Page 63 of Highland Storm

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Phoebe ran after Hawke, heading him off as he left the building.

“Hawke, ye canna do this alone.”

“Get out of my way, Phoebe.” He stepped around her and headed for the loch. Phoebe ran after him.

“Hawke, stop! I need to talk to ye.”

“There is nothin’ to say,” he answered and continued walking. “I’ve made my decision.”

“But ye’ll be killed.”

“Then so be it,” he said. “If I die, I’ll be doin’ it for a worthy cause.”

“I love ye,” she blurted out before she could stop herself from saying it.

He stopped in his tracks and turned around. “What did ye say?”

“Ye heard me. I’ve fallen in love with ye and I think ye’ve fallen in love with me, too.”

“Nay. We’re enemies.”

“So was Osla, but yet ye were married to her. Did ye love her?”

Hawke looked up to the sky where his hawk was making lazy circles above them. Then he let out a sigh and held out his hand to her.

“Come with me, Phoebe.”

“Where are we goin’?” she asked, reaching out and taking his hand.

“I think we need to talk in private and I have just the place to do it.”

“All right,” she said, curious as to where he was taking her.

They walked down the hill and to the shore where she saw a small fishing boat tied up at the dock.

“It’s a boat,” she said excitedly.

“Aye. It’s my boat. I use it sometimes to sail out to the ocean to think and be alone.”

“It looks big enough to fare the sea.”

“Aye, it is. I let the clan use it to fish. It’s small enough to maneuver easily with just one person.”

“Really,” she said as he helped her board. “Can we go for a ride?”

“I suppose so.” Hawk set the sails and expertly manned the boat while she watched, taking in every little thing he did.

“This is wonderful,” she said, as they headed out to sea. With the wind in her hair and the light spray of salt water against her face, she closed her eyes and leaned back on the seat, taking in the feel of the warm sun.

“I didna have time to fall in love with her,” said Hawke, causing Phoebe to open her eyes.

“What?” she asked, sitting up to look at him.

“Osla,” he said, staring out to sea, manning the rudder as the boat pushed through the water. “I was young when we were married to make an alliance between our clans.”

“I remember,” she said. “Even though I was only a child at the time. My clan thinks ye killed her. That is why the feud continues.”