Chapter 18 #2
“That’s the trick, Me Lady.” He gave her his signature wink, which set her nerves on edge and made her sick. “The less safe that an area seems, the more likely ye willnae encounter any problems.”
“I highly doubt that is the case,” she muttered under her breath as they passed a particularly dense piece of forest where the trees were so dense that they barely let any light filter through the canopy.
“Darn it,” Ewan said as the cart gingerly slowed and rolled to a stop in the middle of the path.
“What’s the matter?” she asked with concern as she eyed her eerie surroundings. “Why have we stopped?”
“I’m afraid it’s one of the horses, Me Lady, she’s gone an’ thrown a shoe,” he explained as he began to climb down from the cart.
“How do you know that? I didn’t feel anything,” she asked in panic and followed suit, not wanting to be left behind.
“It takes a trained rider to ken when his horse is in distress,” he said with his head held high.
“Old Oaky here often throws a shoe when she’s out,” he said and patted the horse’s flanks as he bent down to check her hoof.
“Aye, exactly as I feared,” he confirmed with a triumphant nod.
“The old girl has run afoul of a stone.”
“I don’t see anything,” Melissa said as she frowned and craned her neck to get a better look at the horse’s hoof.
“That’s because yer nae trained to notice these things, Me Lady.” He quickly stepped in front of her as she was about to reach for the hoof.
“Fine,” she said with a heavy sigh and placed her hands on her hips, wanting to be done with the day and the strange man. “What do we do now?” she asked as she looked around. “Walk back?”
“That would be far too tiring for ye, Me Lady.” Ewan chewed on his bottom lip in thought.
“If I remember correctly, there is an old spinster that lives somewhere around here.” He frowned as he looked around.
“She’s a lovely old woman that always helps those in need.
I think I can leave ye with her an’ go and get help.
There’s a blacksmith nae too far from here. ”
Melissa’s stomach churned with nerves as she fought against the idea of having to stay with a stranger.
“Or ye could stay here and look after the horses until I return.” He shrugged as he began to walk away from her.
Looking around, she decided that staying with a strange old spinster was better than being robbed and murdered in the middle of the forest. “How far is this cottage?” She jogged to keep up with his lengthy strides.
“Nae too far,” he replied as he pushed some bushes aside and stepped onto a hidden path. “If I remember correctly, it’s right here…” his voice trailed off as he walked up ahead. “Aha!” he exclaimed, making her jump. “I kent it was around here somewhere.”
“Lucky that we stopped so near,” Melissa said as she fought her way through a bunch of overgrown thistles, scratching her skin in the process.
“Aye.” His smile seemed to broaden as she stepped onto the path. “Very lucky, indeed.”
Melissa took a step back and looked at the man, there was something in his eyes that made her uneasy, but she pushed back the feeling. It was only when she caught a glimpse of the cottage that the fear began to build in the pit of her stomach once again.
The building seemed rundown and derelict, with giant cracks in the walls and a broken window at the front.
What seemed like an old garden was overgrown with weeds and thistles as far as the eye could see.
The surrounding trees were growing dangerously close to the foundation of the house as if they hadn’t been chopped in years.
“Are you sure she lives here?” She stepped back as she examined the place.
“Aye, I’ve been here ‘afore,” he replied as he pointed at the chimney that was almost entirely concealed by an overhanging tree. “There’s smoke coming from the chimney,” he said. “Perhaps she will make ye a cup of tea while ye wait.”
The thought of a hot beverage did little to ease Melissa’s concerns as she followed Ewan up the path, every instinct in her body telling her to run.
“Perhaps, I should go back and wait by the cart.” She almost turned to leave.
“Nonsense,” Ewan said and sharply rapped his knuckles on the wooden door. “We’ve come this far already.”
A sudden scuffling sounded from inside the cottage as whoever was inside hurried to reach the door, knocking what sounded like a table over in the process.
Deciding to trust her instincts, Melissa said as her heart pounded in her chest, “I don’t feel comfortable with this.” She turned on her heels.
Suddenly, her wrist was seized in a vice-like grip, and she was yanked around.
“Ye willnae be going anywhere, Me Lady.” Ewan’s demeanor completely changed as a dark veil fell over his face. “I’ve had just about enough of yer complaining today,” he snarled.
“Let me go,” she cried and clawed at his hand in an attempt to free herself.
“What’s all this fuss out here?” The door suddenly swung open on its hinges, revealing the irritable face of George Young. “You’re late,” he barked at Ewan as if Melissa weren’t there.
“It wasnae easy convincing yer daughter to come,” Ewan grumbled.
“That’s why I told you to just take her by force,” George grunted and shook his head. “You never listen to me.”
The shock of seeing her father in the middle of the woods suddenly wore off as she realized what was happening to her. “You!” she yelled and attempted to yank her wrist free once again. “I thought you wanted a second chance! I knew we should never have trusted you!”
Rolling his eyes, George stepped aside and held the door open. “I don’t have time for this,” he said and shook his head. “Just bring her in.”
Fighting as hard as she could but failing, Melissa felt herself being dragged into the cottage despite her best efforts. “Avery!” she gasped as she finally stopped struggling and spotted her sister at the other end of the cottage.
“There will be more than enough time for a family reunion later on. Tie her up, McCollin,” George ordered.
“I’ll get you for this!” Melissa angrily spat in his face as she saw the way her sister was bound to a chair.
“And for heaven’s sake,” George added as he rubbed his temples with his fingers. “Don’t forget the gag.”