"Nay." He tightened his arm around her waist.

"I thought not." She lightly touched her bruised cheek. Then she looked at the palms of her hands. Both had scratches but they were not deep. "Look away," she demanded. She glared at him until he did and then raised her skirt to look at her knee. It was red but not badly hurt. She quickly lowered her skirt and looked to see if he was watching. He wasn't and she relaxed a little. Then she noticed her plaid was the wrong color. "Did you…?"

"Nay, Kevin changed you."

"But you looked."

"I did not look."

"Kevin could have waited. There is no end to what that man will do. I used to love him, but not anymore. He is a stubborn, bull headed..."

"It was necessary. We are on Cameron land now."

She surprised him when she slumped against him again and put her head on his chest. "I want to go home."

"So do I."

She sat back up. "Why do you want to go home?"

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"Home is far more interesting than this."

She folded her arms. "Finally, a lad who does not want to be with me. What did Kevin tell you? No let me guess, he told you I would run. He probably even told you I would try to trick you, but I would never do such a thing. I wish to stop."

He didn't believe a word she said, but they were near a stream and they could both use a little rest. "You will obey me?"

She smiled sweetly up at him. "Of course I will."

Now he was sure he couldn't trust her. He halted the horse, dismounted, put his hands around her waist and gently helped her down. Then he held on for a moment. Before she could tell him to let go, he did.

Bridget's eyes were even with his chest and she slowly raised her gaze. "Good grief, you are as big as Kevin."

"Nay, I am bigger." He took her elbow and started to guide her toward the stream.

"Let go of me!" He did, she nearly toppled over and grabbed his arm just in time. He laughed and she glared.

"You have a black eye."

"I do? Good, maybe people will think you beat me and make you let me go."

He knelt down, dipped water out of the stream with his hands and splashed his face. Then he drank several handfuls and turned to look at her. "Where would you go?"

It was the first time she bothered to look around. The trees were not as thick as on MacGreagor land and the place was completely unfamiliar. "Somewhere...anywhere."




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