Read Captured Heart for Free Online Page B

bother.”
    His shoulders relaxed. “No bother,” he said. “I have a sister at home. Ann. She’s just your size. I’ve always watched after her.”
    “I will be happy to meet her when we reach the Highlands.”
    “Meet her?” He frowned slightly.
    “We will be neighbors. I will come for a visit once I’m settled.”
    Donald stood. “I need to check the horses.”
    She watched him walk off, and her smile faded. He thought she was strange. Well, I am strange, but they shouldn’t know that just by talking to me .
    Meg stood and breathed in the crisp, autumn-scented air. Colored leaves danced in the trees above as the bright sun glittered down. She loved autumn, the full harvests, the festivals before winter. She ignored the small stab of homesickness as she walked over to Pippen. Certainly the Highlanders had their own bountiful festivities. She ran strong fingers under Pippen’s soft muzzle.
    “I told you all would work out,” she whispered. The horse nickered.
    “Meg Boswell.” Caden’s soft, steady voice shot through her and Meg whirled around.
    “I didn’t hear you,” she said and smiled timidly.
    Caden stood only a step away. His normal half scowl was in place as he adjusted the saddle on Pippen’s back. He tugged on the saddle as if checking to see if it was secure and then turned to her, crossing his arms. “What has ye watching over yer shoulder all morning? What makes a lass leave her family with only a wolf and bow for protection and a small satchel of food to sustain her?”
    He was so tall, taller than any of the men in the village near her home. His intelligent eyes stared at her as if figuring her out. She didn’t know what to say.
    Caden stepped closer to Meg; his fingers pulled a small birch leaf from her hair. He was close, so close that she could easily lay her hand against his broad chest. At least he had a shirt on this time.
    “I’ve deduced that ye aren’t a fool, Meg.” He indicated her leather pouch. “I’ve seen ye reading that book. And yer way with the injured,” he said. “Ye’re not addled, so it must be something dire to make ye run.”
    Meg opened her mouth but then closed it. She couldn’t tell him that she was running from her own father, a traitor to his king, a liar, and murderer of her own mother. She was humiliated enough. “I appreciate your escort, but I—”
    “I like to know what enemy I am making, lass.” He stared hard, unblinking.
    Meg swallowed. She hadn’t thought of it that way. Was she endangering these men just by associating with them? Would her father take out his vengeance on the Macbains for helping her?
    “I…mean, my mother…well, the man…” Her tongue couldn’t form the terrible words. She studied the rounded toes of her leather boots. The flush that burned up her neck and cheeks wouldn’t go away even with slow, steady breathing. The awkward silence stretched until she glanced back up at his strong features.
    “I understand,” she started again. “I should not put you all in peril.” She focused on the blue specks in his gray eyes. “If you could give me some basic directions toward my relations, I will travel on my own. I would but ask that you don’t divulge my name or the direction I am traveling if asked.”
    Caden watched her in silence. He uncrossed his arms. “Ye’re running from something fierce.”
    His observation wasn’t a question, but she tipped her head in a brief nod anyway.
    He took a step closer and Meg held her breath. “Ye have my escort, Meg Boswell, no matter who chases ye.” Caden’s hands moved to her waist, and he lifted her up into the saddle. His hand lingered at her knee. “Just shout out if ye see that the devil’s caught up to us, lass.”
    Caden removed the warmth of his large hand, and she breathed again as he turned away.
    “Thank you,” she said to the back of his head.
    …
    They traveled the north road, which really wound through the lowlands on a northwest direction. Caden