Page 42 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior
As they continued riding, the forest grew denser and eventually Roderick called for Moira to curve at a turning that opened up onto a small path leading to the lodge. The familiar sight of the wooden cabin brought a slight release of tension in Roderick’s shoulders. They had made it there in one piece.
As they both jumped down from their horses and tied them accordingly, Roderick edged closer to Moira. He couldn’t help but gaze at her rosy, flushed cheeks.
“I’ll give it tae ye,” he said, leaning against the tree “Ye’re quite the rider.”
“This,” she chuckled, her eyes as green as moss, and as shiny as dew-kissed leaves. “This was more o’ a stroll than a proper ride.
“Is that so?” Roderick raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a slight smile. “Perhaps we should go ridin’ properly sometime then, and ye can show me how good ye really are.”
She shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes as she adjusted her cloak. “Maybe one day,” she said. “Although be careful what ye wish fer, ye ken I love a challenge.”
Both Roderick and Moira stood in silence for a beat, leaning against the trees. Their bodies were close, angled toward one another, and Roderick could feel the warmth radiating off her, momentarily lost, as he was, in her eyes.
“So,” Moira finally said, a playful smile still tugging at her lips. “Ye have the keys tae this lodge, or are we goin’ tae break in through the windows?”
Roderick broke away from Moira and with a swift motion, walked to a nearby rock, climbing on top.
“Roderick, what are ye...” He heard Moira begin to ask.
Without looking back, he propelled himself upward with ease. He grabbed onto the edge of the roof of the lodge and he steadied himself against the slanted shingles. With a practiced roll, he stood on top of the roof.
Moira’s gasp of surprise fueled him on, as he made his way across the roof with careful yet confident steps.
Moments later, Roderick landed softly back on the ground, key in hand, a self-satisfied grin stretched across his face.
“Here we go,” he said, catching a steady breath.
“Well, that’s one way tae dae it.”
“Try tae look a little less impressed, Moira,” Roderick whispered into her ear as he passed.
Moira rolled her eyes, crossing her arms, although she was smiling– a smile that soon turned into a laugh. “Dinnae flatter yerself too much Roderick,” she said, “fer I feel yer head might explode.”
Roderick chuckled, "Aye, perhaps I’m just a bit too impressive fer me own good," he teased, giving her a wink as he moved toward the door.
Moira’s laugh lingered in the air as she followed him, and Roderick resisted the urge to look back at her and tease her some more.
“Dinnae worry,” she said, her voice silky and smooth. “I’ll make’ sure tae keep yer ego in check."
With a gentle push, Roderick turned the door to the lodge, and as it creaked open, he breathed in the musky scent. It was a little damp inside, his boots creaking across the dust-covered floors. The place looked withered, a stark contrast from what he had remembered of it since he had been just a young lad.
And while that was to be expected, it filled him with a dark and twisted sense of remorse.
He reminded himself that things change, and that it was a natural part of life but his anger spurred him on. He had to find out the truth and avenge his father once and for all.
Roderick began to walk around the cabin, trying to ‘inspect’, although he wasn’t exactly sure what he was supposed to be looking for. He was happy to follow Moira’s lead in this instance.
“We should look through everything, Roderick,” Moira said, to his relief as she appeared to sense his hesitation. “Ye start at the far-left corner, I’ll start from the right, we should leave naething untouched. Even if it seems like it may nae be o’ use, ye never ken what ye might find.”
They continued to search through the lodge in companionable silence. Roderick checked in with Moira every now and then, but she had not found anything to pique her interest. They searched through books, cupboards, furniture, and as the hours passed the skies grew darker and the winds began to howl outside the lodge.
“Roderick,” her voice eventually cut through the damp air. “Perhaps we should head back home before it turns too dark. There daesnae seem tae be anything o’ use here.”
“Aye,” Roderick agreed, pushing past his disappointment as he came toward her.
Suddenly, there was a shift.
“Wait just there,” Moira said. She stood rapidly, her arm raised mid-air gesturing for him to stay in place.
