Page 18 of Highland Spirit

“Kirstine?” said Ethan, recognizing Alana’s younger sister.

“Hello, Ethan,” said the girl, flashing him a quick smile.

Ethan’s gaze traveled down to the large bump sticking out from under the girl’s cloak. She looked to be very pregnant.

Alana moaned and stirred in Ethan’s arms as they sat atop the horse.

Opening her eyes, Alana realized she was on a horse with a man’s arms wrapped around her. Kirstine stood next to them looking worried. Graeme walked up with his sword drawn.

“I’m no’ here to fight,” said the man on the horse with her. “I’m only here because Alana was hurt and I wanted to bring her home.”

Alana stiffened in the man’s arms. Her hand went to her aching head and she slowly turned to see him, knowing who it was before she even looked. She could never forget the deep timbre of Ethan MacKeefe’s voice. Sure enough, it was Ethan who had helped her and brought her back to the castle. Being in his protective hold made her feel things she hadn’t felt since the day she left him so long ago.

“Ethan,” she whispered, her eyes momentarily interlocking with his before his glance turned back to Graeme.

“Graeme, put away yer sword,” Alana commanded. “This is Ethan MacKeefe and he means us no harm.” Alana knew Graeme wouldn’t give her trouble since he was a friend of her family. Thankfully, Diarmad and his cronies weren’t here right now or there would be a fight at hand.

“That’s right,” agreed Ethan. “My friend, Caleb, and I had just gotten to the isle when we realized our help was needed.” He slipped off the horse and held out his arms to assist Alana.

Alana hesitated, her eyes darting over to her sister for support. Kirstine watched, nodding slightly.

“Thank ye,” said Alana, putting her hands on Ethan’s broad shoulders as he lifted her off the horse and helped her to the ground. She was so close to him that she could smell the whisky on his breath and the scent of pine clinging to his clothes. Memories flooded her mind of how she had always loved his scent as well as being warm and protected in his strong arms. She really missed this.

“They helped us get the sheep into the barn, too,” stated Finn, jumping off the horse and running over to them. Caleb dismounted and held on to the reins of the horse as he came to join them.

“Well, thank ye much,” said Alana, feeling disturbed that Ethan and Caleb were inside the castle walls. It was too risky. If they stayed too long, Diarmad might return. Plus, they were going to ask questions that she didn’t want to answer.

The wind picked up and the snow fell faster. The storm was not letting up at all.

“Finn, take the horses to the barn and wipe them down,” instructed Alana.

“Aye,” he said, taking the reins of the horses. “But how will Ethan and Caleb get back to their boat? It’s goin’ to be too hard to trek down the hill on foot in this storm.”

The wolfhound lay down at Ethan’s feet and put its nose down between its paws.

“They canna stay,” said Albert, hurrying down from the battlements to join them. “Alana, they shouldna be inside the walls of Blackbriar Castle.”

“Ye’re right,” agreed Alana, getting a stern look from her sister. “Ethan, I’m sorry, but ye’ll have to leave now.”

“Leave?” Ethan chuckled. “Alana, I didna think even someone as cold-hearted as ye could turn away a man who has just saved yer life. The storm is bad and we canna sail until it lets up or we’re at risk of capsizin’.”

“That’s true. It’s too dangerous to be out on the water now,” agreed Caleb.

Isobel rushed over to Alana with her doll held tightly in one hand. She yanked on Alana’s cloak, her eyes fastened to Ethan as she spoke.

“This is the man I saw atop the wall,” said the little girl.

“Aye, that’s right,” answered Alana. “But he doesna belong here, sweetie.”

“Mathair, please let him stay,” begged the girl.

“Mathair?” Ethan’s eyes shot up and interlocked with Alana’s. Her body stiffened and her heart almost stopped beating. “Alana . . . ye have a daughter?” His words were laced with shock as well as disappointment. She wasn’t sure what to say.

Her arm went around her daughter and she pulled the little girl closer. The snow continued to fall and the wind was becoming relentless. She wanted to tell Ethan the truth about Isobel, but she couldn’t. Her father told her she had to keep it a secret, and he was probably right. If Ethan knew he had a child, he would never leave. She needed him to go back to the mainland before Diarmad returned or he might be killed.

The hurt in Ethan’s eyes said everything that Alana had been feeling in her heart. She looked over to Kirstine once more, and her sister nodded. Alana felt so confused and her head ached from her fall. Her body shivered and she couldn’t think straight. She remained silent instead of answering.

“Come, Caleb, I think it’s time for us to leave after all,” said Ethan, turning around. His dog jumped up and followed.