“Sean McCulloch!”
Birds scattered from their search for insects among the grasses, but her would-be rescuer dinnae appear. Surely, he couldnae have traveled far.
But…wait. Did shereallyneed to call him back? Actually let him carry out his rescue plan? Or could she merely make amends for the hurt she’d caused him and be done with the nagging guilt?
Och! She grinned at such a cunning resolution. She’d apologize for her rudeness, be rid of the troublesome weight in her chest and still be free to continue her search while her would-be rescuer moved on to wherever he’d been headed, in the first place.
Brilliant.
Again, she filled her lungs and yelled as loud as she could manage. “I apologize for being rude! Thank ye for yer kindness. Safe journey tae ye.”
’Twas a lot to screech at the top of one’s lungs, but she’d done her duty and freed them both to continue their own pursuits. Ah, yes. That felt satisfactory, indeed. Neither her mither nor her conscience could fault her now.
Her handsome rescuer had been a surprisingly pleasant but costly distraction. Now, she must focus solely on her search and take care to avoid such selfish indulgences. Because of the time she’d squandered, tending to her painful, stiffening limbs would have to wait. Time—in both realms—was ticking far too fast. She must hurry if she had a chance of making it back in time.
“Apology accepted.”
Her heart flopped in her chest as she whipped her head in the direction of Sean’s voice. He’d come around the back side of the kirk.
“Goodness!” She let out a shuddering breath. “Ye scared the holy—”
Be nice, Kenna, lest ye have to apologize again.
“Ye…startled me. I thought ye’d be down the road a good piece by now.”
Even to her own ears, her voice revealed her annoyance. Taking a calming breath, she attempted a friendlier tone. “Truly, I dinnae expect ye tae return. I just hadnae thanked ye properly for yer help. So, again…thank ye, and I wish ye well.”
When he merely stood there, she resisted the urge to shoo him away with her sore hands and dredged up a smile. “Travel safe.”
“Ye still dinnae trust me.”
’Twas clearly a statement, not a question. She lifted an aching shoulder. “ ’Tis more that I dinnae know ye. Surely ye ken a lass alone and somewhat incapacitated, has valid reason tae be wary of a stranger.”
He crossed his arms over what she’d already discovered to be a well-muscled chest. “True enough. But if I intended ye harm, I’ve had ample opportunity, already. I certainly wouldnae need tae carry ye several miles tae accomplish whatever devilish deed ye believe I have in mind.”
Kenna blinked. His argument was sound. She’d been at his mercy since her fall and he’d shown her naught but kindness, despiteherungracious behavior.
She swallowed a groan. The man was like a pesky, buzzing midge no manner of swatting would discourage. It may be easier to let this stranger carry out his chivalrous intent by taking her home, than persuading him to let her continue her search alone. Mayhap once he felt his rescue was complete, he’d move on and she could somehow make her way back.
Blast her clumsiness!’Twas as if the Devil himself stood by, conjuring up ways to prevent her from completing her quest. A chill skittered up Kenna’s spine.Mayhap ’twas truer than she kenned. Could the witchery that condemned her mither and sister to burn, be at play here, in this century, as well?
She looked with a keener eye at Sean. An innocent stranger? Or a not-so-innocent wanderer, sent here to hinder her attempts to return to her own time and somehow save her family?
Which then? If the latter, was it best to send him on his way to complete his mischief in secret, or keep him close so she could observe and thwarthisactions?
She conjured a contrite smile. “Ye’re right. I’m being ridiculous. It seems all I’ve done since I met ye is apologize for my behavior. I assure ye, I’m not always this muddle-headed. I accept your offer of assistance, with gratitude, but I need a favor before we go.”
“Anything.”
“Just inside the kirk walls, tucked in a corner, you’ll find a bundle of clothing. Would ye bring them tae me, please?”
His eyebrows rose, but he avoided voicing the curiosity evident on his face. “Of course.”
While he fetched her other clothing, more suitable for this time period, she began removing her outer garments. Her sixteenth century apparel dinnae blend well into the life she pretended to live here. But her injured hands made even this simple task difficult. By the time Sean returned, she'd exhausted both her patience and her energy. And she still faced getting the last of these items off and struggling into the snug jeans she’d bought in order to blend into this century. She cringed at the idea of dragging them over her torn, bloodied knees.
“Thank ye,” she muttered, accepting the bundle from Sean. “If ye’d be kind enough tae wait around the corner of the kirk, I’ll be ready, soon.”
Sean eyed her with skepticism. “If ye require assistance with yer...uh...endeavor, ye've only tae call out.”
