Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
A n hour later, Catherine found herself installed in the office of Cam MacDonald. Eamon and Cam had brought out an array of maps, their surfaces worn and marked with the lines of history. The sun was fully up now, so the light poured through the rectangular windows, giving the room light. .
Catherine leaned over the maps, her eyes tracing the intricate patterns, and the names of the villages and towns marked upon them. Eamon stood by her side, his presence both reassuring and captivating. Cam leaned against the desk, his gaze focused on the maps as well.
Eamon's finger traced a path along one of the maps, his voice rich and steady as he spoke. "We've had attacks spread across a wide area through this section of Islay, but there seems to be a common direction of movement. If we follow these patterns, we might be able to narrow down the potential locations of the inn."
Cam nodded in agreement, his expression thoughtful. "Aye, we've been trying to gather information from the villagers as well, but so far, nothing substantial."
Catherine studied the maps intently, her mind racing as she absorbed the information. "If we take into account the distances between the attacks and the possible routes the bandits might have taken, we might be able to identify the most likely areas where the inn could be."
Eamon's eyes flickered with appreciation, his admiration for her intellect evident. “You may have the right of it, Catherine, well done.”
Cam straightened, a determined look in his eyes. "Let's mark the areas we've already searched and focus our efforts on the regions where the attacks are most concentrated. If this inn exists, we'll find it."
“You know, if we look at where they’re attacking, it’s almost a circle. I’m going to bet that their inn is somewhere in the center of it. I know it’s not exactly a circle, but if you look at these points…” Catherine indicated six different attacks, “and use a ruler to measure from diagonal points… we might be more able to pinpoint the area the inn is located.”
“You remind me of my wife,” Cam smiled. “She’s very strategic as well and this would make sense to her.” Cam used a straight edge to make diagonal lines across the map, locating the center area.
Catherine's heart swelled at both Cam’s and Eamon’s words. "I'm glad I can help. Let's hope these efforts lead us to the answers we seek. You know, I need to thank you, Cam. You’ve taken me in and treated me like I’m one of you. Helping you find these men is the least that I can do.”
Cam smiled at her. “You are one of us, lass. And while your help is not expected, it is welcomed. I appreciate it.”
“As do I, lass,” Eamon added. His eyes held a promise as well, a silent vow that they were in this together.
A short time later, Catherine excused herself from the office and went in search of food. She hadn’t eaten breakfast, and it was well past lunch. She went into the kitchen and approached Mira who was elbow deep in dough.
“Good afternoon, Mira,” Catherine said.
“Afternoon, lass. What can I help you with?”
Catherine gave her a sheepish look. “I missed breakfast and lunch. Is there anything to eat?”
“Oh there’s always something around here. Let me fix you up a platter.” She took her hands out of the dough and started to wipe them on her apron.
“No, no, you’re busy. I can get it if you tell me where?”
Mira directed her to the larder, and it didn’t take long for Catherine to fill a plate with a wedge of cheese, some meats and a chunk of bread. “Look in that pan,” Mira nodded toward a covered pan on the counter.
“What is it?” Catherine asked. She lifted the towel that was covering it and peered at it. “It smells buttery and kind of sweet.”
“Tis shortbread. Go on and take some for after you eat. You seem like you need some sweetness.” Mira smiled.
“You sure? I don’t want to take something that you were planning to serve later.”
“It’s fine. There’s plenty for everyone even if you take that whole pan.” Mira laughed.
Mira wasn’t wrong, her mouth was already watering at the thought of eating the shortbread. She really did need the sweetness. She cut off a generous chunk and then said, “Thank you, Mira. You’re a Godsend.”
A moment later she was seated in the corner of the dining hall eating. Just as she was finishing the last bite of the shortbread, a shadow loomed over her. Catherine turned to see it was Sir Kellan. She wiped her mouth and said, “Hello, Sir Kellan. How has your day been?”
“Better now that I’ve finally found you. You ran off yesterday without even a word to me. I missed you.” He seemed to be almost pouting.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
Sir Kellen sat down next to her, pushing his leg right up alongside hers, which was slightly unnerving. “Are you?” he murmured in barely above a whispered.
He gazed into her eyes and leaned in, close enough he nearly met her lips, but Catherine pulled back at the last moment. She wasn’t going to lead him on when she was interested in Eamon. She liked him and hoped they’d remain friends, but she couldn’t let him think that what he was doing was all right. She shifted toward the end of the bench away from him.
He seemed surprised and a little angry at that, but he didn’t say anything about it, just, “Where have you been?”
“Studying in the library. I was looking at maps of the area,” she replied, not wanting to lie, but also not wanting to tell him exactly what she’d been researching either since it involved her experiences in the twenty-first century, which he wasn’t supposed to know about.
“Were you looking for places to visit? I would be happy to travel with you. Perhaps show you my home?”
“That would be kind of you, but no, I was hoping to help Eamon and his men figure out where these bandits have been hiding.”
Sir Kellan scoffed. “How industrious of you.”
Catherine narrowed her eyes at him. “Thank you?” she said it more as a question because she was pretty sure he was being an asshole, but just incase he was serious, she didn’t want to be rude.
“I’m sure it was a wasted effort, but I suppose it made you feel as though you were helping.”
Catherine flushed. She bit back a retort. He didn’t need to know that she had been a help to Eamon and Cam. It didn’t matter. His opinion of her didn’t matter, but his reply did somewhat change her opinion of him and not in a good way. She gave him a tight smile. “You’re probably right. You know, I think I’m going to go lie down. I’ve a headache.” With that, she rose from the bench and walked off, heading up to her room. She didn’t even look back at Sir Kellan, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten to her.