“No, Betty, thank you. I have no allergies, and I’m not a fussy eater.”
Betty spooned a generous portion of a variety of dishes onto her plate and side plate. She did the same for Clayton and then the two of them moved to the bottom end of the table and dished up for themselves. Abigail wondered about the setup, but kept her questions to herself. Most of the meal was eaten in silence. Abigail really enjoyed the food, but could not clear her plate. She used a napkin to wipe her mouth she got up and walked to the bottom of the table, “Betty, thank you for preparing this beautiful meal. I really enjoyed it.”
Before Betty could reply, Abigail took their empty plates and placed them on the trolley. She almost got her and Clayton’s plates when Betty exclaimed “No Miss Abigail, let me do that for you.” She took the plates and rushed out of the dining room with Simon and the trolley in tow.
Clayton laughed “Well, this is going to be interesting.”
“What?” asked Abigail with a smile.
“You and Ma-Betty. You’re both strong willed.”
“Speaking of strong willed, Clayton, I did not bring my laptop or mobile phone and I want to call Sally to say I’m OK.”
There is a phone in your room. Unfortunately there is no mobile coverage on the ranch, but we do have access to the Internet. I’ll organize a laptop for you tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, what are your plans?”
“I have no plans. I’ll just settle in I suppose.”
Clayton got up, “I have to inspect fences on the south border of the ranch and I would like you to come with me.”
“Ok, sounds interesting, but I must say I’m not looking forward to another long road trip.”
He pulled her chair out, “Don’t worry. It is a very short trip. See you at 4 am. Please excuse me.”
Clayton left the room and she walked upstairs to her room. Four in the morning?! Sally was not joking. Abigail drew a hot bath and settled into the hot water. She thought that she would be sad and longing for home, but the newness of the ranch and the people she met so far kept her mind busy. Just then she remembered to phone Sally. She quickly finished her bath and wrapped herself in a towel. She dialed London.
“It’s Abby, how are you?”
“I wondered when you will phone! And? How is the farm? Tell me about the man!”
“Slow down Sal. It is not a farm, it is a ranch. Clayton is massive. He towers over me and has very broad shoulders with almost no waist. He is handsome in a rugged sort of way…”
They spoke for a couple of minutes and Abigail promised to phone again.
Abigail looked at the antique alarm clock on the night stand. She set it for half-past three and climbed into bed. She fell asleep almost instantly.
The alarm woke her and it took her a couple of seconds to realize where she was. She jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom. After a quick shower she brushed her teeth and got dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. She put on hiking boots and took a light jacket – just in case. She rushed to the door, but stopped in her tracks just before opening the door. She turned around and quickly made the bed, and cleaned the bathroom as much as she could. She grabbed her wet towel and took it down with her to the kitchen. She did not know exactly where the kitchen was, so she just followed the smell of freshly brewed coffee. As she entered the kitchen, she caught the tail end of a conversation between Betty and Simon.
“… probably sleeping until noon, if you ask me! I don’t like these city types…”
“Good morning Betty! Good morning Simon.”
Betty jumped out of her chair and sent is flying behind her. “Miss Abigail, what are you doing down here so early?”
Simon picked up the chair and greeted her. “What can we do for you Miss Abigail?”
“Just a quick cup of tea, thanks Simon.” Before Simon could react, Betty grabbed a teapot and filled it with boiling water from a pot on the stove. While she was making the tea Abigail asked, “Betty, Clayton and I’m going to inspect fences this morning and I have no idea what time we’ll be back. I’m really out of my depth and I don’t know if I must pack some breakfast or even lunch for us?”
Simon laughed and pointed at a large rucksack standing by the door. “Breakfast is packed Miss Abigail. I just have to fill the flasks. Betty handed Abigail her tea. “Simon, maybe add a few things, I didn’t know that Miss Abigail was going with.”
Betty left the kitchen just as Clayton entered. He grabbed a mug of coffee that Simon held ready, “Morning Simon! Morning Abigail! Wow, you look really nice this morning, but that jacket won’t do. Simon, please fetch Abigail my blue jacket.”
They waited for Simon, when Betty returned and asked where Simon was. Clayton told her and she left very quickly.
Clayton drained his coffee. He lifted the rucksack onto his back and grabbed a high-power LED torch from its charging station. Simon reappeared with the jacket and handed it to Abigail with a smirk on his face. “Have a nice day you two… mine will be miserable…”
Clayton looked at Simon, “Why Simon?”
Simon smiled as he said “Miss Abigail made her bed. Betty is not impressed…”
With a laugh Clayton helped Abigail get into his oversized jacket. They walked through the garden towards the compound in silence. Abigail was not used to the fast pace and struggled to keep up. She was still suffering from jetlag and did not get enough sleep.
The road flattened and Clayton headed for the largest storage shed on the edge of the compound. In the grey of the false dawn, Abigail saw him swing the two massive doors in the front of the shed open.
“Wait here Abigale, I’ll be back in a moment.”
She heard him start an engine, but could not see properly into the dark shed. A moment later, Clayton pushed a Micro light out of the doors. Abigail took a couple of steps backward saying “No. No. No.”
He grabbed her arm and screamed over the roar of the engine, “Much better and faster than a drive don’t you think?”
Before she could react, he lifted her in his arms and placed her in the seat. He strapped her in and placed the headset over her ears. He unceremoniously propped her helmet on her head and then jumped into the front seat, “Can you hear me?” His voice came over the headset.
“…I don’t think I want to do this!” she screamed back at him. “Hold on!” was his reply.
He took a sharp left and switched on the LED torch. The light beam played over a windsock hanging limp in the morning air. He attached the torch into the frame and opened the throttle. Abigail screamed as the uneven ground bumped her all over the seat. The nose lifted and a second later the shaking stopped as they took to the sky. Clayton left out a loud whoop and slowly banked so that they could fly over the house, “You OK back there?”
“I think so…” she screamed.
“You don’t need to scream, I can hear you perfectly well. Look down. We are flying over the house.”
Abigail could make out two figures standing in the pool of light by the kitchen door. They were waving. She wanted to wave back but held on for dear life to the frame in front of her.
He brought the Micro light around in a lazy arc and climbed as they headed south. “Look East.” she heard his voice. She turned her head to see dawn breaking in spectacular colors.
She was still admiring the shifting hues when he announced that she must prepare for the landing. “What must I do?” she asked.
“Just hold on!” They descended sharply and out of nowhere a small landing strip appeared in front of them. Clayton landed softly and he killed the engine.
A young man greeted them with a wide smile. “Hello Clayton! Who is your visitor?”
Clayton helped Abigail out of her seat, “Abigail, meet Eli. Eli this is my future wife Abigail.”
Eli’s grin widened. “Glad to finally meet you Miss Abigail!” he said as he offered his hand to her. She took it and let him lead her to a little cabin set hard against a crop of stunted trees. A cheery glow filled the windows and smoke curled lazi
ly from the chimney. A pot of coffee was brewing on the wood stove and the little cabin was warm inside. She removed her jacket and Eli hung it on a peg by the door. Clayton entered and closed the door behind him. Eli relieved him from the rucksack and without words opened it to start preparing breakfast. On the top of the bag he found a box with a teapot, teacup and tea. He held it up and asked Abigail if she wanted some tea. She said yes and Eli unpacked the rest of the bag. In no time the cabin was filled with the smells breakfast being prepared.
Clayton set three plates on a small rickety table and Eli quickly filled the plates with a variety of meats, scrambled eggs and hash browns.
Eli handed Abigail her tea, “So you met my mother then Miss Abigail?”
It took a moment for her to place him, and then remember Simon telling her about his son. “Yes, yes Eli, and your father. He fetched me from the airport.”
They finished their breakfast and Abigail got up to start cleaning. Both Eli and Clayton stopped her.
“Please Miss Abigail, let me. It is my job.”
She gave him a warm smile as he took her plate from her. Clayton cleared the table and stood next to Eli, “Eli, I want to go out on horseback to check the fence. You head back to the house and tell your father to meet me and Abigail between marker 22 and the main gate at around two this afternoon. He can drive her back and I’ll come fetch the Micro light. We’ll all be back at the house for supper tonight.”
Eli left the cabin to saddle two horses. He called Clayton when he was done and waited for Abigail. He helped her into the saddle and they set off. “How will Eli get to the house if we take the horses?” Abigail asked.
“He has an off-road motorbike round the back. He will be there in no time.”
Abigail quickly found her seat on her spirited mare. Soon they were flying along the fence that marked the boundary of the ranch. After about an hour they came to a small stream. They dismounted to let the horses drink and rest. Clayton led the horses into sparse shade under a tree and stretched out on the grass close to the stream. Abigail sat next to him watching the rise and fall of his deep chest. For the first time she admired his body. He was powerfully built with tick arms and legs. She found it odd, because he was a very tall man. She was admiring the play of muscles on his forearms when he suddenly opened his eyes and looked at her. His piercing blue eyes were full of mischief. He got up, and helped her to her feet, “Let’s be off!”
They mounted the horses and catered along the fence. Just after 11 am Clayton called a halt. He pointed out a small tree that fell over and was resting on the fence. Two posts were bent. They went closer and Clayton showed her the number etched into one of the posts. It read “CT141”. He made a note of the number. “I’ll send Eli and a crew here tomorrow to get rid of the tree fix the posts and fence. The number will lead them right to this spot.”
The rest if the morning was uneventful. Abigail was hot and sweaty by noon, but never complained. Clayton stopped often to rest the horses and spoke to her about the ranch non-stop. Every question she asked he answered with excitement. At two o’clock they reached the main gate, but Simon was not there. They dismounted and waited for a while. Abigail could see that Clayton was getting worried.
“Simon is never late,” said Clayton.
Abigail mounted again and replied, “You head back to get the Micro light, I’ll follow the road back to the house. If I find Simon I’ll send him back to the house.”
“Are you sure you will be alright on your own?”
“Of course, but it is a long ride, so let me be off.” She tuned and laughed at him, “I can look after myself!”
Clayton mounted and with one last look over his shoulder sped off in the direction they came from. Abigail rode for about half an hour when she saw a motorbike rushing towards her from quite a distance away. She spurred her horse on and met the rider in a few minutes. She did not know the man, but he asked if she was Abigail. After she said yes, he asked where Clayton was. She told him, and by his agitated state knew something was wrong. He confirmed her fear when he told her that Eli fell off his bike and was badly hurt.
She told him where Clayton was heading and spurred her horse on to the house. It took almost an hour, but she made it in one piece. Her legs were jelly and her body was cramping all over. A stable hand took her horse and she ran towards the house. She found Simon running from the kitchen with a large bucket in his hands. She followed him to a part of the house that she has not seen yet. He disappeared into a room and she entered a moment later. The scene that greeted her was surreal. Eli was lying on a single bed, and blood was oozing down his leg. “What happened?!” she asked.
Betty was cleaning the wound and looked up, “Stupid boy that loves speed to much! Now he broke his leg and the bone is sticking right out.”
Eli only groaned in answer.
“What can I do to help?” Abigail asked as she rolled up her sleeves.
No answer was forthcoming but she saw a white basin full of bloody water with rags floating at the top. She scooped it up replaced it with the bucket that Simon brought. She took the basin to the kitchen. Five minutes later she returned with clean hot water. She placed it next to Betty. Betty thanked her and told her that the doctor was on his way. Abigail said she will wait for the doctor and bring him to the room the moment he arrives.
She left them and rushed back to the kitchen first. There was boiling water on the stove and she made herself a quick cup of tea. She also poured two mugs of strong coffee and took it to Betty.
Betty accepted the coffee with trembling hands, “Thank you, child, I appreciate it. No go and see if the doctor has arrived yet.”
She rushed back to the front porch. She looked out over the yard, but saw no cars. She heard the roar of an engine, and was just in time to see Clayton lining up the Micro light to land.
She ran down to the compound to meet him. His face was drawn with worry when they met at the edge of the garden, “How’s he doing?” he asked.
“He is seemed OK when I saw him last. He has lost a lot of blood.”
Clayton ran to the house and she struggled to keep up. He knew where to go and Abigail stopped at the door to catch her breath.
After about 20 minutes the doctor arrived. The only reason she knew it was the doctor, was the black leather case he carried. He looked like a cowboy straight out of a movie. Hat, boots and all. Without preamble he asked her where Eli was. She took him to the room.
He took one look at the leg and told Betty to leave. “We’ll need to set it and get him to hospital.”
Abigail took Betty back to the kitchen. An hour later Clayton, Simon and the doctor loaded Eli into the van and they all left for the hospital. Betty was in a state.
“Betty, why don’t you go and clean up and change your clothes? There is nothing more to do now. Eli is in safe hands.”
“Yes Miss Abigail.” She left the kitchen looking very worried.
Abigail did not know what to do. She saw fresh vegetables on a counter and assumed that Betty was going to use it for dinner. She rummaged through a couple of drawers and found a sharp knife. She sat at the massive kitchen table and started preparing the vegetables. Her thoughts were with Eli and his family, and she missed her own family very much. Through streams of tears she managed to prepare all the vegetables. She was just taking out a large pot when Betty returned. Betty saw her tear stained cheeks, and immediately asked if she was OK.
“I’m just missing my family,” She replied.
“The ones in London?” Betty asked while taking the pot from her hands.
“No Betty, they all died in an accident, I’m the only one that survived. Seeing Eli on that bed made me think about my own brother. I just felt so helpless in that room.”
Betty’s eyes welled with tears, but she kept her composure. “I’m so sorry Miss Abigail, I did not know. It must have been terrible!”
“Thank you Betty, it still hurts, and seeing Eli lying there was just too much to bear.”<
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Betty squeezed her shoulder. “I understand, child. Why don’t you go upstairs and let me finish up here. I’ll call you for dinner.”
Betty carried a board of vegetables to Betty “I don’t think either of us should be alone right now. Please let me help you with supper.”
Betty gave her a smile, “Very well. Please pass me those and let us whip up a nice pudding to go with dinner.”
They both laughed and cried through the evening. It was after nine when the men returned from the hospital. Clayton and Simon said good bye to the doctor at his car and he left. Hey were both exhausted as they fell into chairs around the kitchen table.
When Simon saw Betty he said “Eli is OK. He will stay in hospital for a couple of days, but he is fine.”
Betty was visibly relieved. She started getting plates out for dinner. “Why don’t you guys wash up? Miss Abigail and I’ll bring the food to the dining room.”
Clayton and Simon gave each other a look of surprise.
Abigail was too tired to carry the food through. “Wait”, she said as the men got up, “wash your hands in that sink. We can all eat right here. There is no reason to go to the dining room.”
“Miss Abigail, that’s not proper,” said Betty. “Guests don’t eat in the kitchen!”
“I know that this is only my second day here Betty, but even you should realize by now that I’m not a guest.”
Betty was taken aback, but she knew that she could not keep up fighting the inevitable. “Yes, Miss Abigail. You’re right… Now you too listen to her and wash your hands, the food must be all dried up by now.”
Dinner was a loud affair with all of them telling each other about their day. They all laughed when Betty imitated Abigail’s scream as they took off in the Micro light that morning.
That night Betty fell into an exhausted sleep. She remembered to set the alarm clock, but forgot to phone Sally. Her last thought before falling asleep was filled with a pair of piercing blue eyes…
Kidnapped By The Highlander Lord (Scottish Highlander Romance) Page 29