Just Wait For Me (Highland Gardens Book 3) by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Author:Dawn Marie Hamilton [Hamilton, Dawn Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Publisher: Dawn Marie Wolzein
Published: 2016-08-10T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Get up!” A large hand grasped Stephen’s shoulder and shook.

Thank the good Lord for a warrior’s agility. He rose in a flash, gripping the hilt of his dirk, ready to face a threat. Munn’s weathered brown face greeted him. An unpleasant sight of which to wake certainly. Blinking and shaking his head, Stephen chuckled. “You are lucky I did not skewer you. You ken better than to wake me thusly.”

“Humpf.” The gnarly wee man fisted oversized hands at his waist. “If you had not drank yourself into your cups with Campbell and Stewart the last several eve’ns, waking you would have been easier.”

“Ach, I needed to keep them busy. Did not want them to pay too much attention to Jillian and her unusual ways.”

“That’s as it may be, ’tis time to leave.”

Stephen jerked his gaze to the unshuttered window and beyond to the clear blue sky. Amen. The storm had ended. They could be on their way.

The air coming from outside felt warmer, lightening his mood. He dressed in woolen trews and leine, and strapped on an array of weapons. “Where have you been, Munn? I thought you had gone ahead to Castle Lachlan.”

“Nae. Hunkered down in the stables. Saw things.”

“What did you see?” Stephen hesitated in the fastening of the large claymore to his back.

“Calyn’s brother did not leave on the galley traveling to Glasgow.”

Stephen pinned Munn with a penetrating stare. “Explain.”

“Headed out on horseback toward the inland track.”

“Why did you not stop him? Come to me directly to relay the lad’s activities? Follow him?”

Munn shrugged. “Someone needed to guard the fae horses. I be tell’n you now.”

“Damned devil’s spawn!” Stephen pulled the sheath’s leather strap tight and stomped to Jillian’s bedchamber.

Ciaran would ride for Loch Fyne. But would he turn left toward Castle Lachlan or right and head for Dunadd?

If Ciaran rode hard for Dunadd, Calyn would hear of Stephen’s traveling companions before he had a chance to reach her and explain the status of his affairs. Ciaran would certainly corrupt the tale. Then again, the storm would have slowed the lad. Perhaps Stephen still had enough time to escort Jillian to Castle Lachlan and the Sithichean Sluaigh, and then ride like a banshee chased him to Dunadd and explain things to Calyn. Once she learned he loved another woman, she’d certainly release him from their commitment. Wouldn’t she?

Jillian was packing when he arrived at her chamber. She glanced up from the task and smiled.

The sight made him grin. “I see you have been informed of our departure.”

“Duncan stopped by.”

“Here, let me help with those.” He grabbed a saddlebag from the floor and together they descended the stairs.

They gave thanks and said their goodbyes to Sir Robert, collected the two MacLachlan guards, Duncan, and the bairns on the way through the great hall, and rode out the castle gate through the slushy snow before the morning escaped them.

Once out of sight of the castle folk, Munn appeared, riding the rump of Duncan’s horse.

As the sun continued its

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