Page 32 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)

Connor

The next morn, Connor stood at the shoreline next to Dyna just before high noon, both scanning the sea for signs of any boats.

Dyna asked, “How much longer, do you think?”

“I honestly have no idea. But do you know something odd?”

“As if there haven’t been enough odd things, Da. You have to give me another one? Make sure Mama doesn’t hear you.”

Connor smiled. “Nay, this is a good thing.”

“Then please do tell.”

“I woke up this morn and felt like I’d been with Mama and Da.”

Dyna said, “Oh, praise God above. I felt the same way! What were they doing? You first.”

“They were sitting together watching something. Every once in a while, Da would get up, walk in a circle, his hand on the hilt of his sword.”

“Mama would chat, but he would quiet her?”

“Aye! You had the same dream?”

“I did, Da.”

“What were they watching? I couldn’t see.”

Dyna’s eyes misted. “The bairns. They were watching Sandor and Tora. They are watching over them, Da. I know it.”

Maitland and Alasdair joined them, Maitland heading directly to the beach. “What the hell is that?”

“What?”

“In the water,” Maitland said, pointing. “Is that a person? It’s coming directly this way.”

Thane joined them and headed straight to the shoreline. “Nay, it’s a dog. Coming from Ulva.”

“It’s Shadow! That’s Eva’s dog,” Dyna said. “Has anyone seen Eva?”

Thane shook his head. “Sloan never came into the hall last eve. He’s missing.”

Alasdair said, “He said he was going to relieve himself after we all headed in. I didn’t think anything of it, but I never saw him enter, now that you mention it.”

Thane said, “Eva snuck out and went after the bairns on her own is my guess.”

“Why?” Maitland asked.

Thane sighed. “Meg told Tamsin that Eva was attacked in the stables a few nights ago. The man who attacked her was one of the masked men. Tamsin was afraid that Eva followed along for that reason. Lennox refused to let her come with either group. She snuck out after he and Meg headed to Rankin land. Sloan followed her.”

“What the hell am I missing?” Connor asked.

“Sloan’s requested a betrothal to Eva, but she rejected him. He would never let her go anywhere alone. He’s loved Eva for a long time.” Thane rubbed his hands together. “So, the good news is I would wager they both found the bairns. Let’s hope they are all together and they’ll be on the boat with Maeve and the bairns.”

Connor said, “I doubt Eva can be much help, but having Sloan aboard could be extremely helpful. I’m feeling better about the day. Are you sure that’s Eva’s dog?”

Maitland moved to the edge just as the puppy came out of the sea, shaking the water from its fur all over Maitland and Dyna, who’d moved closer, Dyna squealing when she got soaked. She kneeled and Shadow ran to her. “Did you come to tell us that Eva needs help, Shadow? Is that it?”

The dog wagged its tail and whimpered, running in a circle, then running in the direction it came from.

“She’s there, isn’t she? You’ve come to let us know, sweet puppy.”

Maitland let out a big sigh and Thane smiled.

Connor crossed his arms. “I don’t understand why Eva being with them makes you feel better, Menzie. Do tell. She’s not an archer, is she?”

Dyna said, “She has trained a bit with me, but unsuccessfully. And I’m sure she does not have a bow or quiver with her.”

Thane chuckled. “Nay, she’s been training with Meg to learn axe throwing. She probably has a couple of those with her.”

“And Maitland,” Dyna said, “you need to remember what Lia told you. All will be well. I believe it. We must have faith that she is truly a faery. Avelina saw it, so that is proof enough for me.”

“You are correct. And now that I think more about Eva, I’m feeling better.” Maitland chuckled, clapping his hands together. “Growing up on an isle, I would wager Eva’s a hell of a swimmer. True or not, Thane?”

“Oh, Eva is a hell of a swimmer. She’ll get the bairns off the boat,” Thane said. “Things are definitely looking better.”

Connor said, “I’m surprised Sloan came this way knowing his land is about to be attacked in a few days. You told him, didn’t you, Dyna?”

Dyna looked from Maitland to her father, her eyes wide. “Nay. Logan said not to, said he’d tell him when he needed to.”

Maitland let out a deep sigh, his hands on his hips. “I forgot completely. I was too worried about Maeve and Grant.”

“He doesn’t know?” Dyna asked. “Does anyone on Rankin land know?”

Connor said, “Just Logan. I told him, and he went with Lennox.”