Page 42 of All In Good Time

Chapter 11

Ridingat top speed for as much of the journey as he possibly could, Logan finally spied Sara and Hamish up ahead. He spurred his horse forward and as he approached, he called out to Hamish who glanced back and cursed when he spotted Logan. Sara turned in her saddle, her shoulders slumping at the sight of him.

“I told ye to stay away from her Hamish!” Logan’s eyes were filled with jealousy and anger as he pulled his sword from its sheath.

Hamish drew his own sword and Sara suddenly looked as if she might faint. “Logan! What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m protecting ye from this one.” He pointed his sword in Hamish’s direction.

“I don’t need protection from him. We’ve been traveling for days and I haven’t once felt unsafe. He’s been a complete gentleman the whole time.” He could see her fear being replaced with anger.

“Did he touch ye?” He had to ask. The thought of Hamish with his woman was more than he could bare.

Hamish spoke in a controlled voice. “Nae. I didnae touch yer woman.”

“I am not anyone’s woman!” Sara shouted.

“I’m sorry, lass. I ken what ye said.” Hamish maintained his calm demeanor and continued. “Logan, I didnae think ye’d want her traveling alone. I only accompanied her to keep her safe.” He sat up tall in his saddle, obviously ready to fight if need be.

“Ye should have told me. Ye should have found me. I would have caught up with her and brought her back.”

Sara appeared incensed by this conversation. “Why? Why would you do that? Don’t you want to know why Rory Mackall never returned? Or have you been lying to me and you really are in love with Aisla”

Were his ears playing tricks on him? Did she just say Rory Mackall was the babe’s father? “Aisla doesnae wish him to hear about the babe.” Logan quickly glanced at Hamish who seemed to be hearing about this for the first time.

“Why not? It’s his baby. He has a right to know. He might not want to take responsibility for it, but at least he’ll know and have the opportunity to make a choice.”

Logan looked up to the heaven’s and said a silent prayer for strength. He could see he was going to need it where Sara was concerned.

“The lass is right, Logan. If ’twas me, I’d want to ken it.”

“Thank goodness there’s someone here who understands.” Sara had that look on her face. The one Logan knew meant she was digging her heels in.

“Hamish, I didnae ask fer yer opinion. Sara, we’re going back.” He reached for her reins and she slapped his hands away. He hadn’t planned for her obstinance when he’d decided to follow her.

“I am not!” she shouted. “Aisla loves this man and she is hurt that he has rejected her. I happen to know exactly how that feels, Logan.” Logan went very still. “Maybe he did reject her, maybe he will reject the baby. That would be his loss. If that happens you are free to marry Aisla. I will not interfere.” Sara’s voice caught for a moment, but was strong as she continued, “But maybe he loves her, too. Maybe love is something you would travel a million miles to find and fight for when you get there.” She was breathing hard and staring him down.

Logan was in shock… He heard Sara’s anger and he knew he deserved it. He thought he knew how to handle difficult situations, but in this case, he’d made a terrible mess of it for all of them. What could he say that would make it better? He hated the way she was looking at him. He wanted to take away the anger and the frustration, but he was at a loss. The man who had a way with people and who could get fighting neighbors to be friends again had nothing to say.

“She’s right. Let her do what she came here to do. The castle is just up ahead. We’ll be there in no time.”

Logan’s eyebrow arched as he gazed at Hamish. “Are ye giving me yer opinion again?”

“Aye. I am.” His eyes narrowed in defiance. “And I’m willing to fight ye to see that Sara finishes what she came here to do.”

An uneasy silence came over them as Logan carefully weighed Hamish’s words and Sara’s determination. “I dinnae wish to fight ye,” Logan sheathed his sword. “I dinnae see how any good can come from this.”

“Logan, do you want to be with me?” Sara’s voice was calmer now.

“Ye ken I do, but I’ve promised to marry Aisla.”

“Do you really think she wants you?” Sara asked.

“She kens the reasons we must marry. She’ll be happy and the bairn will have the protection of a good Da.”

“How do you know Rory wouldn’t be a good Da?” Sara challenged.

Logan didn’t answer, he was too busy realizing that he now knew who was to blame for their predicament.