Page 84

“I am jestin’, mo leannan. Dost ye really think I would put ye in danger with wolves? Besides we are carryin’ the heart of the Wolf King, nae wolf would dare draw near.”

“Promise?”

“Of course.”

“We have food?”

“Enough for our supper.”

“I hate that we ate the protein bars on the first day. They would be useful right now. How long have you known that we wouldn’t make it by nightfall?”

“We would make it by nightfall if I wasna fallin’ asleep on m’horse.”

“Non-answer, but I forgive you.”

“We will camp.” His eyes swept the sides of the path. “Just ahead.”

He led me about thirty feet and then we pulled off the path, through some gorse to a small clearing with a clump of trees. It was well-hidden, and with a nice stream beside it. Cool refreshing water, food, and a leafy ground. I declared, “It’ll be more comfortable than the bed last night.”

“We will see if ye feel the same way in the damp chill of the morn.”

“And good news, I negotiated with the king to keep our fire-starter! Man, I am a good negotiator.” I dug through the bag. “Also this tiny flashlight!” I clicked it on.

“This is wonderful, look, I can see for at least a foot around...” The light was very dim, disappointingly dim. I whacked it against my palm. It didn’t get any better. I mumbled, “Still glad I have it.”

We made camp. He easily got a fire started after I collected sticks with my dim flashlight that didn’t really help, and we warmed our hands and ate and drank water. “If I were a better negotiator though, we would have some wine.”

He said, “Aye, tis true. But the ease of buildin’ the fire is verra fine. Ye are a good wife even without the wine.”

I laughed.

Then I asked, “What is the first thing you’re going to eat when you get home?”

“Which home, Clackmannanshire or yer house?”

I grinned. “Our house, Laurel Ridge.”

He said, “I only ken a few kinds of yer food, one was the pizza, a sandwich, the other… the pasta? Och, I remember the hamburger, twas verra good.”

I leaned against the base of a tree. “Man, Albannach, I have so much food to serve you. I will make you a roast. You’ve had it… but not modern roasts, with all the spices, I have… Have I shown you my spice cabinet?”

“Nae, I would like tae see it. What kinds of spices?”

“Nutmeg, turmeric, cinnamon, dried herbs, garlic and onion powders. Paprikas, cumin…”

His eyes were wide.

“I’ll make you dishes, you can taste all of them.”

“I look forward tae it.” He pulled the bags close to his legs and settled his back against the tree beside me. “I dinna ken in years gone by, when I was a young man, lookin’ for Max’s sister the princess, that I would find a bonny lass who wanted tae cook meals for me.”

“You hit the jackpot.”

“What is a jackpot?”

“That’s when, in a casino, you win all the money…” I added, “Let’s not talk about it, too confusing. Let’s talk about food some more. I will also bake you cookies and take you out to dinner⁠—”

His stomach growled. “I daena think we can keep talking about food.”