Nell’s eyes widened in direct proportion to the dropping of her jaw. The loud gasp echoed back at them. It took Sean a moment to realize Tommy made the sound. He gave her a quick glance. Her green eyes were round with accusation and anger and she looked athim. Confusion clouded Sean’s mind as he ran over what had just happened. He blew an exasperated breath.
Sean spoke in a loud voice. “I’ll pay my bill and be gone.”
The dark brows of the owner dipped into a dangerous frown. Nell scurried over to him, mouthing her defense before she’d even reached him. There was some satisfaction in that. The eyes now turned toward him narrowed with suspicion. He knew the look. They were seeing him as a troublemaker. Sean preferred to have done something worthy of the moniker.
When he reached for Tommy’s arm, she jerked it away and stood. He shot her a disparaging frown and pulled her ahead of him, urging her toward the door but staying close. The owner’s expression transformed with a brilliant smile for Sean when his gold coin appeared.
“Sorry for any misunderstanding.”
Sean nodded. This was the only place in town that offered rooms so he knew he had to be accepting of the apology. “I think that will cover the room upstairs as well?”
“For one night. With two others.”
“Nae. Nae one else. That’s a gold coin.”
The owner seemed to consider his offer. “A pallet to yourself and two on the floor.”
“Nae. Nae one else in the room.” Sean hated this part. It grated his nerves. He should get three rooms and food for a week with that gold.
“Done.” The owner grabbed the coin.
“What bug is up yer arse?” Sean spoke through gritted teeth once they were done paying and outside again.
“Ye embarrassed—” She glanced around then turned so that her back was to the inn before she continued. “Ye embarrassed me by acting like that. Nae lad would get served there.”
He halted mid-stride. That’s what she was angry about? It was a very good thing he’d be rid of her soon. This female’s thinking was beyond his ability to understand. He picked up his pace to pass her, leaving her behind to catch up.
“We need to find yer brother. Now!”
With a hurried gait, Sean led the way to the blacksmith’s hut.
“Why are ye going here?” Tommy struggled to keep up with him.
He didn’t care. “I need to collect the knife.”
“This is where ye found Daisy?”
Daisy! What a damn stupid name for a horse. “The same.”
“He’s going to take her back then.”
He jerked around to face her. “Stop acting like a girl, damn it.”
“Ye said I was doing fine!”
“Then ye opened yer damn mouth!”
He continued on and she ran to catch up with him.
“He’ll want my horse back.” She hissed the words.
“Not when he realizes it was stolen from ye.”
Tommy’s doubt-filled expression gave him pause but too late. A barrel-chested man bent over a horse hoof glanced up at Sean. Recognition flashed across his face.
“Ah, so ye remember me?” Sean planted himself before the man. “Now why do ye suppose I’m getting a strange feeling that ye ken something is amiss?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Head down, the man scraped the dirt with an iron pick. “You’ll have to come back on the morrow. I’m closed.”
