Page 5 of Stealing a Kilted Heart

“Nay,” said Magnus. “Ye also need tae find another healer.”

“Another healer?”

This was news to Knox and not particularly good news. Magnus’ wife, Effie, was the castle’s healer and she was more than competent at her job.

“The demands have grown too great,” Magnus said. “There is only so much Effie can dae an’ if there is an attack…”

Magnus didn’t need to finish his sentence for Knox to know what he meant. If Clan Gordon attacked, then there would be many who would need care and attention from a healer. Effie would not be enough on her own to meet such demands.

“Fine,” said Knox, nodding. “Dae we ken anyone who could help?”

“Perhaps we could find someone in Duror,” said Magnus. “It’s a big village. Surely, they have a healer.”

“Very well. See that it is done.”

The Gordon Clan had already taken too much from them—from him. Their laird, Alistair Gordon, had loomed over Knox’s shadow for years. He was responsible for his parents’ deaths. He was responsible for so many evil acts that Knox could not even name them all. And now they were about to attack again, threatening everything Knox held dear—his friends, his family, his people.

They wouldn’t be getting what they wanted, not if he had something to say about it. He would rather give his own life, sacrifice himself for the sake of those who trusted him and depended on him, than let the Gordons have even a sliver of his land or harm even one of his people.

There was much to be done. Knox was convinced an attack was imminent and with Callum leading the mission, he couldn’t rest assured everything would work out. The castle needed fortification and a new healer needed to be found. The men’s training would have to become more rigorous than ever, and Knox felt the need to be in control of all those things. Even if it meant sleepless nights and working tirelessly around the clock, he had to make sure the clan had no weak spots.

It was all his responsibility now. Everything rested upon his shoulders.