Binding Vows(33)
Food was placed in front of them. Cassy sat on her right, and Fin on Duncan’s left. Cassy started chatting to Tara the minute they sat.
“I can’t believe this will all be over tomorrow.
You had a good time, right?”
“I have.” Tara tried smiling at her friend, but confusion and nerves kept her from really engaging in what Cassy was saying.
“So what are you going to do with Duncan?”
Cassy whispered.
Her answer was immediate and required very little thought. “I’m going to Scotland.”
“Get out! Really, when?”
“I don’t... Soon, I think.”
With so much noise and activity, it was difficult to hear Duncan’s words. But when she did, they were stern.
Be careful how much you tell her.
Tara placed a forkful of food in her mouth to keep herself from saying more. Why?
Others listen.
She followed his eyes as they rested on Gwen. A chill came from the woman’s stare. She wants to hurt 95
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me, doesn’t she?
Aye.
But why? What did I do to her?
It isn’t you, but what you are that she wants.
“I don’t get it,” Tara said aloud.
“Don’t get what?” Cassy asked.
“Ahh... I don’t get how I’m considering leaving with him.” Tara recovered, “I haven’t even known him very long.”
“Well, I think it’s awesome. When will you go, winter break?”
Tell her I have extended my stay, and you will be with me while I’m here.
Tara shot him a look.
Have her go home without you.
Tara wanted to question him further, yet Cassy’s look demanded an answer now. Tara took a leap of faith. One she hoped she wouldn’t regret.
“Actually, he’s decided to stay around for awhile. I want you to take the car and go back without me.
Duncan and I are going to honeymoon for a few more days before he returns.”
What’s a honeymoon?
She laughed at his question. Cassy laughed at the implications.
“You go girl.”
96
Binding Vows
Chapter 8
The sun set during their meal. Light ocean breezes fanned the flames on the torches and candles. Everything about the evening was magical.
What Tara didn’t know was how magical it was going to get.
Duncan sent Fin out ahead of them to retrieve their horses and supplies. He was torn with how he was getting Tara to come with him. Time was running out.
He shut her out of his thoughts for a while to hide the truth from her until she was safe.
When they left the dining area, Tara gave Cassy a frantic hug. “Don’t come back to the tent tonight. If I’m gone in the morning, know I am with him. I’ll call you when I can.”
“God, Tara it’s just sex. Trust me, it kind of hurts the first time.”
A single tear dropped. It was as if she was saying goodbye for more than a few days. “You’ve been the best friend I’ve ever had.”
“Oh man, now you’ve got me crying. Knock it off.” Cassy brushed at the tears on her cheeks. “Go, pop that cherry for God’s sake.”
When Tara turned to leave, Cassy said in a voice a bit too loud, “And use a condom.”
Several people heard Cassy’s comment.
Laughter rose up and everyone watched as Duncan and Tara left together.
Because it was expected, and many watched, they went to her tent. Inside was lit up like a 97
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Christmas tree. Rose petals covered the pallet and champagne chilled in a bucket.
“Wow. Did you do this?” Tara asked.
“She did.” Duncan dropped a bag on the bed with a frown. “Fill it quickly with whatever you think you need.”
Tara wanted to question why his urgency was so great. She didn’t. Instead, she shoved all her clothes and her purse into the bag. On impulse, she grabbed the bottle of champagne.
They exited the tent the same route they did the previous day. The brown muslin cape she had brought to the fair hid her pale dress and red hair.
Wordlessly, they walked behind tents and stuck to the shadows. When they reached the outskirts of camp they walked briskly until they reached the cover of trees.
Duncan kept silent, listening for any sound of alarm.
Tara however, was growing increasingly anxious and unsure of her decision to follow him without a better explanation as to why they were leaving in this manner. “Where exactly are we going?” she finally asked.
“Beyond this ridge. Fin is waiting with the horses.” Assuming that meant the horses would be loaded in a trailer and they were driving to their next destination, she asked. “And then?”
“Home.”
“I told you I didn’t have a passport. How do you expect to get me out of the country?”