soul.
An owl hooted in the distance. The scent of burning cedar from the crackling fire back at camp made his nostrils flair. The lingering scent of lavender from Keara’s body drifted beneath his nose. The soothing memory of the enticing good witch would help keep him company for the long night ahead.
“It’s been a long day for all of us, and you should really get some rest after that dunk you took in the ocean earlier. I know I’m ready for bed.” Keara smiled at Colin before glancing back toward the area where she last saw Duncan. I wonder how long before he’ll return. I need to speak to him about finding transportation so I can start heading home.
She stifled a yawn. The soothing echoes of Colin’s even breathing soon turned into whistling snores. Samson was cuddled between his lanky arms.
An owl hooted, breaking the silence blanketing the bitter, eerie night. Cold chills raced through her veins. Her stomach twisted in knots. Her anxiety rushed back, the same fear she had when she thought something terrible had happened to the Highlanders.
Like a hurt animal crying out in sheer agony, loud wailing sounded close by. She jerked and pulled the sheepskin tighter around her shoulders and glimpsed over at the sleeping pair. Neither had budged an inch.
Duncan’s troubled face invaded her vision. Her heart lurched in her chest. He was trying to warn her about something. His image vanished and left her with an emptiness as cold as ice. She squinted in the distance. The rich sounds of laughter from the wretched voice she heard earlier today had returned.
By the Goddess, Duncan’s in some sort of trouble.
Her aching body screamed at her exhausted mind and begged for a good night’s sleep. But I can feel him. He needs me.
She couldn’t just sit there and wait any longer. But she couldn’t wander off in the dark without some light either. A burst of adrenaline raged through her tired and hurting limbs. She sprang from the ground and tucked the blanket behind Colin’s back and rubbed Samson’s head. He purred and snuggled closer to the boy. She leaned over and kissed Colin’s forehead.
A yard-long branch lay near the fire. It would make a fine handle for a crude torch. She hurried and ripped short strips of cotton material from her ruined pair of capris and set off to the side. Rough pieces of bark made excellent kindling, so she gathered a handful and tucked them around the edge of the stick. She figured a small cluster of feathers and dried vine mixed with broken twigs would get a good blaze going. She hurried and began tying the torn strips to secure everything in place. Pleased with the progress so far, she spied some leftover sticky grease droppings from the grouse that would work well for lighter-fluid.
Hot damn! She smiled to herself, quite happy with the results. Indiana Jones himself would be proud of me! Her efforts made one hell of a flashlight, if she must say so herself.
With one final glance at both Colin and her beloved cat, she sprinted off in the direction of the eerie voice.
A dull cramp tugged in her stomach. Common sense warned her she shouldn’t venture out on her own. Especially at night. And certainly not here. Besides the fact she didn’t have a clue where the hell she was. Sudden logic warranted her suspicions.
After a few moments hesitation, she came to a sensible conclusion. The louder the hideous voice became, the closer she would be to finding the mysterious Highlander named Duncan McCord.
Chapter 8
Duncan lunged from the damp forest floor. His splayed hooves clip-clopped on top of a boulder. His nostrils flared from the irresistible lingering lavender scent. He cocked his head to the side. His keen hearing caught her every breath as each step she took brought her dangerously closer. “Aye, the damn fool-headed woman! She’s done wandered off again.”
He snarled at a shooting star plummeting to the ground. Like a bubbling cauldron of fire, it spit an outburst of flames
An owl hooted in the distance. The scent of burning cedar from the crackling fire back at camp made his nostrils flair. The lingering scent of lavender from Keara’s body drifted beneath his nose. The soothing memory of the enticing good witch would help keep him company for the long night ahead.
“It’s been a long day for all of us, and you should really get some rest after that dunk you took in the ocean earlier. I know I’m ready for bed.” Keara smiled at Colin before glancing back toward the area where she last saw Duncan. I wonder how long before he’ll return. I need to speak to him about finding transportation so I can start heading home.
She stifled a yawn. The soothing echoes of Colin’s even breathing soon turned into whistling snores. Samson was cuddled between his lanky arms.
An owl hooted, breaking the silence blanketing the bitter, eerie night. Cold chills raced through her veins. Her stomach twisted in knots. Her anxiety rushed back, the same fear she had when she thought something terrible had happened to the Highlanders.
Like a hurt animal crying out in sheer agony, loud wailing sounded close by. She jerked and pulled the sheepskin tighter around her shoulders and glimpsed over at the sleeping pair. Neither had budged an inch.
Duncan’s troubled face invaded her vision. Her heart lurched in her chest. He was trying to warn her about something. His image vanished and left her with an emptiness as cold as ice. She squinted in the distance. The rich sounds of laughter from the wretched voice she heard earlier today had returned.
By the Goddess, Duncan’s in some sort of trouble.
Her aching body screamed at her exhausted mind and begged for a good night’s sleep. But I can feel him. He needs me.
She couldn’t just sit there and wait any longer. But she couldn’t wander off in the dark without some light either. A burst of adrenaline raged through her tired and hurting limbs. She sprang from the ground and tucked the blanket behind Colin’s back and rubbed Samson’s head. He purred and snuggled closer to the boy. She leaned over and kissed Colin’s forehead.
A yard-long branch lay near the fire. It would make a fine handle for a crude torch. She hurried and ripped short strips of cotton material from her ruined pair of capris and set off to the side. Rough pieces of bark made excellent kindling, so she gathered a handful and tucked them around the edge of the stick. She figured a small cluster of feathers and dried vine mixed with broken twigs would get a good blaze going. She hurried and began tying the torn strips to secure everything in place. Pleased with the progress so far, she spied some leftover sticky grease droppings from the grouse that would work well for lighter-fluid.
Hot damn! She smiled to herself, quite happy with the results. Indiana Jones himself would be proud of me! Her efforts made one hell of a flashlight, if she must say so herself.
With one final glance at both Colin and her beloved cat, she sprinted off in the direction of the eerie voice.
A dull cramp tugged in her stomach. Common sense warned her she shouldn’t venture out on her own. Especially at night. And certainly not here. Besides the fact she didn’t have a clue where the hell she was. Sudden logic warranted her suspicions.
After a few moments hesitation, she came to a sensible conclusion. The louder the hideous voice became, the closer she would be to finding the mysterious Highlander named Duncan McCord.
Chapter 8
Duncan lunged from the damp forest floor. His splayed hooves clip-clopped on top of a boulder. His nostrils flared from the irresistible lingering lavender scent. He cocked his head to the side. His keen hearing caught her every breath as each step she took brought her dangerously closer. “Aye, the damn fool-headed woman! She’s done wandered off again.”
He snarled at a shooting star plummeting to the ground. Like a bubbling cauldron of fire, it spit an outburst of flames
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