Page 48 of Highland Spirit

“Oh, thank ye,” said Alana, taking the basket from Lady Wren. Her heart ached to stay here with the MacKeefes. Not all of them seemed to forgive her yet for leaving Ethan at the altar the first time but, still, there were quite a few of them who were welcoming her with open arms and that made her feel like part of the clan – part of the family. Even so, who was she fooling? She was far from being a true family with Ethan or anyone other than her family of cutthroat thieves back on the isle.

“Well, I guess it’s time we get goin’,” said Caleb. “I’ll hold the basket.” Slipping his pine marten into his pouch he took the basket from Alana. “I hope there’s a little extra food in here for me and Slink as well.” He lifted the covering on the basket to see, but Ethan’s hand shot out and slapped him.

“Ouch,” said Caleb. “What was that for?”

“I dinna want ye holdin’ the food or it’ll be gone before we make it to the isle. Here, take Isobel and get in the boat. I’ll hold the basket.”

Ethan picked up and handed the little girl to Caleb, switching with the basket of food.

“That smells so guid, and I havena had a bite to break the fast yet since I was the one who had to fetch the priest in the dark,” Caleb told him.

“Stop complainin’,” grumbled Ethan. “At least I’m allowin’ ye to come with us.”

“Allowin’? Ye ordered me to come with ye because ye are afraid of goin’ to the haunted castle alone.” Caleb grumbled some more and carried Isobel down to the water.

“He’s comin’, too?” asked Alana, thinking things were getting worse. “Why?”

“Dinna fash yerself. He willna cause a problem,” Ethan assured her. “And I promise I willna let him get anywhere near this basket of food.” Ethan lifted the cloth and looked inside, and when he did, Alana couldn’t help herself. She playfully slapped his hand the way he had done to Caleb.

“Ouch. What was that for?” he asked.

“Sorry,” she said with a smile. “Ethan, ye’re no’ really afraid of a haunted castle, are ye?”

“Me?” He slapped his hand against his chest and cocked a half-grin. “Of course no’. I dinna believe in things like that.”

Logan snuck up behind him, grabbing him by the shoulders. “Boo!” he said, making Ethan jump, almost dropping the basket.

“Ye fool!” said Ethan. “Do that again and I’ll have yer head.”

Everyone laughed and wished the newlywed couple well as they got into the boat and sailed away toward the Isle of Kerrera.

Alana was married now and hardly able to believe it. Everything was happening so fast that she hadn’t had a minute to think things through. All she knew was that she was going to have to do something to get Ethan and Caleb to leave the isle before Diarmad and the others returned.

But now, it was going to be harder than ever. Because now, Ethan was not only her lover . . . he was her husband. Families were supposed to stick together, but she had a dilemma on her hands. She had two families now, and this situation was not the best. Once again, she was going to have to make a choice of what to do and she hoped, this time, it would be the right one.

Chapter 12

Ethan had figured Alana was going to try to leave him again, so he did the only thing he could to keep his newfound family together. He deceived her, just like she’d done to him.

He’d awakened early, making the bed look like he was still in it. Since she hadn’t answered him last night when he talked about telling Isobel he was her father and also about getting married in the morning, that told him she didn’t agree.

It was driving him crazy not knowing what she was keeping from him. Since she was so adamant about her secrets, he figured there was only one way he was going to find out anything. That’s when he decided to go to the isle with her. Since he’d just discovered his new daughter, he didn’t want to leave her behind, so he brought Isobel as well. Ethan had a family now and he would do anything he had to in order to protect them. He’d even go back to that bloody haunted castle – the last place he ever wanted to be.

The sail wasn’t doing much since there was very little wind today at all. Therefore, Caleb rowed the boat while Ethan sat back with little Isobel on his lap. She was so happy since he’d made her that rag doll that she wanted to be by him constantly – which he loved. Plus, the rest of the clan thanked him for it, too. Sophie had her doll back and wasn’t constantly crying anymore. Everyone had a good night’s sleep. Amazing how that worked.

“If ye’d like to row for awhile, I could use a break,” complained Caleb. He eyed up the basket of food, which told Ethan he just wanted to eat.

“Nay, ye’re doin’ a fine job,” Ethan answered, still sitting back, looking out over the water. “Besides, we’re no’ in a hurry.”

“Ethan!” scolded Alana. “Is that the only reason you brought Caleb along? To row the boat?”

“Nay,” said Ethan. “He’s my friend. Friends do those kind of things for each other.”

“Friends dinna let each other starve to death,” Caleb answered softly.

“Well, I think Caleb deserves a break. I’ll row for awhile,” offered Alana, starting to get up off her seat to take the oars.

“Ye’ll do no such thing.” Ethan put Isobel down on the seat next to him. “Trade spots with me, Caleb, I’ll row. With the rate ye’re goin’ we’re never goin’ to get there anyway. We both ken I’m much faster at it.”