“It doesnae appear ye needed it,” Cailin chuckled.
“Munro, back to the castle with ye. Laird MacKenzie will decide yer fate. He willnae be happy that ye thought to make a fool of him.”
The men all stood, appearing as defeated as they truly were and headed back to Breaghacraig. Logan and Hamish took up the rear to make sure no one made a run for it.
Dougall clapped Zeke on the back. “Good work,” he said, leaving him alone with Brenna.
The wound on Zeke’s leg opened again from the exertion of the battle. “I think it might need stitches,” Zeke noted.
“Let’s go inside and clean it up again,” Brenna put her arm around his waist and tucked herself beneath his arm. “Thank ye,” she said.
“For what?”
“For saving me again.”
“Brenna, you saved yourself that time. You took advantage of Logan’s arrival to get yourself away from Munro.”
“I did, didnae I?” She beamed a proud smile as they entered the kitchen.
***
“I think ye should see Dr. Ferguson before he leaves,” Helene said. “He can stitch ye up if need be.”
“I’m going to the castle. I’ll tell him he’s needed here,” Dougall said, exiting the room. They listened as his footsteps pounded down the stairs and the door slammed behind him.
“Put your leg up,” Sara said, placing a pillow beneath it as he lay on the bed.
“Do ye think he’ll be back,” Brenna asked, a slight quiver in her voice. “Munro, I mean.”
“He seems like a very determined man. I don’t think he’ll stop until he gets what he wants.” Zeke winced as Brenna pressed a wet cloth to his wound.
“But he doesnae want me. He’s already said as much,” Brenna said.
“He needs you in order to get what he wants. I don’t believe that he’d let you go even if your father agreed to his terms.” Zeke combed his fingers through her hair as she bent over his leg tending to the bleeding. “He seems like the kind of man who takes pleasure in tormenting his victims and that’s what scares me about this whole thing.”
“Put pressure on it,” Sara said, showing Brenna what she meant.
Brenna sat next to Zeke and did as Sara had done. Zeke could see she was upset by all of this, although she was very good at hiding it. Brenna wasn’t the sort of girl who sought sympathy. As Zeke had become aware, she was the exact opposite. She wanted to be looked on as strong and capable, even if on the inside she was just as frightened as any of them.
“What do you think’s happening at the castle?” Sara asked.
“I’m sure, Laird MacKenzie will have them escorted away from MacKenzie land. He’ll warn them of the consequences of returning uninvited. I hope Dougall and Logan aren’t charged with seeing to it,” Helene said.
“I hope not,” Sara agreed.
“I’m so sorry I’m causing this trouble,” Brenna said.
“This isn’t your fault, Brenna. It’s your father and Munro. They’re the problem.”
“Aye. Zeke is right. Our only concern is for yer safety,” Helene said.
“Will I ever be safe here? Will I ever be safe anywhere?”
***
“That should take care of things,” Dr. Ferguson said, packing his instruments back in the bag. “Ye’ll be as good as new in no time at all. And if I’ve done me job well, ye’ll have nary a scar to show for it.”
“Thank you, Dr. Ferguson,” Zeke said.
