Marti Talbotts Highlander Series 1 - Anna Rachel u Charlet

remember.
    Justin held her tight until she let go and stepped away. “We are very happy to have you back, Lass. I must go relieve your mother and sister of their worry.”
    Rachel nodded, watched him hurry up the stairs and then turned to Kevin. “They nearly caught me.”
    “Were you frightened?” Connor couldn’t help asking.
    Kevin rolled his eyes and Rachel tried to kick Connor in the shin, but Kevin caught her around the waist before she could. “Rachel, did you see the children?”
    It took a moment to calm down enough to answer. “Nay, I do not believe they have them. I saw no injured lads either.” She wasn’t finished glaring at Connor, but finally turned to face Kevin. “The children must still be hiding in the forest.” She looked up, watched her family come down the stairs and smiled reassuringly.
    “Are you positive they do not have the boys?”
    “Kevin, their hold is nothing like ours. They have no moat, their wall is made of wood and I firmly believe a strong wind would knock it down. I could not search every cottage, but I did look in the doors of the ones I thought were the most likely. It is a warm night and all the doors were open. When I arrived, they were celebrating something and there were torches everywhere. Many of the women and children were in the courtyard, the gates were wide open and people were coming and going just like always. I walked right in and right back out. No one tried to stop me.” She was wondering why she hadn’t mentioned the woman when Connor broke her concentration.
    “I thought you said they almost caught you.”
    Rachel didn’t even look at him. “Connor , do you wake up stupid or does it creep up on you later in the day?”
    Kevin tried hard not to laugh, but Anna did, Catherin did and Justin was nearly doubled over. The only ones not laughing were Connor and Rachel, who both folded their arms defiantly. “Go on, Rachel,” said Kevin.
    “Well, they do not look like they are expecting us to attack or are preparing for war. I saw no extra guards at all. After I left, I watched them from the woods for a long time. If they noticed me, I wanted to see if they would increase the guard once they thought I was gone. They did not.”
    Justin asked, “Are you cold, Lass? You are wet from head to toe.”
    “Nay, father. I would have been back sooner if that dim-witted boy had not spotted one of my Ferguson plaids in the forest. I took two just in case I needed another. He seemed to think if he looked hard enough, he would find a naked lass somewhere. He sure wanted a good look and muttered the same out loud. I could not move from my hiding place until he gave up and it took a long time.”
    “Did you bring your plaids back?” Anna wanted to know.
    “I brought everything back. I lost my arrows in the moat, but I can get them tomorrow.” She glared at Connor , daring him to offer to get them for her.
    Connor didn’t say a word.

    CHAPTER III

    After Justin took Catherin and Rachel back to their cottage and Anna went to bed, Connor wanted to know how Rachel got back in.
    Kevin shook his head. “I do not believe you heard a word I said. You challenged Rachel’s courage and her honesty.” He sighed. “You fight well, but you do not yet understand people. Justin is a wise lad , because he learned to see what is in a lad’s heart by watching his eyes and carefully listening to his words. You would be wise to do the same. As for Rachel, you will have to learn the hard way and we will all enjoy watching it. My wife and I have made a wager. I think she will marry you. Anna does not think Rachel will let you live that long.”

    Justin slept late the next morning. When he opened his eyes, Catherin had her head on his chest. From the beginning, Catherin liked to listen to his heart when she was frightened. She found comfort in it and he certainly didn’t mind. It gave him plenty of excuses to hold her, especially before she finally agreed to be his wife.
    She was a complicated woman with dark memories that sometimes clouded her mind and invaded her sleep. By rights, she c ould justify a mountain of self- pity, but Catherin was a strong woman who made up her mind to have a happy life, and for the most part , they were both content. It was just that sometimes , she needed to hear his heart. He wrapped both arms around her.
    “If you move, I will never cook for you again.”
    He smiled. “You know we will protect you from the Fergusons, so it must be