Page 35 of The Empire and the Wolf King (Kaitlyn and the Highlander #21)

CHAPTER 34 - MAGNUS

THE PHYSICIAN’S OFFICE - CHARLOTTESVILLE 1775

O utside a great many horses were comin’ down the main street. Archibald zipped up his bag. He said, “Ye daena hae tae stay here in town, I could talk tae them, explain it, and then jump.”

I said, “Ye hae done enough for us, Archibald, ye hae succeeded. Ye hae been our hero and made our lives much easier. Tis time for ye tae go home.”

He looked at me quietly, then said, “All right. Dost ye mind if I take Stormy? I can leave ye with the other horse. I hae named him ‘Captain.’”

“Ye may take both, they are yers. I want ye tae hae them. I am glad that ye hae Sunny’s son, he will be a good horse for ye.”

“When ye see Mario will ye tell him I love him — tell him he is a good boy.”

“If I can, I will tell him, aye.”

“In the meantime, if I pray on it, will God send messages tae horses for us?”

“Aye, God will always want a man tae get a message of goodwill tae his horse, horses are a gift from Himself, He understands.”

Archie nodded and blinked his eyes, then reached in his bag for a map. “I’m not going to jump from here, I need tae get back tae the woods where I jumped in. I left my weapons and gear, some food, dost ye need any of it?”

I shook my head, “Nae, I daena need anything, thank ye, son. Ye hae all ye need?” I stood.

“Aye, Grandmother gave me stacks of supplies, I hae enough.”

“Good.”

I hugged Archibald, “Thank ye for everything.”

“Of course, Da.”

I howled. He howled back.

Kaitlyn put out her arms and so we crouched and hugged her and we all howled, low, but taegether. Then I broke from the hug and Kaitlyn put her arms around him and hugged him then looked up intae his eyes and said, “I love you, Archie, thank you for taking care of your sister and brother and rescuing us all.”

“Ye’re welcome.”

“You weren’t born of me but you live in my heart always.”

She wiped his eyes and patted his cheeks. “I miss you already.”

A sad smile crossed his face. “I remember ye sayin’ that. I miss ye already as well.”

He kissed her forehead and then pulled his bag tae his body and said, “Thank ye, Ma and Da, glad I got a chance tae see ye,” and without looking back he left through the kitchen tae the back door tae sneak away.