Page 37 of Highland Storm

“Why is it so important that ye find that one weed that only grows on the Isle of Kerrera?”

“It’s no’ a weed. It’s an herb. And there are two of them there that I need. They are powerful, healin’ herbs that need to be used together. And I told ye earlier that I need it to heal someone in our clan.”

“Tell me who,” he challenged her, but she couldn’t reveal that information.

“Ye dinna need to ken.”

“It must be someone very important that ye canna get yer mind off of it.”

“I think I’ll just take a handful of these herbs back to camp. Then I’ll be able to ask Orrick about them and also see them clearer in the firelight.” She got up and stuck the book back into her pouch, bending over and picking some of the herbs. When she stood back up, something caught her eye. It was a flash of red plaid from behind a tree. She gasped.

“What is it?” Hawke drew his sword, looking around. “Did ye see someone, lass? Was it a MacNab?”

Phoebe was pretty sure she did see the MacNab plaid, but she didn’t want to tell Hawke. If she did, he’d be on high alert. If one of her men was hiding in the brush as a scout like Hawke had suggested earlier, mayhap there was still hope for her to escape.

“I – I think it was an animal.”

Just then, a low growl was heard and Hawke spun around with his sword in both hands and let out a low breath. “Och, it’s only Jack.”

“Jack?” She looked over to see Logan’s wolf standing there. Ethan’s wolfhound, Trapper, ran up behind it, barking. “Oh aye, it must have been him I saw.”

“I think they’re tryin’ to get us back to camp,” said Hawke. “Come on, lass. Apollo must have returned by now with some game. I’m starvin’ and want to eat.”

As they rode back to camp atop the horse, Phoebe looked back over her shoulder. She started wondering if she’d just imagined seeing a MacNab after all. Perhaps it was naught but wishful thinking.

* * *

“I dinna like it,” Hawke told his friends later that night after they’d eaten and were preparing to sleep. The four of them stood away from the campfire while Phoebe showed Orrick the herbs she’d collected. The two of them conversed about plants and things that Hawke didn’t feel were important.

“If ye dinna like it, ye can pass the bottle of Mountain Magic over here,” said Callum, grabbing it from Hawke and bringing it to his mouth.

“That’s no’ what I’m talkin’ about, ye fool,” said Hawke. “I mean I dinna like the fact that I think Phoebe saw a MacNab in the woods earlier but wouldna admit it.”

“She did?” Logan’s hand went to his sword, but Hawke stilled him.

“Dinna draw yer blade or she’ll ken that I’m aware of it.”

Ethan took the whisky from Caleb. “Do ye think there is more than one of them?” He lifted the bottle and took a swig.

“Nay. If there were more, they’d have attacked us by now,” said Hawke.

“Let’s go out there and find out for sure,” said Logan. “I’ll take Jack and search the woods.”

“Jack kens he’s there,” said Hawke. “I’m sure that’s why he growled earlier.”

“Ye did, Jack?” asked Logan, looking down to his wolf. “And ye didna tear the MacNab’s throat out?” The wolf was lying at Logan’s feet and looked up with curious eyes.

“Stop it, Logan,” said Hawke. “Ye ken our animals only attack on command. And we will no’ give that command unless our lives are bein’ threatened.”

“Well, I for one, dinna want a MacNab sneakin’ into camp while I’m sleepin’ to slit my throat,” said Caleb, his hand going to his neck.

“Then find a pet to alert ye and help protect ye,” said Ethan.

“And no more snakes or voles,” said Logan. “Make it somethin’ that can put the fear into an enemy if need be.”

“I’m workin’ on it,” said Caleb, grabbing the bottle back from Ethan. “All of ye, just leave me alone about that. I’m takin’ the time to find the perfect pet.”

“Hah!” spat Ethan. “By the time ye find one, we’ll be auld men.”