Free Highland Sparks: Logan and Gwyneth (Clan Grant Series Book 5) by Keira Montclair Page A

around to stare at Gwyneth. “What? What would you do?” Her eyes were wide with alarm.
    Shrugging her shoulders, Gwyneth let out a deep sigh. “Naught. I was teasing him, Ashlyn. I promise not to hurt Logan.”
    “What skill would you like me to share with you?” Logan sneaked over and whispered in her ear.
    She took a step back. “Tracking. I would like to track our trail so I can find my way back on my own.”
    “You don’t need to do that, lass. I’ll lead you back myself.” Logan’s wry grin did not sway her to smile. He’d try a little harder to earn a smile from her—it was all he wanted. “Just you and me.” He glanced at her. Nothing, not even a twitch of her mouth. In fact, her eyes had become narrow slits.
    “I don’t need help. I’ll find my own way back. Will you teach me or not?”
    He picked up Gracie and said, “Come, I’ll show you a few things. Ashlyn? Stay with us. And you can learn, too. Girls need to be smart.”
    Gracie patted his shoulder and he grinned at her. “You, too, wean?”
    Gwyneth quirked her brow and he finally detected a small smile at the corner of her mouth. Now he knew how to make her smile.
    “What are you showing us, Logan?” Ashley asked.
    “I’m going to show you what you can learn from the outdoors, about tracking other people, foraging for foods, about animals, and how to remember your way back.”
    “Why?”
    “Because lassies need to be strong, too. Don’t you want to be strong and be an archer like Gwyneth?”
    “Don’t most women use bow and arrows? Although I know my mama doesn’t.” Ashlyn kept her hand clasped tight in Gwyneth’s.
    “Nay, most women do not use bow and arrows. Gwyneth is indeed a special lass.” He glanced at her and smiled. He absolutely meant what he said. There weren’t many like her.
    “I want to be like Gwyneth when I get bigger. Will you teach me Gwyneth?” Ashlyn looked up at Gwyneth with a look of wonder.
    Gwyneth nodded. “Of course, Ashlyn.” She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, a small sense of appreciation flitting in her gaze.
    Aye, the wooing had begun.
    ***
    It was just past dark a few days later when they finally made it to the Grant Castle. Gracie didn’t move on Logan’s lap, so she had to be asleep, but Ashlyn sat up straight in front of Gwyneth, taking it all in.
    “Gwyneth, I have never seen anything so big. Have you?” She turned to look at Gwyneth, her eyes big as saucers.
    “Nay, I haven’t. ‘Tis quite a place.” Rows and rows of cottages sat outside the walls of the keep. There were towers in each of the four corners of the enormous building’s stone walls, tall enough to keep most invaders away. Men crossed the battlements and there was a flurry of activity as the group approached the keep.
    They moved through the outer bailey and were greeted by a few scattered clan members, but word of the approaching visitors traveled fast and a group of warriors rushed to greet them in a short time. Once they realized four of their clan rode with them, the men relaxed.
    The horn sounded as they came up to the portcullis. Ashlyn stared at all the torches atop the gates and the parapets. “It looks magical, does it not?”
    “Aye, the torches at night give it a special appearance. It is a huge place.”
    “Gwyneth, I was worried they wouldn’t have a place for us to sleep. I think they’ll manage to find room.”
    She laughed. “I would guess they have room for many to sleep here. The castle is three stories high, plus look at all the cottages in the bailey. ‘Tis almost a town of its own.”
    They rode to the stables, leaving the guards at the gate, where a very large man approached to help them down. “Ladies, I am Laird Alexander Grant. Welcome to my home.”
    Alex Grant was quite an impressive figure, taller than anyone Gwyneth had ever seen. He had long dark hair, gray eyes, and massive shoulders, but a smile that promised he meant what he said.
    “Logan Ramsay,” he clasped