Page 46 of All In Good Time

Chapter 12

“Tell me about yourself,” Katriona Mackall said in between bites of food.

“There’s not much to tell.”

“I don’t believe that to be true. There’s something about ye that reminds me of myself a short time ago.” Katriona smiled warmly at Sara.

“I’m not sure what you mean, Lady Katriona” Sara said, feeling a bit defensive.

“Please, call me Kat. We could dance around the subject all ye like, but I can tell yer nae from here. Ye have a different way about ye that I recognize. Ye see I found myself here at this time and this place quite by accident.”

“I can assure you I didn’t arrive here by accident,” Sara said, her eyes opening wide as she realized just what Kat was trying to tell her. Neither one of them wanted to come right out and say it for fear that the other would think them crazy.

“Ye dinnae blend in quite as well as ye’d like.” Kat went back to her meal, leaving Sara wondering whether she should continue on with the same topic.

“Do you know Edna Campbell of The Thistle & Hive Inn?” Sara asked.

“Nae. Should I?” Kat tipped her head, waiting for an answer.

“Not necessarily, but she’s the reason I’m here.” Sara thought if Kat didn’t know Edna, then what she’d been thinking must be wrong.

“I see. She’s nae the reason I’m here. My story may be of interest to ye, but now isnae the time to talk.” Kat looked at her rather pointedly. Sara again, got the impression she was trying to tell her something, but no. If she didn’t know Edna, could it possibly be? “Mayhap tomorrow ye and I can spend some time alone to learn more about each other.”

“Okay.” Sara said the word without thinking.

“Ah ha!” Kat said with a gleam in her eye and a triumphant smile on her lips. “Just as I suspected,” she whispered. Before Sara could ask her what she meant by that, Kat turned in her chair and spoke with Logan who was seated on her other side, leaving Sara dumbfounded by what had just occurred.

There were no further opportunities to speak with Kat that evening because Nick Mackall arrived home just in time to join them as they finished their meals. He was a tall man, much like her Logan. Her Logan! Whoa!

She was jumping to a conclusion that may never be possible. She was so conflicted about their relationship. Should she be angry with him, should she give in to her feelings and damn the consequences? She hated being in this position, but she had no idea what to do about it, other than to let things play out in whatever fashion they would.

Kat was the first person he greeted upon entering the hall. She sprang from her seat and ran to him, where they exchange a brief, yet passion-filled kiss. Standing on tiptoe she whispered something into his ear before returning to the table.

“Nick, this is Logan, Hamish and Sara. They’re here to see yer brother,” Kat explained.

“Duncan?” Nick nodded at the three of them. “He’s nae here.”

“No. Rory.”

Nick exchanged a questioning glance with Kat, who tipped her head in Logan’s direction.

“Rory isnae having any visitors at the moment,” Nick explained to him.

“We’re aware he wasnae seeing anyone today, but thought mayhap tomorrow,” Logan said.

Nick again looked to Kat. “How is he today?”

“The same.”

“Is there something wrong? Is he sick?” Sara hoped it wasn’t true.

“He was injured on his way home from Breaghacraig, some time ago.”

“Injured? How?” Logan asked.

“He and his companions were riding along a steep trail when his horse slipped and fell. Rory tumbled down the side of the hill where he remained unconscious while his men tried to retrieve him. When they finally managed to get him back to the road, it was clear that he had been gored by something. It appeared as if he had a sword wound, but the men searched and found it had to be part of a tree or jagged rock that he rolled over as he fell.”

Sara’s hand flew to her mouth at what she somehow knew would come next. Logan positioned himself beside her, taking hold of her other hand.