Page 72 of Highland Sky

Chapter Twenty

When Kellina mounted her horse the next day, preparing to leave the marketplace, she noticed a small group of Sutherlands watching from the other end of the street. A shiver went up her spine. She held her hand over Midnight, who laid in a sling that Nash had made her and tied around her shoulders.

“Dinna worry, Midnight. No one is goin’ to hurt ye,” she said, petting the kitten’s head.

“Ready to go?” asked Nash, making sure she was secure before he mounted his steed. Gavin and Cam rode their horses over from the stable to join them.

“I canna wait to get out of here,” she told him, still eyeing up the Sutherlands.

“We have company,” said Gavin, from atop his horse. He nodded to the group of Sutherlands watching them.

Nash glanced down the street and realized what everyone was looking at. A group of a half-dozen Sutherlands watched their every move from atop their horses. They were all armed heavily, and this didn’t sit right with Nash.

“Dinna give them another thought.” Nash pulled himself up atop his horse.

“Nash, I dinna feel guid about it,” Kellina told him.

“If they are stupid enough to try anythin’, my friends and I will take care of them. Dinna fret about it. Ye and Midnight are safe.”

“Do ye really think they’ll try to attack us?” Cam’s hand wavered above the hilt of his sword as his eyes stayed on the small group of their enemies.

“There are too few of them,” Nash stated. “They willna attack, and no’ in such a busy place.”

“What if they follow us back home?” asked Kellina. “I dinna want to bring them right into our camp without warnin’.”

“Kellina, stop worryin’,” said Nash, honestly a little more than concerned himself, but he didn’t want to show it. “They willna give us trouble. I made the message clear yesterday to the Sutherland chieftain who tried to give ye trouble. Now, let’s go, and stop with all the clishmaclaver or we’ll never get back.”

“I agree,” said Gavin.

“Let’s go,” said Cam, leading the way. “I’m in the mood for thatchin’ a few roofs.”

Nash looked over his shoulder as he and the others rode away. The Sutherlands turned and headed in the other direction instead of following them. He let out a breath, feeling relieved. He would fight them if he had to, and wasn’t afraid of that. What he was scared of was anything happening to Kellina. There had been too much death in the MacKenzie Clan lately and, by God, the last thing he wanted was to lose his new wife.

*

“What the hellam I lookin’ at?” shouted North from atop a roof as Kellina and the others rode back into camp. “Gavin? Cam? Is that really ye or am I imaginin’ it since I’m so hot and tired that I canna see straight anymore?”

“It’s us,” shouted Gavin. “Ye’re no’ imagin’ it, North, guid friend. We’ve come to help.”

“Save some thatch for me,” called out Cam, waving up at their friend.

Tomas was on the roof of the hut with him, and even Caitlin and Jamie were helping with things on the ground. All the clansmembers bustled around busily. Kellina could see their camp looking much better than when they’d left.

“Kellina! Ye’re back early!” Caitlin ran to her, with Jamie on her heels.

“Sister, we’ve missed ye,” said Jamie. “Did ye bring me anythin’?”

“Stop it, ye fool,” scolded Caitlin, hitting her brother on the arm. “They were celebratin’ their marriage, no’ goin’ on a shoppin’ spree for ye.”

“I’m sorry, I didna bring ye anythin’, Jamie,” said Kellina from atop the horse.

“It’s all right,” said Jamie, kicking at a stone on the ground. “I didna need anythin’.”

“However, I did bring something back that I think all of us can enjoy.”

“Ye did?” Jamie’s head popped up and his eyes widened. “Is it figs? Or did ye bring back hazelnuts? I love nuts.”

“I have some special treats, but this one is no’ food,” she told him.