Chapter 7
On the fourth day,the sun began to sink toward the horizon.Bella was exhausted.They'd been riding for several hours with only brief stops to rest and water the horses before they broke camp each night.Her backside was sore, her legs ached, and her spine felt like it might snap from holding herself upright for so long and she was dusty from the road.
But she hadn't complained.Not once.
She could feel Boyd's eyes on her watching, assessing any sign of weakness.But she would not give him the satisfaction.She kept her back straight, her face composed, and her discomfort to herself.Even when Thamas offered her water with a concerned look, she'd accepted gracefully and handed it back without comment.
The knowledge of her hidden knives in her boist was oddly comforting.It was a part of herself she'd kept safe from the world.A reminder that she was more than who Boyd thought she was.
Finally, just as full darkness was falling and Bella wasn't sure she could stay in the saddle another moment, Boyd raised his hand to signal to stop.
"There's an inn just ahead," he called back to his men."We'll stop for the night.My wife needs more than just the hard ground to sleep upon tonight."
Relief flooded through Bella so intensely she nearly swayed in her saddle.
The inn appeared around the next bend.It was a sturdy stone building with warm light spilling from its windows and smoke curling from its chimneys.It looked like heaven.
Before Bella could dismount on her own, Boyd was there.He gripped her waist and lifted her down from the mare with ease, setting her on her feet.
Bella's legs nearly buckled.She'd been in the saddle so long they'd gone stiff and sore.Boyd's hands tightened on her waist, steadying her, and for just a moment they stood there, his body close enough that she could feel his heat.
Their eyes met, and Bella saw something flicker in his before he shuttered his expression again.
Her heart hammered against her ribs.This close, she could count his eyelashes.Could see the faint stubble on his jaw that she remembered scraping against her skin when they were young.Could remember everything they'd once been to each other.
Then he released her abruptly and turned away, barking orders to his men.
"See to the horses.Thamas, ye and Malcolm will take the first watch.Switch at midnight.The rest of ye make do in the stables."
"Aye, Laird," his men chorused, already moving to obey.
Boyd strode toward the inn's entrance, pausing only to look back at Bella."Well?Come on then."
She followed on unsteady legs, trying not to limp.Boyd waited for her then with an impatient sigh he closed the distance, swooped her up in his arms and carried her over the threshold as if she weighed nothing.A surprised Bella clung to his shoulders.She protested but stopped when he muttered, "Haud yer wheeshtye damned, slow wench."
For some reason Bella wanted to chuckle at that comment, but she thought better of it when she noticed his deep scowl.
Once inside Boyd gently placed her on her feet, waited till she regained her balance then turned to summon the innkeeper.The inn was warm and welcoming.A large fire crackled in the hearth, and the smell of roasting meat made Bella's stomach growl.She couldn't remember the last time she'd eaten a warm meal.
