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What would Amy have done, had she had enough resources not to panic? She’d have talked to him. And if he had still locked her up, she’d have calmly looked for a way out. Maybe she’d have tried to get through that hole in the roof, climb onto the roof and call for help from there. Maybe she’d have come up with some way to find water…
She could have tried a number of different things.
Just like she could now. Instead of giving into the panic, she could realize she was both the lost and abandoned girl in the barn and the resourceful girl she needed to be. And both were who she was, whole and complete.
And with both parts of herself united, she looked up and saw a clear path, free of snow and ice, that she could take. She would not wait for someone to come for her.
She would rescue herself.
Chapter 32
The battle was over. Craig watched the MacDougall forces turn around and walk away.
It had been a quick and bloody battle. The castle offered a great defense, even though still damaged. And the MacDougalls, confident that they’d have the advantage of sneaking in through the secret tunnel, hadn’t brought a battering ram or many siege ladders. Without them, and without access to the tunnel, they’d had little chance—especially in the snowfall.
Craig stood on the southern wall, watching the troops retreat through the snow.
He’d protected the castle with no casualties among his men, just a couple of small wounds and scratches. He’d fulfilled his duty.
He looked east, where the exit from the secret tunnel was, and where he knew Hamish had taken Amy.
The hole in his chest where his heart used to be ached and burned as though vinegar had been spilled into it. Was she all right? What had Hamish done to her?
His fists clenched. His sister had been taken away—and now Amy. His stomach tightened, and a sour taste rose in his throat.
He didn’t know anymore what was the truth and what was a lie.
There were many strange things in the Highlands. He’d grown up on stories of kelpies, faeries, and legendary warriors.
But time travel? Nae. That must be another lie.
Owen stood next to him. “We are safe, brother. What now?”
Craig’s fingers clenched against the ice-cold stone of the parapet. Owen followed his gaze.
“Ye want to find her, don’t ye?” he said.
Craig didn’t answer. The sinking, dark feeling crawled in his gut. Something bad had happened to her. He felt it. She was in trouble. He didn’t know where the feeling came from, but he knew it was true. Maybe Hamish would harm her. Maybe some of the MacDougalls had followed them. Maybe it was something else…
But Craig knew in his bones that if he didn’t go after Amy now, if she died or something bad had happened to her, he’d never be able to live with himself.
No matter how much she’d hurt him, he still loved her.
“Aye,” Craig said. “I want to find her.”
Owen clapped him on the shoulder. “Then let us go.”
Craig took Owen and two more men. They rode out and followed the remnants of Amy and Hamish’s tracks, which were still visible even under the snow. They went northeast, into the mountains, following the glen. In the falling snow, riding was treacherous, so they went slowly, the horses carefully picking their way along the slippery path.
He didn’t know how long they rode, but soon the tracks were hard to see, and Craig had to step down several times, using Amy’s trick with the stick to find the next sign.
The tension in Craig’s gut turned into spasms of worry.
Without knowing what he was doing, he silently prayed to God, please let her live. Please let her live.
Eventually, dusk fell, and the pre-evening darkness enveloped them. Craig knew he would no longer be able to follow the tracks in the dark, and his heart plummeted at the thought of Amy cold and scared in this lonely place. Then, from behind a pine, a figure appeared, black against the snow.
She was in a hooded cloak, but he’d recognized her anywhere. She limped and leaned on a long stick.
