Reid thought about this. In truth, it would solve some of his problems. Having Malcolm out of the castle would mean he wouldn’t have to put up with the man’s constant disapproval over his relationship with Abigail and second, it would give them a chance for up-to-date information on Laird Campbell’s plans.
“Aye,” he said after a moment. “Good idea. Ye will return with the messenger tomorrow.”
Malcolm nodded in assent and withdrew.
“What do you make of the message?” Abigail asked when he resumed his seat.
“I’m not sure,” Reid replied. “But it’s naught ye need to worry over.”
In fact, Reid felt like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The imminent arrival of Laird Campbell and his forces had hung over Reid like a dark cloud but it had suddenly evaporated.
A few more weeks,he thought.A few more weeks with Abigail.It was more than he’d dared hope for.
He intended to make the most of it.
Chapter 16
Abi pulled the lastof the meat off the chicken bone, popped the meat into her mouth, and tossed the bone onto the small pile that already filled her plate.
Reid was sprawled on the picnic blanket by her side, his hair fanned around his head like a halo. He raised an eyebrow at her. “Hungry, lass?”
“Famished.” She knew she was eating like a pig but didn’t care. She wasstarving. She picked up another chicken leg and attacked it, wiping away the juice that dribbled down her chin. “This is good,” she mumbled around a mouthful of food. “Really good.”
They’d been out all day with the dogs, hiking through the untamed hills to the north of the keep. She’d been surprised when Reid had suggested it because she knew how he hated leaving others in charge, but she was glad he had. Having him to herself all day had been wonderful.
Now they were back, seated on the valley slope above the castle, eating a well-earned lunch that cook had sent out for them and watching the comings and goings on the river below.
Bo and Whitefoot were staring at her intently and watching every movement of the chicken leg. They kept whining and glancing at the pile of chicken bones but there was no way she was giving them those. After Whitefoot’s injury, the last thing she wanted to do was risk them choking on a splintered bone.
She sighed, tore off two strips of meat, and tossed them to the dogs. They snapped them right out of the air.
“Ye see?” Reid said. “Spoiled. They’ll soon be so fat and lazy they aren’t any use at all.”
Abi turned to him. He looked more relaxed than she’d ever seen him. His pale blue eyes sparkled with mirth and those full lips of his were curled into a broad smile.
“Well, they deserve a bit of pampering after what they did for me.”
