“Catarina?” Ewan called.
The gypsies broke through the forest into the small clearing in front of him.
Catarina smiled triumphantly. “See. I told you he would head north. Only a fool would head back to the village knowing someone was after them. And Ewan is anything but a fool.”
Ewan tossed the limb aside as Nora came out of her hiding spot.
Catarina rushed to Nora and gave her a hug while Viktor stood back, his face showing the relief Ewan felt.
“What are you two doing here?” Nora asked. “Not that we’re not thrilled to see you. But how did you find us?”
“The finding was easy. The MacKaids left a large trail to follow,” Catarina said. “We found them not long after the two of you had escaped them. They were plotting a way to retake you once they reached the village. Since we were coming from the village and hadn’t seen you, I knew you had to be going north to avoid them.”
“I then had Lysander and Bavel backtrack so that they could pretend to be you to lead the MacKaids away from your trail while Viktor and I continued to search for you.”
“Pretend to be us?” Nora asked.
Catarina laughed. “We shall have to make it up to Bavel that he’s wearing a gown and your brat.”
Viktor agreed. “I’m sure the MacKaids won’t get close enough to realize they’re not you. They were to bribe the villagers to verify they were you and, knowing Lysander as I do, I’m sure he can accomplish this.”
Ewan held his tied hands out to Viktor, “May I borrow a dagger?”
Viktor pulled the dagger from his waist and sliced through the ropes.
Ewan winced as his wrists stung even more from their release. Still, it was good to be free again.
Nora gasped as she looked at his arms. “Oh, Ewan. First your side and now this. I honestly can’t imagine how you can stand the pain of it.”
She looked to Catarina. “Cat, have you anything we can put on his wrists? And I’ll be needing a needle and thread to stitch his side.”
“Are you hurt?” Viktor asked.
“Graham stabbed him,” Nora said. “And it hasn’t been properly tended.”
Catarina motioned for them to follow her. “Come, I should have something in the wagon.”
They walked through the woods until they reached the wagon that had been left behind once the woods became too dense for it to pass easily.
Ewan paused as he caught sight of the short, lean man sitting on the back of the wagon in the open doorway. His blood ran cold.
It was Ryan.
Personally, he’d have rather seen Graham or one of his brothers waiting for them.
“Ryan!” Nora gasped, rushing toward him.
She pulled Ryan into a tight hug.
The sight of it cut through Ewan.
“I thought you were dead!” she said excitedly before she kissed him on the cheek. “Oh thank the Lord for His mercy.”
Ewan felt as though someone had dealt him a staggering blow. He hadn’t wanted the man dead, but...
“Careful,” Ryan snapped, pushing her back. “They damn near did kill me, and I fear my stomach shall never be the same again.”
Nora disregarded him and his surly warning. “I’m just so happy I didn’t kill you.”
