“But—”
“Listen,” Conall implored. “There is someone at the hut, aye. And I will have leave to tell you exactly who, I hope, soon. But until then, you must trust me. And you canna stay.”
“But—”
“Nae buts. Trust me, Dunc. I need time to work it all out properly.”
Duncan frowned crossly, but Conall could sense he was starting to relent. “What am I to tell the townsfolk? Mam?” he challenged. “They expect me to stay on a few days.”
“Tell them…” Conall paused. Then he met Duncan’s gaze directly. “Tell them all is well. Tell them to hold on—the MacKerrick has a plan to reclaim our town’s good fortune. A wondrous plan. You’ll lead them in my stead, of course.”
Duncan looked doubtful.
“A wondrous plan, Dunc,” Conall repeated. “You’d nae believe it if I told you now, any matter. Now, what have you brought me?”
Evelyn could not help but shriek when a giant thud shook the door as if someone was trying to shove it open. The subsequent pounding startled her from her seat next to Alinor and the sheep. But Alinor was no longer alarmed. Indeed, the wolf was already bounding toward the door with a happy-sounding yelp when MacKerrick called from outside the hut.
“Open up, Eve—’tis I.”
Evelyn blew out a heavy breath and went straight for the door’s brace. God in Heaven, he’d been gone forhours, it seemed. Evelyn had been terrified the highlander had met up with the stranger she’d seen, with horrific consequences. She flung open the door.
“Where have you been, sir?” she demanded before the door was open fully. “There was a man—”
“I know.” MacKerrick stepped inside with his plaid tied in a lumpy bundle and Evelyn shut the door behind him. “’Twas only me brother, Duncan.”
“Oh.” Evelyn felt somewhat deflated at MacKerrick’s easy reply, although her heart still pounded. Then another fearful thought struck her. “You did not tell him of me, did you?”
“Nae.” The highlander sat his plaid bundle near the fire pit and crouched down. “Although he knows someone else is indeed at the hut.”
“What? How?” Evelyn walked past MacKerrick to return her dagger to the shelf.
Amber eyes found hers and she saw disappointment there. “He heard you.”
She frowned confusedly for an instant and then understood. “Alinor was making a fuss. I went out to see what she was about and—”
“’Tis well, Eve,” MacKerrick said lightly, turning his attention back to untying his bundle. “I would not have you a prisoner to the hut—my request was only to be sure you were not still feeling poorly should the grays return. Obviously, you’re feeling more of yourself.”
“I am much improved, yea.” Evelyn was a bit flummoxed at MacKerrick’s reasoning. His request had been for her own welfare, and he did not seem upset in the least that she had deliberately disobeyed him, although in truth, his caution had been warranted.
“I’m sorry I went out when you asked me not to, MacKerrick. I’ll try to be more mindful in the future.”
Conall shrugged, as if what she did made absolutely no difference to him one way or the other. “’Twas nearly your own undoing, lass. Had Duncan come to the hut, you’d have been found out, for certain.” He reached into the bundle and began removing items and setting them on the floor near his feet. Alinor appeared at MacKerrick’s side, sniffing at each object. The sheep clattered over as well, causing Evelyn to realize she’d not closed the animal’s pen.
“What in the bloody hell—?” MacKerrick mumbled as the sheep butted his arm playfully. But he had a smile on his face when he pushed the animal’s head aside. “Get back, you mangy rug.”
Alinor trotted around MacKerrick and buffeted the small sheep beyond the fire pit. The sheep bleated in weak protest.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Evelyn said hesitantly, “but, er…Alinor and I have christened your sheep.”
MacKerrick glanced up, one eyebrow cocked above an amused expression. He seemed to be waiting.
“Bonnie,” Evelyn elaborated. “It suits her, does it not?”
Conall chuckled and went back to unpacking his bundle. “It’s fine, lass. Although you may be more unwilling to eat a ‘Bonnie’ than you would a nameless sheep.”
Evelyn gasped. “Eather?”
MacKerrick looked up again. “It’s nae pet, Eve.”
