Authors: Donna Fletcher
S
torm woke before dawn’s first light. This was the time she felt most alone. This was the time she missed her husband the most. She pushed the painful memories away. It did no good to dwell on them. He was dead, and nothing would bring him back. No amount of tears would ease her pain, though she had shed them endlessly.
Nothing but time would relieve her suffering. It had been three years since his death, and still at times the hurt felt raw, as if it had been yesterday that she had felt his arms around her, his lips kissing her.
She ran her fingers over her lips, recalling Burke’s kiss. Dare she admit that it actually felt good?
She attempted to dismiss the thought as she quickly jumped out of bed and dressed with equal haste. Unfortunately, the disturbing thought refused to be ignored and lingered in her mind.
She was being ridiculous. So what if she enjoyed Burke’s kiss? What difference did it make? It meant nothing, and there would not be another kiss. It wasn’t worth wasting her thoughts on.
Storm slipped on a brown wool vest over her long-sleeved tan shirt, the morning chill reminding her that autumn had finally arrived. She descended the rope ready and eager for breakfast.
Activity around the campfire alerted her to a possible problem. The mornings were always quiet around the camp. She and Janelle would share the morning meal, Malcolm sometimes joined them, but Tanin was never seen until after sunrise.
He was there now, however, along with Malcolm and Angus, which meant something had happened.
Storm approached them and they all turned quiet. “What’s wrong?”
Tanin answered. “We received word that William and Philip were captured before they could reach Glencurry.”
“Where were they taken?”
“They’re on their way to Mullvane, where I was held,” Malcolm said.
“Probably caught by the soldiers sent to find the escaped prisoners.”
Everyone around the campfire jumped at the sound of Burke’s voice as he stepped out of the darkness.
“I thought you were still sleeping,” Storm said.
“You’ll find I’m an early riser.” Burke tossed a slim stick into the fire. “So what do we do about freeing William and Philip?”
“
We
see to that,” Storm said. “You remain here.”
“I feel responsible for them.”
“
I
gave them the order, not you.”
“Still, they went to rescue my brother. I can’t sit by and do nothing,” Burke said emphatically.
“If I order—”
“
If
you order, which I ask you not to do,” Burke requested firmly. “You are short two men to help with the rescue. You know I’m skilled—”
“And I know that you don’t—”
“I’ll follow orders. I give you my word on it,” Burke promised.
He was right about her needing the help, and though her men remained silent, she knew they thought the same. She had always considered their suggestions when an escape was planned and she had no doubt they agreed with Burke.
“You promise you will obey my every command—” She held her hand up to prevent his quick response. “My
every
command, even if it means you leave me behind.”
The shock on his face answered for him, but she had to admit he was quick to rein it in.
“I’m not saying it would be an easy thing for me to do. My first response would be to protect you and get you the hell out of there under any circumstances. But I respect your command and will respect your orders. I can’t promise, however, that I won’t object now and again.”
“But you will follow my orders,” she confirmed.
“I give you my word.”
“Then we appreciate your help in rescuing William
and Philip.” Storm moved aside, making room for Burke to join them at the campfire. “We need to find them before they reach the prison.”
“I thought the same,” Tanin agreed. “We should leave immediately.”
“We’ll need to be careful of any soldiers that may have been left behind in hopes of finding the rest of us,” Burke offered.
“True, and we’ll need to split into two groups and cover the two possible paths they could have taken,” Storm explained. “We’ll reunite where the two paths converge. And if anyone should be captured, it will be up to the other group to free everyone.”
“Hear that, Malcolm?” Tanin teased. “Don’t make us free your sorry ass again.”
“Watch it, Tanin, or I might be tempted not to rescue you when you get caught.”
Angus gave a hardy laugh, his wide girth rolling with the timbre. “Tanin has never been captured.”
“There’s always a first time.” Malcolm grinned.
Storm let the men have their fun. It was their way before a rescue, teasing one another, yet knowing each one of them would do whatever was necessary to help the others. Her small group had formed a bond that had strengthened with time and would no doubt grow even stronger.
Her instincts had been right about each man she had chosen. Their personalities had varied, but they possessed equal strength and determination and were willing to work for a common cause—the
betterment and equality of the Scottish people.
“Ready yourselves,” Storm informed them. “We leave in ten minutes.” She turned to Burke. “Go with Malcolm. He will show you what weapons are available for your use.”
“Do you trust him?” Tanin asked when Burke was out of sight.
“I see no reason not to, though sometimes it is what we don’t see that can harm us.”
“It’s odd, don’t you think, that William and Philip should be captured while on a mission concerning him?”
The thought had crossed her mind briefly, but she had dismissed it. Should she have? Should she be more vigilant about Mr. Longton? Or had her character judgment been correct? Was he truly an honest man?
“It may be a coincidence, and I got the impression that you favor Burke Longton,” Storm said.
“He is a skilled man, but he’s not a Scotsman.”
She smiled. “So are you saying he can’t be trusted?”
“I’m saying that he has skills that can help us, but we should still be cautious until we can determine for a fact that he can be trusted.”
“I would not place the group in jeopardy.”
“I know that, and I know if it proves necessary you will rid the group of Mr. Longton,” Tanin said. “Now it’s time for me to get ready. I will take Burke in my group.”
“No,” Storm said. “You and Angus will take the
creek path. Malcolm and Burke will travel the northeast path with me.”
“As you say,” Tanin said with a nod.
It was easy for her to tell when Tanin disagreed with her decisions. His manner became rigid, his responses curt. “You don’t agree. Speak your mind, Tanin, I expect it of you.”
He didn’t waste a minute. “Malcolm has yet to rein in his overzealous enthusiasm when on a mission and Burke is still a stranger to us. Leaving you to—”
“Teach Malcolm the finer skills of fighting and learn more about Burke. Trust me.”
“I always have or I wouldn’t follow you. But know this—if either one gets you in trouble, they’ll be answering to me.”
Storm smiled. “I’d have it no other way.”
Hours after they left the camp, Storm signaled for Burke and Malcolm to stop. This was the point where she expected the soldiers to be waiting. The three crouched down and Storm used a stick to scratch a diagram in the earth of where she felt the soldiers lay in wait.
Burke offered a plan of action and Storm agreed. It took only minutes to capture the three soldiers, two of whom had been sleeping.
Hands tied, mouths gagged, the soldiers were led along the path with them. It was another hour before they heard the clang of swords and surmised that Tanin and Angus were in the thick of battle.
Storm ordered Malcolm to tie the prisoners to a
tree before she and Burke took off and leaped in to join the melee.
They were outnumbered for sure, but not out-skilled. Storm attempted to make her way to free William and Philip of their restraints. It proved difficult until Burke caught on to her actions and jumped in front of her, fighting off the enemy with a sword. A weapon he had claimed he had no skill with, though it looked otherwise.
She had Philip nearly freed from the thick ropes that bound his wrists, when he shouted a warning to watch out. She gave the rope one last slice and swung around to face her attacker, but not fast enough. His blade sliced her shoulder, though she had moved quickly enough to avert serious damage.
Philip grabbed her sword and ended the man’s life in one swift thrust, then quickly freed William, who picked up the dead man’s sword and joined in. Philip threw Storm her sword and grabbed another off a dead solider.
Storm ignored her wounded shoulder, and in no time, the soldiers were conquered. A few ran off in the end, dragging a couple of wounded with them.
“Gather what weapons and items we need off the dead and be ready to leave,” Storm instructed. “There could be more soldiers close by.”
“We didn’t see any when we came along the creek,” Tanin informed her.
“We caught three from where we approached,” Malcolm said.
“Then this could be the lot of them,” Philip said.
“I don’t want to take any chances. Hurry,” Storm ordered.
“You’re hurt,” Burke said loudly and shot the men heated glares. “Can’t you see that she’s bleeding?”
“Looks like a flesh wound. Time for that later,” Tanin said without concern and walked off, as did the other men, to follow Storm’s instructions.
“Let me see that,” Burke demanded and reached out.
Storm stepped out of his reach. “I gave you orders.”
“The others can see to it. Your shoulder needs tending.”
“Tanin was right. It can wait.”
Burke shook his head. “I don’t think so. That wound needs cleansing and dressing.”
“And we need to be out of here in two minutes. So either help the men or I will.” She plopped down on the rock, the throb in her shoulder causing her stomach to roll.
“Tanin,” Burke called out, and in a second the tall man was at his side. “This is more than a flesh wound.”
“I gave orders—”
“Be quiet,” Burke ordered. “Your injury needs tending now.”
“He’s right, Storm,” Tanin said after examining the wound. “It’s deeper than it looked at first glance.”
“Then bandage it, and Janelle can see to it when we reach camp.”
Burke pushed Tanin out of the way. “I’ll take care of it. Finish helping the men so we can get out of here.”
Much to Storm’s surprise, Tanin took off.
“I didn’t know you were in charge,” she snapped.
“I issued the same orders you would have and Tanin knows it,” Burke said and shook his head. “I’m not trying to usurp your command, and if you weren’t so stubborn you’d admit that this wound does need immediate attention. So let’s get it wrapped and you back to camp as quickly as possible.”
Storm marveled at how fast Burke worked. He tore her ripped sleeve off her shirt and used it as a bandage. She winced from the pain and he apologized for hurting her.
The man did have a tender heart and nice eyes. Storm really liked his eyes. They were deep brown and filled with confidence. He was a man who knew what he wanted and went after it.
“She’s lost some blood,” Storm heard Burke say.
She suddenly felt light-headed, weak almost, as if she were about to faint. The thought shocked her. She couldn’t faint. She reached out, grabbing the arm in front of her.
“Tanin!”
“It’s all right, Storm, I’ve got you.”
That wasn’t Tanin. It was Burke.
“You need to sit,” Burke said firmly.
She leaned on his arm and attempted to push to her feet.
“Stay put,” Burke ordered.
“I need to stand,” she said adamantly.
“Not when you’re about to faint,” Burke said.
She turned to Tanin, trying to shove Burke aside. “You know what to do.”
Tanin responded with a strong slap to her face.
B
urke lunged at Tanin with a roar and would have beaten him senseless if Malcolm and Angus hadn’t grabbed him and held him back.
“What the hell is the matter with you?” Burke yelled, his face red with anger.
“Mind your business,” Angus said harshly.
“She’s hurt and needs—”
“To stay on her feet and stay strong,” Angus finished.
“She’s a woman—”
“She’s our leader first,” Angus corrected.
“Let me go,” Burke all but snarled.
“Let him go,” Storm ordered sharply after shaking her head clear, and the men obeyed.
Burke walked over to her and got more annoyed when he spotted her red cheek. “That wasn’t necessary. I would have helped you.”
“By letting me faint and delaying us from leaving?” She shook her head. “That isn’t helping me. We’re leaving now,” she called out.
“You’re in no shape to walk,” Burke argued, though he doubted it would make a difference. Storm was a stubborn one, and as Angus had pointed out, she was their leader.
“I have no choice,” she insisted. “We must get back home before nightfall or we risk being caught. Now if you don’t want to be left behind, Mr. Longton, I suggest you keep up with us.”
She turned and set a quick pace, her men following suit.
Burke mumbled several oaths, scooped up his bow and arrows, and took off after them. He was still reeling from the vision of Tanin slapping Storm across the face. Her head had jerked to the side and she would have stumbled if Tanin hadn’t grabbed her arm.
That Tanin’s action had prevented her from fainting didn’t matter to him, she had suffered an injury and needed tending, not abuse.
“Couldn’t have done it, could you?” Malcolm asked, having slowed to walk beside Burke.
“If you mean slugged her, no, I couldn’t have.”
“Then you would have failed her. Would you have preferred that?”
Burke didn’t answer, and not another word was spoken until they reached camp hours later.
“Tanin, see to things,” Storm ordered. “I’m going to see Janelle.” She walked off, her strides slow.
Burke looked at Tanin.
“Go. If she does not find my mother in the shelter on the ground, she will need help getting up the tree,” Tanin said.
Burke took off and would have whether Tanin approved of it or not. He had worried about Storm on the whole journey home. She had kept a quick pace, which couldn’t have helped the pain in her shoulder. Yet she had not complained once. He wasn’t certain if she had been courageous or stupid. What did it matter now, as long as she was all right.
He found her with her hands held firm to the thick rope. Her head rested against it as if uncertain she had the strength to keep hold.
He didn’t bother to ask her if she needed help. He walked over, slipped his arm snugly around her waist, tucked her against his body, and ordered, “Put your arm around my neck and hold on.”
She looked up at him, her blue eyes filled with pain.
He almost spewed a plethora of oaths but instead ignored his anger and addressed her pain.
“Hold on to me. I won’t let you go. I won’t let anything happen to you,” he whispered his promise in her ear.
Her eyes drifted shut and her head descended slowly to rest on his shoulder.
“I’m here, Storm, I’ll take care of you.” His words alarmed even him, but then he felt compelled to look after the pint-sized, stubborn woman. No one else did, at least not the way he would—leader or not.
He continued to hold on to her as he walked her through the open door of the tree house.
A tall woman with long white hair that lay in a single braid over her shoulder turned at their entrance. She had remarkably beautiful skin with few wrinkles, though one sensed her advanced years.
“Her shoulder took a deep slice,” Burke explained, reluctant to release Storm.
Janelle hurried to his side. “Help her to the chair.”
Burke did as directed, anxious for Storm to receive adequate care. He feared her wound could prove deadly. He had seen much lesser wounds prove someone’s demise.
“I wrapped it as best as possible,” Burke offered, stepping aside but not too far. He felt the need to remain close to her side. Storm might need him, if only to hold on to a friendly hand against the pain.
“This requires stitches if it is to heal properly,” Janelle said when she finally uncovered the wound.
“Do what you must and get it over,” Storm encouraged.
“I’ll help,” Burke offered.
“There is nothing for you to do, begone,” Storm ordered.
Burke laughed. “I don’t think so. I’m staying right here.”
“And if I don’t want you here?”
“It doesn’t matter,” he said, squatting down on his haunches beside her. “I’m staying by your side.”
Storm reached out hesitantly, finally pressing her hand to his cheek. “You are a stubborn one.”
“Dependable, Storm,” he corrected. “I’ll be there for you when necessary.”
Her smile was sad and touched his heart. He didn’t
know what it was about this woman that made him feel so protective of her. It made no sense, and yet he didn’t fight the notion. He simply did what he felt was right, and it felt right to see to her safety.
“This will be painful,” Janelle said.
Burke winced while Storm simply nodded.
“What can I do?” he asked, anxious to help in any way he could, though more anxious to ease her pain if possible.
“Hold her,” Janelle said. “It will be easier for me and less painful for her if she remains still.”
Burke grinned, pressing his nose to Storm’s. “How lucky am I? I have an excuse to hold you.”
He almost regretted his words after they left his mouth, especially when he witnessed the confused look on Storm’s face. She didn’t seem to know what to make of his remark, though it was obvious. He enjoyed holding her.
“Have you ever felt the sting of stitches?” Storm asked, resting her head on his.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and moved in close beside her, leaving her injured side free. “Sting, you say?” He guffawed. “I’d say more like a needle pulling your flesh together.”
“Thank you for so vividly reminding me.”
Burke was quick to amend his response and take her mind off her pending pain. “I’m a coward at heart.”
“I don’t believe that for a moment.”
Burke was impressed by the seriousness of her tone. “Why not?”
“You have proven yourself a courageous warrior
in the short time I have known you. I doubt the sting of stitches would upset you.”
Janelle cleansed the wound, then signaled him that she was near ready to begin, and Burke hoped to distract her as much as possible.
“Twenty-five stitches is what did the trick,” he said, keeping his head rested against hers.
“Tell me,” Storm said, her hand reaching out to grab hold of his. “Was it a blade, an arrow, a fierce fight that won you the honor of a scar?”
“It was…” He paused, meeting her eyes so close that he could tell that one eye was slightly bluer than the other. “A pitchfork.”
“A pitchfork?” Storm asked with a gasp as the needle pierced her skin for the first stitch.
“A mighty weapon, I might add,” he said dramatically. “I was but a lad of ten years and challenged by friends to take a dive into the haystack.”
Burke hurried to continue when Storm squeezed his hand as Janelle made the next stitch. “It was a dare I could not refuse.”
“Your honor was at stake,” Storm agreed.
“You understand,” he whispered, and his lips drifted to her ear as her hand squeezed his harder.
“Honor must be defended,” Storm said with difficulty as Janelle made a third stitch.
“And I did a superb job,” Burke bragged, and was relieved to hear Storm chuckle and rest her head to his shoulder. “I positioned myself just right for the dive.”
Storm glanced up at him, and he was caught in the depths of her blue eyes. Her pain was obvious but so
was her strength. They battled for dominance, and he had no doubt which would be the victor.
“Without making certain of what awaited you?”
“I was ten,” he offered as an excuse.
“And about to learn a hard lesson,” she said with a cringe.
He pressed his cheek to hers and whispered in her ear. “I now look before I leap.”
Storm laughed as Janelle finished the last stitch. Burke stepped away so that Janelle could bandage her shoulder.
“What happened after your plunge into the pitchfork?” Storm asked with a teasing smile.
Burke stuck out his chest. “I screamed through every stitch and was comforted by my mother for three days straight.”
Storm’s smile faded. “I have no time for rest or comfort.”
She walked out and Burke followed. He silently admonished himself for his remark. He should have remembered that Storm had never had the comfort of a loving mother. Her childhood had been harsh and lonely. Even now, he knew she had to feel alone. She was a leader, and her men and people came first.
Of course, there had been her husband, but he had yet to find out about him. He knew her men would offer no information, and though he was curious, he thought it inappropriate to ask her directly about him. He had a feeling that her penchant for rescuing the helpless might have something to do with her husband and the reason she was now an outlaw. In time, he would discover the truth.
He caught up with her as she was about to grab the rope to descend to the ground.
“I’ll get you down.” His hand caught the rope at the same time hers did.
She hesitated, but he could see that her common sense took over and she nodded her approval.
They descended much differently than they had ascended. She no longer leaned on him. Her strength had returned, and she placed a distance between them even though he held her close. It was as if she had erected a shield to protect herself against being protected.
How he would penetrate that shield, he wasn’t certain. That he would penetrate it, he was certain.
“There is nothing so urgent that you cannot rest,” he said when they reached the bottom.
She pushed away from him with a wince.
He reached out, and she stepped out of his grasp.
“There is your brother to see to.”
“The men need rest,” Burke said. “It will have to wait.”
“There may not be time,” Storm insisted. “If it is your brother Cullen being held, then he has been there over a month. He could be close to death by now.”
She walked away, and Burke once again followed, annoyed at being reminded of his brother’s precarious position. He needed no such reminding. He worried that he would be too late to rescue Cullen and not only that he would fail to fulfill his father’s dying wish, but that he would never get to know his only sibling.
“Glencurry must still be dealt with,” Burke heard her say as she approached the campfire where her men sat.
“We have been considering the matter,” William said, his meaty hand reaching out to assist her to take a seat next to him.
Burke joined them, squeezing in between the lean Philip and Malcolm. That they even considered the failed rescue so soon after returning from a mission amazed him. He thought Storm would order the men to rest, and here she ordered that another mission be discussed, and the men did so willingly.
He remained silent, watching the motley crew work. They argued, agreed, and argued some more, and Storm never stopped any one of them from voicing his opinions. She showed them all respect, as they did her.
“What say you?” William asked, turning to Storm.
“We all agree on one thing—that Cullen, if it is him, cannot survive much longer. The rescue attempt must be immediate if he is to be found alive.”
The men nodded their agreement.
“Which means we cannot waste another minute,” Philip said and stood. William rose with him.
“You need to rest first,” Burke said.
“The few hours they rest could mean your brother’s life,” Storm said. “Are you willing to risk that?”
“It’s as much a risk sending them on little rest. A couple of hours’ sleep should help revive them and then they can be off.”
“It also could be enough time for the soldiers to
regroup and return,” Storm suggested. “So which then is the better choice?”
“Are you leaving the decision to me?” Burke asked, surprised.
“He’s your brother.”
She hadn’t considered that when she made the decision to send the men in the first place. She hadn’t even consulted him, so why did she do so now?
“Let the men rest,” he said.
Storm nodded and looked to William and Philip. “You leave shortly; get ready.”
Burke jumped to his feet, the two men hurried off, and the other men drifted away from the campfire.
“Why give me a choice when you had no intention of honoring it?” That he was annoyed resonated in his gruff tone and his stoic stance.
“I wanted to see what you would do.”
She sounded as if she judged him, and his annoyance grew. “And you don’t like what I did?”
“You thought of the men, not the prisoner.”
“I thought of both.”
“There is only one who can be considered,” she said sharply. “His life depends on it.”
“If the men are too tired—”
“They’ll get over it and do what they must.”
“Like Tanin?” Burke challenged.
To his surprise, she smiled.
“Are you angry because Tanin did what was necessary and you could not?”
That fired his defenses. “I would not have slapped you. I would have handled it differently.”
“And gotten the same immediate results?” She
didn’t wait for an answer. “I need my men to follow my orders without hesitation. It could mean the safety or loss of a life or lives. Each one of them understands this and does what he is told. You, Mr. Longton, find it impossible to do.”
“There is a simple answer for that, Storm.”
“And what is that?”
“I don’t follow; I lead.”