Page 40 of All In Good Time

“Dougall, have ye seen Sara?” Helene was concerned. Sara hadn’t been around all day and Helene had a sixth sense that something wasn’t right.

“Mayhap she’s gone off for a walk.” Dougall kissed her cheek as he passed her and headed into their kitchen to find a snack before dinner.

Helene turned and hurried after him. “She was supposed to meet me here at the noon hour.”

“Did she nae tell ye anything that might give ye a clue as to where she was off to?” Dougall seemed to understand her concern.

“Nae. ’Twill be dark soon. I’m going to look for her.” Helene grabbed her cloak and headed for the door.

“I’ll join ye,” Dougall said. “She doesnae have a very good sense of direction.”

“Yer right. She got lost the other day; I believe she may have gotten lost again, ’tis why I’m so worried.”

They walked the path to the castle, thinking she may be there somewhere. Asking everyone they came upon if they’d seen her, they became even more anxious when the answer was always no.

Logan was busy grooming his horse when they approached him. “Logan, have ye seen Sara?”

“Nae. I havenae. Did ye lose her again?” He chuckled.

“Aye. I havenae seen her all day.” Helene didn’t have a good feeling about this. Where could she be?

The stable boy who had been standing nearby spoke up. “She came in early this morn to get a horse. Said she wanted a horse easy to ride.”

“Where was she going?” Dougall asked.

“I dinnae ken, but Hamish went with her.”

“Hamish?” Logan asked.

“Aye. He saw she was heading off on her own and he thought she should have someone along for protection.”

“If she was just going for a short ride, why would she need protection?” Helene asked.

“Did she say where she was going?” Dougall asked.

“I couldnae hear their conversation, sir. I’m sorry.”

* * *

Logan hada sneaking suspicion he knew exactly what she was up to, but that still didn’t tell him where she was headed. He thought about what she’d said last night. He’d never managed to get the name of the man out of her, but it was obvious that Aisla’s man was someone who had been at the castle in the last few months and then left. Thinking back, he was aware of only one party of riders who’d stayed at Breaghacraig. The group was from Dunaill. They’d stayed on for a few weeks. Plenty of time for Aisla to develop a relationship with one of them. He had no idea which one, but he at least knew where Sara was headed. He’d have to get to her before she reached Dunaill. “I think I know where she’s gone. I’ll go after her.”

“Well, are ye going to tell us?” Helene asked, sounding irritated.

“Dunaill.” Logan mounted his horse and turned towards the gate.

“Dunaill? But why?” Helene appeared genuinely confused.

“I cannae tell ye, but suffice to say she’ll be fine and I’ll return with her as soon as I can. It may take several days though. I must catch up to them first.”

“Off with ye then. She’s a good head start on ye.” Dougall stated.

“I won’t get far tonight, but I’ll ride for as long as I can and pick up the trail again in the morning. Sara’s nae used to riding, she’ll tire quickly and hopefully that will slow them down,” Logan said and headed off to the stables for his saddle and provisions.

Helene turned to Dougall. “When Sara makes up her mind to do something, it’s done,” Helene said, wringing her hands with worry. “Ye should ken it, Dougall.”

“Yer right, my love. Dinnae worry. Logan will find her and in the meantime, she’s with Hamish. He’ll see that no harm comes to her.”

* * *