck your skirts under you, lass, then settle them around your legs."

With patience and practice, Jennifer mounted the horse smoothly, getting her skirts to sit exactly right, her excitement growing with each successful attempt.

Once she was on, Hamish took the lead rope and guided the horse into the corral while Jen confidently sat atop the magnificent creature. He walked alongside her, offering encouraging words and gentle instructions. The rhythmic movement of the horse beneath her brought a sense of freedom and connection with the animal, and Jennifer couldn"t help but smile.

As they circled the corral, Jen focused on learning the cues she needed to get Mist to do what she wanted. The horse responded to her gentle nudges with ease. The wind rustled through her hair, and she felt a surge of exhilaration and accomplishment.

By the end of the session, Jennifer"s confidence had grown, and she was grateful for Hamish"s patient guidance. They returned to the stables, where Jen dismounted with Hamish"s assistance, her legs slightly wobbly from the newfound physical exertion.

As she thanked Hamish for the invaluable lessons, Jennifer"s eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Hamish, thank you so much for the lesson. I feel very accomplished."

Hamish"s smile was filled with warmth and pride. "You"ve done well, lass. There"s a natural connection between you and Mist. Remember: Trust her, and she"ll trust you."

"Thank you. I"m looking forward to my next lesson." She smiled as she put up the saddle. "Is there anything else I need to do?"

"We"ll save that for the next lesson, lass."

"Okay, then. See you later, Hamish," she said with a wave, "I have to get over to the training field to teach soon."

"Of course, lass." Hamish gave her a nod, picked up a brush, and began to stroke Mist"s coat.

Jen didn"t bother to change her clothes this time. She was merely going to be showing the men a few things that she didn"t need her legs for. She walked through the courtyard and approached Cam and his men. He waved when he saw her, and her heart skipped a beat. As the days passed, with her learning to ride in the mornings, and then working with Cam and his men, the budding romance between her and Cam grew. Their connection deepened with each passing day, fueled by shared moments of triumph and the unspoken language of longing glances.

Under the vast Scottish sky, Jen and Cam sat on the grassy moor. She was tired, but her spirit was full of a sense of accomplishment. A picnic lay before them, a simple feast consisting of roasted meats, freshly baked bread, and hearty vegetables. The aroma of the food made her mouth water.

Jen"s gaze wandered to Cam, her heart yearning to share more than just the intensity of training. She wanted to get to know him on a deeper level, and she knew to do that, she"d need to share more about herself. She wondered how to start, but then looked down at the meal, and smiled. "You know I used to go on picnics with my dad."

"Did you? What would you eat on your picnics?" he asked.

"Hamburgers, fries, grapes… oh, and soda," she answered with a grin, knowing he"d have no idea what half of that was. "For you, that would be meat between two pieces of bread, so you can hold it in your hands. Fries are chopped up potatoes, and soda… that one"s a bit harder. It"s a sweet drink."

"Sounds interesting, lass." He smiled and then his brow furrowed. "Do you miss your family? Do they know you are here?"

Jen shook her head. "I miss my dad, but it was really just the two of us, and he…" she paused and took a breath. "I… he died. I had just buried him the day before I ended up here." Her words were quiet, and Cam reached out to stroke her hand.

"Tell me about him?"

She nodded. "My father was a cop… a person who enforced laws. His father and my uncles were all soldiers; my father was as well before he retired from the military and joined the police force." Jen picked at the blades of grass around her as she spoke. "He wanted me to follow in his footsteps. To join the military and be a soldier. I didn"t want to do that. I wanted something else for my life." She shrugged.

Cam sat, patiently listening, his hand lingering over hers and offering comfort.

"The career I chose wasn"t a normal one for a woman. Not a lot of women go into MMA wanting to compete for titles and stuff. But once I got a taste of real competition, I was hooked. I wanted to make it to the big show, the octagon." Jen glanced at him. "Where I come from, we fight for entertainment. People pay a lot of money to watch us compete, to see who"s the stronger, better fighter. I wanted to be the best."

Cam"s eyes softened as he listened, his attention fully on her. "Did your father allow you to choose for yourself?"

Jen nodded. "I loved my father, and he loved me," she continued, her voice carrying nostalgia and longing. "He allowed me to choose, but he never fully accepted my decision. He couldn"t understand why I pursued a sport he saw as violent and brutal for women. He died before we reconciled, but after I buried him and went to his home, I found a book full of all my accomplishments. I can only hope that he was proud of me and that I wasn"t a disappointment."

Cam squeezed her hand again in comfort. "Sometimes, the ones we love the most struggle to comprehend our choices. It is a burden we carry, a fracture that lingers. But it does not define us, Jen."

A soft breeze rustled through the grass as the evening light bathed them in a golden glow, and Jen found solace in Cam"s presence. "Thank you, Cam."

The twilight hour embraced them, casting a spell of enchantment upon the Scottish landscape. Jennifer found comfort in the knowledge that her past didn"t need to define her future, and that Cam saw her and accepted her as she was.

Cam looked into her eyes and spoke, his voice laced with a hint of mischief. "You may not consider yourself a "proper" warrior, Jen, but you"ve proven your mettle to me and our people. You fight not just for glory or entertainment, but to help us safeguard this small patch of land that remains ours."

A faint smile tugged at Jennifer"s lips as she took in Cam"s words. She had come to understand that courage took many forms, and her journey had forged her into a warrior, though not in the traditional sense. The battles she fought had shaped her into a formidable force, ready to protect and preserve what she held dear.

With a glimmer of determination in her eyes, Jennifer reached out, her fingers grazing Cam"s cheek. "In this moment, Cam, I choose to embrace my destiny. Together, we shall defy the odds and honor the legacy of your people."

As their gazes intertwined, a powerful surge of emotions coursed through her, igniting a fire that had long been smoldering. She leaned forward, and their lips met in a tender, fervent kiss. Her heart danced with longing and desire. The world around them faded into insignificance as she lost herself in the intoxicating realm of their connection.

As they kissed, Jen felt a gentle breeze lift her hair, but she didn"t care. She was too immersed in the wonder of Cam"s lips. She could taste a promise of future kisses upon them, and she didn"t want to pull back. She wanted to keep kissing him forever.

Cam"s hands slid around her pulling her closer and she went willingly, wanting to be as close to him as possible. He growled a little, his lips possessively devouring hers for another few minutes.

Reluctantly, he pulled back, panting hard as he leaned his forehead against hers. "Lass…" he murmured.

Jennifer swallowed, relishing the feeling of her bruised lips. She"d never been kissed so thoroughly, and she enjoyed it. "Cam, that was… amazing," she breathed.

He chuckled. "You"re intoxicating, lass." He moved back from her, letting her waist go.

Jen missed his hands on her and wanted to whimper at the loss, but she held it together. "Same goes, sir." She winked at him, grinning.

"Come, 'tis getting late." He began to clean up their forgotten meal.

Jen helped him fill the basket with the remnants of food and then took his offered hand when he stood to help her up. They headed back to the fort together, dropping the basket at the kitchens before heading up the stairs to her chambers.

"Goodnight, Jen. Sleep well," he said as he kissed her cheek.

Jen wanted more, but with servants just down the hall, she knew she shouldn"t. "Good night." She opened her door and went in, only to lean her back against the wood, her fingers on her lips as she relived that momentous kiss.