Storm sat by the campfire wrapped in a wool blanket, enjoying the broth Janelle had prepared. She hugged the warm tankard in her hands and sipped at the steaming liquid, grateful for its warmth.
The chill of winter reminded her that autumn was near to ending. A good portion of the day had been spent on the rescue plans, while other plans were made to get those going to America to the ship.
She finally had a chance to sit and take a breath and not think. She didn’t want to think anymore tonight. Burke was busy with Malcolm and Angus trying to determine what weapons would best serve their purpose.
Then soon, very soon, she and Burke would be alone for the night, and the thought tingled her skin, running gooseflesh over it.
“Mind if I join you?” Tanin asked.
She patted the ground beside her. “Have a seat.”
He plopped down beside her.
“I thought you and Ellie were busy gathering your belongings. From what Janelle told me, Ellie is thrilled to be going to America.”
“Truth be told, Storm, so am I.”
“Don’t sound so guilty,” she said. “It is I who should feel guilty for not considering that you and Ellie might want more than a life of crime.”
“It was forced on us.”
“But we didn’t need to pursue it. We could have stopped along the way and attempted to live an ordinary life. I unfortunately never gave it a thought. I believed myself a savior—”
“You are,” Tanin argued.
“For a few perhaps, but in the end what did I really accomplish? Landlords continue to treat their tenants badly. There is no justice for the poor and the starving, and few if any truly care. Better that I had lived a normal life and fought to improve conditions than fight the law. Or perhaps I should have been adventurous and left Scotland for distant shores.”
“This is your home.”
Storm shook her head. “I believed it was, but really my home is with the man I love, just like you and Ellie. Your love is your home and always will be.”
Tanin grinned. “You speak of love as one who is in love.”
She laughed and hugged the tankard more tightly in her hands. “It took a stubborn American to convince a stubborn Scotswoman that she could love again.”
“Burke is good for you,” Tanin said with a nod.
“When did you determine that?”
“From the very first day he argued with you. I knew he was a man you would respect and admire and one who would be able to penetrate the shield you kept so firm around your heart.”
“He certainly did that.”
“You let him, otherwise he would have never succeeded,” Tanin said. “You wanted to love him as much as he wanted to love you.”
Had she wanted that from the beginning? Had she been searching for someone to challenge her stubbornness? Her pain? Her hurt? And prove that she could truly love again?
“I am glad we rescued the American that fateful day, for he now rescues us.”
“He certainly does,” Storm agreed with a smile.
Tanin left Storm with her thoughts, and it didn’t take long before various people joined her for a few moments to express their appreciation for all she had done for them and the opportunity that they had been given.
By the time Burke joined her she had tears in her eyes.
He reached down and eased her to her feet.
“Your people are grateful,” he said.
