He harrumphed and increased his pace, rounding trees and bushes, and leaping over fallen trees and dead wood. If he lost them then so be it. He wanted to be alone anyway. He slowed. What was he thinking? He had to admit, he didn’t want to be alone, not completely. He wanted some time to think, but he didn’t want to go so far ahead that he stranded them in the forest.
He hoped they would stay back and not intrude on his thoughts. For some reason, when Briana was close, he couldn’t think straight. She had a way of confusing his mind and she was a complete bafflement, in her speech, in her actions, and in her looks. And she believed the trinket was hers; mayhap it was like one she owned.But how could it be exactly like the one Patricia carried?
After several minutes, he decided there had to be more than one bauble that looked the same but being handmade, they would all have some disparity. He took the ornament out and turned it over in his hands. He’d seen it enough times to know it was Patricia’s, he was sure of it.
He pushed it back into his pocket and slowed his pacelistening for his companions to catch up to him. When their footfalls sounded close behind, he moved to the side of the narrow path, hoping Briana would walk at his side.
Chapter 9
Bree noted Horland move to the side of the track. She checked the width and realized there was enough room for all of them to walk side by side. Did he want to walk together now? She smiled and moved the girl from her left side to her right and moved alongside Horland. He glanced down at the girl’s head and she was sure she sensed a sigh, although she couldn’t hear one come from his mouth.
When he looked at her, she beamed. “You changed your mind? You want to be friends now? You aren’t going to leave us to the forest monsters?”
“Yes, yes, and no.” He chuckled. “However, there are no monsters in the Forest of Uther, but there are wild animals and all the more frightening, wild humans.”
Bree made a face. “You’re right. Humans can be more terrifying than any wild animal.”
They walked into the ever-darkening forest in silence, but it was a different kind of silence than earlier. Bree was relaxed in his company and she couldn’t stop casting sideways glances in his direction. His expression appeared calm and althoughhe looked like he was deep in thought, the way his gait slowed to an easy saunter told her he wasn’t in the least tense.
Bree tipped her head back and gazed at the thickening canopy. It didn’t completely block out the sky but with the sun behind the gray clouds, it seemed later than it actually was. She guessed it was about three in the afternoon. They had spent too much time at the stream. She hoped Horland knew where he was going, and she really hoped they found a safe place to stay that night.
After an hour of walking, the girl fell back. “You tired, sweetie?” Bree asked her.
She nodded and before Bree could say any more, Horland stopped and crouched down in front of the girl.
She scrambled up onto his back and wrapped her arms around his neck. He made a choking sound and talked as if he couldn’t breathe. “Not so tight, little one. You’re strangling me.”
She must have loosened her grasp because Horland stood up and continued down the path.
“So, you’re just a big softie, huh?” Bree said.
“I am a knight of the realm and looking out for those weaker than I is the honorable thing to do. It does not make me sapless.”
“No, and I didn’t mean to suggest it did. In fact, I think it shows your strength.” She eyed his bulging biceps. Her fingers itched to touch his upper arm and her mouth went dry. She fisted her hands and cleared her throat. “I wouldn’t be able to carry her for long.”
The path narrowed again, and Bree’s shoulder encountered the very arm she had been leering at earlier. Shivery tingles shot up her neck. She tried to move away but there wasn’t enough room and Horland didn’t seem inclined to tread the edge of his side of the track. It crossed her mind she could fall back, and they could walk in a single file but forsome reason, she ignored that thought and stayed where she was, enjoying the sensations every time their arms brushed against one another.
She kept glancing at Horland when they came together, but he appeared to not notice and kept his gaze straight ahead. Soon though, the path narrowed further, and Bree had no choice but to fall back. She didn’t want him to get too far ahead because she had no idea where they were going.
Looking around, she noticed the light around them had increased. The clouds must have cleared from the sky.
The sun’s rays couldn’t penetrate the forest canopy, but the light was enough to see by and she had a clear view of Horland ahead of her. He still had his pack over his shoulder. She wasn’t sure what he had in there, but she was certain it was heavy and although the girl was small and skinny, he had to be hurting carrying them both.
“Do you want me to carry your pack?” Bree asked.
“We will stop shortly,” Horland said over his shoulder. “But first, we need to quicken our pace.” He started to jog, and the girl yelped but soon she was giggling at being bounced around.
Bree trotted behind and smiled at the little girl’s happiness. It was nice, running through the forest, hearing Horland and the girl laugh. It was like Bree always imagined a real family would spend time together.
Horland turned back. “You want a turn?”
Bree laughed. “No thanks.” Bree noted a fallen branch in his path. “Watch—”
Horland fell forward and the girl screamed. He met the earth with a loud thump and Bree flinched. “—out.”
She hurried to them and pulled the child to her feet. “Are you okay?”
She nodded and smiled.
