Read Colin's Quest for Free Online Page B

the herd, they drove them north toward a large meadow not far from the ranch houses. Afterwards, Quinn leaned against a stall, watching as Colin groomed Chieftain. Not until he’d finished did Colin reply to Quinn’s offer.
    “I appreciate you wanting to go with me, but it’s a journey I’ll make alone. You’re needed here.”
    “Did I give you the impression you had a choice? If so, I apologize. You’ll not go by yourself, Colin. Accept it.” Quinn marched off toward his family’s house, leaving Colin to stare after him.

    Colin had waited until the following Sunday, when the MacLaren clan congregated for the weekly family supper, to speak of his decision. He’d already told his parents, who supported him, offering any help they could. Quinn had also been given the blessing of his da and ma, although his ma had been less enthusiastic about her son traveling over five hundred miles from home. The time had now come to tell the rest of the family.
     As usual, the conversations shifted at a quick pace, everyone trying to catch up with the events of the week. Colin waited, wanting to find the right time to convey his news, but getting a word in proved difficult.
    “I have no interest in sewing, Ma. Besides, Da needs me out with Quinn and Bram. Right, Da?” Heather’s eyes pleaded with him to save her from sitting around in a sewing circle with her aunts and cousins.
    Gillis glanced at his wife, Audrey, noting her set expression. All the MacLaren women could ride and help with the cattle, but they also knew how to cook and sew, skills Heather avoided with a single-minded intensity.
    “We’ll talk about it at home, Heather.”
    “But, Da—”
    He pierced her with an intense glare. “At home, lass.”
    Colin took the short silence as his chance to tell them of his decision. “I’ll be leaving in two days to find Sarah.” The quiet announcement caught his family unprepared.
    “I’ll be going with him,” Quinn added before anyone had a chance to comment.
    Brodie stared at his cousins, feeling a sense of betrayal they hadn’t discussed it with him. The three, plus Blaine, had been inseparable for years. The four made up the oldest set of cousins and whatever one did, the other three followed. He cleared his throat, his voice overriding the other comments.
    “How long will you be gone?” He kept his voice low, his expression hooded, not wanting anyone else to know the disappointment he felt at not being included.
    “My guess is three months.” Colin glanced at Brodie, knowing he’d made a mistake not talking to him before today. He hadn’t planned on Quinn forcing his way into the journey, but when that happened, Brodie should’ve been the first person he spoke with, even before his da and ma.
    Brodie tossed his napkin on the table and stood. “I have some chores to finish.” Stalking from the house, he headed toward the larger of the two barns, disappearing inside. Picking up a shovel, he started mucking out a stall.
    “I should have told you sooner.” Colin walked up next to him, leaning against the top rail.
    Brodie set the shovel aside, not sparing a glance at Colin as he closed the stall gate.
    “I planned on going alone. When I told Quinn of my decision, he gave me no choice, said he was going to speak to Uncle Gillis about going with me.” He cleared his throat. “I should’ve told you the same day.”
    “It’s done.” Brodie saddled his horse, Hunter, and secured the bridle. Swinging up in one fluid movement, he left out the back door without another glance at Colin.
    “Ah, hell,” Colin murmured.
    “Where’s Brodie?” Quinn walked up beside him.
    “Took off. He’s angry and I can’t fault him for it. I should’ve told him.” Scrubbing a hand over his face, Colin shook his head. “I’d better go after him, try to explain.”
    “Nae. We’ll speak with Uncle Ewan. Brodie should be going with us.”
    “How can they get by without three of us? Two of us is one more than