Page 39 of Highland Sky

Chapter Twelve

“Idinna ken about this idea,” said Ciaran the next morning as Kellina and the others were preparing to leave.

Kellina had insisted on her sister going with them. After spending the night in the same bed with Nash again, and both of them facing opposite directions, not touching and not talking, things only seemed to be getting worse between them. That was why Kellina decided she needed her sister along for a welcome distraction.

“I don’t see the problem, Uncle,” said Kellina.

“Well, I think Caitlin needs to stay here,” he told her.

“Either my sister comes with me, or I dinna go,” said Kellina, demanding her terms. She didn’t want to feel alone at Edinvale Castle and needed someone she could talk to. Spring had been acting more like a mother to her than a friend, and what she really needed was someone who could understand how she felt. Perhaps, as Spring had suggested, she’d start confiding in Caitlin and trusting more in her sister. “After all, today is Caitlin’s birthday, and this will be a guid present for her. Dinna ye agree, Sister?”

“Aye, I want to go to the Gordons’ castle with ye,” said Caitlin with excitement. “I would love to meet Lady Spring’s family and see where she lives. Can I go, Faither, please?” she begged the chieftain.

“Uncle, no’ Faither,” Kellina mumbled to herself.

“I want to go, too,” chimed in Kellina’s little brother, Jamie. “Please let me go with them, Da.”

Hearing what her siblings called Ciaran sickened Kellina. She didn’t like it one bit. “He’s our uncle, no’ our da,” Kellina tried to remind them, but to no avail. They usually called him uncle, but when they got excited, they slipped back into calling him Da again. Ciaran was the only father her siblings ever really knew. It was obvious Kellina was never going to change things where this was concerned.

“Jamie, ye will stay here, but Caitlin can go,” said the laird.

“Oh, thank ye,” cried Caitlin, giving the laird a big hug. Jamie pouted, then turned and ran off.

“The wagon is ready,” said North, bringing around the horse-drawn cart, as well as his horse with him. In the back of the wagon were some travel bags with their things. They also brought with them the tools that would be needed for thatching. Hay lined the wagon, to keep everything from banging about.

“Caitlin, ye’d better get yer things together, so ye willna slow them down,” suggested the chieftain.

“Too late,” said Caitlin with a giggle. “I already have my things loaded. I was hopin’ ye were goin’ to decide to let me go.” Caitlin ran over and climbed up to the seat of the wagon.

Spring and North mounted their horses as the party prepared to leave.

“I’ll drive the wagon,” offered Nash. The wagon would be used to bring back a load of thatch that they’d use on the roofs later. It would be a full load, and possibly not easy to handle.

“I’ll ride with my sister, and ye can use a horse instead.” Kellina pushed past him and climbed atop the bench seat, settling herself next to Caitlin.

“Reid, get back here.” Aidan MacKeefe ran up to the back of the wagon, collecting his squirrel that had scurried into it. “I’m sorry I’m headin’ back to the MacKeefe camp today. I’d like to see what happens when ye unload all these . . . interestin’ things.”

“What do ye mean?” asked Kellina. “We are hardly bringin’ anythin’ with us.”

“It might be more than ye ken.” Aidan chuckled, holding his squirrel in two hands, backing away. Kellina didn’t know why he was acting so odd, and neither did she care. All she wanted was to get on the road so she could arrive at the Gordon Clan and get her chore taken care of quickly.

“Are ye sure ye can handle that wagon?” asked Nash.

“Better than ye can, I’m sure. Hold on, Caitlin. We’re goin’ to lead the way.” Kellina slapped the reins and the horse took off, pulling the wagon at a good clip.

“Wait, Kellina,” yelledNash, quickly mounting his horse. “The fool wench is goin’ to get herself killed. North, ye take the lead and watch the road as well as the tree line. I dinna want to meet up with any trouble.”

“Nay. I’ll take the lead,” said Spring from atop her horse. “I ken the area leadin’ to the Gordons better than anyone. It will only take a few hours to get there. I will show ye which trails are the safest.”

“All right. I’ll take the back door then,” said Nash.

“Why dinna ye ride next to the wagon and try to mend things with yer wife?” Spring suggested. “After all, I didna convince the laird to let ye two come on this journey for nothin’. Ye ken what ye have to do, Nash.” With that, Spring took off atop her horse, leading the way to her castle.

“She kens, doesna she?” asked North as he and Nash rode their horses, trying to catch up with the women.

“I’m startin’ to get the feelin’ that everyone kens we didna consummate the marriage, North.”

“So, that’s what Spring was talkin’ about when she said ye ken what ye have to do?”