Free Christine Dorsey - [MacQuaid 02] by My Heavenly Heart

log in two. “Why in the hell did you tell him that?”
    “It is what you told me.”
    “I said I didn’t know where she came from. And I don’t. But she came from somewhere . She had to. And it wasn’t King George’s court.”
    ~ ~ ~
    “You believe me, then?”
    Rachel leaned forward and touched the old man’s hand. He looked up at her with eyes as black as the darkest night. Eyes that seemed to know more than a mere man.
    “I have no reason to doubt you and every reason to trust what you say.”
    “Thank you.” Rachel took a deep breath. They were seated on furs drawn before the hearth. Their legs were crossed much as she’d seen Logan MacQuaid sit when he visited with Swift Fox. Though at first she felt awkward on the ground, her reaction disappeared as she and the Adawehis conversed. And now to know that he didn’t think her tale ridiculous... to find he truly accepted what she said, was such a relief. “I never knew how difficult it could be to have someone not credit what you say.”
    “You speak of Logan MacQuaid.”
    Rachel nodded. “He believes none of it.”
    “You have told him?”
    “Not everything. But you saw the way he was when I spoke of home, of the king and Queen Charlotte. His response was the same when I explained I was sent to save him.”
    “Perhaps he feels he needs no saving.”
    “I don’t doubt that. Rachel sighed, leaning forward to rest her chin in the cup of her palm. “He thinks I nearly startled him to death.” Her tone grew softer. “He fell off the cliff when I yelled at him, but ’twas not my fault. I thought... think... he was about to jump.” Another sigh. “And I imagine Swift Fox told you of my attempt to save Mr. MacQuaid from him.”
    “He told me.”
    Rachel looked up through her lashes. “You’re very much the gentleman not to laugh.” Her smile was sad. “I think...” She bit her bottom lip, “I think a mistake was made. The only way I can return to my own life is to save Mr. MacQuaid’s. And I fear I can’t do that.”
    “You believe the spirits misjudged you?”
    “Yes.” She spoke the single word softly. When he made no response, Rachel glanced up at him. His walnut-brown face was wrinkled more than usual as he pursed his lips.
    “I do not think the spirits are confused. They do not err as we do. You will find the way to do what you must.”
    “I wish I were as certain as you.” She spread her fingers on the bear fur. “I don’t even know how to live here.” She glanced up quickly. “It is so hard to know what to do.”
    “The Adanti, my people, believe there was once only water and all the animals lived together in the sky.” As Lone Dove spoke his arms gestured to embrace the heavens. “It was very crowded so Sayunisi, the Water Beetle, dove into the water and found mud. He brought it to the surface and it grew to what is now the earth. Someone long ago,” his eyes met Rachel’s, “attached the earth to the heavens with four cords. That is our link,” he said. “Most of us only travel up. But I believe you have made the voyage back to earth. And I believe you will know what to do when the time is right.”
    “I want to accept what you say. What I was told.”
    His hands touched her shoulders. “I shall talk to the spirits. Ask them to guide you. But you must listen to your heart. To your own spirit, too... the spirit within you.”
    Rachel nodded. She would do as he suggested, but she feared... nay, knew, there was no spirit within her.
    ~ ~ ~
    “What the hell are they doing in there?” Logan tossed another chunk of wood onto the growing pile by the door. He’d been chopping nonstop for hours. At this rate he wouldn’t need to repeat the task for a fortnight.
    “I have said, I do not know.” Swift Fox lifted the cane flute to his lips and continued playing a series of notes that sounded like the call of a tanager.
    Logan was tired of hearing it. Or perhaps he was simply tired of wondering what went on behind the