Page 21 of Highland Steel

“Aye, but I think it’s best for our . . . guests . . . if we stay there,” Logan told his friends. “After all, they arena used to livin’ in the elements the way we are.”

“That’s right,” said Caleb. “They’re used to sleepin’ on down mattresses with warm fires at their feet, and being protected by castle walls.”

“If ye and the others want to stay here or go back to camp, then do so,” said Logan. “But I am goin’ to take Rhoswen and her siblin’s to the cave. It’s the right thing to do.”

After many mumbling protests by his friends, they finally agreed to stick together. The traveling party was then once again on their way, but this time to the cave that would make their journey to the MacKeefe camp take even longer.

Chapter 7

By the time they got to the cave, the sky had opened up and rain soaked them all. Rhoswen shivered, wondering now if it would have been better to go straight to the MacKeefe camp after all. If so, they’d at least have warm shelters, hot food, and the comfort of being dry for the night. Now, they would spend the night in a cold, dark cave where she wasn’t even sure they’d be safe from wild animals.

“That’s it, up ahead,” Logan told her, leading the way. It was a much bigger entrance than she’d thought. They were able to ride the horses right into the mouth of the cave and keep them out of the rain as well. Logan was at her side instantly, helping her off her horse.

“I’ll start a fire,” said Hawke, making his way further into the dark cave. Rhoswen heard a low growl and gasped.

“Easy, lass, it’s only Jack,” Logan told her.

“I’ll stay on the horse until we know it is safe,” Blaine said in a shaky voice.

“We’ve stayed here plenty of times before,” Logan told her. “Nothin’ lives in here, I assure ye.”

Just as he said that, Jack growled again. Then the wolf and the hound darted off into the cave and they heard what sounded like a fight.

“What’s going on?” called out Newell. He stayed atop his horse as well. “Is it a bear?”

“A bear?” Blaine started crying.

“Stop it, Newell,” snapped Rhoswen, tired of her brother always scaring Blaine. “It’s bad enough we’re stuck in here soaking wet in the cold and dark, so you don’t need to scare your sister further.”

“We’ll take care of the horses,” offered Caleb, meaning him and Ethan. None of the Scots seemed to even pay attention to the growling and snarling noises coming from the dark.

“Do you think it’s really a bear?” Rhoswen whispered to Logan.

“Naw,” he said, fiddling with the pack on the horse. “I’ve never seen a bear in here.”

“Good,” she said, starting to feel relieved until she heard what he said next.

“The wild cats usually scare the bears away.”

“Wild cats?” Rhoswen grabbed on to Logan’s arm.

“Dinna worry. Wild cats arena that big,” he told her.

“That’s right,” said Ethan, pulling out a rag and brush from a travel bag, preparing to dry off the horses. “My faither used to travel with a Scottish wild cat, and he tells me it made a perfect pet.”

“I see,” she said, her eyes scanning the darkened area. “Then again, some people think wolves are good pets, too,” she mumbled.

Logan chuckled, liking the way Rhoswen held on to him for protection, yet just an hour ago she wanted to fight him with her sword. The girl amused him. He wasn’t sure if she was brave, frightened, addled, or a little bit of all of them rolled into one. It didn’t matter. For some reason, she was like a breath of fresh air in his stale life. He needed that right now.

“Got that fire goin’ yet?” Logan called out to Hawke.

“Do ye see any flames, smart arse?” Hawke called back to him, his voice echoing off the cave walls. “Thank guidness I found some dry wood and flint in here from the last time we passed through.”

“That’s why I left it,” Logan said, always liking to be prepared.

The growling and the struggle stopped and suddenly flames lit up the cave walls.

“Come here, Trapper,” Ethan called out to his dog. The dog ran over with something in its mouth. Jack slipped out of the shadows, coming over to Logan with something in its mouth as well.