“You’ve always been just right, thistle. You just weren’t around the right people.”
“Mo mathan.” Laurel canted her head. “You looked angrier than a bear with a bee sting when you rode toward me. But you looked just as powerful.”
“I was angry,” Brodie frowned playfully, able to feel calmer about the morning’s events now that they were past them. “You and your horse. By God, lass. I thought my heart would beat out of my chest watching you leaning along Teine’s side. Then when he reared. By all the saints, I might have wet myself. I was certain Teine’s hooves would kill you. I never imagined the beastie would put an end to David Lamont. I’m rather jealous of your horse! I wanted to mete out justice, but your loyal steed did it for me.”
“He didn’t appreciate David cutting his ear or the bastard’s horse nipping his rump.”
“Remind me to stay on the right side of your horse’s temper.”
“He’s like his mistress,” Laurel purred. “A few treats and a few rubs and pats in the right place. That’s all it takes.” Laurel winked at Brodie.
“You shall get all of that and more once I get us home in one piece.”
“Aye.” Laurel sighed and got up. She reached out a hand to Brodie, pretending to tug unsuccessfully. “Come on, auld mon.”
Brodie was on his feet in one agile move, and Laurel stood blinking at her imposingly large husband. His muscles bunched and rippled as he moved, and she was hypnotized. “I’ll never make it out of this cave if you keep looking at me like that.”
Laurel nodded but didn’t look away. Instead, her tongue darted out to swipe across her lips before she grazed her teeth over her bottom lip.
“Lass.” The word came out as a strangled groan as Brodie gripped her hips and gave her a searing kiss. They pulled away, knowing that lingering would only lead to more. Brodie stepped away and opened a barrel of oats that he poured out for the horses. He showed Laurel the stash of dried beef and dried fruit before he woke Monty and Donnan. He took two buckets and the waterskins with him and slipped out of the cave.
“Did you sleep well?” Laurel looked at Monty and Donnan.
“Aye. And you?” Monty asked as he ran his hand over his hair, which stuck out in all directions.
“Better than I expected. I feel rested for the first time in days. I suppose it is the first time I really rested.” Laurel pulled out strips of meat and offered them to the men, who eagerly thanked her. They sat in silence as they chewed. There was little to talk about as they waited for Brodie to return. As the minutes ticked away, and the sun sank below the horizon, Laurel grew uneasy. Monty and Donnan assured her that Brodie was fine, but she didn’t believe them until she saw his hulking form enter the cave, a sloshing bucket in each hand. She hurried forward to take one to the horses, letting two drink at a time while Brodie handed back the waterskins.
Brodie took her hand when they finished their tasks and led her back to where Monty and Donnan waited. The four sat together as Brodie recounted what he saw.
“The closest band of Lamonts is aboot a mile and a half to the south of us. There’s another group three miles west. But I have men near them, so they don’t concern me as much as the ones to the south.”
“How do you know that?” Laurel asked.
“I used a birdcall when I noticed the group. I got immediate responses, so I know where at least a dozen men are. I went further north and saw naught. But I called out and got responses there. Some men are already ahead of us. I hope to join them in the morning and work our way out of the mountains together sooner than I expected. But I’ll scout again in the morning to make sure the way is still safe. If it is, we’ll go. If aught has changed, we wait. My men will go on ahead if it’s safe for them and your men.”
“Then take the last watch,” Donnan said. Brodie nodded, glad that he would stay beside Laurel for most of the night. He knew it was selfish, but he wanted to hold her. Once they ate, Monty slipped from the cave. Brodie explained where to position himself, so Monty would remain hidden but could hear anything that approached before it appeared. He could slip back to the cave and warn the others with no one seeing him. Donnan listened attentively, so he was prepared for his shift. Laurel felt useless as she watched the men discuss how to divide the night’s hours among them.
“Laurie.” Laurel nodded as Brodie waved her over and took her to the cave’s entrance. “Do you see the bush just yonder? If you need privacy, you can go there.”
“Thank you.” She led him to where she’d laid out their bedrolls. Donnan was already snoring lightly, and Laurel marveled at how easily the man had always fallen asleep anywhere. He’d been like that since they were children. Smiling, she laid down with Brodie’s chest against her back. But she rolled over to lay her head on his shoulder and drape her arm over his waist. She needed to hold him as much as he longed to hold her. Brodie stroked her hair as her body relaxed, feeling boneless.
“What’re you thinking aboot?” Brodie wondered aloud.
“Naught in particular. Just glad to be with you. You?”
“The same. I shall make this up to you.”
Laurel lifted her head, her brow furrowed. “You say that as if any of this is your fault. There’s naught to make up to me. You didn’t do aught wrong.”
“I trusted the wrong men with your care.”
“They were your men. You shouldn’t have needed to doubt them. That is their sin, not yours. Michael paid for it with each bump and hit as he fell down Ben More.”
“But you’re a target because of me.”
“Mayhap. Or you’re a target because of me. I ken the MacDougalls would rather put a rift between the Campbells and Rosses than allow an alliance. Mayhap they and the Lamonts continue this because you married me. Mayhap they would have let things go if you’d married someone else.”
“Possibly. But it doesn’t mean I don’t feel guilty.”
