The man who controlled Caralyn was not about to let her go, so when Robbie took her away from him, he hired mercenaries to help him retrieve her. And the fools decided to abduct Caralyn’s bairns. Big mistake with Loki and Growley around.
“Caralyn! Get to the horses. Get the lasses on the horses!”
The sound of Quade’s voice was enough to send a chill up her spine. She spun around and saw there were three horses headed straight for them. Malcolm. Malcolm with two others on horseback streaked across the meadow toward them.
Quade and Tomas jumped off the roof and mounted their own horses, readying themselves for a confrontation. Ashlyn screamed and started running toward the horses while Gracie was still headed toward Loki, oblivious to the approaching danger.
Caralyn dropped everything and raced for Gracie.Oh Lord, help us.She tore past Ashlyn, trying to reach Gracie. Only when it was too late did it occur to her that Ashlyn could not mount a horse on her own.
Tomas and Quade bellowed the Grant whoop as they galloped toward the intruders. Approaching the first horseman, Tomas swung his sword but missed. The second horsemen came behind him and swung a club and hit him in the back of his head,knocking him off his horse. Caralyn’s gut clenched in panic when Tomas fell to the ground. Hard.Get up, Tomas, get up. He didn’t move.
She picked up her skirts and raced as fast as she could, screaming at her girls to run. One man headed straight for Gracie, the other two headed toward her and Ashlyn.
Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion as her life fell apart in front of her. The smallest man leaned over and scooped Gracie up and the other grabbed Ashlyn by the arm and threw her across his horse. Caralyn changed direction and ran back toward the horses.
She glanced over her shoulder to see Loki come flying out of the bushes with Growley at his side. Both chased after the man with Gracie on his lap. Tears ran down her cheeks as she heard her daughters’ screams rent the air. Quade went after Ashlyn, Loki after Gracie, and all Caralyn could do was try to get on her horse in an attempt to evade Malcolm.
As she mounted, Loki pulled his slinger out, loaded his stones into it, and pelted the man who held Gracie on his horse.
The lout yelled and slapped himself in the face. “My eye! The wee bastard hit me in my eye.” He dropped Gracie and Loki ran over to pick her up, throwing her on the giant deerhound’s back in one smooth movement, latching her arms around Growley’s neck and her legs around his back. He then gave the dog a shove toward the trees and yelled, “Go, Growley!”
Growley hurtled down the path into the woods and Malcolm yelled at the brute. “Get her, you fool! Are you planning to let a wee lad beat you, Ray?”
Ray set off after Growley, but the dog ran in between bushes where the horse couldn’t go. Gracie hung on for dear life, but she managed to stay on him, at least as far as Caralyn could see.Go Growley, go!Loki followed the attacker and continued to pepper him with his stones from behind. Ray finally cursed andturned his horse around, charging after Loki, who took off into the forest again, easily evading his pursuer.
Quade followed the brute who had Ashlyn flat across his horse in front of him, and managed to stab him through the back. The big man fell sideways, tumbling off the horse. The animal reared and Ashlyn grabbed its mane, screaming for help. Caralyn kneed her horse directing it toward Ashlyn.
Quade jumped off his horse and, after a quick battle, killed the one interloper who was still on the ground. When his horse returned, he mounted and took off after Ashlyn, finally grabbing the reins of the horse and scooping the girl onto his lap.
Caralyn gasped a sigh of relief. Both girls were safe for the moment. She surveyed the area and noticed Malcolm was now following her.
“Ray, go after the wean, you half-wit!” He pointed down the meadow where Growley had just emerged from the forest with Gracie still clutching his fur, her face buried in the hound’s back.
Ray retreated and headed after Gracie again. She watched in horror as Ray caught up with the dog and grabbed Gracie again just as Loki came tearing out of the woods.
Memories flooded Caralyn. In a matter of seconds, she saw the haunted look in Gracie’s eyes change to joy at the Grant keep, Ashlyn’s frown change to a smile as she played with Torrian, Jennie, and Avelina. She heard Robbie’s chuckle as he stood at the hearth in the great hall with his brothers, Brodie and Alex.
And she made a decision. The choice had to be made quick, and she did not hesitate. She stopped her horse and held her arms out to Malcolm. “Leave my girls alone and I’ll go with you willingly.” She had no choice, her daughters were finally where they belonged. She wouldn’t allow anything to take their happiness away. “Malcolm, leave Gracie behind and I’ll go with you.”
Malcolm smiled. “Let the wean go, Ray. I have what I want.”
Highland Sparks
Book 5
Logan and Gwyneth
Logan and Gwyneth were a powerful couple, and everyone loved to watch their interplay.
Chapter Eight
Loki is chosen as a judge for a contest and meets Gwyneth.
It was a glorious day, with a slight breeze that swirled the fallen leaves around her feet. She waited, pacing occasionally to help gather her strength, while the clan gathered off to the sides.
A voice broke into her thoughts and she looked up in time to see an exuberant Loki leaping and running across the field. “I’m one of the judges. My laird chose me.”
She couldn’t help but smile at the lad. “Does that surprise you, Loki?”
