Page 14 of Rescued By the Highland Warrior (Highland Whispers of Love #1)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

R oderick woke with the sun streaming through his windows again. He had hardly gotten any sleep. All he could think of over and over again, was that kiss.

Once they he and Moira had returned to his chambers, he would have pushed for more had she not seemed so adamant about avoiding him. She acted as though it had simply been a mistake. An unintended consequence of the heat of the moment.

Roderick knew she was probably right, but that didn’t stop the yearnings, ones that were powerful enough to keep him from his sleep.

But despite his fatigue, he sprung to life, gathering his things for his and Moira’s trip.

He loved how much she had opened up to him the night before. He felt that he had gotten a glimpse into who she really was. There was an intimacy that was blooming between them, one that Roderick was finding increasingly impossible to ignore.

He had thought about it when she left his chambers, along with everything that she had said. What would happen when she went on her next mission? Roderick felt a strong internal conflict between avenging his father’s death, and Moira having to go away.

He did not want his people to starve, which they would if he didn’t find a solution for the crop shortages, and he needed to resolve this current conundrum quickly, so he could concentrate on solving that problem for his clan. But he also did not want her leaving once she solved the mystery of his father’s death, for some new, dangerous mission, one in which her survival was not assured.

With conflicting thoughts swirling through his mind, Roderick gathered the rest of his things and opened the doors to his chambers.

To his surprise, there was Moira, facing him, her expression serene with her long, dark hair tied back in a simple yet elegant knot. Her curved silhouette caught the soft light of the early morning, and for a moment, Roderick simply looked at her, his heart giving an unexpected lurch.

“Moira,” he said, stepping closer. “Good mornin’.”

She smiled, “Tell me why ye look so surprised. Did ye think that I wouldnae be ready?”

“Nay,” he said. “I just didnae expect ye tae be up earlier than me.”

Her smile deepened, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Aye, well, I dinnae always rise wi’ the sun, but during me time here it has felt most appropriate."

“Seems fittin’,” he conceded, “Shall we?”

Roderick beckoned downstairs with his arm, trying to ignore the way Moira was making him feel. He was finding it increasingly difficult to mask his stirrings toward her especially when she had that look in her eye.

Moira gave him a knowing glance, her smile still lingering, before nodding in agreement. “Aye, let’s be off then.”

As she descended the stairs ahead of him, the soft sway of her movements caught his eye. The way in which she walked side to side, her quiet elegance—it was enticing.

No man in his right mind would be able to resist, and he was used to taking what he wanted, whenever he wanted it.

But he reminded himself that they were on a mission—focused, practical. There was not going to be another kiss.

Roderick excused himself to collect supplies from the kitchen, some bread, cheese, and dried meat for the trip. Luckily the kitchen was still practically empty, so he would not have to explain himself to anyone yet.

Once he returned to Moira, who was waiting by the entrance, Roderick opened it for her, stepping aside as she passed through.

He felt a deep sense of anticipation for their journey ahead. Aside from hoping to unearth some clues, he knew that today would lead him to feel more connected to his father, as he was to enter into one of his private spheres. And spending time with Moira, alone, was an appealing thought as well. He could not deny it.

Roderick led Moira to the stables, the crisp morning air brushing against their skin.

The horses were waiting, calm and ready, and Moira brushed her hand against the sleek coat of one of the steeds, a small smile on her lips.

“The lodge is nae too far away, although it is nestled in a remote area within the northern forest,” Roderick said, “this here is me horse, an’ ye’re welcome tae sit on the back if ye’d rather rest.”

“Thank ye fer yer offer Roderick,” Moira said, “but I’m more than confident ridin’ me own.”

Roderick nodded, his lips curling slightly into a smile. “Of course, ye are.”

He led Moira to a sturdy, gray mare, and after helping her mount, he saddled and swung onto his own.

“Remember,” he said. “Follow behind me, I’ll keep watchin’ back tae check that ye’re all right–”

Before he could finish, Moira had already begun riding ahead, her movements fluid and confident.

Roderick raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth twitching into a half-smile. She was nothing if not determined. He charged his horse forward, closing the distance between them with a swift motion, and racing ahead.

“Ye’re nae one tae tak’ orders, are ye?” He called out.

“Nay, me laird,” she shouted, her voice carried by the breeze. “Have ye nae figured that out by now?”

Roderick laughed, shaking his head, before pressing on.

As he rode further, he took in the beauty of the fine winter’s morning. The sky was a pale blue, crisp and clear, as the sunlight broke through the trees. The air was cool, and there was a distinct chill that bit at his cheeks—but he breathed it all in, riding with the wind spurring him on.

The sound of Moira’s horse’s hooves pounding the ground behind him was a steady rhythm and a welcome reminder that she was close. Having her at his heels spurred Roderick to ride even faster, to push forward into the wilderness with the same intensity that burned inside him.

He smiled, for he had never met a woman as competitive as her—he liked the challenge.

As they continued riding, the forest grew denser and eventually Roderick called for Moira to curve at a turning that opened up onto a small path leading to the lodge. The familiar sight of the wooden cabin brought a slight release of tension in Roderick’s shoulders. They had made it there in one piece.

As they both jumped down from their horses and tied them accordingly, Roderick edged closer to Moira. He couldn’t help but gaze at her rosy, flushed cheeks.

“I’ll give it tae ye,” he said, leaning against the tree “Ye’re quite the rider.”

“This,” she chuckled, her eyes as green as moss, and as shiny as dew-kissed leaves. “This was more o’ a stroll than a proper ride.

“Is that so?” Roderick raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a slight smile. “Perhaps we should go ridin’ properly sometime then, and ye can show me how good ye really are.”

She shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes as she adjusted her cloak. “Maybe one day,” she said. “Although be careful what ye wish fer, ye ken I love a challenge.”

Both Roderick and Moira stood in silence for a beat, leaning against the trees. Their bodies were close, angled toward one another, and Roderick could feel the warmth radiating off her, momentarily lost, as he was, in her eyes.

“So,” Moira finally said, a playful smile still tugging at her lips. “Ye have the keys tae this lodge, or are we goin’ tae break in through the windows?”

Roderick broke away from Moira and with a swift motion, walked to a nearby rock, climbing on top.

“Roderick, what are ye...” He heard Moira begin to ask.

Without looking back, he propelled himself upward with ease. He grabbed onto the edge of the roof of the lodge and he steadied himself against the slanted shingles. With a practiced roll, he stood on top of the roof.

Moira’s gasp of surprise fueled him on, as he made his way across the roof with careful yet confident steps.

Moments later, Roderick landed softly back on the ground, key in hand, a self-satisfied grin stretched across his face.

“Here we go,” he said, catching a steady breath.

“Well, that’s one way tae dae it.”

“Try tae look a little less impressed, Moira,” Roderick whispered into her ear as he passed.

Moira rolled her eyes, crossing her arms, although she was smiling– a smile that soon turned into a laugh. “Dinnae flatter yerself too much Roderick,” she said, “fer I feel yer head might explode.”

Roderick chuckled, "Aye, perhaps I’m just a bit too impressive fer me own good," he teased, giving her a wink as he moved toward the door.

Moira’s laugh lingered in the air as she followed him, and Roderick resisted the urge to look back at her and tease her some more.

“Dinnae worry,” she said, her voice silky and smooth. “I’ll make’ sure tae keep yer ego in check."

With a gentle push, Roderick turned the door to the lodge, and as it creaked open, he breathed in the musky scent. It was a little damp inside, his boots creaking across the dust-covered floors. The place looked withered, a stark contrast from what he had remembered of it since he had been just a young lad.

And while that was to be expected, it filled him with a dark and twisted sense of remorse.

He reminded himself that things change, and that it was a natural part of life but his anger spurred him on. He had to find out the truth and avenge his father once and for all.

Roderick began to walk around the cabin, trying to ‘inspect’, although he wasn’t exactly sure what he was supposed to be looking for. He was happy to follow Moira’s lead in this instance.

“We should look through everything, Roderick,” Moira said, to his relief as she appeared to sense his hesitation. “Ye start at the far-left corner, I’ll start from the right, we should leave naething untouched. Even if it seems like it may nae be o’ use, ye never ken what ye might find.”

They continued to search through the lodge in companionable silence. Roderick checked in with Moira every now and then, but she had not found anything to pique her interest. They searched through books, cupboards, furniture, and as the hours passed the skies grew darker and the winds began to howl outside the lodge.

“Roderick,” her voice eventually cut through the damp air. “Perhaps we should head back home before it turns too dark. There daesnae seem tae be anything o’ use here.”

“Aye,” Roderick agreed, pushing past his disappointment as he came toward her.

Suddenly, there was a shift.

“Wait just there,” Moira said. She stood rapidly, her arm raised mid-air gesturing for him to stay in place.

“What is it?” He asked.

Moira moved around the room, appearing to listen carefully as she stomped on different planks of wood. “Can ye hear that difference?” She asked him.

“Nay.”

Roderick continued to watch as Moira moved around testing the wood. Although it was growing dark outside, Roderick waited—intrigued about what she might have found.

“We need some light,” she said, distracted.

“Aye,” Roderick responded, walking toward the scones and lighting them quickly. He found a few blocks of wood by the hearth and chucked them in, setting them alight as well.

“Thank ye,” she said absentmindedly as she lifted up her skirt. Roderick tensed, catching a glimpse of her thigh as she took out a small dagger. He averted his gaze, but the stir in his groin was difficult to ignore.

Moira bent down, using her knife to lift up two of the wooden planks that easily gave way to a small opening below.

“I think we have somethin’, Roderick,” she said.

Roderick cleared his throat, moving toward her as he willed himself to focus on the floor rather than on thoughts of Moira’s thighs.