“Your homeland sounds similar to Scotland. I can understand why you wish to return to it.”
“I could live no other place,” he admitted.
“I feel the same.”
He thought how unfortunate that was for both of them. There could be nothing between them but a brief interlude, and for some reason the idea terribly disturbed him.
They parted, and Burke returned to sit by the fire. A strong breeze swept through the camp, chilling the late afternoon air even more. The fire kept him warm enough, and besides, he had too much on his mind to even consider the dip in temperature.
He’d need to see to the ship’s business while there, and though the ship was due to leave port shortly, he had a feeling it would be better to delay its departure. He might have to make a hasty exit from Scotland once he found Cullen, and his ship would give him that ability.
He didn’t know how Cullen would feel about leaving, but given the circumstances, he might not have a choice.
Choice.
He had told Storm she had a choice and she did. She would choose to remain in her homeland and fight her crusade no matter how difficult her life. She stubbornly refused to see that she fought an endless battle that would never know victory.
He wished he could get her to understand the uselessness of her cause. That what she did would change nothing and affect only a few lives, and in the end, was it really worth the sacrifice?
To those she had saved it most certainly had been, but on a larger scale, what did she really accomplish? And none of this should make a difference to him, so why did it?
He shook his head and held his hands out to the fire, rubbing them together to warm them.
Storm was much too beautiful and much too intelligent to be wasting her life away in the woods, a wanted outlaw. She should have a home and children and a husband to look after her and protect her.
If she were his wife, he’d protect her with his life and provide generously for her and their children.
He smiled at the thought of a dark-haired little girl as obstinate as her mother running into his arms to be scooped up and hugged.
He gave his head a good shake this time. Was he crazy for thinking of having children with Storm? They came from different worlds. Worlds separated by a vast ocean and love of homeland. He couldn’t afford to fall in love with her.
It would cost him dearly to love her and then be forced to leave her here in Scotland. He wouldn’t be able to do it. And he didn’t see Storm leaving her beloved home.
Another shake of his head warned that his musings were just that, thoughts that meant nothing and would amount to nothing. He and Storm understood each other. They each had an agenda to keep and the stubbornness to stick to it.
He would love Storm for the time he was here but he would notfall in lovewith her. He couldn’t, for love was a commitment he took seriously. When he loved, it would be forever, and that would mean that he couldn’t leave Storm behind in Scotland. She would have to return to America with him whether she liked it or not.
In that, she would have no choice.
Chapter 19
Their journey went smoothly, and Storm and Burke arrived at St. Andrew Harbor early in the morning. Not a good time to sneak aboard a ship, but there was no time to waste. Philip and William had left camp the same time, and had probably already contacted the mysterious man who possessed the information they required. If all went well they would meet in four days to exchange money for information.
Therefore, they had to get to the ship as soon as possible, see to their business, and leave within two days’ time.
“We can’t be seen together,” Storm said, concealed by a stack of crates at the end of the harbor. Burke could tell she was impressed by the massive ship, the gangplank bustling with men unloading crate after crate.
“Agreed,” he said with a nod. “I need to get on board, give orders to my crew, and change clothes so that it looks as if I’ve arrived with the ship. Then we need to get you on board as well.”
“We may have to wait until evening when there is less activity and the cover of darkness.”
“Not an option,” Burke said. “I won’t have you here alone along the harbor. You resemble a lad, and with three ships anchored in the harbor, I guarantee in no time you’d be a crew member ready to set sail on one of them.”
Storm resented the idea that he felt her incapable of looking after herself, when by now he knew otherwise.
“You forget who I am,” she reminded.
Burke was quick to disagree. “It is exactly who you are that makes me worry over your safety. I gave my word you’d be safe and I intend to keep it. Besides, today is to be a day of fun for you.”
