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Caleb’s brow rose. “You don’t think we should go north?”
“I didn’t say that. I believe we should go north.”
“Why?”
“Not because I have a hunch. North is the Highlands and it’s rough, wild country and Jane mentioned that she’s familiar with it. She’d believe she’d be harder to track.”
“But I’m also familiar with it.”
“She knows that in the end that wouldn’t be a factor. You’re the Hunter.” He paused. “And there’s another reason she might want to go to the Highlands.”
Caleb looked at him inquiringly.
“Which I won’t divulge. After all, I can’t let you have all the cards.” He smiled mischievously. “If you’re lucky I might tell you when we get up there to Rob Roy country.”
“Or I might squeeze it out of you if I get too impatient.”
“That might also happen. But it might keep the trip interesting.” He leaned back on the headrest and closed his eyes. “I’m beginning to get a headache. Don’t wake me unless you have an emergency. I promised you I’d get stronger, and I need my rest.”
***
It was sunset by the time Jane reached the foothills overlooking the twisting brook that wound down through the valley leading to the purple-shaded mountains.
Beautiful…
She reined in the stallion and gazed out at those mountains. There was no doubt this was the scene that MacClaren had painted on the wall in that railroad car. There was a small, sod building on the far ridge that she didn’t remember being in the picture, but it was incredible that was the only difference. Considering the passing of time, the entire glen could have been changed. But perhaps that was why MacClaren had chosen to paint this scene in the Highlands. He might have wanted to keep the memory of this poignant beauty as long as he could, and the chances were better if it remained wild.
Was Fiona with you when you came here? She knew this country. She’d studied it when she was preparing herself for the races at the castle. Maybe she wanted you to see it.
Stop it. She shook her head impatiently. This wasn’t about Fiona. She was here because it was going to be easy for her to become lost in these hills. More important, it would be difficult to be found by anyone tracking her through this wild Eden.
She also knew these Scottish Highlands from her visits to MacDuff’s Run. And from the long walks she had taken here with Caleb when they had wanted to escape the castle and just be together.
She blocked the thought. Don’t think about Caleb. It was going to be difficult enough when she had to confront him. Which would come very soon. She knew he was on her trail, and he wouldn’t allow a temporary stop to pick up Nojer to delay him for very long.
And it was time she found a place to settle for the night and find water and grass for the stallion. Tomorrow she’d have to find food for herself. She’d helped herself to Nojer’s rations before she’d left his camp, and that would suffice for the time being.
And perhaps she’d light a fire and take a look at that letter that she’d tucked away in her art case. It seemed a suitable place to try to decipher it. Providing Fiona had really brought MacClaren here to show him the true beauty of MacDuff’s Run. She’d meant to take a long time to examine that letter, but perhaps this would be better. Heaven knows, she needed something to take her mind off Caleb and the tragedy of what had happened back at the castle. The memory of that burning gate would stay with her forever.
“Come on, Jocko.” She turned the horse toward the trail leading up the mountain. “You’ve been a wonderful friend, but now it’s time to rest. I know a place that will suit you. Let’s see if we can find you something to eat. No oats, but you’ll like the grass in these hills.”
***
It was fully dark, but the moon was shining brightly when Caleb parked the Range Rover in the trees at the bottom of the foothills. “Wake up, Rodland.” He put on the brakes and got out of the car. “Gather wood and build a fire. Then you can put on some coffee.” He added caustically, “If it wouldn’t be too much of a strain.”
“No, I feel much better.” Rodland smothered a yawn. “And I assume you’re not going to make me hike through these hills in the dark. By morning I should be almost normal.”
“I’ll decide whether we go on after I check the trails to make certain this was her destination. This would be my best bet. She knows these Highlands inside out. But she might have decided to come this far and then taken another road in another direction to fool me.”
“You believe she’s capable of that?”
“I believe she’s capable of anything when she makes up her mind,” Caleb said. “And she’s probably more upset now than I’ve ever seen her. I don’t know how I can change it. But I’ve got to. I’ll use anything I have on hand to turn this around.” He turned and headed up the path toward the mountains. “I don’t know how long I’ll be. I’ll be back as soon as I’m sure that she’s somewhere near here.”
“And then you’ll tell me what you’re going to do?”
“No.” He smiled faintly. “I’ll tell you whatyou’reprobably going to do.”
***
