The Highlander's Bride(96)
Not a man, woman, or a couple with a child was safe from accusations or from being detained until the soldiers could ascertain their identity. It had taken considerable effort for them to sneak past the soldiers and reach the outskirts of the harbor, and even more fancy maneuverings to finally make it to within yards of the ship.
They presently took shelter behind a building amidst stacks of crates and barrels and discussed the quagmire they faced.
“Everyone with a child is being questioned,” Cullen said, hugging his napping son in his arms.
Sara was bluntly honest. “The one relatively safe way to reach the ship is through a huge distraction.”
“Agreed, and I must be that distraction.”
Sara near punched him, she was so angry. “Are you truly a fool?”
“No,” Cullen said sternly. “But it is the only way.”
“We haven’t even discussed other possibilities,” Sara accused, and glared at her husband, fear grabbing a firm hold of her stomach. He looked so worn and yet remained so determined. He’d fight to the bitter end to protect her and Alexander.
However, he failed to understand that she would risk her life as well in order to see father and son safe—she loved them that much.
“There are no other possibilities,” he said, “and besides, I have unfinished business with Balford.”
“We get Alexander on the ship and then we both go take care of Balford,” Sara said, as if it was done and he need not argue with her.
“You know I will not allow that,” Cullen said confidently.
“I was afraid you’d say that,” Sara replied, and sighed heavily.
“It’s the way it must be. It’s the most sensible solution to our situation. The soldiers will be so busy with my capture that you and Alexander can sneak easily on board and no one will be the wiser.”
“What if the soldiers decide to search the ship?” Sara asked.
“I imagine they already have, but even if they did so again, I have no doubt that my brother keeps a hiding place where you and Alexander can remain undetected until they leave.”
“You’ve had this all worked out,” she said, annoyed that he’d been scheming to have things his way without regard to her concerns or opinions. His journey to find his son hadn’t been an easy one, but he had succeeded, and it was important that he not jeopardize his life now that he was so close to freedom for himself and his son.
“This is my fight, not yours.”
“Wrong!” she snapped. “We are husband and wife and therefore the fight is ours.”
Cullen tried to reason. “It was mine before you came along.”
“It was made mine when I became your wife.”
“We can’t waste time arguing over this,” Cullen said. “Alexander will wake soon, hungry, and draw attention. We must get him on the ship now.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
Cullen smiled. “I knew you’d see reason and accept what must be done.”
“I do see reason.” She grinned. “That was why I married you. It was a reasonable solution to my problem, though I didn’t count on falling in love with you.”
“I’m glad you did and I’m glad my son will have a strong loving mother to protect him.”
She didn’t like the sound of that. He was all but telling her that Alexander would be hers to look after and that he trusted her to keep him safe. That would explain the true reason he brought her along. If anything happened to Cullen, he’d know that Alexander was much loved and fiercely protected.
He loved Alaina and he always would, she thought. There was no room in his broken heart for her, which helped her know what she now had to do.
Sara kissed her husband’s cheek. “I love you and I thank you for letting me sample what it was like to have my own family. I will always remember our time together fondly and lovingly.”
She stepped away from him.
“Sara!” he shouted.
“Take care of Alexander and have a good life,” she said, and rushed from behind the building, away from him, her heart breaking, though she refused to shed a tear of regret. This choice was hers, as it had been her choice to wed Cullen and to love him. She did this not only for them, but for herself, for love.
She ran screaming to a soldier, who grabbed firm hold of her. “I know where you will find Cullen Longton, the man you seek,” she said to him. “I am his wife. Hurry, hurry, you must follow me or he will get away. He has many men with him.” She tugged at him to follow.
The soldier called out to the others as Sara continued to urge him to follow her.
“How do I know you speak the truth?” the one who had taken hold of her asked as the other soldiers gathered around.