Journey to the Highlands: Robbie and Caralyn (Clan Grant Series Book 4) (17 page)

Chapter Thirty-Two

Two days later, the work crew hustled around the cottage at the loch. Quade, Brodie, Tomas, and Robbie had brought what they needed to fix the roof. Loki had brought Growley with him because Torrian was having a bad day with his belly and had sent him to play with the girls. Ashlyn and Gracie had come with Caralyn to see the cottage.

When Ashlyn stepped inside, she gasped in excitement. “Mama, this cottage is so big.” She raced through the passageway to the back and yelled to her mother. “And look, Gracie and I can have our own chamber.” She was still babbling when she remerged in the front room. “And there is even a garderobe in the back. But no bathing room, is there?”

Loki laughed. “What do you need a bathing room for when you have the loch?”

Ashlyn retorted with a huff that made Caralyn chuckle. “Because the loch is cold this time of year.”

Loki said, “Och, you only need two dunkings in the winter. Just pick a day when the sun shines. I’m going out to pick stones for my slinger. Do you want Gracie to come with me or stay inside?”

“Two dunkings all winter? That’s dirty, Loki Grant.”

“Hush, Ashlyn. Loki had a different upbringing.”

“Aye,” he said with a grin. “I used to be Lucky Loki and I lived under a crate, but now I am Loki Grant and,” he patted his chest, “I am a mighty Grant warrior and Brodie Grant is my sire.” He turned and ran down the water’s edge, stopping occasionally to pick up a stone to slide into his pocket.

“Mayhap we’ll work outside in the gardens today,” Caralyn said to her daughter as she moved her onto the porch. Right before she stepped outside, she glanced up at a hole in the roof and caught Robbie staring at her with a grin on his face. He winked and she blushed, catching up with Ashlyn.

“Let’s see what we find in the weeds. If we’re lucky, there’s an old vegetable garden underneath.” She took the girls with her and found a couple of patches of different growth. “Let’s look around here, Ashlyn. Much is dead, but we could find some seedlings for next year.”

Caralyn and her daughters set to work on the huge patch of overgrown grasses and weeds. Every once in a while, Caralyn would check on Robbie up on the roof. At one point, she wandered over and yelled up. “How bad does it look? Is there much that needs repairing?”

Brodie stuck his head over the edge. “Och, a few critters need to find new homes, but won’t be too bad. We should be able to fix this within a sennight.”

Caralyn shuddered at the thought of what could be living in the roof, but walked back to the large patch of grass the girls were still wandering through. Once there, she took a step back and spent a minute perusing the area. “Ashlyn, this entire patch is in the sun. The rest of the weedy areas are under the trees. This must be a garden. I wonder who lived here.”

Robbie came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “My grandparents loved it here. Brodie and I are heading back for supplies. Quade and Tomas will stay with you. We should be back in less than an hour.” He nuzzled her neck and whispered in her ear. “Do you know what the sight of you bending over that garden does to me, lass?”

Caralyn slapped his arm and giggled, then glanced at Ashlyn to make sure she hadn’t overheard.

He rubbed her bum before he headed over to his horse and mounted, flicking his reins to catch up with Brodie.

Caralyn watched him go and sighed. How this one lad had changed her life, and all for the better.

Ashlyn whispered, “You love him, Mama, don’t you? He loves you, I think.”

Caralyn blushed. “Aye.”

“Will you marry him?”

“Och, Ashlyn, he hasn’t asked me. But Robbie should have a noble wife, one who can contribute. ‘Tis little I can do to help Maddie and Brenna with all they do to run the clan and the keep. I know naught of such things.”

“Mama, you are clever enough and noble. You are as good as Maddie and Brenna. Why would you say such a thing?”

The innocence on her daughter’s face brought her back to younger days. How she hoped Ashlyn would never know why she was so different.

Echoing her words from the other day, Ashlyn blurted out, “Mama, do you love yourself? If you did, you couldn’t say such a thing. You are always telling me to believe in myself.”

Gracie stood up with a handful of weeds and dropped them in their growing pile. “Mama, you lu you?” she asked.

Slud. How did her wean know just when to ask such a question. “Thank you, Gracie. Let’s keep working.”

She glanced down at the edge of the loch as Loki ran off to the bushes. “Got to pish.”

The lad always seemed to wait till the last minute. She chuckled and bent over the garden patch. Noticing Loki’s departure, Grace ran off to follow him.

“Gracie, come back. Loki doesn’t need your help.”

The sound of approaching horses caught her attention. Since Robbie had just left, she doubted it would be him. Quade’s voice bellowed out, “Caralyn! Get to the horses. Get the lasses on the horses!”

The sound of Quade’s voice was enough to send a chill up her spine. She spun around and saw there were three horses headed straight for them. Malcolm. Malcolm with two others on horseback streaked across the meadow toward them.

Quade and Tomas jumped off the roof and mounted their own horses, readying themselves for a confrontation. Ashlyn screamed and started running toward the horses while Gracie was still headed toward Loki, oblivious to the approaching danger.

Caralyn dropped everything and raced for Gracie.
Oh lord, help us.
She tore past Ashlyn, trying to reach Gracie. Only when it was too late did it occur to her that Ashlyn could not mount a horse on her own.

Tomas and Quade bellowed the Grant whoop as they galloped toward the intruders. Approaching the first horseman, Tomas swung his sword but missed. The second horsemen came behind him and swung a club and hit him in the back of his head, knocking him off his horse. Caralyn’s gut clenched in panic when Tomas fell to the ground. Hard.
Get up, Tomas, get up
. He didn’t move.

She picked up her skirts and raced as fast as she could, screaming at her girls to run. One man headed straight for Gracie, the other two headed toward her and Ashlyn.

Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion as her life fell apart in front of her. The smallest man leaned over and scooped Gracie up and the other grabbed Ashlyn by the arm and threw her across his horse. Caralyn changed direction and ran back toward the horses.

She glanced over her shoulder to see Loki come flying out of the bushes with Growley at his side. Both chased after the man with Gracie on his lap. Tears ran down her cheeks as she heard her daughters’ screams rent the air. Quade went after Ashlyn, Loki after Gracie, and all Caralyn could do was try to get on her horse in an attempt to evade Malcolm.

As she mounted, Loki pulled his slinger out, loaded his stones into it, and pelted the man who held Gracie on his horse.

The lout yelled and slapped himself in the face. “My eye! The wee bastard hit me in my eye.” He dropped Gracie and Loki ran over to pick her up, throwing her on the giant deerhound’s back in one smooth movement, latching her arms around Growley’s neck and her legs around his back. He then gave the dog a shove toward the trees and yelled, “Go, Growley!”

Growley hurtled down the path into the woods and Malcolm yelled at the brute. “Get her, you fool! Are you planning to let a wee lad beat you, Ray?”

Ray set off after Growley, but the dog ran in between bushes where the horse couldn’t go. Gracie hung on for dear life, but she managed to stay on him, at least as far as Caralyn could see.
Go Growley, go!
Loki followed the attacker and continued to pepper him with his stones from behind. Ray finally cursed and turned his horse around, charging after Loki, who took off into the forest again, easily evading his pursuer.

Quade followed the brute who had Ashlyn flat across his horse in front of him, and managed to stab him through the back. The big man fell sideways, tumbling off the horse. The animal reared and Ashlyn grabbed its mane, screaming for help. Caralyn kneed her horse directing it toward Ashlyn.

Quade jumped off his horse and, after a quick battle, killed the one interloper who was still on the ground. When his horse returned, he mounted and took off after Ashlyn, finally grabbing the reins of the horse and scooping the girl onto his lap.

Caralyn gasped a sigh of relief. Both girls were safe for the moment. She surveyed the area and noticed Malcolm was now following her.

“Ray, go after the wean, you half-wit!” He pointed down the meadow where Growley had just emerged from the forest with Gracie still clutching his fur, her face buried in the hound’s back.

Ray retreated and headed after Gracie again. She watched in horror as Ray caught up with the dog and grabbed Gracie again just as Loki came tearing out of the woods.

Memories flooded Caralyn. In a matter of seconds, she saw the haunted look in Gracie’s eyes change to joy at the Grant keep, Ashlyn’s frown change to a smile as she played with Torrian, Jennie, and Avelina. She heard Robbie’s chuckle as he stood at the hearth in the great hall with his brothers, Brodie and Alex.

And she made a decision. The choice had to be made quick, and she did not hesitate. She stopped her horse and held her arms out to Malcolm. “Leave my girls alone and I’ll go with you willingly.” She had no choice, her daughters were finally where they belonged. She wouldn’t allow anything to take their happiness away. “Malcolm, leave Gracie behind and I’ll go with you.”

Malcolm smiled. “Let the wean go, Ray. I have what I want.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

“Protect my back, Ray. Leave the girls.” Malcolm smiled as he galloped toward her. Ray headed to the edge of the meadow and left Gracie near Loki, bypassing Quade and Ashlyn and veering away from the woods.

Caralyn let out a deep sigh. The bairns would be safe.

Following after her, Quade yelled, “Nay!”

Caralyn rode her horse over to Quade while Malcolm trailed behind her. Ray had already departed the area. “Quade, stay back. I don’t want him getting my bairns. Let me go. ‘Tis best for my girls.”

Ashlyn screamed, “Nay, Mama! Don’t leave us.”

The Highlander stopped his horse, and started to set Ashlyn on the ground, but Caralyn wouldn’t let him. “Nay! Protect her. And please help Gracie. She may be hurt from the ride in the forest.” She could tell the indecision in Quade’s mind, but he had to choose to protect Loki, Ashlyn, and Gracie. “Please, Quade.”

His decision finally made, he rode over and dismounted to check on Tomas. Robbie’s friend moaned as Quade rolled him over, his eyelashes fluttering. As soon as she saw Quade go check on wee Gracie and Loki, Caralyn turned her horse and cantered over to Malcolm, ignoring the pleas and sobs coming from her eldest.

Malcolm grabbed the reins of her horse. “Promise?”

“Aye.” She nodded and glanced back over her shoulder to see Loki standing not far from her, watching Malcolm with his slinger in his hand. “Loki, tell Robbie to let me go and tell him to take care of my girls,” Her voice hitched as she gave Loki instructions. He gave her a sad look before he chased after Quade.

As they headed down the path, Caralyn’s heart sunk. She was doing what was best for her girls. After all, her dreams had almost come true. Her daughters were happy here, and the Grants would take good care of them. She couldn’t contribute to the clan anyway. Everyone did their part; the men fought and built cottages, and the women cooked, cleaned, sewed, and healed. What did she have to offer? Nothing.

As much as she loved Robbie, she had naught to offer him, and she had Malcolm to thank for that. As they headed down the path, she glanced over her shoulder and noticed the line of Grant horses far in the distance, and all she could think was one thing.
Let me go, Robbie. Just let me go. I cannot endanger your clan anymore.

She heard Quade’s last words. “I’m only letting you go so Robbie Grant can have you, Murray. He won’t be far behind you.”

Malcolm spurred his horse.

***

Robbie cursed as soon as he heard the Grant war whoop. He bellowed as he tore back to the stables, Brodie right behind him. A flurry of lads from the lists ran in the same direction.

Once they were both mounted, he yelled to Brodie. “How many? Can you see?”

“Aye, three or four. Nay, three.”

Robbie spurred his horse faster, trying to outrace the sinking feeling that it was already too late, that he’d already lost her. How could he have been so foolish? Slud, could he not make the right decisions? The lass would never trust him again. Now she and the three bairns were in danger. Why had he not taken ten guards with them? Because he was daft and had thought he could handle everything on his own.
Still trying to prove yourself to your brothers, fool
.

“Stop beating yourself up and get focused,” Brodie said. “Can you tell who it is?”

Robbie pulled himself together. He had to. He would not let her go. “I can’t tell who it is from this distance, but it could only be Murray. I don’t know who is with him. We made sure his other helpers would never return. He must have hired more louts to help him.”

“What’s your plan when we get there?”

The fire returned to his eyes. “Malcolm is mine. You go after the other two if they’re still standing. You’ll have help soon enough.” He tossed his head back toward the warriors who were following them. They’d outpaced them on their superior horses.

As soon as they made it to the loch, Robbie relaxed a bit. Two horses were heading toward the end of the meadow—he expected them to be Malcolm and his comrade, because the man’s other assistant was clearly dead, face down on the ground. Quade was walking toward them with Ashlyn and Gracie in hand and Loki and Growley close behind him. Tomas lay on his side on the ground, moaning but alive.

Robbie made his way to Quade. “Where is Caralyn?” His gaze searched the area again, certain he must have missed her. “Caralyn?” he shouted. His pulse sped up as he checked the ground for another body.

“Malcolm made off with her. I’m sorry, Robbie. I had to make a choice. I had the two weans and Loki and Tomas on the ground.” Quade wiped the sweat and grime from his face as he set Gracie down. There were a couple of cuts on the wee one’s face, but otherwise both lassies appeared unhurt.

“Tomas will live?” he asked.

“Aye.” Quade nodded. “I knew you would want the honor of taking care of Murray yourself, so I let him go. He’ll be easy to catch, though Caralyn decided the only way to save the three weans was to go with him.” Then his face broke out into a huge grin. “She doesn’t know you verra well yet, does she?”

“Captain Grant, please find our mama. I don’t care what she says. I love her and want her back.” Tears streamed down Ashlyn’s face.

Robbie turned his gaze to Quade and shook his head.

Loki was the one who spoke up. “Master Robbie, she said to tell you to let her go and promise to take care of her girls.”

“Did she really go on her own?” Robbie couldn’t get that thought to register in his mind. Hellfire, she was a stubborn lass.

Quade nodded. “Aye, she told Murray she would go with him willingly if he promised to leave the weans alone. Grant, they are no’ far ahead of you. You should be able to take a few men and catch them easily.”

Robbie stared at Brodie. “Why are women so foolish?” How the hell could she do such a thing? He didn’t need to think too hard about it. She would sacrifice herself for her daughters any day, any time. He had seen it on the beach; he had seen it in Murray’s house.

Caralyn Crauford was a verra brave lass who would do anything to save her daughters. Slud, he could accept that, but she expected him not to follow her? Not a chance in hell.

“Loki, anything else I need to know?”

Loki shook his head. “Nay, but I can help.” He looked up at Robbie expectantly.

He held his arm down for Loki. “Let’s go. Do you have your slinger?”

Loki’s eyes lit up as he grabbed Robbie’s arm and flung his leg over the horse. “Aye, I am always ready. I pelted the bad man in the eye and he dropped Gracie. I am Loki Grant, a Grant warrior.”

Robbie looked at Quade. “How many?”

“Just the two.”

Robbie turned to his brother. “Brodie, you ready?”

Quade yelled, “You want me along?”

“Nay, get the weans back home. Brodie and I can handle two brutes.” The rest of the guards came up behind them on their horses. Robbie turned to Angus, who was in the lead and had ridden up right behind him. “Allow Brodie and me to go on ahead before you follow. I want the element of surprise. You can follow at a distance in case there are more than we expect.”

“And me, Master Robbie. I will help, too.” Loki glanced up at him, hope in his eyes.

Quade smiled. “Loki saved Gracie all by himself. I had my hands tied with the lout in the middle.” He pointed to the one body in the meadow.

“Aye, and Loki. Three to two, no problem. Ashlyn, we’re going for your mama. You stay with your sister, she needs to see Brenna.”

Ashlyn peered up at Robbie, her sobs finally slowing. “I trust you Captain Grant. I know you’ll save her.” Gracie blew him a kiss and they left, heading down the path until Robbie picked up their trail. As they got closer, he realized there were prints from three horses, not two, and they were staying on the main route. Good, that meant Caralyn was on her own horse, which would make it easier for him. He didn’t want to risk her safety when he finally got close to Malcolm Murray.

“Brodie, we’re taking the shorter path. I doubt he’ll try it, he doesn’t know the Highlands well enough. Mayhap we can catch up to them.”

Brodie nodded.

The path they took joined with the main path a while later, just past a couple of large rocks. As soon as they returned to the main path, Robbie stopped short. “I don’t see any fresh prints.”

Brodie agreed. “It looks as if they haven’t come through here yet.”

“Caralyn doesn’t ride fast. They must be behind us, so we’ll backtrack, but we need a plan first. Brodie, you take the other fool. Malcolm is mine. Loki, when we get near them, I’ll drop you off so you can roam around the perimeter and help out wherever you are needed most. I trust your judgment, lad.”

“Aye, Captain Grant. I will fight like a true Grant warrior.”

“And you must keep your eye on Caralyn at all times. Understood?” Robbie needed to make sure she was safe. When he caught Malcolm, he wanted no distractions.

“Aye. I will make sure she is safe.”

Robbie wanted to chuckle at the wee lad’s seriousness, but slud, he had seen him in action. He was a quick witted warrior, and he had great aim with his mighty slinger.

They cantered along the rocky trail until they hit a small meadow between the mountains. Nodding to each other, they settled in to wait for the others. Sure enough, three horses came bounding through the opening at the other side of the meadow a few minutes later. Murray held the reins of Caralyn’s horse, keeping her behind him. Robbie set Loki down and pointed to a rock off to the side that would be perfect for him to hide behind. Then he nodded to Brodie.

“Full attack?”

Robbie nodded. He bellowed his war whoop, and galloped straight at Murray. He unsheathed his sword and yelled at Caralyn as he drew closer. “Caralyn, move out of the way.”

“Nay, Robbie! Let me go. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt! Please stop this.”

Robbie ignored her and headed straight for Malcolm Murray. He wanted naught more than to drive his sword straight through the man’s belly for all he had done to Caralyn.

“Robbie, let me go!” Her voice ricocheted off the rocks surrounding them.

“Never!” He didn’t for one moment take his gaze off his target. He would enjoy every minute of pulverizing the fool.

Caralyn had moved her horse aside and out of the way, but she persisted with her foolishness. “Please, Robbie. I couldn’t bear it if you were hurt. Let me go!”

Robbie turned to glance at Caralyn for a second. “Nay! I will never let you go! Don’t you understand that yet? Never!”

Returning his gaze to his target, he bellowed as he met Murray in the middle of the meadow. He swung his sword arm directly at the blackguard with all his might, hoping to unhorse him with one brutal swing.

Caralyn screamed as the clang of steel rang out when Robbie’s sword clashed against Murray’s. He rode past him and turned around, surprised to see him still seated.

Malcolm chortled. “Och, she is a mighty sweet thing, Grant. Sorry we took so long, I had to have her once on the way.”

His smirk ripped at Robbie’s insides, but he funneled his rage into another charge at Murray.

Malcolm started toward him, but a rock struck him in the face. “That wee bugger is throwing rocks again, isn’t he?” he yelled. Darting off the path, he headed straight toward Loki, who was standing on the outside of the meadow, as the brothers had bade him to do. Loki turned and fled, while Malcolm surged after him.

Caralyn screamed. “Malcolm, nay! Leave him alone.” She jumped off her horse and ran toward wee Loki.

Robbie followed and was about to spear Malcolm in the back when the man changed directions and spun around, his sword arm extended. Robbie blanched because he thought Malcolm’s arm was aimed straight at Caralyn’s heart, and he would never get there in time to stop him. But Malcolm’s sword continued in its arc and the tip of the sword caught Robbie across the face as he flew by him. Blood spurted from the wound and Caralyn screamed.

Robbie’s face burned from the impact. Slud, but he had panicked at the prospect of Caralyn getting stabbed and his inability to stop it when, in reality, Murray had not been close enough to her to make contact. The warm blood shot into his eye temporarily, blinding him. He had lost his focus for a split second and it may have cost him his eye. As soon as he wiped the blood off his face, he saw Murray closing in on him for another strike. Loki and Caralyn both grabbed Malcolm’s leg and yanked it at the exact moment when his arms were raised over his head. Murray lost his balance and tumbled on the ground.

Dropping his shield, he rolled into a standing position, still holding his sword, and headed straight for Caralyn.

“You’ll not have her!” Malcolm bellowed as he aimed for Caralyn’s belly.

Praying he would get there in time, Robbie roared and spurred his horse, lunging toward Malcolm. Murray was seconds away from Caralyn on his sword, when Robbie surged forward and plunged his sword through the man’s back.

Murray fell and Robbie jumped off his horse, to check on Murray and see if he was really dead. Caralyn screamed his name and ran to him, throwing her arms around him and sobbing into his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her as she cried, kissing her forehead and cheeks. “Shush, sweeting, you’re not hurt?” He noticed Loki was headed toward them, his head down, but no evidence of injuries.