Free April Holthaus - The MacKinnon Clan 02 by Escape To The Highlands

storm a comin’. We should go.”
    Jacqueline mounted the horse and waited for Ewan to tie up his bag to the saddle strap and climb up behind her. She looked up at the sky as the first few raindrops began to fall. As they rode, she didn’t want to complain about the cold she felt and of how sore her muscles were becoming. She only wanted to be grateful for Ewan’s kindness and sympathy. Jacqueline was determined to not show her weakness. She knew that both her life and Ewan’s were in danger. She prayed for strength.
    In just the few short days she knew him, Ewan had become a friend to Jacqueline, even though their friendship was a little unorthodox. But deep down he was becoming so much more. He was not the savage, lawless brute thought to run around the woods, killing the innocent as Scots are portrayed. He was a proud man, who fights for freedom from injustice. Jacqueline had never met herself a more honorable man.
    As the wind picked up, Ewan was forced to slow his horse as the hard rain whipped in his face. He wrapped his plaid around himself and Jacqueline to help keep both of them dry. Even as the wind whistled, he could hear Jacqueline’s stomach growl from hunger.
    Knowing that he did not have enough rations for the two of them until they reached the village, he rode into the thickest part of the woods to help block out some of the rain. They found that underneath an old oak tree offered them the best protection. Its broad leaves had already begun to open offering what little shelter it could. At least this will help keep her dry, he thought. Dismounting his horse, he grabbed onto Jacqueline’s waist and helped her down.
    “Why are we stopping?”
    “It is time to eat. The storm should be passing soon,” Ewan said as he pulled out a bow and the quiver full of arrows fastened to the side of the saddle. “Stay here where ye can keep dry. I shall go find us our meal.”
    Ewan notched the arrow in place and stepped away. Listening to the sounds of the forest, he crept forward waiting for any sign of wildlife to present itself. Hunting was a game of patience and precision. It was the only true challenge for man; one between man and beast, both with instincts to protect itself. No rules, no deceit, an honest fight to the death, Ewan recalled his father telling him and his cousins Rory and Bram when they were wee lads. It was an enjoyable pastime. One in which Ewan had learned many life lessons. His father always trained the lads to see the world through a different perspective and to see more than what was in front of them. Ewan had taken much of what he was taught for granted until he experienced firsthand the meaning of loss.
    At the sound of leaves rustling about Ewan straightened his shoulders and raised the bow into the direction of the noise and released the arrow. Walking into the direction of his mark, a dead rabbit laid lifeless. Ewan bent down and picked up the hare by its feet and headed back towards Jacqueline.
    “I see you have caught us a hearty meal. And the rain has stopped just in time,” Jacqueline said as she saw the rabbit dangling from Ewan’s hand.
    “Aye.”
    Ewan opened his satchel and grabbed onto a bundle of peat he had saved. Kicking the wet leaves around the ground, he cleared out a small spot on the dirt and set the peat down. Lighting it with a flint, he grabbed a sturdy branch and hung the rabbit over the fire.
    “Once we eat, we will head east towards the village of Werth. It is a day’s travel so we should be there before dusk. Tonight we will camp in the woods,” Ewan said as he tore off a piece of cooked meat and handed it to Jacqueline.
    Jacqueline sat down on a log and breathed in the clean fresh air. She always loved the smell outside just after a rainfall. As the sun peeked through a break in the clouds, its warmth beaded down on her. Finally, she thought, spring has arrived.
    “Ye should seek some privacy before we leave. Fer we will no’ be stopping until