Colin's Quest Read Online Free PDF Page A

welcome.
    “My da and I will meet with yours. I will ask for her hand.”
    Geneen’s eyes grew wide. “Do you have any idea what you’re asking?” She gripped his arm tight, surprised Sarah had not told her of their plan. “He’ll never allow her to marry any MacLaren. Not while there is a breath in his body. Da cannot get over old feuds, no matter how far from the old country we travel. He’s a bitter man, full of hate.” She glanced around, reassuring herself they were alone. “You must take her and run. If you love her, you’ll leave and not look back.”
    “You’re asking me to steal her away, leave our families, and take our chances alone?”
    “Nae. I’m saying the both of you should go while you can. Hide, then meet your family somewhere between Fort Hall and California.”
    “That’s a fool’s journey, Geneen. I’ve no experience on the trail alone. My mistakes could get us killed.”
    “Aye, but you have three days to prepare and talk with your da. Surely he’ll help you.”
    Trying to think, he paced a few feet away. He’d thought the same more than once, discarding the idea each time, knowing MacGregor would send men after them, accuse Colin of kidnapping. No matter Sarah’s denials, he’d find a way to punish both of them, possibly sending Colin to prison. There’d be little his family could do.
    Turning toward Geneen, he shook his head. “I cannot ask my family to aid me in such an effort. Nae, we will speak to your father as men and come to a reasonable understanding so Sarah and I can marry. I don’t want to ask her to start a life by running from her family, perhaps never seeing you again.”
    Geneen caught her lower lip, then shook her head slowly. “He’ll never agree to a union—not between you and Sarah. All we can do now is pray that God will soften his heart so when you and your da state your case, he might listen.”
    Offering her a weary smile, he nodded. “Then we will pray.”

    “Are you ready, lad?”
    “Aye, as ready as I can be.”
    They’d waited until the last night on the trail. Tomorrow morning the wagons would enter Fort Hall, a major stopping point for emigrants along the Snake River. From there, the MacGregors would travel west, then north, following the trail through Oregon to the Willamette Valley. The MacLarens would journey southwest to their destination at the base of Boundary Mountain.
    Colin turned to Angus and let out a steadying breath. “Let’s go.”
    The MacGregors sat around a fire, finishing their evening meal. Unlike the MacLaren camp, where laughter and constant conversation filled the time, this camp was solemn, oppressive. A sense of foreboding crept through Colin as they walked straight up to Dougal.
    Without acknowledging them, Dougal washed down his food with coffee and set his cup aside.
    “You’ve wasted your time, MacLaren.”
    “But you’ve yet to hear why we’ve come,” Angus replied, frustration at the man’s lack of respect burning a hole in his gut.
    “I know why you’re here and my daughter will never marry your boy. I’ll send her to a convent before I’d let that happen.”
    A collective gasp from Dougal’s wife and Sarah had no impact on him.
    “Mr. MacGregor, let me—”
    Standing in one abrupt move, Dougal whirled on Colin, their chests touching. To his credit, Colin stood firm, glaring into the older man’s eyes.
    His face red, eyes bulging, he repeated his message. “You’ll not have my daughter. It makes no difference if you offer all you and your family own. She’ll never be yours.”
    Colin took his gaze off Dougal long enough to glance at Sarah, tears streaming down her face as her mother wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Anger swelled within him. He should be the one comforting Sarah, telling her to forget what her da said and believe they still had a future. Sarah had to understand he’d never give up on them—not ever.
    Angus stepped forward, trying to ease the tension. “Perhaps if we