Part 35 (1/2)

Sean actually crossed himself at those fiercely uttered words.

Graham spat on the ground and shoved Nora toward Rufus. ”Secure the wench and let us finish our business.”

Ewan pulled at the ropes that held him. Somehow he was going to find a way to escape this. G.o.d help the MacKaids when he did. They were all going to learn firsthand why no one crossed a MacAllister.

Only death awaited such fools.

Once Rufus had Nora tied up with Graham's belt, he sat her roughly next to Ewan, then returned to his brothers to help write their note.

Nora licked her lips, but held herself together with a strength of will that amazed him. She was truly spectacular given what she'd been through this day. Brave.

Even so, he could tell just how shaken she was from all this, and he ached to soothe her nerves. But he doubted if anything short of their escape could do that.

”It's hopeless, isn't it?” she asked.

”Nothing's ever hopeless,” he said with conviction. He would get her out of this no matter what it took.

She sighed and s.h.i.+fted her bound hands in her lap. ”I don't know, Ewan. I'm thinking this is as hopeless as it gets.”

”Look at me, Nora.”

She did.

”If this is as hopeless as it gets, you and I are in good standing. I promise you. This, in the grand scheme of life, isn't so bad.”

She shook her head at him. ”You're a strange man, Ewan MacAllister. But I love you anyway.”

His heart caught at her words. ”What?”

”I love you,” she repeated. Then she leaned forward and laid her head on his chest and snuggled up to him. ”I'm so sorry I got you into this.”

Happiness, disbelief and anger tore through him.

How could a woman like her have a single care for him?

And yet he knew she spoke the truth. She wasn't Isobail to spread her lies and walk away. Nora would never be so cruel.

She loved him.

And he loved her even more now than he had before.

”I will not let them hurt you, Nora. Do you understand?”

Nora offered him a small smile that she didn't really feel. She appreciated what he was trying to do, but she didn't hold out any false hopes.

How she loved her big bear. She could almost believe him when he said that. ”Aye.”

Ewan nuzzled his face against hers. She could hear his intake of breath as if he were inhaling her. He pulled back ever so slightly and kissed her cheek.

She watched in awe as he moved away from her. He stood up slowly, turned to face the wall, and braced one leg against the old stones next to where the ring was embedded.

He took the ropes into his hands and used his leg to pull against the iron ring.

Every muscle in his body tightened as he tried to pull it free.

Nora was aghast at his actions as much for the fact that he might succeed as for the fact that what he was doing had to be excruciating for him.

”Hey!” Rufus shouted as he looked up to see Ewan on his feet.

Ewan didn't stop.

The wall shook as Ewan panted and strained even more.

Nora pushed herself to her feet and moved away from the wall before her strong bear pulled it down on top of her.

She'd never seen anything like it.

An instant before the brothers reached him, Ewan pulled the ring free.

He turned on them with a vicious snarl.

Nora wanted to help him fight as the brothers attacked Ewan, but as long as she was there tied up, she was a liability to him and she knew it. If one of the brothers caught her, they would again threaten her life to control Ewan.

So she did the only thing she could.

She ran for the horses as the MacKaids ran for Ewan.

Her gamble worked. They were so intent on subduing Ewan that she was on Ewan's horse before Graham realized she'd left the area.

Nora wasn't used to riding bareback, but it didn't matter. It was up to her to see them safely away from this, and she wouldn't fail Ewan.

After pulling herself up on the horse's back, she clamped her legs tight around the horse's ribs and ran Ewan's horse straight at the men.

The brothers scrambled away.

With a grunt, Ewan swung himself up behind her.

He brought his bound arms down over her head, placed them around her, and took the reins, then turned the horse about.

He ran it toward the other horses, scattering their mounts before he headed them into the dense forest.

She could hear the brothers cursing angrily as she and Ewan rode away from them while they tried to recapture their own horses.

Nora wanted to turn around and see if they were behind them, but couldn't. Ewan's hold on her was far too tight.

So instead she focused on remaining as still as possible so that Ewan could maneuver them.

Her entire body was tense and ready as they sped through the forest. His spirited horse flew through the trees easily, but she was terrified the MacKaid brothers would catch them.