“My thanks, Logan, and my apologies for drenching you with my tears.” Relief spread through her with such a force, she almost fell to the ground. Thanking the Lord her husband was alive, she promised Him never to be deceitful again. Aedan was alive, her husband lived.
He gave her a sheepish look. “Do not worry. At least you did not score me as you did your brother. We all said you would be wild with grief. ‘Tis one of the reasons we wanted you to stay back on Grant land. But you are stubborn, as your brothers promised.” He headed out the door of the abbey, but stopped at the last minute. “You are much like my Gwynie, Jennie. Strong, intelligent women have strong emotions.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Alex Grant totally undone and not by any threat of war…
A rumbling could be felt in the ground from nearby. A group of riders was headed straight toward them, though Aedan couldn’t yet determine who they were. But soon he caught sight of the Grant plaid and heard the familiar war whoop.
While he dreaded telling Alex the news of his sister, at least the extra men would be able to assist in their search. Many of his men knew Dermid’s land well. They’d find her, they had to locate her. This failure he would not accept.
As Alex approached, Aedan could tell from the look on his face that all had not gone well at court. He mounted his horse and moved to greet him. “All is not well with the king?”
“Nay, all is well, but word has come to me that Maddie’s wellness is at risk. There could be serious problems with the bairn. I have come to fetch Jennie and invite you to our home. I need her there. I cannot lose my wife.”
Aedan had never seen Alex Grant in such a state. His color was ashen, his hands fisted, and his jaw clenched. He looked more relaxed in the midst of a battle than he did at present.
Aedan realized he felt the same way about his wife, and they had been married less than a sennight.
“My sister. Where is she?” Alex’s eyes bore into his.
Aedan returned the stare. “I know not. She was kidnapped. Dermid MacLean stole her and planned to rob the coffers of the abbey, using her as a bargaining chip.”
“Is that MacLean on the ground?”
Aedan nodded. “Aye.”
“Did you get the information you needed from him before you killed him?”
Aedan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Nay, I did not. He wouldn’t release the information. I suspect that she is well hidden on MacLean land.”
Releasing a bellow that shook the branches in the trees, Alex clutched his horse’s reins so tight that Midnight reared up, as if he were connected to his rider in some way.
Aedan turned his horse around. “Follow me, I have an idea of where she is. We can split into groups when we get close.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Alex confesses what he thinks is causing Jennie’s nightmares.
Jennie vowed she would go help dear Maddie, but what if the wailing returned? She was just so frightened to try working as a healer again, too happy with her new life. She squeezed her husband’s hand as she followed Alex over to a rock, grateful Aedan had insisted on coming with her.
Once at the rock, Alex pointed and said, “Sit. You will hear me out.”
Jennie nodded and sat down. She loved her brother and would listen to what he had to say, though unsure of what he wished to tell her. She loved it at Aedan’s. The wailing in her dreams had stopped; the wailing that disrupted her waking hours had stopped. If she returned to healing, she was sure the wailing would return. The haunting cries had driven her almost to a permanent state of daftness, and it had grown worse with every passing day she spent on Grant land.
“Jennie, are you upset because of the wailing?”
“Aye.” She peeked up at him, unsure of what he would say next.
“I brought you to the abbey because we thought you needed to come to this on your own. ‘Twas Brenna’s idea, but…I cannot wait any longer. Maddie’s life is at stake, so forgive me, but I must.”
“Alex, I know not what you are about. Where are you going with this?”
He paced in front of her, his hands clasped behind his back. “Do you recall the day our mama died?”
“Nay. I recall the day Papa died, but not Mama.”
He turned to gaze into her eyes. “Because you will not allow yourself to remember.”
