"Even if ye do, I doubt they'll think much of it. They've already met most of the villagers. Surely, one more oddity will not alter their opinion." Mother sipped her water.
"Aye, but it was definitely enough to keep me out of the pulpit elsewhere, wasn't it?" Tomas raised a dark brow.
"But not here." Mother leaned forward and tapped a finger on the table. "This place has been our sanctuary in the Highlands all these years and likely will be. I think of it as God's saving grace—a holy place He's gifted to us and no one else."
Tomas linked his fingers. "Evelina, ye put too much value on a place. Our home here could be invaded as well as any other." Tomas shook his head. "Nay, this village isn't yer sanctuary from the cruel world. It's God Almighty. He's the only one who can protect ye. Change is comin'. The strangers who have come to restore Braigh Castle are proof enough. We must be strong in our faith."
"Which is why I wish they would all leave." Serena let her spoon drop against her bowl. "The whole lot o' them."
"Ye don't mean that." Mother turned to her. "Gavin and Leith MacKenzie have been verra attentive to ye."
"I do mean it, and I wish they wouldn't."
"Dearie me, lass, ye sound bitter." Gunna propped her elbow on the table and leaned her cheek on her palm. "If ye ask me, I think Gavin has taken quite a likin' to ye. He keeps comin' by to check on ye."
"Aye. He seems to stare at ye a great deal." Mother nodded. "And it would be a long-awaited answer to my prayers."
"Mither! How could ye?" Serena sat back in her chair and folded her arms. "What kind of life could I possibly have with a man like Gavin MacKenzie after he discovers my fits? If he doesn't think I'm demon-possessed, most likely his family and neighbors will."
"There are plenty of families and neighbors here who know. I believe God has a mate for ye, lass. Ye must have faith. Gunna and I won't live forever. I don't want ye to be alone."
"I won't be alone. I have the villagers. Mither, please, I couldn't take it if Gavin were to discover my secret and think evil of me. I'd rather die!" Serena stood. Her chair swayed. She strode over, grabbed her cloak, and ran outside.
5
As Gavin and Leith approached camp, scattered fire pits looked like orange globes against the dark. The smell of burning wood and peat moss teased Gavin's senses, while roasting meat turning on a spit churned his stomach in hunger and made his tongue ache for a taste.
Men's voices carried in soft tones, mingling with the nightly sounds of nature and crackling fires. The horses Gavin and Leith led breathed heavy like a continuous sigh. Their hooves clopped against the hard ground as if their legs were too heavy to lift.
"Is it ye, Gavin? Leith?" One man turned toward them.
"Aye," Leith answered. "What a day we've had, but first I want somethin' to eat. I'm starving."
"We went hunting and have some venison." Craig said, falling into step beside them. "One of the canvas tents the giant nearly destroyed has been repaired."
"How?" Gavin studied his friend in the firelight. "I thought they were beyond repair."
"Turns out one was. The village seamstress offered to work on it today. I believe her name is Kyla. That's all she would tell me. A strange creature, she is, but verra skilled with a needle and thread."
"Aye. I've met her." Gavin nodded. "When I was looking for Tomas. She wasn't overly friendly, but I hear she's a widow still grieving for her husband and bairn she lost to the fever last year."
"I suppose that would explain the sadness surrounding her," Craig said.
Gavin moved toward the fire as the men stepped aside to clear space for him. He held his hands out, seeking warmth. The flames didn't disappoint, warming his hands as well as the front of his body. He'd have to be careful not to burn his tunic or plaid.
"Will one of ye see that our horses are rubbed down and given water?" Leith asked, joining Gavin.
"Aye, I'll take care of it." A lad hurried over and led both animals by the reins.
"About time the two of ye got back. We were wondering if something happened. The place 'round here is a wee bit strange, ye know." Roan folded his thick arms over his chest, a firm expression marring his forehead. The thick red beard and mustache covering the lower half of his face glowed in the firelight, illuminating his frown.
"Something did happen," Gavin raised an eyebrow before launching into the tale of the murdered cow.
"Why would someone waste a good animal like that?" Roan asked. "At least when men reave cattle, it's with the intention of using the animals, not wasting them out of spite."
"Aye," Gavin nodded. "The poor lass was beside herself. We took her back to her da, but the man is deaf. 'Twas verra difficult to talk with him."
Craig brought some meat to Gavin and Leith. It was warm and tender, fresh from the flames. As soon as he took a bite, juice burst upon Gavin's tongue. Some of the other men had left the other fires and gathered around to hear the tale.
Leith swallowed and raised a finger. "The worst part is they've never had this happen before, so the cobbler immediately suspected us." The men murmured among themselves in anger. "Gavin and I proved we were on the way back from the castle and came upon Serena Boyd. But then he asked about the rest of ye."
"That's foolish!" One man yelled from the back.
Conversations buzzed. Gavin gulped water from his flask, washing down the meat. He wiped the back of his hand across his lips and replaced the top on the container, looping it back on his belt. His plaid shifted on his shoulder. He adjusted it as he listened to the mounting comments stirring from their wounded pride.
He lifted two fingers to his lips and blew a warning whistle. Their conversations instantly dissolved. Gavin held up his palms, motioning for them to listen.
"The cobbler's response is warranted. This has never happened before. Suddenly a group of strangers arrive and this happens. I'd be questioning the same thing. Did any of the villagers go hunting with ye?"
"Nay," Craig answered.
"Who stayed behind?" Gavin scanned the group of ten raised hands. "Were any of the villagers here?"
"The woman who sewed the canvas tent. She brought another lass with her," Roan said.
"A blind lass and the dwarf," another man said.
"From the time these villagers left, how long was it before dark?" Gavin asked, rubbing his eyebrows. He needed to find a way to cover his men from possible accusations.
"About an hour," Craig said. "Maybe a wee bit more. Gavin, do ye think that's sufficient enough to prove our innocence?"
"Don't know." Gavin stroked his chin in thought. "While the deed of killing the cow wouldn't take long, walking from here to there and back again would."
"Tomas stopped by as well. He was carrying two rabbits with him," Roan said. "He escorted the seamstress home. The dwarf took the blind lass."
"Even though no one has ever murdered a cow before, we're here to protect the villagers and the castle," Craig said. "Wouldn't the laird know we're innocent?"
"Aye, but the villagers wouldn't," Gavin said. "Since Iain isn't sure who in the village he can trust and who is in danger, we're going to have to keep quiet about our other purpose for being here a while longer."
"I think we have enough witnesses for today," Leith said.
"I agree." Gavin nodded. "But from now on we've got to be careful."
"Other than the laird, looks like we aren't welcome 'round here," Roan said.
"True. We aren't strange enough," said another.
Some men laughed.
"I say we find the person that did this before worse happens," Leith said. "The culprit is likely to strike again, but I canna understand why. What would someone gain from torturing these poor souls?"
"Murduring the elder MacBraigh makes sense if someone besides Iain believes he has a chance to inherit. Iain says he has a cousin who contested his uncle's will, but he didn't succeed."
"But no one stands to gain naught from these poor villagers," Craig said.
"
Let's set the bait." Leith grabbed Gavin's shoulder. "When we're all in kirk on Sunday, leave a few men behind to scope out the village. 'Twould be the perfect opportunity for the guilty to do something."
Serena sat on the wooden church pew between Gunna and her mother, wishing for a feathered pillow under her backside. She shifted to ease the pressure. The bench creaked as if the wood were splitting in two. Her neck and face burned as all three of the cobbler's daughters turned to glance at her. She offered a smile to recompense for her disturbance. One by one they turned around.
Determined to pay better attention to the sermon, Serena fixed her gaze upon Tomas as he stood at the pulpit, facing their small congregation. He wore his usual brown robe with a rope cord tied around his waist. Light from the candles reflected off his balding head when he looked down at his notes.
"By grace we are saved through faith. Not by our power, but as a gift from God." Tomas held out his hand as if he were handing them a gift.
Gunna's chin dropped to her chest. Loud snoring erupted from her throat. Her mother spiked her elbow into Serena's arm. Knowing what she wanted, Serena poked Gunna in the side. Gunna awakened, swallowing and making a hissing sound.
Serena bit her bottom lip to hide a smile. She fixed her mind on Tomas and what he was saying. "Think of yer faith as a shield when evil attacks come against ye."
An image of Gavin MacKenzie came to mind as she thought of the shield she had seen hanging from his horse. Was he an evil threat against their village? By all appearances, he and his men seemed friendly, but what would happen once they spread the news of their strange village to people in their clan? Her skin crawled with a shiver of fear. She wished they had never come.
The door burst open in the back and footsteps walked across the wooden floor, causing the boards to creak. The cobbler's daughters turned. Other heads whirled. Tomas's voice faded to stunned silence as he raised his head with wide eyes. His mouth dropped open.
Unable to ignore her curiosity, Serena glanced over her left shoulder. Gavin pointed his men to the empty pews in back. Once they were out of seats, the rest of them lined up against the wall to stand like an army guarding the congregation. She gulped, certain this wasn't the sort of shield God had intended for their small village. If anything, these men were strangers, a possible enemy for all they knew.
"W-welcome," Tomas said, reverting to his speech problem.
Serena clenched her teeth. Poor Tomas hadn't stammered through the whole sermon, until now. She glared at Gavin. He stood with his back to the wall, his hands folded in front. His red hair looked wet from a recent wash, the layered strands combed back from his face and down his neck. A few wayward curls hung over his forehead to the side. His striking height and broad shoulders once again reminded her of a shield. He wore a sea-colored tunic and matching plaid across his shoulders.
Gavin's gaze met hers. A slow smile curled his lips as he nodded in silent greeting. Serena's breath gushed in a sudden gasp. Not only had he caught her staring at him, but she had been thinking how handsome he was in spite of how he didn't belong there among them. A pool of warmth bubbled in the top of her stomach and fluttered up to her chest. Afraid he would see her blush, Serena faced the front.
Candle flames shimmered against the ceiling beams, much like the erratic pulse in her veins. Tomas stammered through the rest of his sermon, sparking her compassion. The situation only served to heighten her resistance to the strangers. Twice, she said a silent prayer of forgiveness. The first one was for not paying attention. The second one was for disliking the warriors and wanting them gone.
"Dearie me, but the whole lot o' them takes up the entire sanctuary," Gunna whispered aloud in Serena's ear as she glanced from side to side.
Serena nodded in agreement, not wanting to encourage further conversation while Tomas bowed his head in a closing prayer. She lowered her head and closed her eyes. One of the men broke into a fit of coughing and she missed most of the prayer.
". . . please protect and keep our visitors s-safe as they work to re-s-store Braigh Castle. In Jesus' name. Amen."
Serena lifted her head and watched Tomas in disbelief. He offered a warm smile as he stepped from behind the pulpit. What about the villager's safety? Most likely they would need protection from all the new strangers among them, rather than the other way around.
"By the way," Tomas raised his voice over the noise of people greeting each other and moving about. "Today we're having a pig roast at Quinn and Beacon's cottage. All our visitors are welcome to join us."
While she knew Tomas had done the right thing by inviting the MacKenzie men, Serena still wished he would use a bit of caution. Just because everyone else planned to go didn't mean they had to.
"I'm looking forward to an afternoon of fellowship and great food." Her mother stood. "No cooking this evening. Won't that be a treat, Gunna?"
Serena's words of protest died on her tongue.
"What?" Gunna wrinkled her brow and cupped her ear.
Serena's mother repeated herself, louder, as others filed into the center aisle.
"Allow me." Gavin appeared by Gunna's side holding out his elbow.
He winked at Serena. She pressed her lips together and looked elsewhere to avoid succumbing to his charm. He was only here for a short while. Heartache lay on the other side of risking her heart. She wanted no part of it.
Something charged at the kirk door and rattled the building so hard it sounded like it would come right through. Gavin braced himself as several women screamed in fright. Men murmured and stunned expressions were exchanged among the congregation.
"What was that?" Leith stepped around Kyla and wiggled the latch. It was unlocked, but wouldn't open. He shoved his shoulder against the wood door. "We're barred in somehow."
Serena's breath hitched in her throat as she turned to Gavin. He tried to mask his confusion. Serena bit her bottom lip and twisted her hair around her finger in a nervous habit. "Could a large tree have fallen across the front entrance?"
"Mayhap," he said, unwilling to say anything further until he knew more. This wasn't what they had in mind when they decided to set this trap. And where were the men they left behind? Could someone have gotten to them as well?
"What's that smell?" Cara's voice carried above the grumbling murmurs throughout the sanctuary. "Something's burnin'!"
"She's right." Leith dropped to his knees. "There's a wee bit of smoke floating under the door."
Several women screamed in alarm. Other men rushed at the door. People moved in every direction.
"There's no windows." Rosheen pressed herself against the wall. "How will we breathe until we're rescued?"
Lavena went over to comfort her.
"Where is Quinn when we need 'im?" Birkita asked.
"We're in a bad way, aren't we?" Gunna looked at Serena, her eyes misting.
"We'll be fine, Gunna. Ye'll see." Serena clutched her arm, looking up at Gavin for confirmation.
"Aye, we've enough strong men to break through the door." Gavin assured her. "If the women and children will move to the other end at the pulpit, we can use one of the pews to bust through the door." Gavin raised his voice to be heard above the chaos.
"An excellent idea!" Father Tomas waved them toward him. "Come! This way."
The men rocked a pew until they ripped it from where it was nailed to the floor. They carried it up the center aisle. "All right, men," Gavin said. "On three. One. Two. Three!" They charged down the aisle. The pew cracked the door, but didn't break it. "Again!"
Highland Sanctuary Page 8
