Braden headed to the trees and dropped Steenie into Cairstine’s waiting arms.
“Mama! You’re safe,” Steenie said as she grabbed him and hugged him tight.
Braden’s chest puffed out as he watched the two together. Cairstine glanced his way, such gratitude in her eyes that he was humbled.
But he couldn’t wait any longer, so he swung back around. They really had no idea how many bairns were there. Thenumber of enemies still swinging their swords was down from nine to five, though two had decided to give up and fled back to their boat.
Braden saw Maggie grab one of the small lassies, but he noticed one of the older ones was spinning around in a panic of confusion, gripping a young girl in her arms. It was obvious she didn’t know where to run or who to trust. He shouted, “Hand her to me.” The girl, crying furiously, held the wee lass up so Braden could grab her. Then he slowed, “Give me your hand and you can climb on behind me.”
The lass stopped crying and let out a piercing scream unlike anything he’d ever heard before. Braden had no idea how to calm her. Then Cairstine’s voice carried across the distance to him and the girl. “Edith, trust him.”
Hell, but Cairstine knew the lass?
Edith must have recognized Cairstine, too, because she offered her hand to Braden and he tugged her up high enough that she could slide her leg over the horse behind him. Once she was steady, he led his horse away from the few battling men and over to the trees.
Once he set her feet on the ground, Edith, still in a panic, screamed, “Eva, where are you?”
Cairstine stepped out and said, “Here, Edith. She must be here.” She pointed to the three lassies behind her, all of them now sobbing.
Edith shot over to the group, picking up her sister and holding her tight, sobbing uncontrollably. Then she turned to Cairstine and looked at her, but there was no recognition in her eyes.
“Edith,” she said, “I’m Cairstine…your cousin.”
The Scot’s Quest
Book 4
Dyna and Derric
Loki is called to assist an old friend and mentor.
Chapter Sixteen
Alex makes a decision to save his family. His plan needs the trickster.
Alexander Grant stood in the middle of the forest, talking to the person whose assistance he’d sought.
“Are you sure about this?” the other asked.
“Aye. I aim to put an end to this. They stole my grandson, my daughter, and they’ve put my family through hell trying to get to me. DeFry and Busby came to MacLintock land and said Edward’s son will not stop until he has my head.”
“You think giving him what he wants is the answer?”
“I’ve lived a full life. I’ll not have a young life lost over my old one. This must end now. I had to choose carefully, but I’ve known you for many years. I believe you will assist me in this endeavor. I only have one caveat.”
“And what is that?”
“You must tell no one. Will you agree?”
The man who stood in front of him thought carefully, something he should do. He knew what this action would bring down upon him. All the Grants would come for him if they learned the truth.
But Alex trusted this man, trusted him with his life. He would do the right thing.
The man turned to him and clasped his shoulder.
“Aye, I’ll assist you. Whatever it takes. I owe you much.”
Alex Grant smiled and let out the breath he’d been holding.
