by Jennae Vale
“Would ye mind telling me why we’re going in search of Rory Mackall?”
“I can’t. I mean I would, but it’s a secret and I can’t share it with you.”
“Obviously ’tis something to do with Logan.” He looked up into the sky as if he were thinking about what it could be.
“If all goes well, I promise I’ll tell you, but I can’t until I get to speak with Rory Mackall.”
“Fair enough then.” He began to whistle, putting Sara at ease. She knew he’d keep his word and she would do the same.
Despite the fact that last night had been the end of any relationship Logan would have with Sara, she’d seemed unfazed and perhaps even happy. He knew she wasn’t happy about not being with him, but he was at a loss to understand her mood. For his part, he was having a hard time keeping away from her and felt that he should visit Aisla this morning to remind himself that he would soon be a married man with the responsibility of a wife and bairn to come.
Logan was sure that Alpin had left the house for the day, so he wouldn’t have to deal with his disapproving scowl. Aisla was out in the garden when he arrived.
“Logan. Yer here early today.” Her bright smile welcomed him.
“I wanted to be sure you weren’t too tired from the feast last night.”
“I’m fine. I got a good night’s sleep and I’ve had me ginger tea this morning. I feel quite well today.”
“Good.” Logan walked to her side and kissed the top of her head. Placing an arm around her shoulder he led her to the house.
“Is all well with ye, Logan. Ye seem as though ye’ve something on yer mind,” she cast a curious gaze up at him as they walked.
Logan took in a shaky breath and then spoke quickly before he could change his mind. “I do. I have something to share with ye, but it willnae change anything. I am committed to marrying ye and I wish to be honest. ’Tis the way any good marriage should be.”
Aisla watched him carefully and nodded. “I agree. Honesty is always best.”
“I ken yer friends with Sara Barrett,” he said, opening the door and waiting for her to pass through.
“Aye. She’s a lovely lass.” Aisla was gazing at him with her head tipped and eyebrows raised, obviously wondering what this was all about.
“She came to Breaghacraig to find me, Aisla. I hope that doesnae shock ye much.” There, he’d said it. He steeled himself for her reaction, but was surprised by her response.
“I dinnae believe ye to be a saint, Logan McPhail. I have known ye too long fer that.”
Logan tried to read her face, but it remained neutral. “There’s more. She loves me and…” Logan paused. He didn’t want to hurt Aisla, but Dougall said that husbands and wives tell each other everything. If there was any hope for their union, he needed to be honest. “I love her. I’ve told her there can be nothing more between us. That I’m marrying ye and she understands. She’ll nae come between us. I promise.” Everything came out so fast he wondered it if any of it made sense.
“Logan, I’m aware that she loves ye,” she said, much to his surprise. “And I ken ye love her too. Ye cannae sacrifice yer happiness fer me. I willnae let ye.”
Logan panicked, he couldn’t abandon Aisla. She needed him as did her babe. “Ye have nae choice. I am going to marry ye.” He realized he was yelling and took a deep breath. He tried again, at a more reasonable volume, “Yer bairn will need a father. Ye’ll need someone to protect ye and provide fer ye.”
“I’ve me Da. He’ll take care of me. Besides, I’ve told him ye arenae the father of the babe. I dinnae ken if he believes me or nae, but I’ve told him. So, Logan, yer free to be with Sara now.”
Logan couldn’t believe his ears. He’d been given a choice. He could finally be with Sara, but that would mean that Aisla would have to fend for herself and he simply couldn’t let that happen. “I’m a man of me word. I said I’d marry ye and I will. Sara will be leaving soon. She wouldnae be staying here, even if we could be together. She doesnae belong here and I dinnae belong in her world.”
Aisla didn’t say anything. Instead, she stood by the fire, gazing into it with an unreadable expression. After a moment or two, she said, “I dinnae ken it. If two people love each other, ye would think they would move heaven and earth to be together.”
Logan was furious with whoever this man was. If he ever got his hands on him, there’d be hell to pay for all the trouble and heartache he’d caused. He went to Aisla and standing behind her placed his hands on her shoulders to turn her around. “’Tis a complicated matter. I’ll nae try to explain it to ye. I’ve come here to reaffirm my allegiance to ye,” Logan took a deep breath. Even with Sara by his side, he would never be happy knowing the shame that would consume Aisla and the bairn, “and to set a date fer our vows.”
Aisla looked up at him, shaking her head. Her brow furrowed, “I’m nae prepared to do that this day. I’ll speak with me Da and see if he has any objections to us going forth with our marriage. I’ll send word when I know.”
“’Tis what’s best fer ye and the babe,” Logan said. Logan cupped her face in his hands, his face serious and his determination evident.
“What’s best fer ye, Logan?” she softly asked.
“Marrying ye is what’s best for all. I’ll await word from ye then.” He closed the door behind him, thinking of what had transpired last night and trying desperately to block the euphoria he felt when he pictured Sara in his arms.
“Dougall, have ye seen Sara?” Helene was concerned. Sara hadn’t been around all day and Helene had a sixth sense that something wasn’t right.
“Mayhap she’s gone off for a walk.” Dougall kissed her cheek as he passed her and headed into their kitchen to find a snack before dinner.
Helene turned and hurried after him. “She was supposed to meet me here at the noon hour.”
“Did she nae tell ye anything that might give ye a clue as to where she was off to?” Dougall seemed to understand her concern.
“Nae. ’Twill be dark soon. I’m going to look for her.” Helene grabbed her cloak and headed for the door.
“I’ll join ye,” Dougall said. “She doesnae have a very good sense of direction.”
“Yer right. She got lost the other day; I believe she may have gotten lost again, ’tis why I’m so worried.”
They walked the path to the castle, thinking she may be there somewhere. Asking everyone they came upon if they’d seen her, they became even more anxious when the answer was always no.
Logan was busy grooming his horse when they approached him. “Logan, have ye seen Sara?”
“Nae. I havenae. Did ye lose her again?” He chuckled.
“Aye. I havenae seen her all day.” Helene didn’t have a good feeling about this. Where could she be?
The stable boy who had been standing nearby spoke up. “She came in early this morn to get a horse. Said she wanted a horse easy to ride.”
“Where was she going?” Dougall asked.
“I dinnae ken, but Hamish went with her.”
“Hamish?” Logan asked.
“Aye. He saw she was heading off on her own and he thought she should have someone along for protection.”
“If she was just going for a short ride, why would she need protection?” Helene asked.
“Did she say where she was going?” Dougall asked.
“I couldnae hear their conversation, sir. I’m sorry.”
Logan had a sneaking suspicion he knew exactly what she was up to, but that still didn’t tell him where she was headed. He thought about what she’d said last night. He’d never managed to get the name of the man out of her, but it was obvious that Aisla’s man was someone who had been at the castle in the last few months and then left. Thinking back, he was aware of only one party of riders who’d stayed at Breaghacraig. The group was from Dunaill. They’d stayed on for a few weeks. Plenty of time for Aisla to develop a relationship with one of them. He had no idea which one, but he at least knew where Sara was headed. He’d have to
get to her before she reached Dunaill. “I think I know where she’s gone. I’ll go after her.”
“Well, are ye going to tell us?” Helene asked, sounding irritated.
“Dunaill.” Logan mounted his horse and turned towards the gate.
“Dunaill? But why?” Helene appeared genuinely confused.
“I cannae tell ye, but suffice to say she’ll be fine and I’ll return with her as soon as I can. It may take several days though. I must catch up to them first.”
“Off with ye then. She’s a good head start on ye.” Dougall stated.
“I won’t get far tonight, but I’ll ride for as long as I can and pick up the trail again in the morning. Sara’s nae used to riding, she’ll tire quickly and hopefully that will slow them down,” Logan said and headed off to the stables for his saddle and provisions.
Helene turned to Dougall. “When Sara makes up her mind to do something, it’s done,” Helene said, wringing her hands with worry. “Ye should ken it, Dougall.”
“Yer right, my love. Dinnae worry. Logan will find her and in the meantime, she’s with Hamish. He’ll see that no harm comes to her.”
They spent the night in a sheltered glen and with no wagon to sleep in this time, Sara made due with the ground, which was cold and damp. The next morning, muscles she didn’t know she had were screaming in protest. She did a few yoga moves to loosen things up, then a few jumping jacks to get the blood flowing through her veins.
“What’s that yer doin’?” Hamish appeared mesmerized by her actions.
“They’re called jumping jacks. They’re good for you. You should try them.”
He seemed skeptical, but did as she was doing and before long his huge feet were pounding the ground with such weight that Sara could feel the vibrations a few feet away.
“How was that?” Sara asked as they came to a halt.
“I’m warm as can be now. Although I’m sure I looked the fool,” he chuckled.
“Oh, so you thought I looked foolish.” Sara tried to sound angry, but she was teasing him and he knew it.
“Quite. Things were bouncing around that mayhap shouldnae have been.”
She hadn’t thought of that. No sports bra here. Her arms immediately crossed her chest.
“Dinnae give it another thought, lass. I ken yer Logan’s woman. I’ve ceased looking at ye in that way.” She shook her head in disbelief. She remembered having this same conversation with Dougall in San Francisco with regard to Helene. “He doesn’t own me, you know. I’m my own woman. I can do as I please.”
“I can see that. Yer here. He wouldnae be pleased to ken it.”
“Well, whatever. We should get going.” She gathered her things and then attempted to mount her horse, failing miserably. She’d so wanted to appear the confident, capable woman, but Hamish had to help her, which didn’t sit well with miss I-can-do-it-myself. She thanked him anyway and once she was all settled atop Aeronwen and Hamish had mounted his horse, they headed off. “If someone were to follow us, how long do you think it would be before they caught up?”
“We’ve got a whole day’s journey ahead of them. They’d have to travel at top speed and nae stop to rest. Possibly they could reach us before we got to Dunaill, but ’tis nae likely.”
“Well, let’s put even more space between us and them. Can we go faster today?”
“Aye. Ye’ll have to canter. Do ye feel up to it?”
“I’ve got the trot down, so I think I’m ready for my next lesson.” She smiled saucily at Hamish, who laughed out loud.
“This is as good a place as any to learn. We’ve got clear space all around us.” He showed her how to hold her reins so she wasn’t holding her horse back and then made sure her posture was straight and tall. “So now ye want to put one leg back, like this. Squeeze and go.” He showed her what he meant and his horse cantered away from her. He turned and came back. “Now ye try it.”
Sara did as instructed and was amazed that it worked. So simple and yet so effective and so much more comfortable than the trot. “I like this better,” she called back to him.
“Keep going then. I’ll catch up with ye.” Hamish sent his horse into a canter. The stallion’s long stride easily caught up with Sara’s palfrey. He masterfully slowed his horse’s canter so he didn’t pass her by and they rode on this way throughout the day, stopping occasionally to rest the horses and themselves.
By the end of the day, Sara was ready to lie down and sleep. Hamish got a fire going and brought out a small skillet he’d taken with him. He cooked them both a meal with the food he’d brought and Sara was grateful. She wasn’t much of a cook in her own time and cooking over a campfire was something she’d never done.
“Thanks for taking care of that. I don’t cook,” she admitted.
“Och! Yer a noble lady then. I thought so.” He inclined his head in a bow.
“No. No, not at all. I just don’t. I’d probably burn everything if I tried to do what you just did.”
“I’ve taught ye to ride, and tomorrow morning I’ll teach ye to cook over the open fire.”
“I’ll think about it. I’m exhausted. I’m going to sleep.” She knew Hamish would be awake for a while and as he’d done the night before, he’d sleep with one eye open making sure they were safe. It gave her the security she needed to quickly fall asleep.
Chapter 11
Riding at top speed for as much of the journey as he possibly could, Logan finally spied Sara and Hamish up ahead. He spurred his horse forward and as he approached, he called out to Hamish who glanced back and cursed when he spotted Logan. Sara turned in her saddle, her shoulders slumping at the sight of him.
“I told ye to stay away from her Hamish!” Logan’s eyes were filled with jealousy and anger as he pulled his sword from its sheath.
Hamish drew his own sword and Sara suddenly looked as if she might faint. “Logan! What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m protecting ye from this one.” He pointed his sword in Hamish’s direction.
“I don’t need protection from him. We’ve been traveling for days and I haven’t once felt unsafe. He’s been a complete gentleman the whole time.” He could see her fear being replaced with anger.
“Did he touch ye?” He had to ask. The thought of Hamish with his woman was more than he could bare.
Hamish spoke in a controlled voice. “Nae. I didnae touch yer woman.”
“I am not anyone’s woman!” Sara shouted.
“I’m sorry, lass. I ken what ye said.” Hamish maintained his calm demeanor and continued. “Logan, I didnae think ye’d want her traveling alone. I only accompanied her to keep her safe.” He sat up tall in his saddle, obviously ready to fight if need be.
“Ye should have told me. Ye should have found me. I would have caught up with her and brought her back.”
Sara appeared incensed by this conversation. “Why? Why would you do that? Don’t you want to know why Rory Mackall never returned? Or have you been lying to me and you really are in love with Aisla”
Were his ears playing tricks on him? Did she just say Rory Mackall was the babe’s father? “Aisla doesnae wish him to hear about the babe.” Logan quickly glanced at Hamish who seemed to be hearing about this for the first time.
“Why not? It’s his baby. He has a right to know. He might not want to take responsibility for it, but at least he’ll know and have the opportunity to make a choice.”
Logan looked up to the heaven’s and said a silent prayer for strength. He could see he was going to need it where Sara was concerned.
“The lass is right, Logan. If ’twas me, I’d want to ken it.”
“Thank goodness there’s someone here who understands.” Sara had that look on her face. The one Logan knew meant she was digging her heels in.
“Hamish, I didnae ask fer yer opinion. Sara, we’re going back.” He reached for her reins and she slapped his hands away. He hadn’t planned for her obstinance when he’d decided to follow her.
“I am not!” she shouted. “Aisla loves this man and she is hurt that he has rejected her. I happen to know exactly how that feels, Logan.” Logan went very still. “Maybe he did reject her, maybe he will reject the baby. That would be his loss. If that happens you are free to marry Aisla. I will not interfere.” Sara’s voice caught for a moment, but was strong as she continued, “But maybe he loves her, too. Maybe love is something you would travel a million miles to find and fight for when you get there.” She was breathing hard and staring him down.
Logan was in shock… He heard Sara’s anger and he knew he deserved it. He thought he knew how to handle difficult situations, but in this case, he’d made a terrible mess of it for all of them. What could he say that would make it better? He hated the way she was looking at him. He wanted to take away the anger and the frustration, but he was at a loss. The man who had a way with people and who could get fighting neighbors to be friends again had nothing to say.
“She’s right. Let her do what she came here to do. The castle is just up ahead. We’ll be there in no time.”
Logan’s eyebrow arched as he gazed at Hamish. “Are ye giving me yer opinion again?”
“Aye. I am.” His eyes narrowed in defiance. “And I’m willing to fight ye to see that Sara finishes what she came here to do.”
An uneasy silence came over them as Logan carefully weighed Hamish’s words and Sara’s determination. “I dinnae wish to fight ye,” Logan sheathed his sword. “I dinnae see how any good can come from this.”
“Logan, do you want to be with me?” Sara’s voice was calmer now.
“Ye ken I do, but I’ve promised to marry Aisla.”
“Do you really think she wants you?” Sara asked.
“She kens the reasons we must marry. She’ll be happy and the bairn will have the protection of a good Da.”
“How do you know Rory wouldn’t be a good Da?” Sara challenged.
Logan didn’t answer, he was too busy realizing that he now knew who was to blame for their predicament.
Sara continued, triumphantly stating, “You don’t. Now if you’ll excuse us, we’re going to call on the Mackalls.”
