Page 9 of Bewitching her Highland Savior

“As long as Macleod is a good man,” he said with a shrug. “Why would ye care about the rest?”

“Because I wish to ken what love feels like,” Muriel said.

Liam remained silent once more. He, too, had no idea what love felt like, but he had never given it much thought in the first place. Instead of trying – and inevitably failing – to console her, he began climbing steadily, one slow step after another. It took more effort to climb up, especially with Muriel's extra weight, and by the time they got to the top, Liam was already sweating.

He pushed himself up the last few steps with a groan, until they were both safe at the top of the cliff, and then paused for a moment to catch his breath.

“I have half a mind to tie ye with this rope,” he told Muriel.

“Dinnae fash,” she said. “I willnae run away again.”

“And why would I trust ye?”

“Because I’ve learnt me lesson. I dinnae wish to fall in another ravine.”

The glance that Liam gave her was a suspicious one but he did not argue with her. Despite her reassurance, he did not believe her. He would have to keep a close eye on her until they reached Lewis, which would only make his job even harder.

I should have asked for more gold.

After untying himself, he went to pick her up only to have her stumble back from him.

“What are ye doin’?” she asked. “I can walk.”

“Ye’ve hurt yer leg,” Liam reminded her. “It’s easier if I carry ye back.”

“I’m nae a bairn. I can walk. I only have to lean on ye.”

“The ground’s uneven, lass,” he said. “And if ye fall, ye may hurt yerself more. It’s only for a short while.”

Muriel seemed to consider her options for a few moments and then gave him a reluctant nod. Liam scooped her up carefully; glad they didn’t have to argue about that too, and carried her back to the camp. The whole way there, Muriel was stiff as a board in his arms.

Once there, he placed her down by the fire and saw her shoulders drop as she finally relaxed. There was a tightness in his chest at the thought that Muriel seemed to be so uncomfortable around him. Sure, they hadn’t been particularly friendly to each other but he didn’t want her to spend the rest of the trip in discomfort. The way to Lewis was a long one, after all.

“May I see yer wounds?” he asked. He hoped that if he approached her a little more gently, their situation wouldn’t be as uncomfortable to her.

Muriel paused for a moment before nodding, first extending her injured leg toward him. Liam sat it on his lap, gently poking and prodding at her ankle until she hissed when he touched a sensitive spot.

“It’s swollen, but nae much,” he said. “It doesna seem to be broken but it’s best that ye dinnae put much weight on it for a while. It’s a good thing ye dinnae have to ride a horse.”

Pulling a piece of cloth from his supplies, Liam wrapped it tightly around her ankle to keep it from moving and, once he was done, he moved on to the scrapes and bruises that were scattered along her legs and arms. He cleaned each cut carefully but none of them were deep enough to cause him any concern.

“Give it a few days and ye’ll be fine,” he said. “And get some rest.”

Liam attempted to stand, but Muriel grabbed his arm and stopped him.

“Thank you,” she said. “Forgive me for causin’ ye concern.”

Liam’s expression softened and gave Muriel a small smile. “If I didnae ken any better, I’d think ye’re tryin’ to be nice,” he teased and was surprised to see a smile mirroring his own.

“It willnae happen often, so dinnae get used to it,” she said. “Goodnight, Liam.”

With that, she lay down by the fire and turned to face it, closing her eyes, but it didn't feel like the dismissal it had felt earlier in the night when she had turned away from him. Liam decided it was time for him to sleep as well. He needed the rest because they had several long days ahead of them.

“Goodnight, Miss MacNeil,” he said as he settled on the ground; smiling to himself.