Page 45 of Highland Storm

“Well, that might be happenin’ sooner than ye think,” Hawke mumbled, walking to a table and plopping his travel bag down upon it.

“What do ye mean?” She hurried to join him.

“Dinna worry yer pretty little head about a thing, lass.” Hawke reached out and lifted her chin again, running his thumb over her bottom lip as his gaze focused once more on her mouth.

“Dinna touch me,” she said, pushing away his hand.

“Stop it,” he whispered. “People are startin’ to stare. We dinna want them to think we’re anythin’ but lovers. If so, they are goin’ to start askin’ questions that I am no’ willin’ to answer. Now sit down and I’ll get us somethin’ to eat.”

Phoebe collapsed atop the bench, noticing everyone staring at her. Men with their hands cradled around metal tankards talked and laughed. Some of them had whores on their laps. The girls wore low-cut bodices and pressed their cleavages up against the men’s cheeks.

“Lovers,” she said to herself, clutching her cloak to her neck, watching the local lightskirts working the room. Everyone seemed to be happy and enjoying themselves. Everyone but her. Phoebe felt so alone right now.

The man at the door thought she was Hawke’s lover. What if she truly were Hawke’s lover? The idea excited her at first, but then she let out a sigh realizing it could never happen. Being enemies, all she was to Hawke was a means to get his grandfather returned. Nothing more. But if things had been different, she wondered if perhaps she and Hawke could have been lovers after all.

Chapter 15

“Ye’re addled, Hawke,” said Logan, taking a swig of ale. Logan, Ethan, and Hawke stood outside the door to the room that Hawke was sharing with Phoebe.

“It’s a suicide mission,” added Ethan, leaning against the wall.

“Shhh,” said Hawke, looking over to the door. “I dinna want Phoebe to hear us.”

“Ye canna rescue Ian by yerself,” said Logan. “That is out of the question.”

“At least take us with ye,” said Ethan. “And Caleb, too.”

“Nay,” said Hawke. “They’d smell Caleb comin’.” He flashed his friends a smile, trying to keep the mood light.

“Why dinna ye just wait until we get to the MacKeefe camp?” Ethan stifled a yawn.

“Because, I dinna want to bring our prisoners into the camp with our women and children present. It’s too dangerous.”

“No’ any more dangerous than ye tryin’ to sneak in and break yer grandfaither out of the dungeon all by yerself,” said Logan. “Ye could get killed, or even taken prisoner yerself.”

“Dinna worry about it. If that happens, we still have two prisoners to trade for Ian and me.” All of a sudden, Hawke smelled something foul and looked up to see Caleb approaching. “Caleb, I thought I told ye to stay in the barn and watch the prisoner,” said Hawke.

“Jack and Trapper are watchin’ him. Plus Orrick was headed out to the barn as well. I came in to get a bath. I willna be shunned any longer while ye three have all the fun.”

“Hah!” spat Ethan. “If ye call a suicide mission fun.”

“What do ye mean?” asked Caleb. “What’s goin’ on?”

“Hawke is goin’ to sneak into the MacNab camp tonight and try to break out his grandda,” Logan told him.

“Why?” Caleb turned his head and looked at Hawke from the corner of his eye. “Is this an attempt to get mentioned in the Highland Chronicles? Because if so . . . I like it.” He smiled and nodded his approval.

“Ye’re both daft,” said Ethan with a wave of his hand through the air. “No book is that important to take on a mission that is sure to fail.”

“I dinna care about the Highland Chronicles, and I willna fail,” said Hawke. “I care about my grandda and the clan. This feud has gone on long enough and no more MacKeefes are goin’ to die. Since they killed our messenger, that tells me they are no’ willin’ to negotiate. When my faither finds out, he’ll want to attack. It’ll be a bluidy battle and many will die. I need to end this now before it is too late.”

“I suppose ye’re right,” said Ethan.

“Has anyone heard more news about the attack from the English?”

“I heard they are movin’ up the coast,” said Caleb. “A traveler passin’ by told me out in the barn that the Scots are still burnin’ the land but holdin’ off on fightin’. They’re plannin’ to ambush the English as soon as they move north. Hopefully, the English will turn around and go home.”

“With the forces split, hopefully the MacNabs’ defenses at their castle will be weaker,” said Hawke.