Page 62 of Highland Storm

“Sorry, Mathair. Go,” he told his bird, sending it from his arm. “Ye got me in trouble with more than one lass,” he mumbled under his breath. The hawk took off up into a tree to eat the rodent.

“During our meal, I want to hear all about it,” said Wren.

“Mathair!” Hawke made a face. “And ye say I need to watch what I say around the children?”

“Hawke, I was talking about the attacks by the MacNabs and your attempt to rescue Ian. However, I have a feeling you two are thinking about something else.” She smiled at the both of them.

“I think they might need my help in the stable after all,” said Hawke, taking a few steps backward and taking off at a brisk pace.

Phoebe looked at Wren and smiled. “Hawke isna really that bad of a captor after all.”

“That’s what I thought,” she told Phoebe. “Just do me a favor, Phoebe and don’t break my son’s heart. He has gone through some tough times and I never thought he’d ever fall in love with a woman after Osla died.”

“In love?” she asked, her heart skipping a beat. “Och, I’m sure Hawke doesna love me.”

“I’ve seen the way you two look at each other and it’s no secret. Just like Hawke’s father and me, once again, enemies have turned into lovers.”

Chapter 19

Hawke sat at the trestle table in the main longhouse as they ate. This is where most of the MacKeefes gathered to share meals. There were many smaller huts for the different families to live in and also an infirmary. Half the infirmary was used for the ailing and the other half as a place for guests and visitors to sleep.

Over the years, the Highland camp grew larger and larger. Hawke’s sisters and their families, as well as Caleb, Logan, and Ethan’s siblings and families all lived here or at Hermitage Castle.

The camp lay in the mountains just outside of Oban. It connected with Loch Linnhe, one of the only lochs that opened to the sea. The hills were dotted with the MacKeefes’ longhorn cattle as well as the Highland sheep. It was beautiful in the Highlands and Hawke preferred to stay here instead of at the castle in the Lowlands.

Phoebe sat quietly next to Hawke as they ate. Her sisters and brother were across from her, eagerly devouring the meal.

“I was sure we were goin’ to die in the dungeon,” said Elspeth. “Phoebe, we thought ye were goin’ to die with the MacKeefes, but now I see it isna so.”

“I like it better here than at Crookston Castle,” said the boy, Miles. He sat next to Liam and some of the other children he’d befriended since he arrived. Liam was Hawke’s sister, Heather’s boy while Finlay was his sister Lark’s child.

“When are ye goin’ to bring back our laird?” asked one of the men of the clan. “It seems that should have been a priority over savin’ the prisoners!”

“I agree,” grumbled someone else, making Hawke feel very uncomfortable.

“My son did what he felt was right,” Wren told them. “You all need to give him some time.”

“But Ian might be dead by then!”

“We need to save him now,” called out someone else.

“Please,” said Wren. “Our defenses are low since some of our men went to fight the English and others are protecting Hermitage Castle. We can’t save Ian right now.”

“Nay, they’re right,” said Hawke, throwing down his spoon and getting to his feet. “I never should have left the enemy’s castle without our laird. I’m goin’ back to get him in the mornin’.”

“Then I’m goin’ with ye,” said Logan, also standing.

“Count me in,” said Ethan, getting up from the table.

“Ye’re no’ leavin’ without me,” add Caleb, grabbing a piece of bread and getting to his feet.

“Hawke,” said Phoebe, from beside him. “Take me, too.”

“Nay,” protested Phoebe’s sister, Agan. “Phoebe, ye dinna want to go back there. Euan will probably kill ye.”

“I need to go,” she said bravely. “I have to help heal faither. Besides, they can use me for a trade.”

“Nay, ye’re no’ goin’,” snapped Hawke, turning and walking to the door. “I’ll go alone at first light. No one else will be put in danger or killed because of my mistake.”