17. Chapter Sixteen

Like most mornings, Lorena rose from her bed, wishing it wasn't so cold without Craig, then washed up, brushed her hair and put on a dull brown kirtle over a blouse. She then tied a long apron over her body, covering as much as she could since she never knew when she'd come back to the brooch covered in blood. Or other interesting liquids.

She and Helena met in the great hall to break their fast each morning to go over the list of folk they planned to see that day. There was always an unexpected injury of sorts to deal with, as well, with such a large clan. It seemed to her that the bairns were always running into things.

As she walked across the great hall, the healer was grinning at her, leaving Lorena wondering what she was so happy about.

In the weeks they'd been working together, Lorena had gained a great deal of respect for her sister by marriage. Even though she still scoffed at her being perfect, she was so caring, intelligent and helpful that Lorena no longer resented her. Helena had made settling into her new home easier than if she'd not had the woman's guidance.

She also had to admit she enjoyed learning what she had about healing, although she found that administering to those frightened and in pain interested her more than dealing with the pregnant lasses. To her, it seemed midwifery was no more than holding expecting mam's hands for months and assuring her everything would be well when the time came.

Then when the time did come, screaming, shouting curses at one's husband, and crying commenced. This was followed by peace and smiling as the new mam held the little one who'd caused all the hysteria. While this was all going on, there was the dealing with the nervous new da and the priest who stood by in case the mam or new bairn died, making the husband even more nervous. Nay, she would do it for her new clan if necessary, but she was very happy that Helena preferred the midwifery part of the work.

"Ye are quite cheerful today," Lorena said as she took her place alongside Helena. That was truly a silly statement since Helena was cheerful all the time.

"I have news today from Robin."

Lorena's heart sped up. Was Craig coming home?

"Robin just sent two warriors to the border where Craig is camped with instructions for them to stay there and Craig and another guardsman to return."

Lorena tried her best to pretend indifference, but between the flush on her face and the smirk on Helena's she didn't think she fooled anyone, including herself. What would her reaction be to the man? Had this month apart lost the little bit of a connection they'd shared before he left? Would he be annoyed at being summoned home?

Robin then joined them and smiled at Lorena. "I assume my wife told ye the good news? Craig is returning and should be home in about another week."

"Aye. She told me." Everyone had assumed she was happy to have him back, but her feelings were conflicted. Aye, she missed him in their bed; the bedsport and the warm body keeping her cozy at night.

But truth be told she did miss not having him to talk to. She oftentimes wanted to tell him all she'd been learning with Helena. When she'd stated she wanted him gone most of the time, she had no idea what marriage to an honorable, kind man was like. Even if he was an arrogant oaf. In the short time she'd known him, however, she knew he was no Avery Gordon or David Gunn, for sure.

Before he'd left, they'd started playing chess at night in their bed, but barely got through half the game before he'd push the board aside, scattering the pieces all over the bed. Then he grabbed her and after a few passionate kisses, she was flat on her back with Craig doing wicked things to her. And that was the end of the game for that night.

And soon he would be home. She placed her hand on her stomach. While he'd been gone, she'd learned a healer's trade and after a conversation with Helena, had good reason to believe she was carrying his bairn.

The setting sun was close to the horizon as Craig watched from the front of the camp as two riders approached wearing the MacKay plaid. He walked forward to greet brothers Kevin and Brandon MacKay, both strong warriors and guardsmen. The men came to a stop in front of him and slid from their horses.

He frowned. "Is something amiss?"

"Nay," Kevin said. "We have a message here for ye from the laird. He wants us to take yer place and send ye and another warrior back." He held the folded piece of parchment out to Craig.

"I thought I would be here for a few months."

Not that he particularly wanted to be. Blast Lenora. He missed the lass. Not just her soft, curvy body—which he surely did—but her sharp tongue that kept him entertained. He did enjoy taunting and challenging her.

There had been times when he provoked her just to see her beautiful eyes flash and her little chin stick out. He loved the fact that she felt comfortable doing that with him. He knew his small, delicate wife had suffered abuse from both her brother and husband. Yet, she had no problem standing up to him.

Could it be she already trusted him? Well, if he was to return, he would soon find out. He was also curious as to how she and Helena had gotten on.

It humored him to think about how he decided before they married that they would be separated most of the time. Yet, here he was looking forward to returning.

He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

After ruminating, he took the missive from Kevin Mackay and returned to the guardhouse to read it.

Brother,

Our Clan Chief has requested a meeting among his chieftains at Castle Varrich. I wish ye and Finn to go with me. Unless the situation there makes ye feel ye need to stay, I expect ye home as soon as ye can pack up.

Robin

At first light the next morning, he and Gre'gor set out for Dun Ugadale. Since it was just the two of them, they pushed themselves and their horses so by the end of the first day they'd traveled more than halfway to the brooch.

Once they picked a place to settle for the night, he went in search of their supper and Gre'gor made the fire and tended to the horses. Craig arrived back at the camp with two rabbits along with three salmon he'd caught from the creek not far from where they'd settled.

It was a good spot, and even though they were still on MacKay land, he took precautions since renegades had been spotted here as well as the border. During the weeks he'd been at his post, they'd caught a few reivers, but after a beating they sent them on their way back with a warning of losing their heads if they got caught again.

He and Gre'gor gutted the rabbits and cooked them over the fire along with the fish. Both tired from pushing themselves all day, they said a quick good sleep and wrapped themselves in their plaids and went to sleep.

It was barely light when Craig awoke and grabbed his sword. The horses were stepping nervously and shaking their heads. Someone was nearby. He looked over at Gre'gor on the other side of the now dead fire and he too was awake, sword in hand.

Craig stood just as a horse came crashing through the brush. Two men also on horses followed him, wearing no identifiable plaids.

"Who are ye and why are ye on MacKay land?"

The first man jumped from his horse and the other two followed, swords drawn. He smiled, showing rotten teeth.

"We doona care whose land we're on, we'll just take whatever coin ye're carrying." He moved forward and swung at Craig. Within seconds all five men were in a full fight.

Craig dispatched the leader almost immediately, leaving him holding his middle and writhing on the ground. He and Gre'gor then fought back-to-back with the remaining two, who were nowhere near the well-trained warriors as he and Gre'gor were.

Right before the last of the two were taken down, Craig received a slash on his upper arm. He didn't realize he'd been cut until the foray was over and the three men lay dead on the ground.

Then the pain hit him, almost bringing him to his knees. He leaned on his sword as black dots danced in his eyes. He looked over at Gre'gor who was dripping blood from his thigh and looking quite pale. "I think ‘tis time to return home," Craig said.

They bandaged each other as best they could, and leaving the bodies buried in the foliage, rode off. The renegade's horses, obviously not trained for battle as the Mackay horses were, had run off during the battle.

***

Lorena had once again spent the day tending to those suffering from illnesses and injuries. She and Helena were concerned because several clansfolk were suffering from the sweating sickness. One young bairn had died from it, leaving his parents weeping over their only child.

She felt terrible, blaming herself for not being able to save the lad. "Ye canno' blame yerself for that," Helena said as they returned to the brooch, heartsick and weary. "We do the best we can, but we canno' save everyone."

"But he was so young, so sweet."

"Aye. ‘Tis hard when they're young like that." Helena reached out and touched her arm. "Ye are doing great as a healer. ‘Tis no' an easy job and many doona suit. When I arrived, there was a young lass who had taken over from the older healer who wanted to enjoy the rest of her life in a small cottage with a vegetable and flower garden.

"The poor lass was no' at all ready for the work. She couldna stand the sight of blood and when she was supposed to help me with my sister, Jena's birthing, she disappeared."

Lorena looked off into the distance. "I ne'er thought I would be good at this, but then I dinna believe I could be good at anything."

Helena viewed her with sympathetic eyes. "Ye are wonderful woman, Lorena. Doona let anyone tell ye different."

God's toes, the woman could bring tears to her eyes. When Lorena had first arrived, she wanted so much to hate Helena. Now seeing her with Robin, she had to admit that the laird had made the right choice. He and Helena belonged together.

Did that mean she and Craig belonged together?

After parting ways with Helena, Lorena started up the stairs when one of the maids stopped her. "Mistress, a missive arrived for ye earlier this afternoon while ye were out and about."

"A missive?"

"Aye, I brought it up to yer bedchamber."

"Thank ye." She continued up the stairs. Who would be sending her a missive? She had no friends to send her one. No one who cared enough to bother with a missive.

As she entered her room her eyes were drawn to a piece of parchment sitting on the table next to the bed. First, she washed her hands and face, then walked over to the missive and picked it up.

Dearest Sister,

I hope ye are happy in yer marriage and have settled well into the MacKay clan. I aways thought ye were a much better woman than what Avery Gordon deserved. I am hoping Craig MacKay is being good to ye. If he isn't he will hear from me. I will never accept anyone being mean or disrespectful to ye.

Lorena stopped and re-read the words. Her brother had never said anything nice to her in all the time she'd known him. Was he feeling sorry that he'd mistreated her all those years? She'd waited most of her life to hear kind words from her family. Swatting at the tears that had gathered in her eyes at his words, she continued to read.

I am very happy that ye married the MacKay brother. He seemed to be taken with ye. And ‘tis good to have ye there.

She stopped and frowned. Good to have me here? She shook her head, completely confused, and continued.

I know ye feel a strong attachment to the Gunns, being one all yer life. Remember dear Sister, once a Gunn, always a Gunn.

The MacKay is a strong clan with much in the way of wealth, strong warriors, good land, and rent-paying tenants. As yer beloved brother, I would like ye to speak a good word about the Gunns and keep yer ears open for any information that would help yer clan. We could use the MacKay's strength and coin, especially since we've been having some problems with the Sinclairs. I know I can count on ye if I need yer help.

She huffed, thinking of how kind Helena had been to her, and how Robin asked after her all the time. She was not a member of the Gunn Clan anymore. He finished the missive with,

Yer loving brother,

David