***
Zeke returned to find the camp set up and an area cleared for him to get a fire started.
“Looks good,” he commented.
Brenna smiled warmly at him. Zeke got the fire started and then watched as Brenna created an oat laden bread she called a bannock. They enjoyed it with some cheese, wine, and apples, which filled their bellies.
Brenna retrieved a brush from her saddle bag and returned to the fire where she sat closer to him than felt comfortable. She had been humming happily to herself since they stopped. He didn’t want to disappoint her, but there would be no repeat kisses, no matter how amazing it was. He was starting to like her. He could finally see her good qualities, instead of the unhappy young woman whose only goal was to run away. Taking her away from those circumstances seemed to light her from within, and he felt like he could fall forever into those green-tinged hazel eyes. But he was leaving. Soon. As soon as he could find Sara, they would go back to San Francisco and he would never see her again. His heart hurt at that thought, and he knew he needed to distance himself from her as much as possible after this morning’s mistake. He scooted over a bit and noted Brenna’s look of disappointment when he did. She stopped humming and appeared uncertain.
“Did I do something wrong?” she asked.
“Brenna, we’re not really married, you know.”
“We are. Ye married me. I was there.”
“It was a handfasting.”
“’Tis much the same thing,” she insisted.
“No. Not really. It’s temporary.” He didn’t want to be a jerk about it, but he didn’t want her to be disillusioned either. “Look, I get that you haven’t been with a man before and if I had known, I wouldn’t have kissed you this morning. That was wrong and I took advantage of the situation.”
“Was I so bad at it that you dinnae wish to do it again?”
He could see she was getting more and more upset. She was taking everything he said the wrong way.
“No!” he shouted in exasperation. “You were not bad at it. As a matter of fact, you were very good. I just don’t want to kiss you again. That’s it. End of story.”
“Fine. If that’s what ye want.” She moved to the other side of the fire where she continued to brush her long, luxurious dark locks while giving him the evil eye.
I’m such an idiot! She probably hates me now.But then he thought it might not be such a bad thing to have her hate him. It might make things easier all around. He stood and went to the plaids that Brenna had so sweetly laid out next to each other. He picked his up and moved it. If he was going to continue making her hate him, it would be best if he wasn’t sleeping right next to the temptation of Brenna MacRae.
***
Nevil Munro dispatched six of his best men to find Brenna MacRae. He’d received word from a spy at Castle Treun that she’d handfasted with the man who said he was the Laird of San Francisco. He didn’t care about that. She’d have been nothing but trouble to him as his wife and he didn’t need the clan whispering about how it was that she suddenly found herself dead. No. He had another plan. One that would get him the land he wanted without the need of a wife.
He’d been told they were on their way to Breaghacraig and he intended to stop them before they got there. Six men should be enough to overcome the laird. If he fought them, they had his permission to run him through. He didn’t need him. He wanted Brenna MacRae. Not as a wife, but as a hostage. As soon as she was in his grasp, he’d send word to MacRae telling him that ifhe wanted her back he’d have to surrender the land that had been promised to him in their agreement. It wasn’t a foolproof plan. There was always the chance that MacRae wouldn’t want her back, in which case he’d lock her away in a turret atop his castle, where she could rot for all he cared. MacRae had angered him greatly by backing out of their agreement. He warned him, but the fool probably didn’t think he’d follow through on the threat to make him pay. Nevil Munro could hardly wait. If only he could see Paddraig MacRae’s face the day he received the ransom note. It would make it all worthwhile.
Chapter 10
The morning dampness did little to brighten Zeke’s mood. He stoked the remaining embers of last night’s fire and got it blazing once again. He rubbed his hands together to warm them over the fire and then sat on the ground by it. He was frustrated by last night’s events. Brenna was behaving as if they were a real couple, instead of two people who had been thrown together by a conniving Paddraig MacRae. The sooner he got her to her brother the better. He glanced over his shoulder to where she lay curled up in a tight ball.She must be freezing,he thought. He retrieved the plaid he’d used for warmth last night and quietly brought it to cover her. He doubted that the extra layer would help. It was downright cold. He could see his breath in front of his face. He returned to the fire, but felt badly leaving Brenna where she was, so he went back and carefully lifted her into his arms, transporting her closer to the fire.
Her eyes popped open. “Where are you taking me?” she asked, a note of panic in her voice.
“Closer to the fire. You must be freezing.”
He placed her on the ground where she would feel the warmth emanating towards them from the wood that crackled and burned. Brenna was awake now, but remained silent, which Zeke thought might be a good thing. If she was angry with him, she’d be happy to be rid of him when they reached their destination. He attempted to hand her a piece of bread, the cheese and a knife. She just sat there staring into the fire.
“You should eat,” he said, continuing to offer her the food.
“I’m nae hungry,” she turned her head away from him.
“We should probably get going then.” There was no point in staying. If they left now they’d get in a few more hours of riding before they stopped again for the night.
“Aye.”
Zeke stood and packed up their camp. He waited until the last possible moment to extinguish the fire, wanting Brenna to be warm while she waited. She never once looked his way.
Gathering Vala and Olwydd, Zeke retied the saddle bags and then waited for Brenna to approach. He reached for her to help her up into the saddle, but she batted his hands away. “I’m capable of mounting me own horse.” The fire in her eyes told him to back off.
