Page 60 of Ties of Legacy

“I’ll just make sure he’s comfortable.” Avery moved toward him, making sure to kick his sword out of his reach on the way.

But as she crouched over him, the thunder of hooves reached her ears. She paused, looking up. It was possible Rene and his men had stopped here because they were meeting someone, but she hoped?—

Elliot and Nutmeg streaked into view, and she beamed, some of the tension that still remained in her shoulders melting away. They were all together again, as they should be.

She blinked at the thought, unsettled by it. She was Avery—the solitary roving merchant. She couldn’t feel alone and incomplete without a companion by her side—let alone a companion who wanted nothing more than to buy a house and live in it for the rest of his life.

But there was no sign of anything settled or boring in Elliot’s face as he leaped from Nutmeg’s back while she was still moving, landing on his feet and sprinting toward Avery. His expression blazed with a combination of relief and warning, and for a heady moment, Avery thought he was going to sweep her into his arms.

But as he dove to his knees, sliding through the sand toward her, his hand came around her wrist, halting the progress of her dagger toward the still-groaning Ty.

“Wait!” he cried. “Don’t stab him.”

Avery frowned at him. He’d dashed in to protect her attackers?

Before she could grow too irritated, he continued.

“Unless you already have all the answers we want, keep one of them awake.”

Oh. Avery pulled her hand back. She should have thought of that herself.

“They must have some rope,” Elliot called to Mattie. “See if you can find me a length.”

He hauled Ty to his feet, keeping the man’s arms in a restraining grip behind his back. Ty protested weakly but from the way he staggered and shook his head, he was still confused from the direct hit he’d taken.

Mattie had no trouble locating rope, and they soon had all three of them securely bound, including the still sleeping Rene and Clyde. Avery had no idea how long they would remain asleep, but the dose from the dagger’s blade couldn’t be strong, so she wasn’t taking any risks.

As soon as he had finished tying the last of them, Elliot stood and strode toward her. The fire was back in his eyes, and she nearly backed away. But Avery of the roving merchants wasn’t a coward—even when it came to emotions she wasn’t ready to acknowledge.

Elliot didn’t break stride until he was close enough to wrap both arms around her and pull her hard against his chest. He held her against him with one hand, cradling the back of her head with the other as he rested his cheek against her hair. Despite the tension between them, and the strength of his hands, she felt him relax, breathing out a deep sigh.

“I was so worried,” he murmured. “Are you hurt?”

Avery let herself sink into his embrace, trying to blink back the tears that pricked at her eyes. Was this moment what she had hoped for when she told Elliot to follow them? When had his arms started to feel like the safest place she could imagine?

“I’m a bit sore from the pace of the journey,” she said softly. “But I’m all right.” She drew back, suddenly wanting to see his face. “But what about you? You must have ridden just as hard to keep pace with us on your own! Is Nutmeg…” She looked toward the grass, glad for an excuse to escape the intensity and warmth in Elliot’s gaze.

“She’s fine,” he said. “I pushed her hard, but we were equally eager to find you.”

Nutmeg gave a loud whinny in time with his words, making Avery laugh weakly. Her mare was either following their conversation, or she was rallying the other horses.

Her gaze moved back to the sand, catching on Mattie who was watching them with amusement but not an ounce of surprise. Avery’s arms shot out, pushing Elliot back as she quickly stepped away herself.

She cleared her throat, considering possible excuses. But they all sounded too weak to be uttered aloud, so instead she raised her head and turned toward Ty.

Elliot stepped forward before she could say anything, however, and shoved Ty, sending him stumbling backward until he lost his balance and sat down hard in the sand.

“Unlike you, I have no interest in hostages,” he said in a harder voice than Avery had ever heard him use. “But I’ll take some if necessary and see how you like being dragged across a kingdom. Or you could tell us why you broke into the record keeper’s hall and kidnapped two women. If I find your answer convincing, we’ll leave you and your friends here and ride away without looking back.” He leaned in, his face threatening. “Which is an outcome to be hoped for, believe me.”

“That sounds too soft to me,” Mattie said. “Are you sure it’s a good idea to just leave them here?”

She was staring at Ty with narrowed eyes, and the man seemed more intimidated by her than he was by Elliot and Avery combined.

“String him up and throw away the key,” Frank squawked, making Ty flinch again.

“I think you mean…” Avery gave up on her explanation. They were never well received by the bird.

“We were paid,” Ty said, not even attempting to put up any resistance. “Same as why we always do things.”

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