Page 4 of Highland Spy

“Aye, me. Is there somethin’ wrong with that?” Caleb asked her.

“Nay,” she answered with a shake of her head. “I was just expectin’ someone more . . . I mean . . . different, that’s all.” Her eyes continued to scan up and down Caleb’s body.

The MacKeefe laughed out loud. “I assure ye, even though Caleb isna one of my biggest warriors, he is just as guid with a sword and twice as fast on his feet. He will accompany ye to Hermitage Castle. And I’ll send along one more man with ye if it’ll make ye feel any safer. However, I canna spare more than two right now since it’s time to shear the sheep.”

“Caleb, did ye find that doitit pet of yers yet? I want my braies back,” complained Logan, walking up with his wolf trotting along at his side.

“Logan, ye’ll go with Caleb to escort the chronicler and his daughter back to Hermitage Castle,” commanded The MacKeefe.

“What?” Logan’s head snapped up. “Me?” His hand thumped against his chest. “Why?” Logan scowled. Caleb realized it was because he thought the girl was naught but a nuisance. “I’m tendin’ to the livestock this month, and I’m the best at shearin’ the sheep,” Logan reminded him. “No one can match me with a blade in my hand or a whittling knife in my grasp. I really need to stay here.”

Old Ian did not agree. “Hawke and Ethan will fill in for the chores of both ye and Caleb while ye’re gone,” he assured him. “I think Bridget would feel safer with yer wolf along. So ye’ll go with Caleb and I’ll no’ hear another word about it.”

“Och,” snorted Logan running a hand through his hair. He let out a deep sigh and gazed out over the hills as he spoke. “When do we leave?”

“We need to be at Hermitage Castle in three days’ time,” Brigham told them.

“Then ye boys better leave anon,” remarked Ian.

“Three days?” complained Logan. “Even with our fastest horses, it’ll take a full two days to get there. But with them along, it’s goin’ to slow us down. We’ll be lucky to make it there before the competition starts.”

“Let me lead and we’ll get there in less than two,” said Caleb. “I ken a few shortcuts.”

“Ye’ll go slow enough that our guests are able to keep up,” Ian told him. “Remember, they are no’ used to ridin’ at breakneck speeds like ye two. Take yer time and travel safely. Stay overnight at the Horn and Hoof, and pay my respects to my da when ye get to Glasgow.”

“Ye mean Auld Callum?” asked Bridget. She knew the MacKeefe’s history since her father had been recording everything about the MacKeefes lately. “And the Horn and Hoof Tavern?”

“That’s right. Auld Callum and his Mountain Magic,” said Caleb.

“Get packed and leave within the hour,” Ian ordered.

“I’ve got my sword, my wolf, and my horse. That’s all I need,” said Logan with a chuckle. “I just hope Rhoswen will forgive me for leavin’ her behind when we’ve just recently gotten married.”

“Why no’ bring her along with us?” asked Bridget. “I wouldna mind havin’ another woman along on the journey.”

“Well, I dinna ken,” said Logan looking over at The MacKeefe. “Her sister might need her here since her bairn has started crawlin’ now.”

“Nonsense,” spat The MacKeefe. “She’s got other siblin’s to help her with little Lockie. No’ to mention, Clarista hasna let go of that boy since they got to camp,” he said, speaking of his wife. “Ye take that new wife of yers with ye to the Lowlands. She’s been through a lot lately, I hear, and needs a break.”

“All right. I’ll go tell Rhoswen to start packin’.” Logan hurried off with a smile on his face, whistling as he walked.

“Ugh,” grunted Caleb, not wanting another woman along on the journey. He had hoped to have time to talk to Bridget to convince her father to mention him in the chronicles. But now with Rhoswen along, he’d probably not be able to get a word in edgewise. Two women together meant there would be talking and laughing and gossiping the entire trip. His head already hurt just thinking about it.

“What’s the matter?” Bridget pulled him from his thoughts.

“What do ye mean?” he asked.

“Ye sound as if ye dinna want Rhoswen to join us on the journey.”

Caleb could have kicked himself for letting the “ugh” slip out. The last thing he wanted was to anger Bridget any more than she already was. Now she was going to think he was nothing but a selfish cur.

“Nay, that’s no’ what I meant,” said Caleb, wondering how he was going to explain this without telling her that he was hoping to have time with her alone.

“Then what did ye mean?” she challenged him.

Thankfully, the pine marten ran by with something in its mouth that looked a lot like Logan’s braies. Two giggling clanswomen ran after it. This gave Caleb the excuse to leave without answering Bridget directly.

“Excuse me, but I’ve got a pine marten to catch, and Logan’s braies to return to him,” he said, taking off at a run. He could already see that this was going to be a very interesting, not to mention, long journey.