by Bree Wolf
A long sigh left his wife’s lips, and she dropped her head, resting her forehead against his shoulder. “Do you think Aiden is safe?” she whispered, her voice muffled by the folds of his shirt. “Do you think he will harm him?”
Tightening his hold on her, Garrett closed his eyes. “I do believe that Aiden is safe right now,” he said, praying with all his heart that he was right. “I dunno think Adams will harm him as long as he sees him as innocent.”
“What if he finds out that he’s not a bastard after all?” Claudia asked, lifting her head and meeting his gaze. “What then?”
“I dunno know, Lass.”
“He must not find out,” his wife said with vehemence as her spine straightened and she stood taller, her muscles no longer slack. “We will go to Glasgow, but once we reach the town, we’ll go in separately.” She glanced at the letter Garrett had tossed to the floor. “He wrote he would find me, so we don’t know when he’ll be watching. But he’ll have to be. How else will he know where I am?”
A proud smile drew up the corners of his lips. “Ye’ve quite the strategic mind, Lass,” he whispered, grasping her hands and holding them up to his chest, right above the place where his heart beat for her. Then he lowered his head, and his eyes held hers with silent intensity. “Are ye ready then, Lass? Or do ye need more rest?”
Inhaling a deep breath, Claudia nodded. “I’m ready,” she said, her voice strong and full of determination. “Let’s go get our son.”
Before he allowed her to step away from him, Garrett pulled her into his arms once more, holding her tightly. He did not know what the next few days would bring. With any luck, they would see his wife and him reunited with their son. But what if something went wrong? What if Mr. Adams somehow found out about him, Garrett? Would he see him as a threat to his plan? To how he saw the world? Would he no longer feel bound to protect Aiden and Claudia? Would he become a threat to them?
Garrett wished that there was time to send a message to his clan. After all, they did not know if Mr. Adams had help. Had he hired men to assist him in his plan? Garrett frowned. In all likelihood, he believed Claudia to have come alone as he had laid out these bread crumbs only for her. Perhaps he would not deem it necessary to seek assistance. Perhaps he was truly working alone.
Still, Garrett would have felt more at ease if he had a handful of men from his clan by his side. He had no doubt that Cormag would send help if only he asked for it. However, to send a message to Seann Dachaigh Tower would take too long. They needed to be in Glasgow in two days. There was simply no time.
His heart ached with doubts and uncertainty, and yet, there was no other choice but to take a step forward. There was nothing else to do but to go to Glasgow and do what he could to retrieve his son. To put him back in his wife’s arms where he belonged.
Sighing, Garrett rested his chin on the top of Claudia’s head. My son, he whispered silently to himself, his heart swelling with pride and joy at the thought of his little boy. If only he knew what he looked like. If only he knew what it felt like to hold him in his arms and feel his little fingers wrapping around one of his own.
But he would.
He would go and get Aiden back no matter what the cost, and he would look into his son’s little face and he would know that it had all been worth it.
Aiden.
A beautiful name.
Chapter Twenty-Five – Port Glasgow
The weather was fine as they set out for Glasgow after a hearty breakfast.
A part of Claudia wanted nothing more than to race the distance, to urge her mare to a gallop and thunder along the road in order to reach Port Glasgow as fast as humanly possible. It was that side that ached for her son and knew nothing of caution and reason and consequences. The side that only desired to have him in her arms, to look upon his little face and know him to be safe.
Her body ached with actual physical pain, and Claudia was astounded by the bond she felt to the young life she had never even held in her arms.
Garrett, too, seemed lost in thought, and Claudia could only imagine how he felt. Within a short few moments, she had shared the news with him and made him a father. Father of a little boy who had been taken by a madman.
Certainly, it was enough to turn one’s world upside down and throw one off balance. And yet, Garrett remained as steady and calm as before, despite the tension she saw in his shoulders and the line of his neck. Occasionally, he would smile at her or gently squeeze her hand in comfort and reassurance. Still, they hardly spoke as they continued along the road, each lost in thought, dwelling on their own hopes and fears.
“I thought it rained a lot in Scotland,” Claudia remarked simply in order to have something to say, to hear his voice and be reminded that she was not alone. She gazed toward the horizon, the bright sun sparkling down at them from a brilliantly clear, blue sky before turning her gaze to meet her husband’s. “Don’t people often complain about the weather in Scotland?”
A low chuckle rose from his throat, and Claudia felt herself relax. “I wouldna know, Lass,” he replied, the same relief in his eyes she felt in her own heart. “I canna say I’ve spoken to the English a lot about the weather. If they spoke to me about it, I must admit I wasna listening.” His gaze deepened as he urged his gelding closer to her. “My thoughts were focused on nothing but finding ye.”
Claudia sighed, “I’m sorry everything happened as it did. I cannot help but think if only I had remembered you. If only I had had at least a dim memory of you.” She shook her head, thinking how easy her life would have been. “None of this would have happened.”
“Dunno fret, Lass,” Garrett said, his voice determined as he reached for her reins, bringing both their horses to a stop. Then he grasped her chin and slightly ducked his head in order to see into her eyes. “Ye couldna have known, and these thoughts only serve to make ye doubt yerself, to make ye feel lacking.” He shook his head. “Nothing good can come from this. Ye must put it out of yer mind. I know ‘tis not easy. Believe me.” He sighed, rolling his eyes at himself. “I feel the same way, Lass. I keep thinking if only I hadna left ye. If only I had woken ye. If only…” Again, he shook his head, and she could see the depth of his regret. “It willna do us any good to think these thoughts. What is done is done. All we can do now is look ahead and go get our boy.”
Warmth seeped into Claudia’s heart as she smiled at him. “Our boy.”
Garrett nodded, pride sparkling in his green eyes. “Aye, our boy.” Then he leaned forward and captured her lips with his. “I swear I will do this for the rest of my life,” he said grinning.
Claudia laughed, and a little weight was lifted off her shoulders. It felt good not to be alone. To have someone by her side who would stand with her, fight with her and was willing to risk everything to bring their son home.
Not until this moment had Claudia realised how alone she had felt embarking on her quest alone. How she had struggled to hold her doubts and uncertainties at bay. What if she failed? What would happen to her son then?
Now, she had Garrett by her side, and for the first time, Claudia wholeheartedly believed that she would get to hold her son in her arms after all.
Soon.
After allowing themselves and their horses a little rest at midday, they continued onward, relieved that fate−as well as the sun−was smiling on them. The roads were dry, and the air was fresh and warm when they finally drew near Port Glasgow in the late afternoon.
“I think I can smell the sea,” Claudia whispered as she looked toward the horizon and past the harbour town lying at her feet from where they had stopped on a small hill. “The air moves much stronger here.”
Garrett nodded. “Do ye remember what I told ye? Head into town, stay on this road and it will lead ye to a large inn, The Golden Eagle. Get a room for yerself and wait for me.”
Raising her brows at her husband, Claudia willed a glare into her gaze. “Do you truly think I could forget? You told me at least three times.” A smile
threatened to break through, but she held it at bay, enjoying the way he rolled his eyes at her.
“Ye must admit yer memory has let ye down before, Lass.”
Claudia’s jaw dropped. “I can’t believe you just said that!” she exclaimed, raising her fist in anger as he laughed loudly. “You blackguard!”
“I apologise,” he replied, then caught her arm as she aimed her fist at his head and pulled her against him, lifting her clear out of her saddle, and hauled her onto his lap. Before she could utter a single word of protest, his mouth claimed hers in a passionate kiss.
Indeed, she too could do this for the rest of her life, Claudia thought as she strove closer, her arms coming around his neck.
Kissing him back, she marvelled at the faint memories his touch always stirred within her. Although her mind had finally recalled most of what had happened when they had met at Gretna Green, these memories were still hazy and unfocused. They seemed like a dream, and a part of her still was not certain if they had once been more. However, when she lay in Garrett’s arms, these memories soared to life, no longer a faint echo of what might have been, but proof of the deep bond that connected them.
“We need to go, Lass,” Garrett whispered against her lips, his hold on her not lessening. “We canna sit here all-day kissing.” A deep grin stood on his face, and utter delight shone in his green depths.
Claudia narrowed her eyes at him. “Might I remind you that it was you who grabbed me, not the other way around, Mr. MacDrummond. I was about to head down into town when you seized me.”
“I apologise, my lady, if I’ve offended you,” he whispered with feigned regret, his eyes betraying that he was far from sorry.
Then again, neither was she. “Oh, not offended,” Claudia assured him, smiling sweetly. “Only delayed. Wasn’t that the accusation you’d laid at my door?”
Laughing, Garrett helped her back onto her mare before he reached for her hand again. “Be careful, Lass, and keep yer eyes open. I willna be far behind.”
Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, Claudia nodded, then spurred her horse on and headed toward Port Glasgow. She allowed her mare free rein and only occasionally urged her into a certain direction, her own gaze travelling over the small town, simple and yet efficient. Tall masts rose into the sky from where ships were moored, and she could hear the distant sounds of them being loaded and unloaded, men striving to move the heavy cargo. The air was salty, and seagulls circled overhead.
All the way, Claudia could feel Garrett’s eyes on her, and yet, when she turned now and then to look over her shoulder, he was nowhere to be seen. Good, she thought, at least this way Mr. Adams will not know that I’m not arriving alone.
Was he here? Claudia wondered. Was he somewhere among all these people moving back and forth along the crowded street, watching her? Or was it simply the thought that he might be that had the little hairs in the back of her neck standing on edge?
Inhaling a deep breath, Claudia did her best to remain calm as she allowed her gaze to sweep her surroundings, always on the lookout, and yet, trying not to seem to eager. A little farther down the road, she spotted a large sign, confirming that she had reached the end of her journey. At least for now.
Arriving at the Golden Eagle, Claudia slid out of the saddle and unfastened her small travelling bag. Although she had spent only a handful of days in his company, it was utterly strange not to have Garrett by her side, reaching for her horse’s reins and telling her to go on ahead inside. Unable to help herself, she looked over her shoulder, but found the spot where he should have been empty. A small pang of regret filled her heart before she could call herself to reason.
Don’t be a fool, she chided herself. He’ll be here in a few moments.
Handing the reins to a stable boy, Claudia then headed inside.
The taproom was filled; however, the counter was blessedly deserted and so she strode ahead and rang the small bell. A moment later, the innkeeper appeared, and she was able to let a room. Turning toward the stairs that led to the upper floor, Claudia paused, then turned back to the haggard man. “Pardon me, did you see a man with an infant travelling through here?”
A small smile came to the man’s face. “Oh, are you Miss Davenport?”
Claudia swallowed, trying her best not to let her shock show on her face. “Yes. Yes, I am. Do you…have a message for me?”
Reaching under the counter, the man retrieved another envelope identical to the one she had received in Gretna Green. “Here you are, miss.”
“T-thank you,” Claudia stammered, then bid the innkeeper a good day and headed upstairs. Her hands trembled, and by the time she reached her chamber, the letter in her hand was almost crushed. Her muscles were tense, and she had to pry her fingers open to allow it to drop onto the top of the small table in the corner.
Then she sank onto one of the chairs and waited.
An eternity passed before a knock sounded on the door, and Claudia all but jumped to her feet, her heart pounding. “W-who is it?”
“’Tis me, Lass,” came her husband’s familiar voice. “Let me in.”
Rushing forward, Claudia turned the key and opened the door.
Stepping over the threshold, Garrett quickly closed the door behind him before he turned to look at her, his tall stature towering above her. “Are ye all right, Lass?” he asked, his eyes flitting over her as though checking for injuries.
Claudia chuckled as the tension finally left her body. “I am,” she breathed, sinking into his arms. “I’ve missed you.”
She could feel him smile against the top of her head as his arms drew her closer against him. “I missed ye as well,” he whispered. “I know ‘twas foolish, but a part of me feared I wouldna see ye again.” Looking down, he tilted up her head. “It feels good to have ye back in my arms.”
Sighing, Claudia rose on her toes and reached up to kiss him. Then she pulled back, nodding toward the table in the corner and the letter she had not been able to open.
Garrett’s eyes widened as he strode toward it. “From him?”
Claudia shrugged. “I don’t know. I guess so. I-I couldn’t open it.” Her hands still trembled. “Does that mean he knows I’m here? At this inn? Was he watching me?”
Garrett looked up to meet her gaze. Then he reached out a hand to her. When she took it, he pulled her to his side, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “That I canna say. Perhaps he left these notes at every inn in town. We canna know.” He glanced down at the letter in his hand. “May I?”
Claudia nodded, sinking deeper into his embrace as her head began to spin. She closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder.
Retrieving the small parchment from the envelope, Garrett unfolded it, holding it up to his face. “Dear Miss Davenport,” he read, his voice tense, a small growl rising from the back of his throat. “Cursed man,” he muttered before reading on. “Welcome to Port Glasgow. I shall await ye at the docks on the morning of the 26th. Once more, I assure ye that yer son is well. My sincerest regards, Maxwell Adams.”
Exhaling the breath she had been holding, Claudia looked up at her husband. “That’s tomorrow morning.”
Garrett nodded. “Aye.” Then he sighed and tossed the parchment into a corner. Turning to face her, he met her eyes. “Aye, tomorrow then. Tomorrow we shall see our son.” A small smile played on his lips, and yet, Claudia could see only too well the tension that held him, the fear that would not leave. What if something went wrong?
It was a question on both their minds, and yet, neither one of them dared to say it out loud.
“We should rest,” Garrett said, brushing his hands up and down her arms. “We should eat and then rest. ‘Tis been a long day in the saddle. Ye must be tired.”
Hearing the challenge in his tone, Claudia welcomed the distraction and returned his taunt. “As must you for you’ve been up as long as I.”
Smiling, her husband nodded. “Aye, I’m tired as well.” He glanced at the door. “I’ll head
downstairs and fetch us some food.”
Claudia nodded. “That sounds good.”
Reluctantly, they parted, not wishing to be seen together. Still, when Garrett finally returned, his arms laden with a hearty meal, Claudia almost sighed with joy. When had his mere presence become so essential to her? She could hardly draw breath when he was not around, her thoughts focused on him alone, unable to find a distraction that would hold them for long.
Seated around the small table, they ate together in comfortable silence. The sun slowly sank lower, and they lit a candle which cast a warm glow over their faces. Their eyes met, never leaving for long, and their hands often brushed against the other as they reached for a piece of bread or cheese. They both sought comfort from the other, their hearts and minds tense as they awaited the next day.
What would happen? They could not know, and yet, their own thoughts painted images of what they most feared.
Unable not to, they soon sank into each other's arms, the warm feel of their bodies soothing the ache in their souls.
Once again, Claudia felt reminded of her dreams. Dreams that had stayed with her throughout the past year. Dreams that had given her a small reprieve from the days that continually broke her heart.
In these dreams, she had felt Garrett’s arms around her, had felt the tips of his fingers brush along the line of her jaw and down the column of her neck. She had felt safe and loved with him, and when he had whispered to her in the dark, her heart had been whole.
Now, he was no longer a faceless ghost. Now, he was a man of flesh and blood.
Her husband.
Her son’s father.
Her other half.
Throughout the night, they clung to each other, hoping, praying, trying to forget. If only for a moment. A small reprieve.