Becca St.John Read Online Free PDF Page A

through a bulging saddlebag.
    “I’m more interested in who they are and why they’re here.” He grabbed some rope, to hobble the horses.
    “Raiders?”
    “A bit early in the season for that. Stores are always meager in the spring.”
    She pulled a satchel of coins out of one of the bags, tested the weight of it with one bounce, peeked inside. “Gold.”
    “Gold?” He looked over her shoulder, felt the heat of her through his trews, the scent of her teasing him away from practical thoughts. He had to be practical.
    “Why would anyone be carryin’ gold coins out here?” He took the bag from her, treating it much as she had done. “Where would they be goin’? It’s our land here, clear to the Kyle of Minth, high as the North Sea.”
    “Traders?”
    He nodded, slowly. “Perhaps.” Not likely, though. He couldn’t tell her that. Couldn’t tell her what a worry this was. Seonaid confirmed they’d arrived by boat. They had to have sailed right past Glen Toric to get to where she saw them. Past their guard, without being stopped. They would be going past Glen Toric again. Too far to warn the clan of danger, Padraig doubted one ship would try to take on the castle. Not on its own. Were there others, did they gather troops with the promise of money?
    Did the clan have so many enemies out here?
    “Is it so strange to see men here, other than our own?”
    “Not unheard of, that’s why I followed you. But not like this, with coins like this.” Perhaps it would be better if she were frightened. “Shame they canna’ talk.” He looked at the dead men
    “Are you goin’ to follow the ones who rode away?”
    He studied the horizon, the men no longer in sight. “No.” They’d be on their ship by now, counting their losses. He’d not reach them unless some still hid, somewhere, out there between the rise and fall of the earth. In that case, he needed to be with Seonaid.
    He was pleased to see she tried not to show her relief. She, more than any other, knew the wickedness of unscrupulous men. With five of them, she risked far worse than what her brother had put her through. Even worse, knowing young Deian was there, hiding, alone.
    Lochlan, Seonaid’s brother, Deian’s father.
    Of course, that’s what Lochlan and his band of renegades were after when they kidnapped wee lasses from across the highlands. Those lasses weren’t for his band. There were too many captives for that, too many mouths to feed. Lochlan had meant to sell them to these men. They would not be knowing Clan MacKay had rooted out Lochlan and his men.
    They had no way of knowing the men they came to meet were dead.
    “We can go back, you know,” Padraig offered. “There’s safety in Glen Toric.”
    “We can’t.” She pointed behind him, “Look.” Another horse, pulling to be free, trapped by a dead rider entangled in the reins, snagged on an outcropping of rock. “I’ll get the horse.” She strode off to free the animal of its burden and soothe it enough to get it back to the others
    He knew what she was about. Three extra mounts to switch rides and riders, to go further every day.
    Stubborn, that’s what she was, stubborn. And for what? To go to the English?
    He spat, refusing to imagine what would have happened if he hadn’t been there. But he couldn’t stop the horrific scenarios running through his mind, chilling his blood.
    “Well,” he finally offered, when she returned, “at least the boy will have his own ride now.”
    “Aye.” She remounted, her jaw edged with determination. “And you can help me cook at night.” She looked up. “Or we’ll all starve.”
    He stared, stunned, laughter rumbling to the surface. She wanted him to join them. Sensed the need of it despite an obstinate belief she didn’t need anyone.
    Perhaps there was a God. For he could think of no other reason Seonaid would give him the one thing he needed. Time enough to change her mind, win her heart, and woo her home.

CHAPTER 4 ~ THREE ON THE