Part 27 (2/2)
Even more perplexed, she stared at them. They looked as if the angel of death were upon them and they had forgotten to get last rites. ”They're just women. Tell them you're not interested-”
”And they'll try and change our minds,” Braden interrupted.
Maggie rolled her eyes at his dire tone. ”No, they won't. You forget I'm a woman. I know how they think.”
”And I know how they act,” Braden said as he returned to her side. ”They'll not leave until they get what they want.”
Maggie laughed at his ego. ”You're being ridiculous, Braden. You're notthat irresistible.”
His look bore into hers. ”You think not? Then explain to me why Tara is on her way here after I already told her I had no interest in taking her.”
Before she could think to respond, Seamus's three eldest daughters threw back the doors to the stable.
”Knock, knock, lads,” Tara said, her hands on her hips as she surveyed them. ”We've come to see to your comfort.”
Chapter 14.
Sin darted away from the women to the back of the stable.
The Itold you so look from Braden was such that Maggie almost laughed. Until the youngest of the women headed straight toward her with a swing to her hips and a look in her eyes that told Maggie exactly what the woman was after.
Her.
Oh, bother me! She'd better move-fast.
Maggie started for the stall behind her, but tripped and fell.
”Och, now,” the girl said as she bent over Maggie and pressed one pale hand to Maggie's forehead.
”Do you have a boo-boo I need be kissing?”
The girl's lips were dangerously close to her own as the girl pressed her b.r.e.a.s.t.s against Maggie's arm.
Seeking a way to pry the hoyden off her, Maggie curled her lips in disgust.
”Uh, nay,” Maggie said, dropping her voice an octave as she struggled to roll out from under the girl.
”My boo-boo is just fine. Thanks.”
”Now, ladies,” Braden said as he sidestepped Tara's outstretched arms. ”What would your da be saying if he caught you out here?”
Tara backed him against the wall. .
Undaunted by Braden's evasive tactics, Tara laughed. ”Oh, he'd be after the lot of you for sure. But he's off asleep already. Now,” she said, grabbing his plaid and pulling his face closer to hers. ”How bout another taste of those sweet lips of yours?”
Braden ducked and twisted out of her clutches.
Maggie was appalled. Never in her life had she seen such. Braden had been right about the women.
Mo chreach! They were in serious trouble.
Just as the girl reached to grope Maggie, strong arms pulled Maggie back.
In one fluid motion, Sin lifted her from the ground, tossed her up on a horse and smacked the rear of the beast. The horse shrieked, then bolted from the stable at a dead run.
Struggling to bring the horse under control, Maggie panicked.
The horse flew into the woods with the bit between its teeth. She pulled at the reins, but the horse paid her no heed as it dashed through limbs that clawed at her, threatening to knock her out of the saddle. Her heart pounding, she leaned forward and latched on to the horse's neck, praying she didn't fall off and kill herself.
It was probably a good five minutes before Sin and Braden caught up to her and brought her horse under control. Braden leaned over and took the bridle in his hand, then used his horse to slow hers. Her heart still pounded in her ears as she gave a quick prayer of thanks for the deliverance.
”Are you all right?” Braden asked her.
Still too terrified to speak, Maggie took deep breaths and nodded.
Braden patted her arm comfortingly, then turned on his brother with a furious glare. ”Och, man, what have you done to us now?”
”I saved your b.l.o.o.d.y a.r.s.e. What do you think would have happened had the women discovered Maggie wasn't a lad? Were you ready to explain?”
A tic started in Braden's jaw. ”Now we'll be hanged for horse thievery!”
Sin shook his head. ”I left more than enough gold for these nags. Their owners will be thrilled to have it.”
Maggie watched as some of the tenseness faded from Braden. ”My thanks, then.”
Sin s.h.i.+fted in his saddle and cast a pitying glance to Braden. ”You know, little brother, it seems to me you must live in eternal h.e.l.l. I can't take you anywhere that the women don't seize upon you like the last morsel of their last supper.”
Braden reached up and raked his hand over his own neck. ”Aye, I just wished you'd acted sooner. That Tara had nails like a hawk. I swear, I think I'm bleeding.”
It was then Maggie realized the truth of Braden. He wasn't a conscienceless rapscallion out to seduce any woman he found. Indeed, other than a little flirting, he hadn't really done anything to make Tara pursue him.
And though both he and Sin had tried to tell her that, it wasn't until this moment that she actually believed it.
”Where are we to sleep now?” she asked the men as they slowly picked their way through the dark woods on horseback and with their hastily gathered belongings. ”And what are we going to do with the horses?”
It was Braden who answered her. ”Since we have the horses, I say we ride them into the MacDouglas lands until we start to draw notice, then we leave them to graze. As for the night, anyone feel up to riding through it?”
Sin growled. ”Nowyou think to ride? Where was that thought two days ago before I wore my legs out walking?”
Braden laughed. ”You should be grateful. Better these nags be stolen than your warhorse or my Deamhan.”
Sin grudgingly ceded the point.
”I would just as soon see this behind us,” Maggie said quietly. In truth, too much had already happened on this journey and all she really wanted was to get this last confrontation over and done with.
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