Chapter 12
“Tell me about yourself,” Katriona Mackall said in between bites of food.
“There’s not much to tell.”
“I don’t believe that to be true. There’s something about ye that reminds me of myself a short time ago.” Katriona smiled warmly at Sara.
“I’m not sure what you mean, Lady Katriona” Sara said, feeling a bit defensive.
“Please, call me Kat. We could dance around the subject all ye like, but I can tell yer nae from here. Ye have a different way about ye that I recognize. Ye see I found myself here at this time and this place quite by accident.”
“I can assure you I didn’t arrive here by accident,” Sara said, her eyes opening wide as she realized just what Kat was trying to tell her. Neither one of them wanted to come right out and say it for fear that the other would think them crazy.
“Ye dinnae blend in quite as well as ye’d like.” Kat went back to her meal, leaving Sara wondering whether she should continue on with the same topic.
“Do you know Edna Campbell of The Thistle & Hive Inn?” Sara asked.
“Nae. Should I?” Kat tipped her head, waiting for an answer.
“Not necessarily, but she’s the reason I’m here.” Sara thought if Kat didn’t know Edna, then what she’d been thinking must be wrong.
“I see. She’s nae the reason I’m here. My story may be of interest to ye, but now isnae the time to talk.
” Kat looked at her rather pointedly. Sara again, got the impression she was trying to tell her something, but no.
If she didn’t know Edna, could it possibly be?
“Mayhap tomorrow ye and I can spend some time alone to learn more about each other.”
“Okay.” Sara said the word without thinking.
“Ah ha!” Kat said with a gleam in her eye and a triumphant smile on her lips. “Just as I suspected,” she whispered. Before Sara could ask her what she meant by that, Kat turned in her chair and spoke with Logan who was seated on her other side, leaving Sara dumbfounded by what had just occurred.
There were no further opportunities to speak with Kat that evening because Nick Mackall arrived home just in time to join them as they finished their meals. He was a tall man, much like her Logan. Her Logan! Whoa!
She was jumping to a conclusion that may never be possible.
She was so conflicted about their relationship.
Should she be angry with him, should she give in to her feelings and damn the consequences?
She hated being in this position, but she had no idea what to do about it, other than to let things play out in whatever fashion they would.
Kat was the first person he greeted upon entering the hall. She sprang from her seat and ran to him, where they exchange a brief, yet passion-filled kiss. Standing on tiptoe she whispered something into his ear before returning to the table.
“Nick, this is Logan, Hamish and Sara. They’re here to see yer brother,” Kat explained.
“Duncan?” Nick nodded at the three of them. “He’s nae here.”
“No. Rory.”
Nick exchanged a questioning glance with Kat, who tipped her head in Logan’s direction.
“Rory isnae having any visitors at the moment,” Nick explained to him.
“We’re aware he wasnae seeing anyone today, but thought mayhap tomorrow,” Logan said.
Nick again looked to Kat. “How is he today?”
“The same.”
“Is there something wrong? Is he sick?” Sara hoped it wasn’t true.
“He was injured on his way home from Breaghacraig, some time ago.”
“Injured? How?” Logan asked.
“He and his companions were riding along a steep trail when his horse slipped and fell. Rory tumbled down the side of the hill where he remained unconscious while his men tried to retrieve him. When they finally managed to get him back to the road, it was clear that he had been gored by something. It appeared as if he had a sword wound, but the men searched and found it had to be part of a tree or jagged rock that he rolled over as he fell.”
Sara’s hand flew to her mouth at what she somehow knew would come next. Logan positioned himself beside her, taking hold of her other hand.
“He remained unconscious, but his men managed to get him back to us. Our main concern was the head injury, but he eventually came to and seemed fine. His wound appeared to be healing, but it has since become infected, making a full recovery now seems impossible. We’re afraid he may nae make it.”
Sara was unable to speak. She was appalled at what had happened and dreaded having to tell Aisla. She’d be devastated.
“So, you see, he may nae be awake to speak with ye. He drifts in and out,” Kat said.
“Me wife tells me yer here from Breaghacraig, is that correct?”
“Aye,” Logan answered.
The atmosphere in the hall had become muted as everyone around them spoke softly in deference to what the family was going through.
“I’m so sorry,” Sara said. “We don’t want to bother him if he’s not well.”
“Why are ye here to see him?” Nick asked.
“’Tis a personal matter,” Logan said before Sara could speak.
“I see. We’ll see how he’s doing in the morning and make a decision then.” Nick tried to lighten the mood. “How is everyone at Breaghacraig? It wasn’t long ago that I was there meself. How are Cailin and Cormac?”
“They are well. Their wives are each with child,” Logan replied.
“Good news. Give them my best wishes.” Nick gazed at Kat and they shared a wordless exchange.
“Sara, I’m going to retire for the evening. I’ll speak with ye in the morning.” Kat laid a comforting hand on her arm and then went to her husband, who also bid them good night as they left the room together.
“This isnae a good turn of events,” Hamish said.
“Aye. ’Tis nae.” Logan agreed.
“Aisla will be beside herself, but she has to be told. She has to know that the reason he didn’t come back for her was because he couldn’t.”
The men were used to the fragility of life in these times, but even they appeared down at this news. The only thing Sara could think about was how Rory would be alive and well in her time, but not here. Not now.
“There has to be something we can do.”
“’Tis in God’s hands now, Sara,” Logan put an arm around her shoulders and the three of them made their way back up to their chambers.
***
“Good night, Hamish.” Sara said. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Ye willnae. I intend to visit me cousin tomorrow. I’ll be gone most of the day.” Hamish strode down the passageway and was gone.
Logan opened the door to Sara’s chamber and Sara passed through in front of him.
He waited at the door, unsure of what to do.
He wanted to stay with her, be close to her, hold her one more time.
Sara turned back and considered him, clearly she wasn’t sure where to go from here either.
She came back to the doorframe and took his hand, drawing him into the room.
Logan closed and latched the door, then went to stoke the fire.
As he turned, he almost tripped over Sara.
“I’m sorry, love. I didnae see ye there. ”
“No worries. I only wanted to get warm. It’s chilly in here.”
Logan pulled her into his arms and ran his hands up and down her back to warm her. “Is that better?”
“Much,” she said, melting into his arms. “Are you sure it’s summer. The temperature hasn’t been nearly hot enough.”
“’Tis our summer, Sara. ’Tis what we’re used to.
” She looked so beautiful standing there gazing up at him.
He pulled her closer, massaging the sore spots along her back.
At least that was what he was telling himself.
She felt so right in his arms. The glow from the fire shone in her dark brown locks and her sweet blue eyes were alight with something he was unsure of. Was it love or lust he saw there?
“Logan,” she turned her head into his neck.
He could feel her breath there, and lowered his head to kiss her hair.
“I know I told you we couldn’t be together, but I’ve changed my mind.
I want you to make love to me.” Logan stilled.
Sara pulled away a bit to look up into his eyes.
“I don’t care that things might not work out for us.
I only know that I want you. I want to be with you right now, in this moment. ”
He was shocked into silence. This woman had his heart in her hand.
She was bold and strong and smart and beautiful.
He was the luckiest man in the world to hold her in his arms for even a moment.
And now, she was offering him more. She was offering him everything and even if it would only be for this moment, it would be a gift he would treasure all his days.
“Am I being too forward?” she asked, suddenly shy. She looked away and became stiff in his arms. She started to pull away from him, “You don’t have to if you don’t want to. I mean, I’d understand … ”
Before she could finish what she was saying, Logan lifted her in his arms and tossed her gently on the bed. She gazed up at him as he stood towering over her. “Oh, mo chroi you dinnae ken how much I want to.” His voice was thick with emotion as he gazed at her laying there, trusting him.
“Oh … ” She murmured as he pulled his shirt from his kilt and stripped it off over his head.
She watched his every move as he undid his belt and then unwrapped his kilt, letting it drop to the floor.
He noted her quickening breath and the way her eyes traveled from his chest to his hardened manhood, which was now standing at attention.
“Is this what ye want, lass?”
“Mmhmm,” she smiled.
“Roll over,” he ordered and she did. His hands made quick work of the lacings at her back.
He guided her over once more onto her back and then carefully slid the dress from her body.
Next came her undergarments and then there she was, the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen, naked before him.
The woman he wanted so badly it hurt. She was going to be his tonight.