“Then go back and prove them wrong.”
“I need to leave now.” Rory placed his mug on the table and got to his feet. “Thank you for the food and drink. Take care of yourself, Mrs. Radcliff.”
“You can’t run forever, boy. Sooner or later you have to stop. And my bet is on that being here with your people.”
He didn’t reply, simply raised a hand and left. Rory walked down the street, skirted two men pulling a log behind them. The Yule log. Luke had wanted Rory to be there for that.
Looking in windows, he saw families eating a meal on Christmas Eve. Tomorrow they’d rise and attend church together. Why did that hurt him more than it did a few days ago?Because you want that with them.
Crossing the street, he heard the rattle of a harness and the thunder of hooves and watched a carriage enter the village. Behind it was a man on horseback. He thought about running, but then where would he run to? So he simply stood there in the middle of the street and waited.
Chapter Seventeen
“You were all but dead not long ago, and now I’ve allowed you to come down that bloody mountain in the freezing cold,” Wolf growled. “It’s idiotic, and the only reason I’m condoning it is because had I not, you would have simply done it yourself.”
“I would have, yes.” Kate had on her coat. A scarf, and thick gloves covered her hands. Over her knees was a fur blanket. She felt tired, and her body ached, but she had to do this.
“God’s blood, you and Alice test me.”
She reached out a hand to her brother, and he took it.
“I’m sorry you were scared, Wolf. Sorry that you had to see me like you did.”
“Lilly has saved both of my sisters now. I’m not sure I can ever thank her.”
“I know. It terrifies me to contemplate that both Alice and I would be gone were it not for—”
“Don’t.” Wolf raised a hand. “I can’t think it, let alone hear the words.”
“I had to come and find Rory. Just as you would have done the same for Rose.”
His eyes held hers.
“Are you so sure he’s the one?”
“I have never felt such a desperate need to reach someone as I did that day I saved Rory. Since then, I have felt that need building inside me—”
“Lord have mercy.” Wolf held up a hand once more. “Spare me further details, if you please. At least he’s a bloody Raven, even if he’s lived most of his life in France.”
They rolled down the main street, and Kate knew Rory was near. Could feel him even as the carriage slowed and Max thundered past on horseback. Seconds later, they stopped.
“You will not leave this carriage, Kate.”
“But I want to see Rory.”
“Then I will bring him to you. Move one foot, and I will take you back up that mountain so fast you will not know if you are standing or sitting.”
She leaned forward and kissed his clenched jaw.
“I love you, brother.”
“I love you too. It is because I do that I worry for you.”
“I know, and I love you for it.”
“Stay,” he added, stepping from the carriage.
Leaning out the window, she tried to listen to what was being said, but the wind was too strong. Opening the carriage, she climbed down and moved to stand beside the driver.
