She quickly scooted away and yanked her feet back from the bushes as she placed a hand above her pounding heart.
Did she speak? Cry for help?
Get up and run?
Yes!
Why was she sitting here?
Cait grasped her skirt then placed a hand on the ground for leverage before pushing herself to her feet, only to have pain pulse through her ankle.
The rustling grew louder in the hedges and then stopped just as Pickmore reached her. Cait pointed and he was off running, only to return a few moments later just as Julian reached her side.
“You should not be up,” she chastised.
“I was not about to sit around inside after hearing you scream,” he returned. “What happened?”
“Students!” Pickmore ground out. “I nearly caught up to three of them, but they disappeared.”
“Did they startle you?” Julian asked.
“In a sense,” Cait said before she explained what had happened.
His eyes grew dark with concern. “Are you injured?”
“I do not think so,” she said then took a step to test her ankle. There was a bit of pain, but she could walk.
“Yes, you are,” Julian bit out. “You just winced in pain.”
“It is not so bad and you really should get inside and rest.”
“Not while you cannot walk.”
“I can walk. And, even if I could not, there is not much we could do.”
She was only making a point, but his eyes grew thunderous as if he were angry with her.
“A fine pair we make.” She laughed. “I hope nobody needs us.”
His features softened as Julian chuckled.
“I shall return you to the school, Miss Doyle.”
“Thank you, Captain Pickmore.” Cait reached for his arm. Instead, he swept her up in his arms.
“This is not necessary,” she cried in surprise.
“Yes, it is,” Pickmore insisted.
“I will also accompany you,” Julian called from behind as Pickmore strode off for the school. “Do slow down.”
Pickmore just chuckled and for the life of her, Cait could not understand why.
Pickmore was carryingCait for two reasons. One, because she shouldn’t put weight on her ankle, and the second—to irritate Julian. Had Pickmore not grinned at him, Julian would have thought his friend simply being of service.
They would have words and if necessary, he would warn Pickmore away from Cait.
Julian nearly yelled,she is mine, but held his tongue as no declarations had been made.
