Iain kept his thoughts to himself and agreed. “Aye. We need to get to the nearest port and sail south to Rum. We’ll skirt Inverness and go straight west over the mountains.”
If they could gain passage, and if Cumberland’s forces stayed to the roads, they could be ahead of them by days. He had to prepare his keep and his people.
Chapter 17
Three tortuous days passed before they finally made it to the mountains and found a cave to rest in. Abby didn’t have to worry about keeping her distance from Iain during that time because he was staying as far from her as he could. She knew he had a lot on his mind—so did she—but other than keeping her warm at night, he hardly said a word.
She eyed the four-legged beast and screwed up her face. She didn’t want to get back on the horse that morning. Her entire body was just too sore. “Can’t we stay here for another day?” She didn’t like the whine in her voice, but she couldn’t help it.
Iain finished putting out the fire and made his way into the small cave they had spent the night in. As he passed Abby, he paused. “It’s only been three days, Abigail.”
“Three of the worst days of my life.”
“I am sorry ye are in pain, but we have to keep moving.”
Abby nearly snorted. He didn’t sound sorry. Since the near kiss three days before, an invisible wall had gone up between them. He was colder and kept to himself most of the time. They hardly talked, and even when they did, it was only because Abby asked questions of their surroundings and he had to answer or be overtly rude.
She eyed Iain saddling the horse and screwed up her face. They had bought the saddle from an old couple at a farmhouse, and while it was slightly more comfortable than bareback, it still hurt her back, butt, and thighs.
Abby stood up, moaning and rubbing her back. Iain never even glanced in her direction. The oaf was ignoring her. “I’ll check to make sure we have everything,” she said, and stomped into the cave.
By the time she exited the cave, Iain was ready and waiting. She let out a small huff and allowed him to help her onto the horse. The movement was getting easier with practice. Abby understood if she did a little jump at the same time Iain lifted, she didn’t have to scramble so much and make the horse jittery. She quickly threw her leg over and waited for Iain to mount behind the saddle. She supposed she should be thankful. At least she had the saddle. The poor man had to sit on the horse’s back behind, and that couldn’t have been comfortable.
***
Another week passed, and Abby couldn’t take the tension between them any longer. Yes, her body was getting used to the hours upon hours of riding. So much so, she was sure she had callouses on her butt. Either that or she had become accustomed to being numb and her body thought that was her normal. She guessed that was so, at least until she got home and could sit in comfy chairs and sleep on a real bed.
Stopping that night, Iain once again caught a rabbit that he roasted on a wet stick over a fire. Watching him pourwater on the stick so it wouldn’t burn had Abby smiling. She would have never thought to do that, and her chest warmed at his inventiveness.
After removing the rabbit, Iain handed her the full torso and munched down on the thighs and legs. She made a face, trying to make him take more, but as always, he said, “Eat. You need your strength. We still have a long way to go.”
She tried to argue. “Fine, but what about you? You’re bigger than me, and you’re the one who hunts, looks after the horse, and cooks.”
He gave her a wide smile, and little lines appeared at the corners of his eyes and mouth. Her heart skipped a beat. That was the smile she’d been hoping for since she’d met him.
“I believe ye are right,” he said. “Ye can cook from now on.”
Abby’s mouth fell open, and she stared at her piece of rabbit.
He laughed. “Ye’ve been watching me since the first time I cooked that stew. Surely ye have learned something.”
Thinking about the way he wet the roasting sticks, she screwed up her nose and said, “I suppose I have, and I suppose I can at least try, but you can’t complain, all right?”
“That is fair. Now eat.”
Abby did what she was told and tried to remember what he’d put in that stew. If she made enough, they would both have full stomachs.
After another long day’s riding, they finally stopped near a small stream. The water was so clean, Abby could see the floor of small rocks on the bottom.
“It’s beautiful,” she said.
“Aye, and cold,” Iain mumbled as he looked after the horse. He found a stick, and picking up each hoof, he cleaned it and gently placed it back on the ground. After he finished, he patted the horse on its rump and watched it walk to thewater’s edge. He seemed preoccupied as he and Abby collected some wood for a small fire.
“I won’t be long.”
He didn’t need to say where he was going. Abby knew he was hoping to find another rabbit. She made a face. If she never saw another rabbit again, it would be too soon.
Before he disappeared into the brush, he turned and pierced her with his gaze. “Stay here and don’t wander away. I won’t be far.”
