Highland Chieftain Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Easy, lad. I think I ken where your owner is,” she said and she was all too aware of its size and the possible threat.
    The horse tossed its head and danced to the side. She continued to speak calmly as she reached for its dangling reins, silently praying it would not think to bite her. Once she grasped them, the animal stilled and she dared to stroke its nose. It was a big, strong, mottled-gray gelding and she knew it would win any argument but the longer she stood gently patting him, talking soothingly, the more it calmed down.
    She decided that, even though she did not know if it was Sir Callum’s horse, it was obviously lost or cast aside, so she would take it to the man. When his leg healed enough to move about more, he would have need of a horse. This one would do as well as his own. It took two tugs on the reins before the animal began to follow her, but once it began it offered no further resistance.
    When she reached the opening of the cave, she released the animal, praying it would stay. To her astonishment, the horse was intent on barging its way through the brush she was trying to move. She grabbed its reins the moment she got the brush out of the way and struggled to pull its head down so it could get through the opening.
    â€œSir Callum,” she called as she struggled to pull the animal through the doorway even as it tried to pull free and race inside.
    â€œYe found him,” Callum said as he blinked awake from a light doze and was shocked to see Stormcloud. “Stormcloud, go easy. Easy now, boy.”
    â€œHe was just standing around. I think he may have been wandering about the place where he last saw ye when he got free of the men. Weel, if the men e’en tried to take him.” She went over to where he sat and set down the basket she had brought with her. “I have something for ye to eat and drink.”
    â€œThank ye,” he said as he watched her lay out cheese, bread, and cold meat. “Will this nay be missed?”
    â€œOch, nay. One thing we appear to have enough of is food. We are verra fortunate.”
    â€œAye. So what shall we do with this beast?” he asked, pushing the horse’s face away from his food.
    â€œI fear he will need to be kept here. I dinnae think we can leave him outside. If there are men looking for you, the horse could lead them right to you.”
    â€œTrue and I am in nay condition to fight them.” He scowled at his leg. “I willnae be much use for a good long time.”
    â€œNay, a month, or three. We but need to keep ye hidden until then. Or”—she frowned—“until ye can stand putting some weight on that foot. When ye can do that without much pain, ye can do more.”
    â€œAnd when will that happen?”
    â€œI dinnae ken. Six weeks, two months? I fear I havenae had much to do with broken limbs though I learned how to tend them. Colin broke his arm once and we managed but it wasnae a bad break.” She combed her fingers through her hair. “I just dinnae ken. I wish I had more knowledge but I dinnae.”
    â€œYe have done a fine job, lass.” Cautiously, he reached out a hand to take hold of hers and gently squeezed. “And I heal fast. T’will be fine.”
    She was startled by how good that gentle hold felt and, disconcerted by that, she stood up, reached for the horse’s reins, and pulled him away from Callum. “I will settle him in the rear of the cave. Get this saddle and all off him and wipe him down.”
    Callum swore as he watched her work. He hated being helpless. What he did notice, however, was how efficiently she worked all the while keeping a close eye on the little girl. Bethoc was obviously accustomed to work, to watching out for the young ones in her family.
    She set the girl down and stepped out of the cave to collect some grass and flowers for the horse. Leaving a small pile of flowers next to Margaret, she dropped the rest in front of