CHAPTER ELEVEN
Craig did not show any sign of life.
His body was weak, his face was pale and a sickly grey, his hair as well as his clothes drained water to the ground. Grace swallowed her tears, her voice joining Duncan’s in a prayer for Craig’s life. Her attachment to these men was unquestionable and a little baffling. She had witnessed their kindness after her capture. She knew that they were good men who only wanted to protect what was rightfully theirs. Yet, these could be the people that had killed her only family and they had kept her tied up for days. Not three minutes later, Craig leaned sharply to the side.
He coughed out mouthfuls of water and grass.
“Oh, thank heavens,” Duncan said, falling back on his heels.
“I’m fine,” Craig managed in a small voice. Grace did not know whether to laugh or cry. She took his hand and patted it.
“I’m so glad ye’re safe.”
“Where’s that fool who tried tae kill me.”
Looking sheepish, Bryce stepped forward. “Fool’s here.”
By now, the men had started to disperse. There was nothing of interest anymore now that Craig was awake and speaking. Wet clothes and all, Grace sat by his side on the stones still holding his hand.
“I dinnae ken. I wouldnae have done it. Ye have my deepest regrets,” Bryce apologized, although it sounded a bit like he was going through a list, perhaps because he felt awkward. Craig gave a weak grin, waving off his apology.
“Come, get warmed up. I could teach ye tae swim one day mayhaps,” Grace offered with a light tone. She was really at a loss for words. “’Tis nae hard, especially if I can dae it.”
“Hard isnae the problem,” remarked Craig. Duncan shook his head and Grace retracted her offer. There was clearly something else going on underfoot.
That night, she slept wrapped in a big blanket and the big man next to her. He did not try any amorous play. This, Grace found to be disheartening. Afterall, she was naked under the blanket.
Probably shocked from the events, Duncan didn’t speak much after they retired. Grace found that he was easily affected whenhis people were down. She could still recall the paleness of his face when he dove for Craig. The anxiety in his voice when he shouted his name. The utter panic was real. They held each other until morning.
Grace strained to leave this camp. Each day, it got harder to keep moving. If she had at least known their name, it would have been easier, but she did not. So, she had to decide to either leave the camp or pledge her entire plan on them. She could not risk losing out. She had to find Clan Hay quickly, before Duncan and his men discovered her.
They started on the trip once more and when she felt Duncan’s cloudy mood had eased, she shifted backward and chatted with him.
“So how long now?” They’d been on the road for days. Outside of her mission, she just wanted reassurance that they would be settling soon.
“Two days,” Duncan replied. “We are close, dinnae worry. Are ye tired of riding?”
“’Tis… okay.” In her tiredness, two days sounded like ten years but saying it would be complaining too much to the man who was helping her. She firmed her voice. “I’m fine. How is Craig? I’m quite concerned about him. First it was the arm, now this.”
“He’s over there,” Duncan pointed with a jut of his chin, which she felt over her head. Indeed, Craig sat proud on his horse,chatting away with Bryce. There was no animosity between the men.
“If ye offer tae teach him how tae swim, how will he take it?”
“Badly. Tis in his head that he cannae be good at it. Whatever ye teach his body will be contrived of as a lie.”
“Ah, so he needs tae heal in his head first.”
“He’s nae interested, if ye’re offerin’. Many have tried.”
“Tis that bad?”
She felt him nod. “At first, he wouldnae touch water. That went on fer weeks. He only accepted after I dared him tae pour water on his body. And ye ken how he gets. But he still would absolutely not step foot in a large body of water. Bathtubs he had tae relearn too.”
“’Tis terrible. How bad was the accident?”
“I dinnae mention an accident.”
“Might as well have. Naethin’ could scare a man like that.”
