Page 70 of Highland Storm

“What? What is he thinkin’?” Caleb popped another berry into his mouth.

“Since he was married to Osla that the boy might be his,” Ethan answered for him.

“Really?” Caleb sat up. “Do ye think ye have a child?”

“I dinna ken what to think,” said Hawke. “We were only married for a short time, but I suppose he could be mine. I dinna ken.” Hawke broke off a piece of a twig and threw it into the fire.

“If the wench canna even remember bein’ married to ye, then I doubt the boy is yers,” said Ethan.

“Aye, why canna she remember?” Caleb reached down for another berry, finding the bowl empty. “Och, who stole my berries? Logan, was it ye?”

“Me? I dinna even like berries,” said Logan, making a face.

“Ethan?” Caleb turned and glared at his other friend sitting beside him.

“Dinna look at me. I’m drinkin’ Mountain Magic. It doesna go with berries.”

“Then where are they? I had an entire bowl of them.”

“Ye’re just as addled as that wench,” said Logan, raising his tankard to his mouth. All of a sudden, his eyes opened wide and he jumped up off the log. “Bid the devil, somethin’ just brushed past my leg.”

Trapper’s head popped up, but the dog stayed lying down, yawning.

“What’s the matter with ye two?” asked Hawke. “Ye’re actin’ like scared lassies, just like Ethan did when we got too close to the castle on the isle.”

“It’s haunted, I tell ye,” said Ethan. Then he jumped up as well. “Somethin’ brushed by my leg, too.”

“Mayhap it was a ghost,” said Hawke sarcastically, throwing the twig into the fire.

“Nay, it’s no’. Look,” said Caleb, pointing in the dark. “It’s some kind of critter that is stealin’ my food.”

Trapper let out a low growl and finally got up and took off after the bandit animal, followed by Caleb as they ran through the camp.

“Do ye think Euan is really married to her and the faither of her children?” asked Logan.

“I dinna ken what to think,” said Hawke, getting to his feet as well. “But I plan on findin’ out.” He headed toward the stable.

“Wait. Where are ye goin’?” asked Ethan.

“I’m goin’ to Crookston Castle to confront Euan. I get a feelin’ he’s been makin’ a fool of me, and I will no’ let that go unpunished.”

“But what about Ian? I thought we were goin’ to save our chieftain,” said Logan, following after him.

“The plans just changed,” said Hawke, furious to even think of Euan bedding his wife. “I’m goin’ to find out the truth and then I’m goin’ to kill Euan for what he’s done.”

“Hawke, wait! Slow down,” said Ethan. “Ye’re no’ thinkin’ straight. Ye canna just walk in and kill the man!”

“Then I’ll sneak in and strangle the truth out of him and then I’ll kill him, collect Ian, and be back before sunup.”

“Ye’re bein’ a fool,” said Logan. “At least let us come with ye.”

“Nay. We’ve got more MacNabs here now than I want. If word of this gets out, we might just have MacNab warriors at our door. Stay here and watch over the lassies and the children.”

“We’ve got other men here to do that,” said Logan. “I’m comin’ with ye.”

“Nay!” Hawke said, spinning around on his heel, angrier than hell. “I need time alone and with ye three along, I will never be able to collect my thoughts.” Hawke quickly saddled his horse and pulled himself up. “And whatever ye do, do no’, I repeat, do no’, let Phoebe out of yer sight. The last thing I want is for her to do somethin’ stupid.”

“She’s no’ the one we’re worried about,” mumble Ethan into his mug. Hawke took off into the night, heading for the MacNabs to settle things once and for all.