Colin's Quest Read Online Free PDF

calm down—”
    This time Dougal’s wrath turned on Angus. “Take your kin and leave.” He jutted his chin toward Colin, unmistakable hatred blazing from bloodshot eyes. “We’ll speak of this no more.”
    “But, Da…” Sarah tore herself from her mother’s embrace and ran toward Dougal. “Please, Da, just listen to him.” She got to a foot from him before his massive arm swung out, knocking her to the ground.
    Colin could take no more. Launching himself onto Dougal’s back, he grabbed the man’s arms, wrenching them backward, pulling him away from Sarah.
    “You’ll not hurt her,” Colin yelled, his voice containing all the pent up fury he felt for the vile man.
    Dougal whirled, throwing Colin from his back, then turned toward his wife. “Take her to the wagon,” he ordered, shooting a gaze at Sarah. He spun back toward Colin who charged, ramming his head into Dougal’s stomach.
    The man stumbled backward, falling over a log before landing with a thud. “I’ll kill you,” he bellowed before storming toward Colin.
    As if prearranged, the three oldest MacLaren men and their sons appeared from out of the darkness, standing behind Colin.
    “You fight one of us, you fight us all, MacGregor. Make your decision carefully,” Angus warned, inserting himself in front of Colin.
    Even with his one brother and cousin, Dougal knew they were no match for the four brothers and oldest sons. Although he wanted nothing more than to teach the MacLarens a lesson, he couldn’t afford to get hurt before finishing their journey to Oregon.
    Dougal stepped up to him. “You take your boy and go. Do not let him near me or mine again. I won’t be responsible for what happens to him if you do.”
    Angus’s eyes narrowed on him before nodding, then turning to Colin.
    “It’s over, lad. Let’s go.” He took his son’s arm.
    “Da…I can’t—”
    Angus yanked Colin to him, sending him a stern look. “You will do as I say and leave. It’s done.” Pushing his son ahead of him, Angus followed, his body shaking with anger at MacGregor and grief for his son.
    They’d made it no more than twenty feet when Sarah’s anguished cry carried through the night.
    “Colin!” His name echoed through the camp, then her voice grew silent.
    Angus tightened his grip on Colin, Gillis and Ewan using their bodies to keep him from moving away. His eyes focused ahead, Angus forced himself not to look at his son, already knowing what he’d see.
    Nodding to his brothers as they reached their wagons, Angus guided Colin ahead, detouring toward an outcropping of rocks, then let go of his arm.
    “You will not go near the MacGregor’s camp again, do you understand?”
    Colin’s tormented face nearly brought Angus to his knees, but he wouldn’t relent. Colin’s life might depend on him agreeing to let Sarah go.
    “Colin, did you hear me, lad?”
    Swallowing the bitterness he felt, Colin nodded before fastening a determined look on Angus. “I will stay away from her…for now. But I will never let Sarah go. One day, she will be mine, Da. I swear before God she will.”

    In a somber mood, the MacLarens entered Fort Hall the following morning. The events of the night before had affected all of them, and besides Colin, perhaps none more than the oldest MacLaren. They spoke little of it, yet all had experienced the same youthful love, accepting it as part of what their ancestors called the MacLaren curse. When MacLaren men found love, they gave their heart for life. It had happened to their father, then to Angus, Gillis, Ewan, and Ian. Although they’d joked about it over the years, acknowledging it to be more a fairy tale than fate, it appeared there’d be no changing the MacLaren legacy.
    “I need to see her once more, Da. I can’t let her go without saying goodbye.”
    Angus knew this conversation would come. He’d spoken to Kyla about it, already deciding what would be done. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small object,