Page 66 of The Highlander's Dangerous Bride

“I bumped me head a few times, and me scalp hurts like hell where that bastard Maddox had me up by me hair,” she told him, gently patting her head and grimacing, “but other than that, I’m all right.”

“Thank the Wee Man,” he sighed as they hugged each other tightly and exchanged a sweet kiss. “That was a close one. What happened? How did ye come tae be on MacDonald’s boat,” Arne asked.

“They tricked me,” Raven replied and told him the whole story of how she had been lured onto theLady Anne.

“Jaysus!” he exclaimed when she had finished. “I had me suspicions that MacDonald was watchin’ us. His men were just waitin’ fer their moment tae try tae steal ye away. ’Tis me fault. I was lax in leavin’ ye alone like that. I didnae quite believe how bold MacDonald is and what lengths he’ll go tae tae get ye back. I’m so sorry, Raven,” he told her, wracked by guilt for the danger he had put her in.

She stroked his hair and kissed his lips gently, looking deeply into eyes. The love he saw there was unmistakable, and it comforted him. However, the thought that he had been so close to losing her because of his own carelessness stabbed at him.Thank God I got her back! Or thank Bosco.

“’T’was nae yer fault, Arne,” she told him. “I kent there was somethin’ fishy about it, but I was so excited about gettin’ tae see me braithers sooner than I thought, I foolishly went along with it. Dinnae blame yersel’ fer a moment. Ye saved me just when I thought it was too late.”

“I’ll nae let that happen again, nae while there’s blood in me body,” he promised, holding her close, silently vowing never to leave her alone again. They stayed like that while the Kelpie Lasssped over the waves, taking them to safety.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

When they were well out of sight of theLady Anne, with the coast near Oban visible slightly to their left, Bosco came over to them and said, “We’ve upset some dangerous folk today. Me and the lads have decided tae head north and stay out of the way for a while until the fuss dies down. I strongly suggest ye dae the same. Ye’re welcome tae come with us, or we can set ye down somewhere safe, so ye can continue yer journey.”

Arne and Raven talked about it for a few minutes. Then, Arne said to the waiting captain, “We were supposed tae get a birlinn tae Tarbert tomorrow. We’re headin’ fer MacNeil lands, between there and Clachan. Could ye set us down somewhere where we can continue south?”

“Aye. There’s a headland nae too distant from here,” Bosco replied with a nod. “There’s plenty of cover and naebody goes there. There’s a cave in the rocks there we sometimes use to hide stuff. Look fer the two ash trees close together, and ye’ll find it easily. Ye’ll be safe there if ye need tae make camp and rest fer a night or two. There’s a freshwater burn nearby, and we’ll give ye some vittles tae keep ye goin’. Ye can carry on south towards Tarbert from there, though if ye’re goin’ on foot, it’ll likely take ye about two days, and another two tae reach Clachan.”

“Four days,” Raven breathed, her disappointment clear.

Four days of walking sounded like a lot to Arne as well, but what choice did they have? “’Tis nae ideal,” he told her, “but at least we’re alive and together, eh? We can make it. We may even be able tae come by some horses and cut the journey time down that way. I have a little money in me coat.” That was the sum of their possessions apart from the clothes on their backs.

Raven nodded. “All right,” she said.

Arne looked at the captain. “Thank ye, Bosco, that would be grand. We’re very grateful fer all yer help.”

“Aye, thank ye, Captain,” Raven put it, smiling up at the man. “I hope one day I can repay ye for what ye did.”

Bosco’s weathered face broke into a smile as he gazed upon her. “Nay repayment needed, lassie. I was glad fer the chance tae stick that bastard Maddox, fer murderin’ me braither. I’m hopin’ that what with me blade in his shoulder and Arne’s here in his belly, the vicious pig’ll be bleedin’ out. That thought puts me in a good mood, so I’m feelin’ generous.”

The three of them chuckled at that before Bosco added, “I’m awful glad ye’re safe though, lassie, and I wish ye both well.”

He left them to give the crew their new orders, and a while later, they were beaching the birlinn in small sandy cove in a remote headland, hidden from view from the open sea. Bosco made good on his word, leaving them a bag of provisions sufficient for a few days, two water bottles, as well as some blankets for warmth.

Having pointed out the twin ash trees to help them locate the cave, theKelpie Lassfinally departed. Arne and Raven stood on the sandy shore waving her off, filled with gratitude for the all the help and kindness the captain and crew had shown them.

They picked up the things Bosco had left them and walked up the beach together, quickly locating the cave. It was large and dry, and showed signs of former occupation. They were delighted to find firewood already cut and stacked by a well-used makeshift hearth, as well as an iron box containing flints and tinder and a few cooking pots and utensils. It was the work of a few minutes for Arne to get a fire going. The interior of the cave soon brightened with the reddish glow of the dancing flames, looking almost cozy.

Arne insisted that she accompany him to the nearby burn to fill the water bottles, not willing to take any chances with her safety. After that, they returned to their hideaway and settled in for the night, intending to set off on the next leg of the journey the following morning.

Raven busied herself making tea and assembling a small feast of hard black bread, cheese and dried meat. Before long, they were sitting side by side, wrapped in blankets, and eating and drinking as they warmed themselves by the fire.

“That was very frightening,” Raven said eventually, feeling very emotional as she put a tentative hand to her tender scalp and recalled Maddox’s mistreatment.

Aye, ye can say that again,” Arnie agreed, his chiseled features creasing into a frown that Raven thought made him look even more adorable than ever. “There were one or two moments there when I thought I was gonnae lose ye,” he added, gazing into her eyes.

“If it hadnae been fer ye, Arne, I would have been halfway tae Barra by now. I can never tell ye enough how grateful I am fer ye riskin’ yer life tae come and rescue me.”

“Aye ye mad? I love ye. Of course, I was gonnae come,” he told her, feigning offence. “I’m nae gonnae let that bastard MacDonald get his hands on ye again, nae while I live and breathe.” He opened his blanket and smiled enticingly at her. “Come on in here with me and have a cuddle. Ye’ll feel better, I promise.”

“Arne Macleod, I’m the luckiest lass in the world tae have ye love me,” she said with a smile as she shuffled over on her behind and nestled beneath his sheltering arm, putting her arms around his torso and squeezing him tightly. She could feel the muscles flexing beneath his skin. He felt so solid, warm, and powerful, her literal tower of strength.

“There now, that’s better, eh?” he said, pulling the blanket back around them and cuddling her close. “Aye ye warm enough?”

“With ye next tae me, I’m always lovely and toasty,” she told him, the memories of their recent ordeal starting to fade as they snuggled even closer. “How about ye?”

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