Page 58 of Desire of a Highlander

Nobody moved.

“I said out! All of ye!”

They began backing towards the door but Sarah stayed rooted beside David. She was staring at her husband’s face and barely seemed aware of anything else around her.

“He took a blow meant for me,” she whispered. “He saved my life.”

Elodie squeezed Sarah’s shoulder briefly before allowing herself to be shepherded outside. She found Ronan standing nearby, jaw tight, his eyes fixed on the barn door.

“What happened?” she asked softly.

He didn’t answer. His gaze never left that door. Eamon answered for him, the young man looking shaken beneath his usual easy confidence.

“There were riders. At least half a dozen. Waiting for us as we exited the valley.” Eamon scrubbed a hand through his hair. “They had pistols. Opened fire before we even knew they were there. Sarah was in the line of fire but David knocked her out of the way. He took a musket ball to the shoulder.”

Elodie felt the blood drain from her face. She glanced at Ronan but he was still staring at the door to the barn.

“Did they find the valley?” she asked. “Will those men bring reinforcements?”

Ronan finally looked at her. His eyes were as desolate as a winter moorland and Elodie found herself taking an involuntary step back. “No. They willnae.”

“How can you be sure?”

His stare hardened further, if that was possible. “Those men willnae be bringing anyone. Because they’re dead. Every last one of them.”

Her gaze dropped to the pistols strapped to Ronan’s sides. The sword across his back. Both had clearly seen action.

Oh, Ronan.

She reached out a hand, but before she could touch him the barn door opened and Ronan sprang to attention.

“Well?” he demanded.

Faye rubbed a hand across her face. “I’ve cleaned the wound and stopped the bleeding. The musket ball went straight through and came out the other side. That’s good.” She shrugged. “I’ve done all I can. Now it’s up to him.”

Sarah’s muffled sob reached them through the door and Elodie’s chest tightened. There was nothing she could do for her friend. There was nothing she could do for any of them. She felt helpless. And there was nothing, nothing in the world she hated more than that.

“Keep an eye on him,” Ronan said. “Do everything ye can.”

“Do ye think I need ye to tell me that?” the healer snapped.

They stared at each other and Elodie remembered their argument the other day. Ronan stepped back, eyes flashing. Then without another word he turned and strode away, the crowd parting automatically to let him through. Faye glared after his retreating back then snorted and disappeared back into the barn.

“Ronan!” Elodie shouted. “Wait!”

He waited for her at the edge of the settlement. “Go back to the village, Elodie,” he said gruffly.

“No. Not until you tell me what’s going on between you and Faye.”

He ground his teeth. “It is none of yer business.”

The words stung like a slap and Elodie stepped back a pace. None of yer business. After everything they’d shared, after the kisses, after the hours spent working side by side, this was his response? She felt as though he’d slammed a door in her face.

“I thought we were past that. Why won’t you trust me?”

Anger flooded his expression. Dangerous. Sharp. “Me trust ye? That works both ways, Elodie.”

“That’s not fair.”