Page 43 of Highland Storm

“Nay, she’ll ride with me.”

“Ye want this?” Ethan offered him some rope.

“There’s no need,” Hawke answered. “She’s no’ goin’ anywhere as long as she’s with me.” He reached over and hoisted Phoebe up onto his horse and pulled himself up behind her.

It was all worth it when she looked over her shoulder and smiled at him, her face lighting up. She looked like an angel. Then she whispered, “Thank ye, Hawke.” Having the enemy thank him wasn’t a normal thing to happen. But coming from a bonnie wench like her, he liked it. Hawke was starting to have feelings for Phoebe. He struggled inwardly with the fact that he was going to have to trade her back to the MacNabs if he ever wanted to see his grandfather again.

“We ride to Glasgow,” Hawke commanded, without answering her. Once she found out what he planned to do when they got there, she might not be so eager to thank him again.

* * *

Phoebe had a feeling something was troubling Hawke. More so than usual, anyway. They’d ridden for hours and he hadn’t said more than a few words to her the entire time. And when she purposely asked him a question, trying to get him to speak, he only answered with a grunt.

Finally, the Horn and Hoof Tavern came into view and the traveling party stopped.

“It’s guid to be back,” said Callum with a huge smile, almost jumping from the wagon in anticipation to get back to the tavern he owned. Callum rushed inside while Orrick went to the back of the cart to check on their prisoner.

“He’s sleeping like a babe,” said Orrick, checking the man’s shoulder. “But I don’t like the looks of his wound. I’m going to need more herbs to rid him of that infection.”

“Let him die. He deserves it,” said Caleb, walking by. The smell of the polecat still clung to him and Phoebe had to cover her nose with her hand. “Let’s go inside and get a drink.”

“Nay, ye’re no’ goin’ to sully the Horn and Hoof with yer stench.” Hawke slipped off the horse and reached up and put his hands on Phoebe’s waist to help her dismount. She held on to his broad shoulders as he lifted her and slid her down his body.

Being so close, with their bodies touching, it made Phoebe feel warm and excited.

“What do ye mean?” complained Caleb. “I’m no’ stayin’ out here.”

“Aye, ye are,” said Hawke. “Stay in the barn with the horses tonight and I’ll have someone bring ye some food and ale later.”

“Nay,” Caleb said with a scowl. “I’m goin’ in to find somethin’ to eat.” Caleb took two steps before he was blocked by Ethan.

“I agree with Hawke. No one in there wants to smell yer stench.” Ethan crossed his arms over his chest.

“Get outta my way, Ethan!” Caleb sidestepped Ethan, only to be stopped by Logan blocking his path next.

“I’ll use brute force to keep ye here if I have to,” Logan warned him, his arms crossing over his chest as well.

“Ye canna keep me outta the tavern,” Caleb spat.

“Fine, let him pass then, boys,” said Hawke, releasing Phoebe. “But I’ll hate to see what my great-grandda does to him if he dares to step a foot inside the tavern reekin’ like dung.”

“That’s right,” said Logan. “The last time I walked into the Horn and Hoof with just mud from the road on my feet, old Callum had the bouncers throw me out on my ear.”

“That’s nothin’,” said Ethan. “Callum didna like the fact I had my elbows on the drink bar one day and he actually stabbed my hand with a knife. Dinna ye remember?”

“Och, that’s right,” said Caleb, making a face and looking at the ground. “Ye bled all over me since I was sittin’ next to ye at the time.”

“Boys, haul the prisoner into the barn as well and make sure he canna escape,” said Hawke. “Caleb, ye watch him until we decide what to do with him.”

“Me?” Caleb’s palm slapped against his chest. “I dinna want to watch a stinkin’ MacNab. He’s likely to find a way to get loose and slit my throat as I sleep.”

Phoebe stirred restlessly, not liking that he was insinuating all MacNabs were like Lennox.

“I find it amusin’ ye use the word stinkin’,” said Hawke with a chuckle. “So dinna sleep, then, I dinna care,” said Hawke, throwing the travel bag from the horse over his shoulder and taking Phoebe by the arm. “Come on, lass. We’re gettin’ a room for the night.”

“A room?” asked Ethan. “Oh, guid. I’d like to sleep on a pallet tonight instead of the ground.”

“The room is no’ for any of ye. I’ll be watchin’ the lass, but it’ll just be the two of us,” Hawke informed his friends.