“There’s many people I’ve loved, but if you ask if there’s a special woman, then the answer is no.”
“You’ve never been married?”
“Not even close,” he confirmed with a laugh.
“You don’t wish to wed?”
“I will only wed when I fall in love, completely, foolishly, deeply, and without doubt. I intend to share the pitfalls and the joys of life with her until our dying day.”
“What a lovely thought. I wish you success in your quest to find such a love, but then you’re stubborn enough to be successful.”
“A trait we have in common,” he reminded, and thought to ask about her husband, but realized it wasn’t a good time. She had suffered enough with losing a brother. She didn’t need memories of her husband adding to her pain.
“Leaders are never stubborn, Mr. Longton.” She smiled. “We are wise.”
He smiled along with her, pleased that she had acknowledged him as a leader sharing the same quality.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“For what?”
She tucked the blanket around her. “For covering me up and warming me.”
“I never meant to intrude on your privacy,” he explained. “The door was ajar and I hoped you had returned safely from your journey.”
“Weary, but safe,” she confirmed.
He wanted to reach out, wrap her in his arms, and take her to bed—to sleep. She needed rest, and he’d make sure she got it. He wouldn’t let her out of his arms until she slept a good many hours.
“Now if you will excuse me, sleep will be a welcome reprieve for me.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” he said, relieved she’d finally get the rest she needed, and walked to the door. He turned, holding the door ajar. “You won’t be going off somewhere in the middle of the night, will you?”
“To tell the truth, once I fall asleep I don’t think anyone will be able to wake me.”
He grinned. “Sounds good to me.” He stopped again before going out the door. “But if by chance another emergency arises, please wake me. I’d be only too glad to help out.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
He wanted to insist, but thought better of it. Storm would do what she wanted regardless, so he’d have to sleep lightly and keep aware of sounds and make certain she didn’t slip past him once again.
The rain continued for a few hours throughout the night, then stopped. Burke slept on and off, his sleep disturbed by dreams and sounds. Finally, as the first hint of dawn rose on the horizon, he tossed the covers aside and got dressed in his trousers, shirt, and the brown leather vest Angus had given him.
He hadn’t heard a sound from Storm’s room all night. He assumed she slept soundly but he wanted to make sure for his own peace of mind. He kept his footsteps light and with a gentle push of her door, he peeked inside.
Several oaths spilled from his lips.
Storm wasn’t there.
He descended the rope in an instant and made his way through the camp searching for her. She had an uncanny way of disappearing. It seemed that no one had seen her. He knew better. No one would tell him where she went. He wasn’t really one of them, and therefore he wasn’t fully trusted.
Why hadn’t he heard her leave? His sleep had been restless enough and he’d been alert.
Janelle bid him good morning but knew nothing of Storm’s whereabouts or those of her son, Tanin. Malcolm had also disappeared, as had Angus.
Had they all left on another mission?
Damn, he hated being left out.
He was going to have to make it very clear to Storm that he wanted to be advised of her whereabouts at all times.
He laughed, as he knew she would. What right did he have to demand anything from her? He was a stranger and therefore a safety risk. Why should she tell him anything? She really had been generous so far with him. She had searched for his brother immediately and provided a safe haven for him while he awaited his funds. He had no right demanding anything.
Angus stepped out of the woods, a big man, the size and width of a bear, though gentler. He carried fresh fish on a pole and smiled as he approached.
“Where is everyone?” Burke asked anxiously.
“A good morning to you,” Angus said, walking past him to the campfire and kneeling to prepare the fish.
Burke followed him. “Tanin, Malcolm, and Storm are gone—”
“Sit,” Angus instructed with a nod. “They’ll be here shortly.”
“You know where they went?”
“Aye.”
Burke wanted to rip the answer from the man. He was tired of his questions being evaded, tired of secrets, tired of being treated like the enemy.